Monday, June 21, 2010
Unbeautiful continued
Yikes been busy. But was driving today and kept listening to a couple of songs over and over. One has the words "For You I sing. I dance. I rejoice in this divine romance." I'll post it too. Guess in my life right now that image of being in a romance with God encourages me and helps me look myself in the mirror and say "Alisa Lynn you are beautiful" each AM and each night before bed. Funny that when you start to change your own way of thinking it can change your life. Have I physically changed much in the last 6 months to a year, not really. But I feel more beautiful then ever. Why you ask? Because I realized what God treasures and that He made and created me as a treasure. I quit trying to live up to unrealistic photo shopped ideals of this world. I am who I am. My body is the way God designed it! Wow if He's happy with it than so am I. And if He is happy with it then if His plan includes a Godly man in my life then it will be someone who appreciates my gentle and quite spirit and appreciates that I'm beautiful for who I am both inside and out.
So there you go. The lie of unbeautiful falls. Good bye 8th grader with a fro, hello lady designed and created by God!
So there you go. The lie of unbeautiful falls. Good bye 8th grader with a fro, hello lady designed and created by God!
Friday, June 18, 2010
Unbeautiful becomes to unfold... lies never stand up to the truth
1 Peter 3:3-4: "Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight."
I have a huge bathroom mirror and wrote that on it so I read it each AM, heck every time I look in that mirror. Each time I look in the mirror and even start to fall into the trap of the lies I've believed for tooooo long I am reminded what is of worth in God's sight. I mean everyone says my curly hair is beautiful but what if I lost it all for some reason some day? Then what do I have left? What about large breasts? What if they were gone some day? And what about if I'm 90 (or not ;) and look completely different some day, then what is left of this worldly outward beauty? The only thing that remains at the end of the day is our gentle and quiet spirit and what a gift of beauty I've found.
Doing this fabulous Bible study at church and I have also learned in the last 2 weeks that my body was intended for only one man. So God I'm trusting in you that if someday that is your path for me again in life that this time I'll do it right. I'll understand what it means to be truly beautiful in the eyes of a Godly man, someone who seeks you daily and helps me draw closer to you. Someone who cherishes me for who I am in You. Someone who understands 1 Peter 3:3-4.
Sorry I digress a bit that was really more a prayer of my heart. Like I said in the opening I'm being transparent, real, open and true to myself. Sharing who I am, what I'm learning and the journey God is taking me on so that others might grow closer to Him too. What if it changed your life? It has mine.
More later on the lie of unbeautiful.
May God bless you with enough...
I have a huge bathroom mirror and wrote that on it so I read it each AM, heck every time I look in that mirror. Each time I look in the mirror and even start to fall into the trap of the lies I've believed for tooooo long I am reminded what is of worth in God's sight. I mean everyone says my curly hair is beautiful but what if I lost it all for some reason some day? Then what do I have left? What about large breasts? What if they were gone some day? And what about if I'm 90 (or not ;) and look completely different some day, then what is left of this worldly outward beauty? The only thing that remains at the end of the day is our gentle and quiet spirit and what a gift of beauty I've found.
Doing this fabulous Bible study at church and I have also learned in the last 2 weeks that my body was intended for only one man. So God I'm trusting in you that if someday that is your path for me again in life that this time I'll do it right. I'll understand what it means to be truly beautiful in the eyes of a Godly man, someone who seeks you daily and helps me draw closer to you. Someone who cherishes me for who I am in You. Someone who understands 1 Peter 3:3-4.
Sorry I digress a bit that was really more a prayer of my heart. Like I said in the opening I'm being transparent, real, open and true to myself. Sharing who I am, what I'm learning and the journey God is taking me on so that others might grow closer to Him too. What if it changed your life? It has mine.
More later on the lie of unbeautiful.
May God bless you with enough...
Thursday, June 17, 2010
♫ "I Am Free" - Newsboys ♫
I believe that when we stop believing the lies of this world we are "free to dance" and keep hearing this song in my heart this evening.
I got an 'A'!!
