Beth Moore: The Hair Brush

"Uneasy"

     ♥ I went to a leadership training meeting at my church last night. Alex and I have recently become a part of The Avenue Church which is a brand new church in the Old Louisville area. One of pastor's told us last night that he sees the Avenue as such a blessing not because it is new, not because it is better than other churches, but that as a part of this church we have the opportunity to start fresh. Now he wasn't speaking in terms of starting fresh as "Oh I haven't been living like I should and I need a do-over." That isn't the "starting fresh" that he was talking about. You see, as a brand new church, we have the opportunity to pause and re-focus and think about the big questions that we are wrestling with every single day. 

Biblically speaking, 

What should the church look like?

What are the obligations of the church in the community?

How should relationships in the church look like?

What should leadership in the church look like?

What is biblical community?

What are the things that the church should be doing for each member?

What is the church?

At first as I was hearing these questions over the period of 6 months I thought, "Oh, that's easy. The church should look like the church I came from just in a different location." I thought that we'll do the same things, we'll talk about the same things but it will just be with different people in a different location. My thinking was completely wrong because being part of a new church and saying, "Ok, God let's start from scratch and see what your Word says," has been life-changing for me. Instead of just being a member and doing what everyone else in the church was doing, I had to pause and think for a second (ok, maybe a lot longer than a second) and truly search to see what God said about the church in His word, the Bible. 

I am still searching and one thing that we are currently talking about as church-planters who have come from wonderful local churches is the topic of biblical community and what it looks like. We all had small-groups in our previous churches. We have asked... is this biblical? Why or why not? I would have never started thinking about these things, but it truly is something you have to think about! Starting fresh has made me dig deeper into the word of God and even though I have been confident of certain things within the church as biblical I have never really looked for myself. Being a part of The Avenue has encouraged me to go deeper and genuinely study what His word says about the church as the body of Christ. 

And so... one more thing that we talked about last night was the fact that we as Christians say that we believe that God is never changing. We say that we believe it, and we can point in Scripture and read about how he was consistent over decades and generations. Then we put down our Bibles and wonder why things are different today. Are they? Yes, society and culture is "different" (whole other topic) but do we believe that God is different? Is He working just as He worked back then? Well if we believe that He is never-changing and will always be who He is then why do I sometimes feel surprised when a prayer is answered? Why am I shocked when I see Him work in someone's life who I never thought would be receptive? If He is the same then of course He would work just as He did back then. Then why am I surprised by Him? Do I really believe that He is the same and that He works in people's lives just as He always has? This is just something that I've been churning around in my mind. 

What is scary to me is that I see how God was faithful to His followers, but then I also see how He asked them to do things that weren't normal, things that they didn't want to do and made them uneasy. Time and time again through Scripture we can see "Biblical heroes" living out their faith and God revealing Himself to them while at the same time asking them to do radical things that they protested over and over again... but because they were His followers He wrestled with their hearts. And when they were obedient He revealed himself a little bit more. These "heroes" were just ordinary men and women who chose to be obedient to Him and sought Him above all things. And God revealed Himself to them in ways that they never could have imagined. My worry is that I cannot remember the last time that I wrestled with God about something that He was asking me to do that I did not want to. It is natural to not want to do the things of God. It's called human nature and sin. When telling people that I go to church and that I am a Christian becomes the "uncomfortable thing" that God calls me to do then I am afraid that there is a serious heart problem and that God may not be using me as much as I think that He is. I can't really come to a conclusion for this post so I will just share a Beth Moore video that I love. She tells a story of when the Spirit wrestled with her and no matter how hard she tried to fight her way out of what He was calling her to do she was convicted and God revealed Himself to her just like that... Why should I be surprised when He works in big ways? He is a big God, and He is my God. I hope this video wrestles with you as it did me. (It is right above this post.)

- love, briana -

"Worship"

    ♥ I recently saw this video from one of my favorite new worship artists. Her name is Kari Jobe, and besides her voice being incredible, her life and manners are truly a testimony to the power of a Christ-filled life. I loved this brief video where she shares her heart and passion for worship. 



- love, briana -

"Closed"

     Just to let you all know, the restaurant that I mentioned in this post, Genny's Diner, was recently sold and no longer exists! Glad I got to experience it at least once! Bye bye Genny's!

- love, briana -

P.S. I heard it is becoming an ice-cream shop! I'll let you know how it is whenever I wander around that area.

