Nocturnal

More and more I'm realizing night is my time. I feel like I live in my own little world in the night. I'm more awake and alert and my thoughts run with greater ease. Maybe it's the lack of distractions outside or the fact that I'm less likely to have some random person annoy me at night. Keepin' it real, folks, keepin' it real.

Love is a powerful thing. Given how my life has been with new friends and thoughts on my other posts, I'm overwhelmed by how much power love, or the lack there of, has.

I had other thoughts on this but they aren't there anymore so I'll post in the morning.

You are loved.

Accept

2 Corinthians 2:10-11 ESV Anyone whom you forgive, I also forgive. What I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, has been for your sake in the presence of Christ, (11) so that we would not be outwitted by Satan; for we are not ignorant of his designs.




I didn't find a perfect verse for what I want to say, but, these will work.  


Last week, due to a problem with a "friend", contained one of the hardest nights of my life.  I was just emotionally done.  Somewhere and I were in the right and things got intense between us and the friend in a way with which I've never had to deal.


On top of that, and all the other chaos that has been in our lives lately, I've been struggling with the fact that earlier in the day, I sinned.  I know that statement sounds strange, but, it's the best way to say it.  I sinned.  I messed up.  I opened doors that should forever stay shut.  I was beating myself up over it the next morning.  I was thinking about how many ways it could ruin so much of my world and all this and God spoke up.  


He impressed on my heart how I was not my judge.  I was not in control.  In this case, that's an extremely good thing.  He gently reminded my heart that I am not the one who decides just how much "punishment" I should receive.  I was so busy bruising up my heart that I didn't take a moment to ask God about it all. I asked for forgiveness and took no time to receive it or purification of my heart.


The moment I stopped and said "Lord, clean me."  It was done.  The burden lifted.  I'm not saying I just cleaned my conscience.  It definitely wasn't like that.  I just understood in the way my finite mind can, that I was forgiven.


I am sharing this I think to remind people to take a minute and think if there is any case were the one punishing you is simply you.


Thoughts below, I'll reply :)


Isaiah 33:24 ESV And no inhabitant will say, “I am sick”; the people who dwell there will be forgiven their iniquity.

Love your neighbour

Here's something I just want to place this thought in your minds and perhaps have you place in return your thoughts on here.

What I want to mention and plant is this verse, that's been on my mind today.

Matthew 22:37-40 (ESV)

37 And he said to him, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. 38 This is the great and first commandment. 39 And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. 40 On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.”

"You shall love your neighbour as yourself."

I'm not going to say I think everyone should be self-centered jerks. There's a lot to be said for self-sacrifice and putting others before yourself. That's completely okay.

This is my thought, though, and I've heard this said somewhere and can't remember where.

If it says to love your neighbor as yourself, doesn't that mean that we are to love ourselves? That we are to respect and value that we are creatures of worth and beauty? Why then is it so hard to do things that are in care of yourself? Everything doesn't need to be about you, but, even taking time for mediation on our Savior is something for ourself in a sense.

Either way, my thoughts are if you can't love you, can you love others correctly?

Again, I think this can be taken to two extremes, especially in people of faith, but, I am curious as to your thoughts.

Thanks!

Source

A meme...

I have a whole lot on my mind today but not much of it is blog worthy.  Instead I'm going to do a cute little survey thing I saw on Caitlin's blog To Make Love Stay.

Also, I get the word "meme" but at the same time it always  makes me go "Wait, what?"

1. What's a nickname only your family calls you?

My family has called me "Goose" as long as I can remember.  It stood for Goosey Loosey Matoosey.   Even in nicknames, my parents are excessive.  I say this because they kindly gave me a name four names long that equals 23 letters.  

2. What's a weird habit of yours? 

I sing in the bathroom whenever I'm all done.  I don't know why.

3. What's a song you secretly LOVE to blast & belt out when you're alone?

I adore singing "Feelin' Good" by Nina Simone.  

4. What's one of your biggest pet peeves?

People who preach one thing and then do the other.  

Other than that, leaving the spray nozzle in the sink.  Don't do that.  That's gross.

5. What's one of your nervous habits?

I chew my lip or start rapidly picking at my nails, in a cleaning them way.

6. What side of the bed do you sleep on?

I sleep on the left.  

7. What was your first stuffed animal & it's name?

Beasley.  He was a fantastic french teddy bear that I took everywhere.

8. What's the drink you ALWAYS order at Starbucks?

Hmm.  Always? I like to switch it up.  Normally it will either be an iced doppio espresso with cream or some version of chai.  I love chai. I love it iced, hot, dirty or in a frappuccino. Ooo and with soy.

9. What's the beauty rule you preach.. but never ACTUALLY practice?

Throw away old make up. I actually did do this a little while ago, but I hate throwing away make up because it gets expensive buying new.  It's necessary for you though to purge at least once a year (I mean that's a big stretch for some things.) Every three to six months is better.

10. Which way do you face in the shower?

I turn around?  I tend to face the water.  I also like to sit in the shower floor and just let really hot water pour over my head. It's my thinking spot.

11. Do you have any 'weird' body 'skills'?

I can wrap my big toe over the next toe.  It looks really weird because I have crazy long toes.

12. What's your favorite 'comfort food'/food thats 'bad' but you love to eat it anyways?

Mac n Cheese... I love it.  Strange for a comfort food I guess but I love chicken in wing form. 

13. What's a phrase or exclamation you always say? 

"I'm just sayin'."

14. Time to sleep - what are you wearing?

Heh. Shorts and a shirt generally.  Sometimes I mix it up. You know, a shirt and shorts.  Just kidding.