Ok was thinking today about the lies about what is beautiful that I have believed and let me just get something else off my chest (pun intended!). I got an 'A'... that's right I got an A cup?! Ok a B cup if I stand up real straight and pull my shoulders back unnaturally. Wait I thought an A was the best grade you can get then why in the world is an A cup not considered the best? Always believed I was "unbeautiful" too because my breasts (eek... I said breasts on my blog :) were of the smaller size. But let me review... 2 beautiful, thriving little girls are snuggled in their beds with a combination of 27 months of breastfeeding and for that matter exclusive breastfeeding for both until almost 6 months. So for a long time my "little A cups" were the sole source of nourishment and food for my girls. I'd say that's worth an A :) After all God created them for that purpose. And I'll add as a side note it would have been awfully hard to get my Varsity Football letter had they been much bigger?? Just wouldn't have worked out well under shoulder pads and getting tackled and all!
Sorry I digressed and didn't fully disprove the lie of "unbeautiful" (yes that is a word, ok maybe I made it up but it just worked so it's a word now :). Will have to end for the night. My "bed heaven" is calling (aka my TempurPedic bed) and my Internet wasn't working this afternoon or evening so I couldn't get to this sooner. Will have time tomorrow night to disprove the lie of "unbeautiful." Until then, look at your self in the mirror and repeat after me "I am beautiful." Go ahead try it... changing your thoughts changes your attitude!
May God bless you with enough...
Sorry I digressed and didn't fully disprove the lie of "unbeautiful" (yes that is a word, ok maybe I made it up but it just worked so it's a word now :). Will have to end for the night. My "bed heaven" is calling (aka my TempurPedic bed) and my Internet wasn't working this afternoon or evening so I couldn't get to this sooner. Will have time tomorrow night to disprove the lie of "unbeautiful." Until then, look at your self in the mirror and repeat after me "I am beautiful." Go ahead try it... changing your thoughts changes your attitude!
May God bless you with enough...
Walk on the Water-Britt Nicole
So this is the song of my heart this AM... heard it last night on the way home from church after a loooooong day! It's that first step into the unknown that scares the fire out of me but I've learned that step 2, 3, 4, etc do get easier. You do not have to be afraid... John 14:27 ".... do not LET your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
The Lies in my Life
Was driving today and was creating a mental list of the lies I've believed for much of my life that I know recognize as such. So thought I'd share, watch out I'm putting some deep stuff on here in the next few days to a week. I'll warn you I'm going to be real and open, totally transparent no holding back, and if you know me well you might hear some of it and be surprised but know in the end I know how my story ends and it's all good :) I'll expand on these in the coming days and explain how I came to realize they were lies so hang with me... just started a 3rd job??
So the lies:
1) Curly hair equals not pretty/beautiful
2) No one is trustworthy or reliable
3) Being a priority to anyone is unrealistic - or at least being in any one's top 2 even is unrealistic
4) Marriages are to be endured not enjoyed by both parties
5) Being alone is scary and uncertain
Seems like there were more when I was driving but that will keep me busy for a while. I'll start tonight with a short story behind #1 and blog more later about how I uncovered the truth.
The Lie: Curly hair equals no pretty/beautiful
Ugh... I should post my 8th grade graduation picture because a picture is worth a thousand words. I'll try to scan it and post it tomorrow?? I said I'm getting real. Growing up in the 80s hair products were still "stone age" and straighteners all had lye in them. Lye can burn your skin (ask Carie my sister). So I had super curly hair that wasn't easily going to be any different. Never felt like I looked like anyone else (whether in real life or on TV or in magazines) because of "all those gorgeous curls" thanks to every 80 year old lady who had the same hair as me!! So then comes 8th grade and this super stylist who can do something different with my hair. Seriously he gave me the same cut as the 80 year old women... cut it super short with some little wisps on the back!? Wonder where he is now... I'd like to thank him? Anyway the neighborhood kids were relentless and so in 8th grade I not so happily got the nickname "Fro" and so began my journey of "unbeautiful." Could anyone with a "fro" ever be beautiful? Not in my 13 year old eyes... I was the ugly duckling. And then came 8th grade graduation pictures where my eyes aren't open, my posture is funny and the "fro" is in full bloom!! So for 22+ years I have held that mental image of that snapshot of that 8th grade graduation picture in my head and been "the fro headed "unbeautiful" kid."
