Arm Candy

Square Blush Bracelet: Mindy Mae's Market

Cable Bracelet: Tobi

Reflecting the Heart of Jesus- Humility

How can you reflect a heart of humility? Is it by putting yourself down or by thinking you are of little worth? No, humility is no passive resignation. And it's not the fine art of belting yourself or others. It comes from knowing Christ and knowing your worth in Him. It takes place in the mind and heart and is referred to as "lowliness of mind" (Philippians 2:3). And it can be matured and cultivated...

I bet your wondering, "Well, how can I be more humble?" Begin each day by reflecting on Christ's great sacrifice on your behalf and considering your own sinfulness. When you follow this pattern, you will be humbled by the grace God has offered to you. Next, make willful choices that give humility place in your life. Talk less, listen more (and def talk less about yourself!). Look for those who are suffering or alone, and reach out. Wherever your day takes you, go to give and to serve as many people you can. Volunteer to help clean up or set up. Commit yourself to a ministry that no one sees- cook or bake for other at home, visit those in hospitals, take a special meal to a cancer victim, clean an elderly's home. And lastly be a woman of prayer! Everything about prayer breeds humility. The posture of prayer is downward. Talking to God is humbling- He is holy. Worshipping and praising Him is humbling- He is bigger and greater than you. Think of Peter's words: "Humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God" (1 Peter 5:6). 

Black Lace

Jesus Shows Us the Way

Praise, thankfulness, and gratitude should be a regular part of our everyday life as Christians. Think about it- we have so much! But unfortunately our affluent society has dulled our sensitivity to God's grace and gracious provision. It seems to require a trip to a county where Christians are persecuted and deprived to wake us up to appreciate even the smallest blessings we enjoy as God's children. 

As we read throughout the Bible of Jesus' qualities, we come to the masterpiece of His thankful attitude. It is a truly amazing quality because, as the Son of God, He created and possessed everything. Yet He never failed to demonstrate a thankful spirit to His heavenly Father. As we spend time thinking on thankfulness, lets first thank the Father for "His indescribable gift" of His Son Jesus, our Savior (2 Corinthians 9:15). 

Olive Green 

Reflecting the Heart of Jesus

No matter how society or those around you regard gentleness, it is an exquisite, powerful, and lofty Christlike attitude. To reflect this precious-in-the-sight-of-God quality, first desire it with all your heart. Then take every opportunity to bear mistreatment or misunderstanding with tranquility. Like Moses, fall on your face before God and wait for His action on your behalf. In prayer, seek His wisdom for your every move. Trust in the Lord to protect you and guide you, to empower you with His grace to respond to trails with Jesus' gentleness. 

Guest Post

Check out Mindy Mae's Market for details on this look 
and what a "touch of elegance" means to me.

Guest Post:

I have been given the opportunity to be featured on Mindy Mae's Market blog! 

Check out the look and outfit details on their site; click the MMM icon below to go straight to the post.

Make sure to check out their online shop for great pieces to add to your wardrobe. 

Love you all, have an incredibly blessed day. 

Festival Fun

Top: Image
Skirt: American Eagle
Sandals: Gap
Purse: F21
Ray Ban Sunglasses

Had a great time at the OKC Festival of the Arts today! 

My dad has had a booth here for the past 8 years. It is always something I look forward to :)

Choose Boldness

God has great plans for our lives. It’s exciting when He puts dreams and desires in our hearts, but it can also be challenging. Because fear always comes against us when we try new things. That’s how the enemy tries to keep us from moving forward—through fear. But instead of giving in to our fears, we can choose to be bold, confident and courageous through Christ.

It’s important to understand that courage isn’t the absence of fear; it’s moving forward when you feel afraid. And if we will do that, God will lead us straight through our fears into His perfect will for our lives. God doesn’t want us to live timid, shy, weak, wimpy, fearful, boring lives. He wants us to be bold, confident and courageous, unafraid to try new things. And it never ceases to amaze me what God will do through a person who simply steps out in faith.

When God starts you on His path, it’s hard to see the enormity of His vision for your life. If you choose to follow that vision, you’ll be met with plenty of opposition, but you will never regret following God. Don’t let other people make your decisions. Follow God’s destiny for your life. Find what’s going to fulfil you—and start embracing all that you’re meant to be in Christ. Choose boldness!

Sporty Cute.

