Lately

Watching: Scream Queens- FOX Tuesday 8pm CST
This show is absolutely nuts and I am kind of really loving it. Ryan Murphy, the same guy that created Glee and AHS, is the brains behind this quirky mash-up of slasher flick and Clueless meets Heathers on speed. 

Eating: Bakersfield [Tacos, Tequila, Whiskey]
The newest addition to the Nashville foodie scene, this taco eatery has open seating, spicy margaritas, and is two blocks down from Bridgestone. Hurry now before everyone else finds out about it.

Smelling: The Autumn Harvest candles are back at Target [and on sale.] White girl pandemonium ensues. 

Drinking: Water. Yes, water. We're heading into a change of seasons and the last thing I need is to get sick. Pour me another glass.

Wearing: The perfect fall neutral, Sally Hansen "Pink Pong"

Reading: Jesus Calling.

Listening: The Night We Met- Lord Huron
There are songs that literally speak to your soul within the first ten seconds and this is one of them. The lyrics are beautifully written and I am kicking myself ten times over for not seeing him at LOTG this year.
Take me back to the night we met, and then I can tell myself
I had all and then most of you, some and now none of you.

Loving: The Steelers signed a new kicker, again.

Wanting: These 60 degree days to stick and pumpkins outside my door.

Let Thankfulness rule in your heart.

As you thank Me for blessings in your life, a marvelous thing happens.

"Hallelujahs" are the language of heaven, and they can become the language of your heart. 

A life of praise and thankfulness becomes a life filled with miracles.

Enjoy abundant life by overflowing with praise and thankfulness. 

-Jesus Calling

TA-DA Day 31

Learn to listen to Me even while you are listening to other people. 

Ask Him [My Spirit] to think through you, live through you, love through you. 

Be a channel of My Love, Joy, and Peace by listening to Me as you listen to others.

I couldn't think of a better devotional to end this with.

God is good, all the time.

All the time, God is good. 

Almost, pretty much, the last day: Day 30

I am with you. I am with you. I am with you. 

When you step back into the mainstream of life, strain to hear those glorious bells: 

I am with you. I am with you. I am with you. 

The final countdown, Day 29

Only I know what will happen to you this day. I have arranged the events you will encounter as you go along your way.

Relax with Me while I ready you for action. 

Day 28

Do not expect to be treated fairly in this life.

People will say and do hurtful things to you, things that you don't deserve.

..try to view it as an opportunity to grow in grace. See how quickly you can forgive the one who has wounded you.

Ultimately, it is My view of you that counts. 

Weekend Days 26 and 27

Come to Me when you are hurting, and I will soothe your pain.

Come to Me when you are joyful, and I will share your Joy, multiplying it many times over.

I am All you need, just when you need it. 

As you become increasingly aware of My Presence, you find it easier to discern the way you should go. 

The last friday post of the challenge: Day 25

Let your mind reverberate with meanings of My Names: 

Jesus- the Lord saves, and

Emmanuel- God with us.

Strive to remain conscious of My Presence even in your busies moments. Talk with Me about whatever delights you, whatever upsets you, whatever is on your mind. 

Day 24

Depend on Me more and more, and I will shower Peace on all your paths.

2+2=Day 22

No matter what your circumstances may be, you can find Joy in My Presence.

On some days Joy is generously strewn along your life-path, glistening in the sunlight.

Other days are overcast and gloomy; you feel the strain of the journey, which seems endless. 

Yet Joy is still attainable. 

Begin by remembering that I have created this day; it is not a chance occurrence.

Recall that I am present with you whether you sense My Presence or not.

Rejoice in the fact that I understand you perfectly, and I know exactly what you are experiencing.

Monday Monday, Day 21

Try to become aware of each resentment, however petty it may seem. 

..let them come to the surface where you can deal with them. 

Ask My spirit to increase your awareness of resentful feelings. Bring them boldly into the Light of My presence, so that I can free you from them. 

The best response to losses or thwarted hopes is praise:

Remember that all good things- your possessions, your family and friends, your health and abilities, your time- are gifts from Me. 

