Bible reading = pumpkin pie or turkey?

well.

Reading one's Bible. so simple, yet (at least for me) so difficult. why do I put my Bible on the back burner?

like the 14th pumpkin pie on Thanksgiving, my Bible slips to the bottom of my priorities and sits there.

Ignored.

What is it costing me?

in the quiet, i can hear Him sometimes, calling me closer. but one way He does that is through scripture. if i'm not putting it in my brain, how is the Holy Spirit going to use it in me?

How am i going to reach out to someone else--anyone else--with those words?

Reading my Bible's gotta stop being the 14th pumpkin pie. It's gotta become the turkey--the prized part of the meal, the one most important thing.

we're always learning, I suppose.

***

Sanctus Real's album Pieces of a Real Heart is me now.

"come with Me, I'll show you life, even better than this...I am the One, the One"

"Dear heart, do you belong to me, or do I belong to you? Just look at all the trouble you've dragged me into...oh heart, you've let me down, chasing love where it can't be found."

so. true. so so so true.

***

oh, and also, I had a thought earlier:

why is it that when we've come to the end of ourselves. when we've hit rock bottom. why is it then that we look for ways to serve. why is it then that we are ready to do whatever He says. 

could it be that selfishness and self-satisfaction and self-assurance were what held us back?

oh, Lord, it hurts a lot to hit the floor. but could You help me to see Your purpose, even if it's hard?

^^that's my prayer. what's yours been lately?

Elissa

Hmm. What should I name this post?

Life is fascinating, in case you haven't noticed. I have felt very philosophical lately, would you like to hear my ramblings?  Probably not. That's okay, I'll tell anyway.

1) Be careful what you wish for. I'm not kidding you, whether it's to grow up, to be respected by adults as mature, to be popular...just about any of those junior high wishes turn out to be insanely overrated. It's more fun to just be simple.  I'd like to reference T swift's "Never Grow Up" here, but that's pretty self explanatory :).

2) Having a servant heart is hard. Like, the hardest thing for someone with pride (*sticks hand up* me!).  I was attempting to think of ways to serve my family members yesterday, and was shocked by two things. First, I don't often think about serving them, so it was HARD. And second, it requires focus on others, not me. Which seems obvious, but for me not thinking one selfish thought it super difficult.

3) Moms are epic. Just so you know, they know everything. I'll say it again. EVERYTHING. 

4) I love this time of year. Once it's November, I'm totally in Thanksgiving-Black Friday-Christmas-New Years mode. Why can't they all happen at once for two months?! How awesome would that be??

5) Forgiveness and love are harder to accept than hate and pain. That seems unfair, but it's how it works because we're in a fallen world. Love will only be fully realized when we are in God's presence (heaven)--just because we can't "feel" it, that does NOT mean He isn't loving us. (I took this philosophy from my bro)

Okay, time to end this sadly pointless post. I vent by rambling, so thank you blog readers! :)

What are your pointless ramblings?

--Elissa

Lately....

1. I'm at the library, using their less than perfect internet and being really excited about getting my new computer (macbook)! Even though it's half my early Christmas present and half most of my savings from the fair....

2. Reading these books...excitingness...

This book is seriously amazing. I've never been so assured about God's plan for singleness :). Simply profound.

3. listening to my ipod on shuffle :))

4. Wishing vainly that I didn't have so many lit assignments this week...:P

That's about it... what are your lately's?

~~Elissa~~

It's been so long since I've posted!

First,

In the silent times : seek God

In the painful times : praise God

In the harried times : hallow God

and in the terrible times : trust God.

And at all times — at all times –

Thank God.

 --Ann Voskamp's blog.

 This blog is like sunshine, blue skies, flowers, and puppies. I simply love it. 

Second, this song is me right now:

Third,

When all feels lost 

when nothing makes sense

when crying is what is easy

and getting back up is what feels impossible

don't forget that you are not alone.

Don't forget that He carried the weight for us

don't forget there is a reason.

Trust.

--what's on my heart right now.

True Beauty Devotionals

Hey all!
Just wanted to share something pretty cool :). Shelley Hitz, the author of Find Your True Beauty asked for her email subscribers to join the devo-writing team, and one of mine is now on the email list! this is a copy- all rights to http://www.teen-beauty-tips.com/ .

 

Teen Girl Devotionals are brought to you by www.FindYourTrueBeauty.com.

Here is your devotion:
How do you remember your Creator?
Written by Elissa Branum
Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the days of trouble come and the years approach when you will say, "I find no pleasure in them"-- ...Then man goes to his eternal home and mourners go about the streets.