Hat: Souvenir shop in LA
Dress: Gap
Cardigan: Lucca
Sandals: Plato's Closet
Watch: American Eagle

 Joy is not an emotion...

True spiritual joy is not happiness. No, "happiness" is an emotion, a state of good fortune and success related to our circumstances. If all is going well, we are happy, but as soon as some dark cloud or irritation enters our life, our feeling of happiness vanishes. I'm sure you're aware that pain is a fact of life. Contrary to our wishes, easy circumstances are not life's norm. Jesus warned, "In this world you will have trouble" (John 16:33). Paul explained, "Everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted" (2 Timothy 3:12). In the midst of that reality of pain and sorrow, God's joy is a grace gift. He give his joy to us as we encounter the hardships, tribulation, problems, and persecutions of life. Amazingly, this supernatural joy, given through God's spirit, transcends all of the tough conditions of life. 

As God's child, you can experience and enjoy God's joy- regardless of what life offers you. You can truly and genuinely be happy... no matter whats going on around you. Thats because your joy as a Christian:

1) is not dependent on circumstances, but on the spiritual realities of God's goodness, His unconditional love for you, and His ultimate victory over sin and darkness. 

2) is not based on your efforts, accomplishments, or willpower, but rather on the truth about your relationship with the Father through the son. 

3) is not merely an emotion, but the result of choosing to look beyond what appears to be true in your life to what is true about your life in Christ. 

Joy is a sense of well-being that abides in the heart of the person 

who knows all is well between them and the Lord. 

Lime.

Top: F21
Jeans: JCrew
Purse: Coach
Wedges: Steve Madden
Necklace: Etsy.com

Struggling to be faithful.

There's no doubt that to be faithful is a natural, fleshy, struggle. When I say faithful, I mean in all areas of life. In school, jobs, and in all relationships. That's why we need to choose to look to God for His strength! Every day we are tempted to do nothing... or as little as possible. Every day we struggle with excuses and challenges like these:

Tiredness says, "I can't do it." I can't make it to church, I can't study, I'm just too tired!

Laziness says, "I don't want to do it." Laziness whines, I don't want to get up.

Hopelessness says, "It doesn't matter if I do it." Hopelessness asks, "why try" and gives up.

Apathy says, "I don't care if I do it." I don't care if I'm a good friend, daughter, student. 

Rebellion says, "I won't do it." This is the attitude that should frighten us most. Rebellion stubbornly states I won't do what the Bible says, I won't help out, I won't do what my parents ask. Rebellion is hardness that we should fear because, as the Bible teaches, "A man [or woman] who remains stiff-necked... will suddenly be destroyed without remedy" (Proverbs 29:1). There is no deadlier attitude of the heart than rebellion, whether blatant, outspoken, or quiet about it. 

We all have areas in our life that need improvement. Our great God ends our struggles by making all we need to be faithful available to us through His grace. Praise God that you and I can choose to go to Him when we are too tired, too lazy, too sick, for ourselves. We can choose to do as David, the shepherd-king of Israel, did. He "found strength in the Lord his God" (1 Samuel 30:6). David repeatedly declared, "The Lord is the stronghold of my life" (Psalm 27:1). We too can find in Him the strength, the vision, and the faithfulness we need in these areas of life. He is readily waiting to give us these things!

Just some encouragment for you

Someday, maybe even today, you will need courage for the tribulations that will come your way. Jesus encourages you in these times to be brave and trust in His promise. "I have overcome the world." This means He will be there with you, and He will provide all the courage you need for the moment. Don't ever underestimate the power of His presence! Call on Him for strength and guidance.

Be joyful always; pray continually....

My Spring Break Look

Floral Dress: Caché
Grey tied shirt: American Eagle
Sandals: TJ Max
Bag: F21
Ray Ban Sunglasses

A Love That Goes Beyond The Norm.

God makes it crystal clear in His Word about the kind of love He wants us to have. Sometimes we may wish it weren’t so clear, because what is also clear is that we can’t express this kind of love on a consistent basis without His help. He wants us to have love that is shown in patience and kindness and is not possessive. Love that is not arrogant, rude, demanding, or selfish. Love that does not become irritable or grumpy, and does not keep a list of injustices. Love that believes for the best in others and not the worst, and is happy for their success and not their failure. Love that never gives up on the other person and endures through whatever happens.

