Sound mind is souding really good
Titus 1
1Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ for the faith of God’s elect and the knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness— 2a faith and knowledge resting on the hope of eternal life, which God, who does not lie, promised before the beginning of time, 3and at his appointed season he brought his word to light through the preaching entrusted to me by the command of God our Savior,
4To Titus, my true son in our common faith:
Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior.
Titus’ Task on Crete
5The reason I left you in Crete was that you might straighten out what was left unfinished and appoint[a] elders in every town, as I directed you. 6An elder must be blameless, the husband of but one wife, a man whose children believe and are not open to the charge of being wild and disobedient. 7Since an overseer[b] is entrusted with God’s work, he must be blameless—not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain. 8Rather he must be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined. 9He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it.
10For there are many rebellious people, mere talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision group. 11They must be silenced, because they are ruining whole households by teaching things they ought not to teach—and that for the sake of dishonest gain. 12Even one of their own prophets has said, “Cretans are always liars, evil brutes, lazy gluttons.” 13This testimony is true. Therefore, rebuke them sharply, so that they will be sound in the faith 14and will pay no attention to Jewish myths or to the commands of those who reject the truth. 15To the pure, all things are pure, but to those who are corrupted and do not believe, nothing is pure. In fact, both their minds and consciences are corrupted. 16They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny him. They are detestable, disobedient and unfit for doing anything good.
Family
F- is for the freedom to be who I am and still love
A- is for the amazing grace that I have found that I used so often
M- is for the mountains that I have been able to climb because my family has been there
I- is for the insistance in my mom’s heart to follow God and obey his commands
L- Longing for love that God will use with OUR family’s heart this year :-)
Y- Yes to adoption!!!!!!!! :-)
My man <3
I want to have that man that will love me forever :) Dont we all :) but for some reason when i SEARCH and seek and try to make it happen and work it doesnt. That doesnt mean that its the “wrong” guy. Its just that my heart is searching for something of this world, and God is the CREATOR, of my relationships. So should i step back and let him work, and create things that i could never even imagine, or try to Create my world around me? I think its time to let Jesus stir in my heart my reasons for being me, and love him in that. :) Love HIM and not my SELF.
-the MAN in my life is not mine he’s GODS
-my FAMILY in my life are not mine their GODS
O God, you are my God,
earnestly I seek you;
my soul thirsts for you,
my body longs for you,
in a dry and weary land
where there is no water.
2 I have seen you in the sanctuary
and beheld your power and your glory.
3 Because your love is better than life,
my lips will glorify you.
4 I will praise you as long as I live,
and in your name I will lift up my hands.
5 My soul will be satisfied as with the richest of foods;
with singing lips my mouth will praise you.
6 On my bed I remember you;
I think of you through the watches of the night.
7 Because you are my help,
I sing in the shadow of your wings.
8 My soul clings to you;
your right hand upholds me.
9 They who seek my life will be destroyed;
they will go down to the depths of the earth.
10 They will be given over to the sword
and become food for jackals.
Dear Lord, you will always be beside me, please help me to hold fast, in my doubts and worrys about getting marrried. To hold fast you your love that is SOOO tangible, help me to embrace your love. Lord humble me, open my eyes. Jesus thank you for your joy that conquers worry, your joy that conquers before the battle has even begun. The victory in you is overwhelming. God your a GOOD and AWESOME giver. Give me your eyes to see!!!!!!!!!
<3 your daughter
11 But the king will rejoice in God;
all who swear by God’s name will praise him,
while the mouths of liars will be silenced.
the most beautiful awakening
I’m so awe-struck by His perfect peace! I just have to share this! — the past couple months have been some of my hardest, BUT God showed me that it’s like I’m lying on the ground with chains over me but they’re not tied down! and I’m just sitting here, but God is crying out to me saying, You’re not tied down! Get up! Walk my precious daughter! It’s the enemy trying to make me feel like i’m tied to darkness and don’t have a way out, but the chains are just laying there, and I have all power and authority in JESUS CHRIST to throw off the chains and run!
I’ve been letting satan get a foot-hold on me! and instead of crushing him under my feet I let him sit there holding on to me!
<3 Lindsay McIlvain
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bucket list
1.) Take fun pictures ALL THE TIME
2.) Gingerbread house
3.) Cookies for the homeless
4.) Write OUR Christmas story <3
5.) Hang out at Sunrise with the older people
6.) make letters for my wall in my room (black spraypaint!)
7.) Send encouraging texts evvveryday!