The Truth: to be continued but for a preview check out 1 Peter 3:3-4
So the lies:
1) Curly hair equals not pretty/beautiful
2) No one is trustworthy or reliable
3) Being a priority to anyone is unrealistic - or at least being in any one's top 2 even is unrealistic
4) Marriages are to be endured not enjoyed by both parties
5) Being alone is scary and uncertain
Seems like there were more when I was driving but that will keep me busy for a while. I'll start tonight with a short story behind #1 and blog more later about how I uncovered the truth.
The Lie: Curly hair equals no pretty/beautiful
Ugh... I should post my 8th grade graduation picture because a picture is worth a thousand words. I'll try to scan it and post it tomorrow?? I said I'm getting real. Growing up in the 80s hair products were still "stone age" and straighteners all had lye in them. Lye can burn your skin (ask Carie my sister). So I had super curly hair that wasn't easily going to be any different. Never felt like I looked like anyone else (whether in real life or on TV or in magazines) because of "all those gorgeous curls" thanks to every 80 year old lady who had the same hair as me!! So then comes 8th grade and this super stylist who can do something different with my hair. Seriously he gave me the same cut as the 80 year old women... cut it super short with some little wisps on the back!? Wonder where he is now... I'd like to thank him? Anyway the neighborhood kids were relentless and so in 8th grade I not so happily got the nickname "Fro" and so began my journey of "unbeautiful." Could anyone with a "fro" ever be beautiful? Not in my 13 year old eyes... I was the ugly duckling. And then came 8th grade graduation pictures where my eyes aren't open, my posture is funny and the "fro" is in full bloom!! So for 22+ years I have held that mental image of that snapshot of that 8th grade graduation picture in my head and been "the fro headed "unbeautiful" kid."
The Truth: to be continued but for a preview check out 1 Peter 3:3-4
Big Daddy Weave - Hold Me Jesus
Just realized I could post with this. Each day I'll post a different song... or at least the song of my heart for that day :) Enjoy and remember "What if it changed your life?"
What If His People Prayed- Casting Crowns
This my inspiration for this page. What if His people prayed? by the inspiring group Casting Crowns. I pray my journey inspires you as my God and His music inspires me!
Take 2
Ok so today I'm going to share this blog via e-mail and FB. Was too scared of failure with it for a few days. Woke up this AM and realized it can't fail because if for no other reason it serves a purpose in my life. It allows me to think out loud, to be transparent, to be real. When I am weak, He is strong. Join me on this journey I call my life, my life I am choosing to live fully praising and acknowledging my God who loves me.
This AM I awake to the rest of my life ahead of me. The same way I wake up each AM... to 3 alarm clocks :) I'm not naturally a morning person but it's getting easier. The quiet of the AM and getting to shower as I can tell the sun is rising from the sky light in my shower is awe inspiring. For the record said skylight seriously leaked in my closet and bathroom right after I moved in and I was thinking it might not be such a blessing? I was wrong. It reminds me each day I know my God personally, passionately who is with me daily.
I love music and the song of my heart today is Rich Mullin's "Hold Me Jesus" but actually a version by Big Daddy Weave that I heard the other day. I hear the words "Hold me Jesus 'cause I'm shaking like a leaf" and I know I must be fully reliant on God. I know that the lies of this world have held me back on that for too many years. I know in my heart and mind that God is faithful and trustworthy. I feel blessed to have made so many great friends in the last few months who have prayed me through this time and who I know continue to pray for me. But if they should fall away and life's paths lead us different ways I know God will never leave me and I have to be challenged to stay strong in his arms. Amidst the turmoil I call life right now I have this peace like never before. A peace I can't explain.
John 14:27 "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not LET your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."
So the challenge remains: What if you (and I both) stopped believing the lies of this world? What if we "stood upon God's promises and stormed hell's rusty gates" (What if His people prayed? Casting Crowns)?
Just thought of Psalm 91 that a friend sent me the other day. Check it out for yourself. That's where I want to live my life "in the shelter of the Most High".