~Ecclesiastes 12:1, 5

It's obvious that this is not a very "feel good" verse, but it is truthful.  My good friend shared it with me when we were discussing purity and a Biblical view on dating.  Personally, I believe that God's will for my life is to not date/court until His time for me is revealed.  That is my way of remembering Him in my youth and seeking what His desires are for my focus. 
The author of Ecclesiastes throughout the book tells of how he has tried worldly pleasures but has found out, aside from God, "Everything is meaningless!" (Ecclesiastes 12:8). What we consider "fun" now will fade.  Yet, every day we may feel a drag towards things that feel good now.  I am myself shamed to say that in many ways I have been guilty of giving in to the world's system.  But, that's not what the Lord wants for us! As teens, before adulthood crushes in, He wants us to learn to trust Him--not guys, money, or possessions. How we act now determines what future decisions we'll make. We must constantly "remember" God and turn our eyes on Him.

Reflection:
Are you taking advantage of ways to grow closer to God or turning to other things?

Application Step:
Seek out ways to daily remember God.  Perhaps consider joining a Bible study, or even helping to begin a small group for girls in your church.  Fellowship with other believers who earnestly seek God will grow your own faith.  Pray for Him to shine a light in your heart where there may be sin that is making you feel distant from your Creator.  Remember, Jesus gave His life for all our sin and those who seek Him will never be turned away.

Prayer:
Dear God, please forgive me for all the times I've turned from you to wish for worldly things like the best clothes or the attention of a guy.  Help me to remember to ask you in every situation.  Thank you for dying for me to be able to know and remember you. In Jesus name. Amen!
To purchase a print copy of these devotionals click here:  www.findyourtruebeauty.com/devos-book
For more help finding your true beauty in Christ, visit:  www.FindYourTrueBeauty.com

The Love Challenge

Howdy bloggers!
I doubt this is an original idea, but I wanted to share something I've been doing in my Bible reading time the past few days.  I'll call it The Love Challenge.  I opened my Bible to the concordance and noticed (as you probably have) that the longest list of verses is for the word "love".  And because of statements from the Word such as "God is love" "the greatest of these is love" "and over all these virtues put on love," I get a pretty good idea that love is very important.  For God so loved- we've all heard- is actually an astronomical statement because of what follows- the world. Meaning us.  God LOVED us, while we were yet sinners.  His death for our sins illustrates this concept. 
And that is some reasons why I wanted to dig deeper into the Word's mentions of love. Here we go!
1. Open your Bible to the condordance in the back.
2. Find the word "love".
3. Read the first verse listed and enough verses before and after it to understand the context.
4. Repeat (reading the next verse) at each study time!
I hope some of you will try this.  I'm really moved by learning about love throughout the Bible!

Happy 4th/Me lately

Happy 4th!
Praise God for freedom.  We wouldn't be free physically or spiritually without Him!  I love summer holidays. Ice cream, hot dogs, swimming, hanging out- have I mentioned how much I adore summer?! (Despite my complaints about this heat, of course.)
What I'm doing lately (no particular order):
1. Mourning the break-up of one of my FAVORITE bands, Revive. But they feel God's calling them to different pursuits, so I'll be okay with it. Eventually :').
2. Reading the letters to the churches. Mostly 1-2 Peter, James, Collosians.  What has helped me SO much with daily Bible reading has been journaling, which I used to be OBSESSED with. Now I just jot down some thoughts and prayers, read something that speaks to me, and write down a verse in my journal. Helps me look back to verses that brought me light on certain days.
3. Really wanting to help Arkansas' tornado victims.  Went to Denning, AR last friday with friends/friend's church and helped cleanup a lady's house/land. It's pretty devastating, and makes me ask- how would I act if it was me? My family who lost everything? :/
4. Enjoying the 4th! Rode, swam, and ate ice cream already. haha:).
5. Reading Green by Ted Dekker.  Black, Red, and White were SOOOOOO GOOOOOOOODDDDDD! Everyone musttttt read them! No joke. They will change your views on life, sacrifice, and Jesus crazily.
6. Listening to Control, Abandon's album.  Love me some Christian pop.  Metal head brother doesn't get it though ;). Favorite songs, Help and Under Fire.
7. Learning "East to West" by Casting Crowns on piano. Love the key of E now. LOL music freak ;).
8. Missing friends who don't live in the same state as me ://///. Ya'll should read this blog of my amazingggg friend. http://everythingforhim1039.blogspot.com/
What are your lately's?~His love, E