8.) LOVE MY FAMILY <3
Proverbs 3
Proverbs 3:
1: My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart,
God you want us to keep your commands in our hearts. Ohh if the world would do that. How much more could we see your beauty? How much more could we see who you are? When I see love in the context of a man and a woman who first and foremost love you, and then they have the ability to love each other, that is beautiful. When natural wildlife is kept in its place, when rushing rivers can flow, while pebbles and mountains underly its crystal rapid structure. That is BEAUTIFUL. When Children can run and play and be themselves in all your splendor. You call that good! Real good!
Look what has happend…
Divorce rates are at an insane high of 55% all across America.
Child sex trafficking is the number two most high stadning income in the world.
Plants and oil rigs have been placed despite nature around the world, so we can keep our busy lives going. That’s crazy.
Procrastination and laziness has swept over America to where whatever we do, we can only do it in a short amount of time because “our” time has limited our producatability.
Is it our time?
No, its God’s.
But he has chosen to give us a certain amount of time that we call “ours”
But just because he has given it to us doesnt. mean its ours does it?
Its still HIS time.
We just have ignorged the copyright?
Also time began before we were beings.
So technically we are “being” in time.
Not “owning” time.
God is the owner and giver of time and everything.
He holds everything, everything.
Can you feel the breaking of God’s heart when HIS time is dwindling in the midst of our being?
It’s Gods time, we are the only me EVER “being” in time.
Thats SPECIAL!!!!!! <3
he loves you!
2: For they will prolong your life, many years and bring you prosperity
So many people get to a certain point in their life and say, “man i wish i could have really lived.” Not in the sense of being daring and crazy, and doing senseless things, but missing out on something? That something that gives them memories, and fulfillment. I remember looking back on the day of Graduation. Two things that were heavy on my heart, was that i would have spent more time on my school work and done better, and two created more memories. Mmmm that was a terrible feeling. But in his mercy I am walking in his purpose and that is beautiful mercy.
3: Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.
Love is patient, love is kind, it does not envy, it does not boast, it is not rude it is not SELF-SEEKING, it does not envy, it keeps no record of wrong. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices in the truth!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And the TRUTH IS;
1.) Truth is PROTECTION;
Psalms 40:11/Do not withhold your mercy from me, O LORD;
may your love and your truth always protect me.
2.) Truth is the desire of GODS HEART;
Psalms 51:6/ Surely you desire truth in the inner parts;
you teach me wisdom in the inmost place.
3.) Truth opens up a doorway of WALKING IN THE LIGHT OF GOD
John 3:21/But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God.”
4: Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man.
with thanksgiving ill be a living sanctuary for you
T H A N K F U L N E S S
- Alaska, Abilene Christian, Adoption, Amber
- My Brother Connor,
- Change Point in Anchorage Alaska, my angel Cale
- My Dad who is such a wonderful guy and provider
- Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength, they will soar with wings like Eagles, they will run and not grow weary they will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40:31
- Food-SMRIMP, Close Friends, Laura, Megan, Baylee, Chloe
- For God so loved the world, that he gave his one and only Son, that whosoever believes in HIM shall not perish but have everlasting life. John 3:16
- Hillary Joy Hitz, Hope
- Igloos for the sake of the question :) “Did you live in an igloo?”
- Joy- When the material things can’t give me joy the joy of the LORD is my strength, Jesus
- Kisses and hugs XOXOXOXOX
- Lindsey Wolan, Lindsey Marler, Lindsey McIlvain, :)
- My Loving Mommy, and MOUNTAINS that I can climb :)
- Nightime when i can see the stars
- Oma and Opa- i remember laughing so hard and crying and making cookies with jelly, and teaching you lessons <3 i miss you, OCEANS
- People like Conner Strickland who draw me back to my first love <3
- Questions- Some of God’s GREATEST gifts are unanswered prayers
- Rodney Caffey, Running, Reeelin in a trotaaa line :)
- How love isnt Safe all the time because it requires you to take risks, and SNOW!!!!
- Transforming my mind, my little sister Taylor, Tyler Sutton
- Unconditional LOVE
- Valerie Grace Kirk
- Winter and the changes of seasons, God’s Word, WATER!!!!!!
