Talk VS Slander

Something that i have been thinking a lot about lately is GOSSIP.

We all know that the word gossip is a negative connotation for speaking poorly

of someone. Actually, the word gossip has an ulterior definition, "light talk", but

the kind of gossiping i am speaking of is the word's recognized definition,

"malicious chatter".

Everyone gossips sinfully or not, it's inevitable, but once the enemy has a foothold on us through it,

it's hard to define the usually distinct line between talking down on someone and talking

to someone about someone else for righteous reasons. The righteous reason either being

for expressing concern or asking for advice on how to handle that person and their treatment to you.

When you are discussing a person to a friend in a concerned way, there should not be anything belittling

about that conversation or that will turn into malicious gossip. Remember, it's so easy to turn to

a friend rather than turning to God first. If someone is really bothering you, pray FIRST for that

person and how you treat that person in response. 

"Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need" Matthew 6:33

If you absolutely need to talk about it with someone, make sure your motives are not to uplift yourself or tear down that offensive person. Sometimes, we just need to vent to a best friend, but i think venting to more than one person about someone else turns into sin. 

You have more than one best friend you like to vent to? That is not wise. Keep

it to one or two MAXimum. Also, make sure the best friend you are venting to isn't one who eats

up information for useless reasons. Make sure he or she has the same motives as you do when

speaking to them.

It is also wise to talk to a pastor or Christian parent about the situation if you need further guidance. 

He or she has been there, and although it may seem more difficult to relate to an adult over a best friend, the adult is the one who is more likely to give that five star advice.

If a friend or frenemy, whatever, is attacking you or putting you down, why not politely confront them?

It is likely that he or she is oblivious to his or her actions and may even feel bad. DO NOT, and i repeat, DO NOT TEXT THEM OR SEND OUT A FACEBOOK MESSAGE when confronting, that's immature. Make it face to face or telephone if it is long distance. Not talking to one's face is cowardly, text messaging serious things is pathetic... let's grow up!
When in response to your confrontation that person doesn't care or doesn't change, stay away from them. Be polite, but don't ignite a fire for friendship, that is misleading. 

Do not pretend to be friends with someone that you just don't want to be friends with, that's lying. Wear kindness and loyalty around your neck, but be honest.

"“If another believer sins against you, go privately and point out the offense. If the other person listens and confesses it, you have won that person back" Matthew 18:15

*There is more to that verse that continues in 18:16-17, but verse 15 contains step 1. 

I have observed that a lot of Christians think that because they're, well, Christians that [wrongly] gossiping in their case is "different". We've all have fallen into that trap.

You may have one idea that you're talking to someone in the right way, just to vent or get prayer or advice, but the enemy can quickly turn that into sin, piece by piece. Satan usually works with

small portions at a time so you don't even know when you're falling. Always be on guard by staying in constant prayer! As Christians we are to be the example of Christ. We need to express His love in our lives

by acting as He calls us to act- more like Him! The second we start the fall we should be on our knees in prayer. 

When struggling with gossip, i like to read James 3 Click and check it out (:

She's "not all there".. or here

There’s so much I miss. Yet so much I don’t want to revisit.

Life’s not perfect.. at all. Not everything goes right. Nevermind, everything goes right. Just not the way i want. “No regrets”, whatever, sure.

 I have lived a very blessed and somewhat exciting life (to me anyways). At the same time, I have so much life coming at me. Hitting me in the face... in a good way. So much to look forward to.

So much excitement.. so much curiosity and mystery. I want my life to unwrap. I want to know what happens.

Everyone can relate. If not now, one day you'll see that when love is in your life, you wouldn’t even return to the past for a single pleasant thing that’s happened. Nothing worldly seems as important.You just love that person and your shared story thus far. You're blown away and very thankful.

Love makes you not care. You are so focused on the now and on the future. You just want more , more, more of it. You want all you can take. Kind of like a tic tac, one is never minty or satisfying enough.
So i want more life but want to remember less life at the same time? How does that make any sense?