How in the world do you find love within you like that? Do you have the kind of love in your heart that is never selfish or impatient? Do you have the kind of love that can endure anything and never doubt or lose hope? Only the love of God in you can accomplish all that through you. The way you access the flow of God’s love is by being in His presence—in prayer, praise, and worship. It comes by inviting the Holy Spirit to fill you afresh each day with His love and allowing His love to transform you.

Blast from the Past

Just going through some old pics that never made it on the blog. Hope you enjoy!! I have two weeks left of this semester. Its flown by. I've been staying busy with classes, my job, and my boyfriend. :) I will be sure to post more blog posts over break for sure! 

Dress and Boots

Dress: F21

Boots: Target 

Purse: Coach

"Take It"

My personal definition of the women who is practicing gentleness or meekness is that she will take it. And what is it she takes? She bears with tranquility the disturbances others create. She endures ill treatment. She remains clam in the midst of confusion. Carrying the image of Jesus and His suffering in her mind and heart, she takes it. And this cultivates the fruit of God's gentleness. 

I know this can be hard to swallow, and there are obvious moral exceptions (such as physical abuse). And we should always be asking God for His wisdom (James 1:5). Open your heart and mind to the beauty of this fruit of the Spirit. God so desires this precious and rare beauty of gentleness to characterize our lives. 

I'm Employed!

For those who don't know, I work at J.Crew and I absolutely love it!! Take a trip in soon and see me. Through the training process I learned so much about the company and the great quality of the J.Crew products. They really impressed me! I have already purchased BiStretch Mini Wool Pants, No. 2 Pencil Skirt, and the Schoolboy Blazer for work. All amazing pieces that work great with my current wardrobe. In love. These are a few pieces from their newest fall collection. 

Hush Fashion Featured!

Oral Roberts University has their own publication called the Oracle. 

So honored and thrilled to be featured! Made my day. 

xoxo

A Hair Cut and Pretty Makeup

My boyfriends mom has done hair for over 25 years, and this past weekend I gave her the reigns to chop off my dead ends. At first I was hesitant, but the end result was worth it! My hair feels and looks healthier and I like the style a lot! I like to round the ends of my hair, either with my straightener or a round brush, to give it some bounce and extra fullness. She also bought me a hair mask for distressed hair. You leave in the product for up to 15 min and rinse. I'll post a pic below. Thanks, Deb!

Being Faithful

Things to Do Today to Walk in Faithfulness

1. Choose to call upon God in prayer.

2. Choose to be faithful in the small things.

3. Choose to rely on God's strength.

4. Choose to eliminate laziness.

5. Choose to be faithful in all things. Trustworthy.

6. Choose to take a look of your own Christian walk and work on getting His faithfulness into your life... even if you have to look at just for today. 

Sometimes, its all black everything. 

Faithfulness- Just Do It!

Faithfulness means doing it... no matter what. Doing it regardless of feelings, moods, or desires- if the Lord wills. (James 4:15). Us girls have many assignments from God, and there's not way to accomplish them without faithfulness. Faithful diligence and discipline is needed every step of the way... and throughout the day. Like with devotions or quiet times with God... By faithfully going to God's Word on a day by day basis. Just as a flower needs water to flourish, so we need to drink daily from God's living word. It takes that motive of "just doing it" to get the job done. Laziness says, "I don't wanna do it." Laziness whines but faithfulness says I will. Let's be intentional with what we do and cut the crap. You will see fruit from your efforts, I promise! 

Is It the Weekend Yet?

The Dreaded Subject: Purity

Lets get real here.... I feel like everyone that hears this word secretly cringes inside because we have all heard message after message on purity. However, its always always always a good reminder and something we, as young people, need to hear because it is soooo important! Being "sexually pure" is not just about saying no to certain things in your life, its about cultivating self control in your life. Its powerful! Its essential to the Christian life. Self control aint a sweet, pretty, little thing. Self control requires putting on your battle gear and getting mentally strong. Sexual purity is an area where you absolutely need God's self control. Our society tends to overlook and accept sex outside of marriage. In fact, many people expect it! But is this what God wants for His young women? You know the answer.... absolutely not! So how are you going to resist the strong temptation of sexual impurity? This battle is fought -and won- when you call upon God, rely on His gift of His self control, obey Him, and say No. Look to Him, ask Him for fresh strength and self control. "Live by the Spirit... (and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature)..." Galatians 5:16. 

xoxo -Em