- eXplanations
- Your name is a strong and mighty tower <3
- The number Zero because all we need is Christ, and his tangible LOVE, no number letter or thing could define his love <3
trouble in transformation
Today i am home, and i woke up and walked downstairs to my brother smiling at me and ohh i just love him he is so tall. Also he gives “huggies” about every five seconds so. :) Then i went and got my hair died ahhh i look like i have a wig, its crazy, talk about BLACK. Anyways :) So my sweet loving mom took me to the galleria and we went shopping and ate at the cheescake factory yummy! :) and then i hung out with some of my girlfriends who are being insane at school…. i felt lonely… and that is when it all began to hit
As i entered into the door and proceeded through this insane amount of stores i looked to my left of this large picture suspended behind a sheet of glass, it was a picture of two “women” who modeled, i dont know gucci? and the picture litterally scared me, my heart was racing, they were like this foreign creature that was lifeless, and no reality at all. they looked like they could walk right over me, their dark eyes and blank stare had no response if i needed something, no laughter just posing for the world to see.. Hm? All the people that passed by my mom and I mimicked the pictures, propped on heels, or suede shoes, blank stare as each footstep hit the ground one tap thump at a time. Average income of 500,000 + So then we continued to search for Nordstrom and an reocurring array of these scary lifeless creatures boldy reprinted and recopied in a deep dark place in my heart and mind. What life is in that?
All i could think of is what ive been experiencing the past couple weeks of the house that i go too with the kids who we feed and help. My best friend Conner who is leading me closer and closer to my heavenly Father. I love it. He is such a wonderful man of God. What a beautifully complex mind he has. LOVE IT! My sweet friend Megan who absolutely goes out of her way to love on me, and encourages me in my hopes and dreams. And the fact that the place my mom and I were at was not helping conversation flow, but just run into different stores with different things to buy. Cant we just sit on the couch and laugh and talk about life, and Jesus?! PLEASE! :)
My heart then began to run into this blank trance, all i could think about during that time was what was before my eyes. The endless skirts, bags, manicans, purses, heels, books, watches, hats, gloves, and the gargantuan Christmas decorations. (Everything is bigger in Texas this tree was huge!) But thats all i could see what was before me, and what was even better was that each and every item, yeah, came in EIGHT HUNDRED different shapes, styles, colors? yeah… talk about hard to get that out of your head.
How do you get something out of your head, or for that matter focus on something that’s important when there are EIGHT HUNDRED different things in front of you? How can you possibly be satisfied with material things? They distract, they cannot and will not protect you, they prepare you for the future with a wantingess for something bigger and better? WHY DO WE NEED ALLL OF THAT IF IT NEVER IS GOING TO DO ANYTHING FOR US?
I tell you what, the past couple of weeks, i have hung out with some of the most non-materialistic people, and they are the most life-filled, loving people I have ever met. I LOVE HANGING OUT WITH THEM! :) They bring joy to my heart because daily they choose God and the heart of Jesus Christ over the world, and man i am hungry for that tonight. No wonder i feel like i cant connect with my heavenly father. so many things filtered through my mind that i just blahhh i cant see Jesus! i need him!!! <3
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Romans 12:2
My joy is in Jesus <3
My heart is restless
I want to grow beyond measure
Feel the rouch of your hand
And bask in your splendor
Grow in your glory
That’s not for my worth
Sing of your radient story
that began with your humble birth
Sing a song to God
a song that’s just your heart
Sing a song to God
Dont stop when your afraid to start
When the enemy tells you
get it all together
just look to the truth
and be an adventurous treasure
smile and seek him
with all of your heart
love and adore him
for him is where all of life starts
Sing a song to God
a song that’s justyour heart
sing a song to God
dont stop when your afraid to Start
Your the light in his eye
that cannot grow dim
smiling and laughing
its all beautiful to him!!!!!
Sing a song to God
a song that’s just your heart
sing a song to God
dont stop when your afraid to start
Be
relentless
contagious
fearless
courageous
be relentless contagious fearless courageous!
Sing a song to God a song that’s just your heart <3 sing a song to God,
Dont be afraid and JUST STARTTT!!!! <3
:)
Nehemiah 6:8
For the joy of the Lord is your strength
Encouraging :)
By: Nicole Johnson
There is no beauty in makeup. Expensive clothes will not make you beautiful. The secret lies in being an alive, awake woman with something to offer the world. Namely, yourself. Beauty is less about your face and more about your smile. Less about the shape of your eyebrows, more about the light in your eyes. Less about the length of your legs, more about the bounce in your step. Real beauty is being a viable, vital human being. As you participate in your life with a warm smile and a generous spirit, you are beautiful.
Living your life will bring out the beauty in you because it is uncovering you. It is revealing more of the authentic you that is beautiful. Because life is a living, breathing work of art, you are a painting as you go. Be a masterpiece. Drink in life. Laugh too loud. Compliment others constantly.
Cultivate beauty all around you. Plant a garden. Embrace beauty wherever you find it—in the fall leaves, in the spring flowers. This will help you embrace it in yourself. When you appreciate a sunset or your child’s clay candlestick or a beautiful piece of music, you are saying yes to beauty. You are saying yes to God.
“Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.” –Proverbs 31:30 NIV