What i think happens is that being just on the borderline aka right on top of the question mark of life, i’m not yet in for what’s next and not yet out of childhood completely.. i run to the past to remember and then run back to the future to dream.

Maybe that’s just a good definition of high school, and college too even, I don’t know. Sometimes it’s so hard to stay in the now. Trust is key. Trusting is not one of my strong points. Trusting God is… trusting people isn’t. If you are a control freak and you have the same problem… it’s because you’re a control freak, and that’s all there is to it.

But, like me, there comes a time when you just need to let go of high expectations and just live. When you live.. you love and are loved.

If you’re always looking forward to something or looking back on something.. you’re missing the something that’s happening now, what a waste! In reality, when God is at the center of your life there’s nothing to worry about. That's the love story worth creating.

“Don’t long for the `good ole days,’ this is not wise. Enjoy prosperity while you can, but when hard times strike, realize that both come from God. Remember that nothing is certain in life”. Ecclesiastes 7:10,14

Wake Me Up When September Begins

Last month at CIY my challenge card was to lead a devotion with my family once a week, pray that God will move in my family, and to start with the book of Mark.
When i first opened my card i was in awe of God's perfection. My family definitely needed something like this. We've tried family bible studies in years past, but it was always hard to get everyone together with all of the activities we were all involved in, so we gave up countless times.
Now we're on week 4 and it's been great!
We started with Mark... i kind of changed up the rules and went through a summary of Mark instead of analyzing it closely (not sure if that's cheating lol). Then we talked about our favorite verses from that book.
Now we're on to one of my favorite books from the bible, Ecclesiastes, and we're doing about 2 chapters a night. Satan gets me to feel so un-motivated every stinkin' week, but that just inspires me to push harder.
In the end, God makes me more thankful for my family. Thanks to everyone who has been praying!

School started a few weeks ago. Ever since then I've lost track of time. If every week is as fast as last week was we're in trouble.
I love my classes, which is kind of nerdy, but that's what keeps my day going. I have a day that's solely math and math-like classes alone, and i am so thankful to be able to focus on one subject in a day.

Thursday is small group orientation at my church and i'm so pumped for another year of growing with some lovely girls.
I have been biking and running everyday, and now i'm addicted. (: Our basement is slowly becoming a gym.
I am still getting the hang of balancing devotions, homework, work, college class, working out, friends, and church activities, but it's good prep for next year.

PS) I'm itchin' for some Fall weather. This summer weather heat is exhausting.

My Health/Fitness Observations

1. Water needs to be a priority. Don't drink anything more than water in a day. Try to make milk come in 2nd. So many times i crave a sugary beverage.. before giving in, drink water and see how you feel. usually the craving goes away for me.

2. Fast food? I see so many people make a bad habit of eating out constantly! My family eats out 1-2 times a month OR LESS. Save your money and your body.

3. Eat slowly! Give your comsumptions time to settle in your stomach. Then you will be least likely to go for a second helping.

4. Don't allow yourself to indulge in any junk food until you've had some type of fruit or veggie. it's great self-discipline.

5. When you take a break from working out for more than one day.. it instantly becomes a chore. Keep focused and push forward.

6. Pilates balls are excellent ab-workers. I love mine to keep my stomach toned. I just lay on my back and basically go back into a bridge (like in gymnastics) then slowly move up. It feels great and is more effective than sit ups!

7. When your brain tells you that you're hungry.. stay out of the kitchen for 15 minutes and engage in a distracting activity (excluding the TV because of food commercials), and your stomach should calm down. Try to listen to the depths of your stomach.. like the difference between love and infatuation.. know the difference between hunger and cravings.

8. Make dessert more of a treat than a habit. Make dessert a reward for a hard workout or a day of total healthy eating. Give yourself something to work for.

9. Put junk food in hard to reach areas.. when you eat sweets take small tidbits and put the bag or box in a complicated place.. in that way when you're done you can decide if it's worth it to get up again and walk all the way over for round 2.

10. Have you heard the supposed myth that a little chocolate a day is good for you? I'm not sure how
accurate that is, but i tell myself it's true. Like exercise, chocolate causes endorphins.. if i'm convinced
that i'm following the rules by eating a little chocolate a day i'm gonna be happy and motivated by that alone!