"Love, Love, Love"

     ♥ I have recently come across a couple online stores that have the most amazing products, and I am so in love! The first is an Etsy store that sells decorative pillows. Our couch has lain bare because I cannot find exactly what I want! I am not the type of person that will just buy something because I need it. I will have a specific thing in mind that I want and I will go without until I find exactly what I am looking for! It isn't always a good thing, but at least I don't regret spending money on something that I won't like after a little while. So I stumbled upon this Etsy store, and for those of you who do not know what Etsy is, it is kind of like the eBay of crafty, homemade items. I love it a whole lot more than eBay because you don't have to bid on stuff, and if you are an artsy person, you can open your own store and sell your creations! Here are some of the gorgeous throw pillows that I found at The HomeCentric Etsy store.

     Aren't they just adorable? I am in love with the designs and wish I could buy them all! I just read that the designer is from India... how neat! Anyways, if you're in need of a pillow, I definitely recommend this place. I'll let you know when I buy my first one! There are so many to choose from! I have always had positive experiences with Etsy sellers and can vouch that shopping on this website is legit just in case anyone was wondering!

     I have also fallen in love with Victoria's Secret fall/winter sweaters that they have this season. I filled up a shopping cart online with everything that I wanted from their new line and it added up to cost almost $800! I am not sure how I will end up narrowing it down... they are just so cute! You can see their collection by clicking here. I wish there was an actual Victoria's Secret clothing store around Louisville... one that sold clothes as well as all their other... things. I would definitely be shopping there if they did! Well... hope you like the pillows and sweaters. I am off to work in a little bit and have spent most of my morning online shopping. Now off to do something producive..... 

- love, briana -

"Learning"

      ♥ I am just quickly updating before my class starts in less than 20 minutes... and normally I wouldn't update on a Thursday just because Thursdays are the longest days of my life this semester... but I will right now because I am just amazed at my brain and how God has designed it and how much He is teaching me through learning. 

     This should probably be an obvious statement, but driving to my 2nd class today I was just immersed in the thought of how much I learn every single day. I know that I am in college and that I am supposed to be learning, but I am not simply talking about school-based education. I'm talking about learning about life and thoughts and actions and things that I cannot even put into words. I am amazed at how much I have been learning about myself lately. I am constantly thinking to myself, "Oh, now I get why that happened," or "So that's why I act this way or say these things or think these thoughts." I guess I am just becoming more aware of my thoughts and actions and how I respond to different things at different times and in different situations. I think the word for it is metacognition... thinking about how you think and why you think the things you do. 

     I am not the type of person that while I am driving has the radio on constantly. Sometimes I will be driving for over 30 minutes and kind of "wake up" and realize that I have just been driving, deep in thought, the entire time. Maybe it is because I am getting older and wiser (I hope!) or maybe it is because God has control of my life now (as opposed to me holding tightly onto plans, plans, and more plans) but I just find myself thinking back to childhood and young adulthood and thinking about how those times were and how they have affected me and who I am today. Is this normal? To me it is completely healthy, and I am loving all these new revelations that God is allowing me to comprehend just a little. Life never ceases to amaze me, and I am just enjoying the learning process. I believe... no, I know that learning lasts forever. I have no doubt in my mind that I will be learning more things than I ever thought possible until the day that my life is over. God is so awesome, and I'm thankful for Him making me this way!! 

- love, briana -

"Thank You"

Psalm 100 

1	Make a joyful shout to the LORD, all you lands!
2	Serve the LORD with gladness;
	Come before His presence with singing.
3	Know that the LORD, He is God;
	It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves;
	We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.
4	Enter into His gates with thanksgiving,
	And into His courts with praise.
	Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.
5	For the LORD is good;
	His mercy is everlasting,
	And His truth endures to all generations.

"Fabulous Friday"

Happy First of October! 

The leaves haven't had much change yet, but I know they will soon! 

Today has been such a perfect day. I had school from 9-11:30 and then had a nice walk home. I know this is horrible, but we are still working on wedding thank-you's so I am doing those while watching some TV with the pups. I cleaned up a little and ate lunch as soon as I got home and have just been relaxing! Our air conditioning has been out for a couple of days, but it hasn't been too bad since the cooler weather has finally arrived. It got a little stuffy last night and today, but as soon as I got home the maintenance guy from our apartment complex knocked. It only took about ten minutes for him to fix it so that was good! The apartment is coming along pretty well. I think that my bathroom is actually the only room completely finished! I've been pondering if there is anything else that I can do to it, but I can't really think of anything! Here are some pictures. Let me know what you think! Is it too crowded?

My mom got me the weenie dog ring holder. So cute!

My Aveda collection -- Love love love ◆

I added a little wicker basket to put the tissues in after I took this picture. 

Thank you to Mrs. Jessica Jones for the little figurine! Love it!

And a thank you to the future Mrs. Barry for this daily reminder! 

I am welcome to any design suggestions... anything!! Please help me because I am still learning! I hope everyone has a wonderful day. Take time to thank God for your blessings. I know I have had so many lately!

- love, briana -