More damage that my creative build-up caused at home... 

Solution? Bringing some painting supplies to Nashville!

Good vs. Evil

I had an "Ah-haaaah" moment today whilst lounging on my cozy bed in Flo-rida.  

I have been reading the Harry Potter books for the first time (I know, "OMgAH LyK hOw ArE YoU jUsT NoW ReadinG ThEm!?)  Well, if you went to a bubble of a private christian school all your life that banned anything Harry Potter you would have had trouble getting ahold of them, too.  Anyways, between the scandal of Harry and Vold.....He-Who-Shall-Not-Be-Named...;)  I sat back and realized that just about every single movie, show, book, etc. has a some sort of good battling an evil.  Whether that be a super hero and his nemesis or a jerk and the good guy, there is always two sides fighting to win and more so than not, the good triumphs over evil.  At first I was a little upset with myself that I am just now contemplating the obvious but then I let myself off the hook with the reminder that God reveals things at the appropriate time and I just didn't need to think about it until now I guess! 

Now, this good vs. evil stuff goes way back.  I mean, think about your favorite shows and tell me that you don't remember all the scooby-doo episodes of "those crazy kids and their dog" revealing the bad guys tricks for what they really were all along... tricks.  (I know "way back" is probably not scooby doo for you guys but we watched about 10 episodes of it on the way here so it's fresh on the brain)

It brought me to the obvious root- Good vs. Evil= God vs. Satan.  It seems our world is just another episode of Satan trying to win it all.  Good thing we can fast forward or (nowadays select the last scene) and know that Good wins.  However, just because we know how it ends does not mean that we are invincible throughout the middle scenes.  Harry Potter still has to go to the hospital wing every other chapter despite his numerous triumphs over Vold... He-Who-Shall-Not-Be-Named.  And Shaggy and Scooby still fall down every hidden trap door known to man.  The middle scenes are not going to be easy, but it's the hope and the confidence in our Savior's victory that we know our struggling is not in vain.

Only God knows why we go through all the different and hard things we do, but I don't question His plans because I know that the Jesus I follow would never lead me astray ever.  Jon Acuff, the man I talked about in a previous post, brought up the desert road that God had the Israelites wander for so many years.  (See Exodus for the full story) I mean these guys were delivered from Pharaoh to go to their promised land, but this delivery was not immediate.  He said that, "We always look at this road, whether it be a desert road job, marriage or anything, as a punishment.  But what if it was a gift from a God who loved you too much to take you the short way?"  < Truth right there and it hit me hard.  It makes me just want to go through all those hard times all over again because I know it was all for a purpose (okay, I'm not really wanting to go through them if I don't have to but you understand my point).

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11

Doesn't that make more sense now?  I hope it does.

The fact of the matter is that our very natures are programmed to good vs. evil and from majority rule, we obviously want Good to win probably because we know it should (and it does).  It is just another example, to me, of how the world so obviously reflects it's creator despite the never ending attempts to demand it's an orphan.

"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." John 16:33

Girly Nonsense

My friend Blair invited me to tag along with her family to the beaches of Florida and I cannot tell you how great it feels to stick my feet back in the sand.  It's funny, but I feel a bit at home when I look at the ocean because I have been visiting it for quite some time now and have had some amazing experiences with lovely people whilst here.  

Currently, I am sitting about 100 yards from the ocean and ironically, freezing in our room.  It feels wonderful when you come in from the 1000 degree heat, though ;) There is something about the ocean that brings things back into perspective for me.  It makes me realize just how out of control I really am and how huge God is.  AND how beautifully creative and intricate His creations are.  I could sit and just look at the water for hours upon hours and don't even get me started on the sunsets...

Why do I have my computer on vacation, then? Because Blair and I love to stalk blogs while together... It's something we do and it's great.  Recently, I have been obsessed with looking up vintage/rustic style weddings and such... because I am a girl and get giddy looking through wedding decor.

Just so you understand...

I know, absolutely precious, right?? 

Now you understand how it can get addicting looking through this stuff!...

And when I paint, I feel His pleasure

I don't know what sparks it but there are some days where all I want to do is paint and these past two days have been just that.  I offered to do a few "male" paintings for my friends new apartment, so lots of blue, brown and green. haha but it's always fun painting for someone else!















It's funny because as I was doing these, I could hear my own version of Eric Liddell's words from Chariots of Fire ringing in my ears,


"I believe God made me for a purpose, but He also made me creative. And when I paint I feel His pleasure."