The Best Way to Spread Christmas Cheer...

1. Come On! Let's Boogey to the Elf Dance! - Sufjan Stevens 

2.  Into the Silent Night - for KING & COUNTRY

3. Count Your Blessings (Instead of Sheep) - Bing Crosby

4. O Come Let Us Adore Him - Hillsong

5. I Need a Silent Night - Amy Grant 

6. Little Drummer Boy - Pentatonix

7. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas - Judy Garland 

8. Baby It's Cold Outside - Otis Redman and Zoey Deschanel 

9. The Earth Stood Still - Future of Forestry

10. Once in David's Royal City - Sufjan Stevens 

11. Noel - Lauren Daigle 

12. Angels We Have Heard on High - for KING & COUNTRY

13. Still Still Still - Future of Forestry 

14. Some Children See Him - James Taylor 

15. Joy to the World - Sufjan Stevens 

16. Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree - Brenda Lee 

17. Lo! How a Rose E'er Blooming (Instrumental Version) - Sufjan Stevens 

18. Silent Night - Kelly Clarkson 

19. Our Lullaby - MercyMe

20. Joy to the World/For Unto Us a Child is Born - Amy Grant 

21. Closing of the Year - TOYS Soundtrack

Merry Christmas!

Enough.

Life is whirlwind.

Full of ups and downs.

It's so easy to get caught up.  Get tired.  Overwhelmed.  Worn down.

It's in these worn out moments where the doubts creep in.

You're not good enough.

Pretty enough.

Smart enough.

Witty enough.

Talented enough.

Nothing is enough.

People will reassure you that you are enough, but it still doesn't seem enough.

Enough. Enough. Enough.

The world backs up our thinking.  You need certain clothes. The hair and make-up to match.  The ever-changing must read book list to be considered with it.  You have to listen to certain podcasts or watch a certain YouTube channel or you're no longer hip enough.  Shop at this store.  Eat at this restaurant.  Post 500 times a day on this app.  Know the lingo.  Know the right people.

It leaves you overwhelmed.

And empty feeling.

Sinking.

Surrounded by all this stuff, but none of it matters.

I fall into this trap so often.  I care too much what the world thinks. I could easily be described as damaged goods trying to dig myself out of the hole.  Time and time again I fail.  Surrounded by everything and yet nothing at all.




Time and time again, God comes to my rescue.

No judgement.

No shame.

No condemnation.

Just abundant grace and love.

I am weak.  He makes me strong.  Lean in.  Push out the doubts.  Just trust.

There is nothing on this earth that will validate me 100%.  I will never feel like I fully belong here.  I won't always say the right thing.  I won't always be in style.  I won't always be up to date on the latest and greatest.

But, I will always strive to improve myself in my Father's eyes.

That's all the validation I need.  I am perfect in my Father's eyes.  I am enough.

And when I need a visual reminder, I just picture Him showing up at my door a la Love Actually and reminding me that I was made in His image.  To be exactly who He intended.  And that is enough.

Distractions

I really like technology.  I love having 1 device that can connect me to all my favorite people, play my favorite tunes, take pretty good pictures, tell me how to get to a new restaurant, and read the news.  The problem is, I don't just own one piece of technology.  I have lots.  It's a layering effect.  You start with something basic.  My laptop.  Being in school, it's kind of a necessity.  I got my iPod back when I was in college and smart phones were not even on our radar.  I've always loved tv and movies.  Now I have an iPhone.  I stepped on my Nook so that was the end of that one... There is nothing inherently wrong with any of these things.  The problem?



I've forgotten how to unplug. 



I constantly feel the need to be checking something.

The news.  Facebook.  Weather.  Instagram. Texts.

I used to sit through a movie and just watch.  Now I find myself multitasking to the max and I'm enjoying movies less.  Now I feel like there are always multiple screens going and I feel like I'm missing out if they're not.

I want to control my technology.  I'm done letting it control me.

I feel like I've gipped myself on some really great experiences.  I feel like I've compounded my stress by not being able to disconnect.  I feel like I've stopped living my own life and my technology is living it for me.

I'm going to turn my phone off during dinner and movies.  My iPad will stay in my dresser unless I'm getting ready in the morning (I use it to watch tv shows while I get ready) or travelling.

My laptop is a necessary evil right now while I'm still in the world of homework and writing papers.  Other than that, it stays under my bed.

I'm not going to turn the tv on until my Bible study is done.

I'm going to give myself at least 30 minutes to read before bed.



All of this technology has distracted me from being focused on what's really important to me.

Rather than living life through a screen, I'm simply going to live my life.

I'm done missing out because I was trying to capture the moment on my camera.  I'm going to savor the moments as they happen.

Rather than checking in on everyone on Facebook every 5 minutes, I'm going to enjoy the company I have in front of my face.

I am done letting technology be an excuse.

It certainly isn't going to be easy, but I'm ready to fill my life with the good stuff.

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right,

whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable

--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--

think about such things.

Phillipians 4:8

One Little Word: 2015

2015 had a bit of a bumpy start.  I found myself in a situation that I've been in before.  It is a situation that is out of my control.  I don't like it.



I want to escape to a beach to clear my head.  Refocus.  Recharge.

A beach is not in my near future.



The last time I was in this situation, I handled it less than gracefully.  I was spiteful and bitter.  Rash.



I am a different person now.  God has shaped me into a person I didn't know I could be.  This new, God-given, me is desperately trying to work through it in a whole new way.



I am holding my tongue.

I am choosing not to react.

I am praying.  A lot.

I am seeking wise counsel.

I have to Be Still.  Lean in.



All this to lead me to my one little word for the year 2015:  Authentic,

I have a desire to surround myself by reality.  Social media makes it far to easy to hide the imperfections.



I serve a very real God.  An authentic Savior.  There is nothing false about having faith in someone who time and time again extends His perfect and wonderful grace to someone who doesn't always act like they deserve it.  (That's how grace works, thankfully).



I want this year to be one of real relationships.  People who are willing to call my out when needed.  Who give life giving and soul growing wisdom.  People with no other expectations other than to be your true friend.  I'm letting go of the fake relationships.  Of trying to maintain things that aren't there.

I want this year to be one of real experiences.  Not doing things for the sake of doing them.  Seeking out opportunities to experience life, not just live it.

I want this year to be the year my faith gets even more real.  I expect that means things I am afraid of.  Letting go of things I continue to cling to even though they are long un-needed.  Nothing between me and my God.  Stripped down.  Face to face.  Faith.

Do not conform 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