11. Never, ever compare yourself to someone else. First of all, we're all made to be uniquely who we are.
Looking at a fit person and wanting that look could easily cause jealousy. We're not all meant to look the same. It's not wrong to have a goal of what you want to look like, but comparing yourself is ungodly. Plus,
someone's always going to look better than you in your eyes no matter who you are (tough love).

12. Most importantly, remember what God thinks, "Your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit; therefore, glorify God with your body." (1 Corinthians 6:19)
That does not only mean by what you wear or how you behave but what you eat and how you treat God's work of art! "It’s not good to eat too much honey, and it’s not good to seek honors for yourself." (Proverbs 25:27) I feel like that verse applies to how selfish going out to eat several times a month can become. We're running out our money to satisfy ourselves with unhealthy food. Let's face it, owning money can easily become so self-centered, we buy things that we think will make us happy. Why not cut out something
that gives temporary happiness and long-lasting FAT.
"So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God." (1 Corinthians 10:31)
Like i said, fastfood kills your body and eats up your money. We need to work our hardest to keep our
bodies healthy. I believe that the Lord will bless us for it!

Short & to the point.

I am a female, a woman, a lady.

And i believe that a lady's job is to not pursue, but to be pursued.

To be honest, to be lovely, to be respectful AND respected, to be lively, to be godly, to be faithful, to be pure, and to be encouraging.

I love being a girly-girl. I love pink, lace, pearls, red roses, and love.

I love feeling pretty, I love being adored, and I love being a girl. I have a higher, much deeper opinion on this matter, but for now all i want to say is that above. the end.

And you can't point fingers

What do i want? It can't be love.
The liar tells me that 
Love at this age is fake
and delusional
and heart-breaking
and misleading
and a lie

I don't want to risk the possibility of becoming that "annoying, exclusive pair" with someone.
I don't want to risk giving into the temptations of going further.
I don't want to risk believing in something that is a 50/50 chance.
I don't want and do want so many things that i don't even know which way is mine.

And yet,
something keeps me going and keeps me pushing.
something keeps this alive. Whatever "this" is.

This is a mystery. I am confused. You should be confused.
"This" is confusing. "This" may not even be real. maybe it's all an allusion.

Whatever it is... i think i have finally figured "this" out.
"This" is me believing that love is possible. That it is able to be real and eternal.
"This" can be defined as hope that won't die. Hope that's holding on to the last possible strand.
The last strand that makes your hands bleed and knuckles sore.
"This" is not giving up. Every girl can say, "This" has become a school girl crush gone wrong.
It always seems like it does.
“Your heart just breaks, that's all. But you can't judge, or point fingers. 
You just have to be lucky enough to find someone who appreciates you.”
-Audrey Hepburn.

But when you put it all into perspective.. in reality... "This" is faith. This = faith.
Everything you ever go through for someone or with someone with no strings attached, no promises made, and no idea what will happen... is FAITH! And faith is the "This" that is pressing me forward.


Because in reality love is beautiful. God puts love on a pedestal.
God heeds love's importance again and again.
You can do all things great and not love... and still burn in hell.
Just take a look at 1 Corinthians 13. Love is important.
Not just romantic love, but loving other humans. Loving everyone is the most important.
Love is vital. And never could i look at God... and look at all He's done.. and not believe in love.
I KNOW it's real.. and i want to experience it.

Usually i am a closed book, but now i must admit that
in other words, i want to fall in love. Just like every other girl.

In all seriousness..

Do you know what i seriously dream of? Do you know what i would love?
I would just love to have amnesia for one week.
I'd love to not know who my friends are and re-analyze who i associate myself with.
I'd love to remember nothing about anyone and have a clean sheet, a fresh start.
I'd love to be told who my supposed friends are and see how my infant-like reaction to them would be.
I'd love to remember everything at the end of the week and remember my amnesiac perspective and then compare it to my original perspective. i would absolutely love that.