Blatant Disobedience (to the silly rules of fashion)

One thing that I so like/dislike about this time of year (especially in this part of Virginia, where there is no predictability whatsoever with the weather) is that the rules of what one can or cannot wear are slightly ignored. At least by me. Take this for example: my sleeveless brown dress (bragging moment: that I got for $4 at the thrift store!) and my beloved fuzzy boots.

(Now, I will straight-up tell you that I am not very good at taking pictures of myself... I'm ok with that though, because I'd much rather take pictures of other faces. I tend to look blurry, look uncomfortable or just incredibly awkward. Either way, these pictures are terrible, and edited really weirdly, but hopefully, you'll get the idea.)

I've always felt a little uncomfortable in defined waist-lines (I'd rather wear something that was just really fitted) but I'm trying to stretch myself, and try some new things (like empire waists). Especially things that are more modest than something that is really fitted;)

Neckline details

 One of my criteria for buying things at the thrift store (or any store) is whether or not I have other things to wear it with. And this dress is quite the success.
Yesterday I wasn't going anywhere important, so I didn't try too hard. But put together with a navy sweater, mustard scarf and hot pink belt, everything looks even more complete:

Cardigan: thrift store; Dress: thrift store; Belt: thrift store; Scarf: Target (for $15... I caved:p) Boots: DSW (last year)

 Is wearing mustard-yellow and hot pink in the same outfit a Fashion No-No? Probably. But I don't care; I like it.

Without the sweater, but a different accessory of blue

In other news, I am missing people-y environments that involve warmth and the smell of bonfires, my hair is almost long enough to look good pulled up, and the Starbucks near church gave me a free frap yesterday for taking so stinkin' long with my order. But I'm getting back into the groove of life, and am very pleased that the future seems to hold more social events, more tests, and opportunities to grow in ministry. Yes, Lord!

May you be overwhelmed with His love today, and flooded with peace. And, for Pete's sake, try something new! Life becomes way too ordinary when people become too ordinary to do anything different.

Edited to add:
The scarf from Target comes in a lot of great colors, and they're actually on sale right now (of course, AFTER I buy it...) Go check it out!

A Mind Set

"Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace." - Romans 8:5-6

A mind that is set on living according to the Spirit is never full of death, doubt, fear, confusion, anxiety, worry, or any other form of destructive thinking. No, a mind set on Christ is full of life, and peace, and joy, and contentment.

One cannot live according to the Spirit without first having a mind that thinks according to the Spirit.

"But if Christ is in you, your body is dead because of sin, yet your spirit is alive because of righteousness. And if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit, who lives in you." - Romans 8:10-11

A body that has been destroyed by sin can be restored by the renewal of the Holy Spirit, to live in accordance with the Spirit. Praise God.

Oh, that we would all learn how to live with minds firmly set on what the Spirit desires. To be renewed in that way mentally, spiritually, and consequently, physically. Our lives would take on new life, new joy, new radiance.

Lord, transform me in how I think, how I live, how I pray. Show me how to have a mind that is transfixed with the desires of Your heart, so that my life will come to reflect the same.

This is Not

I couldn't sleep last night because I had this song stuck in my head.
Not only is this song incredibly inspirational for me because I would love to write/produce music like this, but it is also such a beautiful encouragement. It puts things in perspective for me. For a lot of things.

I can be so short-sighted sometimes. Because, however you slice it, life here only matters but so much. I typically get angry when I here people say that life here doesn't matter, because it does. We're here for a a huge purpose, and if we use the excuse of an after-life as a reason to slack off we're missing the point. But I can swing too far in the other direction, too, by trying to squeeze so much experience and so much life into the short time I have here, that I lose sight on eternity, and the unbelievable glory I will behold. I cannot comprehend how incomparable it will be...

Lord, help me to lift my eyes off my feet. What happens here is not all that will ever be. And where I'm at now will not be where I'm at forever.



This is not the end
This is not the end of us
We will open our eyes wide, wider.

This is not our last
This is not our last breath
We will open our mouths wide, wider.

This is not the end
This is not the end of us
We will shine like the stars, bright, brighter.

And you know you'll be alright...

Nevertheless

This morning ushers in a day I don't think I could dread more. And the things that typically bring so much color to my morning have suddenly take on the hues of gray, and black, and dim whites.

However, a sunrise in black and white is, nevertheless, a sunrise. And with each sunrise, more grace is lavished upon me, in abundant proportions. With each sunrise, I am given another day to see His beauty in the most unlikely places. With each sunrise, He wakes me with a joyful, "Get up, Darling. It's morning! And I've been waiting for you, longing for you to jump into this day, because I've made sure it's full of opportunities."

Today does bring opportunities. It just depends on what opportunities I see.
The opportunity to mope about things that don't go my way? Or the opportunity to be joyful in all circumstances?
The opportunity to groan about having to answer endless questions about meaningless things? Or the opportunity to smile and love the siblings, and happily help them grow?
The opportunity to question God on all His odd ways of teaching me? Or the opportunity to trust Him, His perfect timing, and His beautiful plan?

"Yet this I call to mind

     and therefore I have hope:

Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed,

    for His compassions never fail.

They are new every morning;

    great is Your faithfulness.

I say to myself, "The LORD is my portion;

    therefore I will wait for Him."

The LORD is good to those whose hope is in Him,

    to the one who seeks Him;

it is good to wait quietly..."

-Lamentations 3:21-26

Maybe one day I'll finally get to the point where I can say, "Lord, I trust You." But this morning, all I can say is "Lord, I will trust You. You are good. You are faithful. You are perfect," over and over and over.

A sunrise without color still ushers in a new morning. And this morning, like every morning, brings a wholesome new serving of His compassion. 

I hope your Wednesday is full of the grace you need to embrace the opportunities God has given you, in the way He wants you to.

              Casey.