May God bless you with enough...
This AM I awake to the rest of my life ahead of me. The same way I wake up each AM... to 3 alarm clocks :) I'm not naturally a morning person but it's getting easier. The quiet of the AM and getting to shower as I can tell the sun is rising from the sky light in my shower is awe inspiring. For the record said skylight seriously leaked in my closet and bathroom right after I moved in and I was thinking it might not be such a blessing? I was wrong. It reminds me each day I know my God personally, passionately who is with me daily.
I love music and the song of my heart today is Rich Mullin's "Hold Me Jesus" but actually a version by Big Daddy Weave that I heard the other day. I hear the words "Hold me Jesus 'cause I'm shaking like a leaf" and I know I must be fully reliant on God. I know that the lies of this world have held me back on that for too many years. I know in my heart and mind that God is faithful and trustworthy. I feel blessed to have made so many great friends in the last few months who have prayed me through this time and who I know continue to pray for me. But if they should fall away and life's paths lead us different ways I know God will never leave me and I have to be challenged to stay strong in his arms. Amidst the turmoil I call life right now I have this peace like never before. A peace I can't explain.
John 14:27 "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not LET your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."
So the challenge remains: What if you (and I both) stopped believing the lies of this world? What if we "stood upon God's promises and stormed hell's rusty gates" (What if His people prayed? Casting Crowns)?
Just thought of Psalm 91 that a friend sent me the other day. Check it out for yourself. That's where I want to live my life "in the shelter of the Most High".
May God bless you with enough...
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Here goes nothing...
6/8/10: What if I created a blog and it changed people's lives?
I have previously done a lot of driving for work and in about 135,000 miles or so find myself often asking "What if..." questions in my head. Sometimes they challenge me to do something different and sometimes I just wonder "What if...". So about a month ago I started thinking about "What if I shared my what ifs with others and they were inspired to live differently?" "What if I created a blog and people would share with me about the "What if..." challenges they took and how it changed their lives?" "What if my what if thoughts made the world just a little better?" Hmm... so here it goes.
I guess time will tell if my first "What if..." challenge has any merit. So with LOTS of changes in my life recently, almost divorced, job change and a pay cut, single parenthood, to name a few I found myself struggling to define who I was. Then it hit me... I am the daughter of a King! So for several months I've been reading my Bible daily and believing the truths that are in it. I realized that in seeking God's plan for my life it has been easy to let go of the lies of the world that I've allowed to define who I was, how I acted/reacted and how high I'd soar. I started seeking God's truths about who I am, how I act/react and how high I'll soar. So far I have to say if I share my story with anyone they are typically pretty surprised at how well I am doing. It's a God thing. I dared to quit believing the lies of the world and started seeking God.
So challenge #1: "What if you quit believing the lies of the world? What if you quit letting the lies of the world define who you are, how you act/react and how high you soar?"
I have previously done a lot of driving for work and in about 135,000 miles or so find myself often asking "What if..." questions in my head. Sometimes they challenge me to do something different and sometimes I just wonder "What if...". So about a month ago I started thinking about "What if I shared my what ifs with others and they were inspired to live differently?" "What if I created a blog and people would share with me about the "What if..." challenges they took and how it changed their lives?" "What if my what if thoughts made the world just a little better?" Hmm... so here it goes.
I guess time will tell if my first "What if..." challenge has any merit. So with LOTS of changes in my life recently, almost divorced, job change and a pay cut, single parenthood, to name a few I found myself struggling to define who I was. Then it hit me... I am the daughter of a King! So for several months I've been reading my Bible daily and believing the truths that are in it. I realized that in seeking God's plan for my life it has been easy to let go of the lies of the world that I've allowed to define who I was, how I acted/reacted and how high I'd soar. I started seeking God's truths about who I am, how I act/react and how high I'll soar. So far I have to say if I share my story with anyone they are typically pretty surprised at how well I am doing. It's a God thing. I dared to quit believing the lies of the world and started seeking God.
So challenge #1: "What if you quit believing the lies of the world? What if you quit letting the lies of the world define who you are, how you act/react and how high you soar?"
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