I think this is the perfect Monday devotional. 

Great words to come back to when the week starts to throw you some curve balls.

Happy it's finally sweater season! 

Day 2-0

 Let My Life shine through you, as you walk in the Light with Me. 

Weekend day 1, Day 19

Come to Me with your defenses down, ready to be blessed and filled with My Presence. Relax, and feel the relief of being totally open and authentic with Me. You have nothing to hide and nothing to disclose, because I know everything about you already. You can have no other relationship like this one. 

The day of my first confession I was a small mess (yes, more than usual). Nervous, emotional, kind of scared. The then Father Choby (now Bishop) had some good advice, even if you forget something God already knew. After all, He does know all. He knew us before we were us and knows His plan for us. It might sound crazy but that makes me feel instantly better no matter what the day (or life) may throw at me.  

Not Rainy Day 18

When the road before you looks rocky, you can trust Me to get you through that rough patch.

My presence enables you to face each day with confidence.

First deadline of the new job today.

Here's to facing it with confidence! 

Still Rainy, Day 17

Anxiety is a result of envisioning the future without Me. 

If you must consider upcoming events, follow these rules:

1) Do not linger in the future, because anxieties sprout up like mushrooms when you wander there

2)Remember the promise of My continual Presence; include Me in any imagery that comes to mind

There are a lot of rules in life: you have an hour for lunch, bills are due on the first of month, and you can't change lanes in the middle of an intersection. But I think these are two I'm gonna move to the top of my Life Rules list. Not to get all Southern Catholic, but I think y'all should too. 

Tomorrow is Friday! 

Rainy Day 16

Look to Me continually for help, comfort, and companionship. Because I am always by your side,

I enable you not only to feel comforted but also to be a channel through whom I comfort others.

No matter what losses you experience in your life, no on can take away this glorious gift.

A couple months ago I really started focusing on these devotionals. I started to Instagram or tweet certain lines/devotionals that really spoke to me. Every time I did this, without fail, someone would comment that that particular passage was exactly what they were needing. 

Don't be afraid to share your faith. Don't hide your candle under a bushel basket. 

You never know who could be needing your help that day. 

Half way, Day 15

My presence with you is both a promise and a protection. 

My final statement just before I ascended into heaven was: Surely I am with you always. 

That promise was, without exception.

Awareness of My presence is your best protection.

There's a lady at church who wrote an entire book on the simple prayer "Jesus, Jesus, Jesus" It's a good one to remember when you're having a moment or just one of those days. And since Tuesdays seem to always be a challenge in one way or another, I might be asking for some extra protection today.

Jesus, Jesus, Jesus. 

Two weeks in, Day 14

Pain and problems are opportunities to demonstrate your trust in Me. Bearing your circumstances bravely- even thanking Me for them- is one of the highest forms of praise. 

Do not try to run from pain or hide from problems. 

Joy emerges from the ashes of adversity through your trust and thankfulness. 

I love spending Sundays at home in Hendersonville. This weekend was full of joy. "Joy" was doormats, tiny fake Christmas trees, pork chops, stacked wood, and ice cream in laps.

I was talking with mom while she was making dinner and reading to her the devotions from the day I got my job offer and my first day of work, they were of course scarily on point. 

Our talk came around to how in the big picture scheme of life this was all suppose to happen. 100% I believe that.

Just like how my house stayed on the market for seven months after I first looked at it, with potential buyers always falling through for some reason. 

I've started to embrace pain and problems [wouldn't go as far as to say "love"] it makes me excited to see what's coming on the other end of that life crisis. 

Day 13

Breathe slowly and deeply.

 

I died a criminal's death to secure this blessing for you. Recevie it gratefully; hide it in your heart.

 

My Peace is an inner treause. Therefore, circumstances can not touch it.

 

 

I will try my best to remember that last line the next time I feel like I'm going to jump out of my skin or slam a stapler down. His peace is within me, Circumstance can not touch it. 

10/12/13

It is much more real to see yourself through My eyes.

 

Through My eyes you can see yourself as one who is deeply, eternally loved.