Disciple

Hello! I hope you had a good Easter Sunday! Mine was spent at church, then with family, and ended with watching the conclusion of The Bible series. Yep, I still get an Easter "basket" (decorative box, basket, or etc...this year was going to be a flower pot for my front porch, but I was unable to decide on one), anywhoo... :)   It was a bag filled with candy, a new glass water bottle, a melon baller (yes, I been kinda wanting a melon baller,  I like kitchen gadgets and appliances  it's my other addiction besides office supplies.), and a few other fun things! My doggies were also giving a basket full of 3 different kind of dog treats- one is duck shaped crackers, they love those! and a new rope toy (they love stuffed toys to shreds (literally) so only durable toys make it in this house now).
The Bible series was pretty cool. I only saw a few episodes, but they were good. I hope to watch the whole series sometime. I'm more of a visual person. I like to see things in order to figure things out, like with problems I like to write things down, or with traveling I like to see the directions and how to get there on a map instead of hearing the directions. I've been reading/hearing the Bible since I was very little. Always tried to picture the stories in my mind. Actually seeing them through this series brought them to a different light. One of my favorite things to see was involving the disciples. I don't know why, it just stuck with me different. Seeing a portrayal of their relationship with Jesus, how they interacted, how they loved him and each other, how they followed him- even after his death and resurrection, and a bit of their stories.

Being Christian then wasn't easy. Many of them were persecuted, most were put to death because of their beliefs, and yet they didn't give up. Being a Christian today is a little different, depending on where you live of course. Living in the U.S, there is persecution, but not to the point of prison or death. But there is more distraction, more things that make us comfortable and willing to live in our comfort zones. Jesus is outside of our comfort zone. I don't want to be a Christian who just sits on the side lines. Just goes to church and lives a nice life of being good to people and loving God... I want to do more, be more. I want to be like Peter, when an opportunity comes, to speak bolding about Jesus and do His work. I want to be like Paul, to encourage people and not give up. I want to be a disciple who does the work of Jesus, believes His word, and loves people. I want to live the life God intended me to live. One in which He will say, at the end of it all, "Well done, my good and faithful servant."

But how? I know what being a Christian means, I know what His word says, I know how to love others. But how, specifically does God want me to be a disciple. It's kinda a weird question, I mean you should be a disciple in your everyday life- at your workplace, school, home, in everything. I guess for me, i'm trying to figure out what God wants me to do. I've been wondering this for awhile, as far as my calling. I suppose that's for another post. But yeah, I just want to be a disciple. One who walks with Jesus, one who hangs out with Jesus, one who knows Jesus. I want to help people, heal people, give to people, love people, and most important share with people that God loves them, that Jesus is their Savior.

That's what i've been thinking about this Easter. Being a true disciple. I guess I can go in more detail on that too in another post. This is mostly about what's on my mind. God is amazing and good. And even when we think we aren't good enough, He doesn't see it that way. He loves us right where we are, and wants to help us grow from there. There's so much more I can post about this and I will, but I will end this here for now.
-Jen

It's the God in Me

I just heard this song through my Pandora quick mix station and I love it. It's 'God in Me' by Mary Mary, ft Kierra Kiki Sheard. I feel like it says exactly what I want to tell people: God is the reason for the good in me,  and it's His goodness over my life that is why i'm so blessed. I'm far from perfect, I will probably never reach that. At times my life is such a mess, and I feel so far from God. But because of His goodness He will always love me regardless of my faults, the same is true for you as well. When we give God our bad, He gives us His good. He looks at us not as we are, but through His Son, Jesus. He sees use as more -as His beloved, His chosen, His child. It's just amazing the love God has for His children. I love discovering new music through Pandora. I found another new artist that I may have to do some listening research, he's Sufjan Stevens. Ever heard of him?

Well, i'm off to enjoy this lovely Saturday. Scheduling some house cleaning and Forever 21 browsing (and maybe buying) and getting some home inspiration at a few other stores.
Have a good day!
-Jen

Vous Ete Mon Coeur

You are my heart.
A very interesting statement. I've been on a Gungor kick lately, listening to nothing but Gungor. I came across this song: Vous ete mon coeus (You are my heart) and I instantly loved it, but more was consumed by it.

Where have you hidden yourself oh my beloved
You fled having wounded
I pursued but you had gone

In search of you my darling I would scale the highest clouds
Scour wooded valleys, roaring torrents whispering gales

Vous etes mon coure

When you first regarded me
Your eyes filled me with grace
Thereby again my eyes
Merited to adore you

Vous etes mon coure
You are my heart.

I instantly felt this was a song between Jesus and us. A conversation. When we are wounded, sin, don't do something God would like, sometimes instead of seeking God and His forgiveness we hide from God. God is always in pursuit of us. Despite our falls, God still and will always love us. He loves us so to make a way so we can be with Him forever by giving His Son as a sacrifice for our sins. When receiving Jesus into your heart, He changes your life completely. And the pursuit continues. "You are my heart." Jesus says. He is always thinking of us. That will never change. God's heart is that none shall perish, that's why He made a way. He sees our brokenness and still wants us. As I live my life, I want Jesus as my heart. I want His character, His motivation, and His love to over take who I am. This is one of my life goals. To be so caught up in Jesus and have Him truly as my heart that it changes me even more so and i'm compelled to do things they way He would, and see people the way He does. Vous ete mon coeur, Jesus. 

Keep Quiet

Hi again. So i've been thinking lately about the things that are going on all around us. Recently in Grand Rapids, MI 7 were killed and the killer killed him self after it all. I don't know the whole story, I don't even know the background. I am praying for the families of the victims. It's so sad. It did get me thinking though, and not just about this case, everything, i'm thinking about their stories, their past, their present. If they knew about what I know and how it's radically changed my life, would their futures be different? Would their circumstances? Jesus has made a huge difference in my life. He's changed me for the best. If I didn't hear about Jesus, to be honest I probably would have depression, low self esteem, and be a self injurer. But thank God I was raised in a church and God was actived in every aspect of my life. Yeah there was low points. Growing up, mostly in late elementary school and middle school I remember not liking the way I looked at one point. I've had the thoughts that i'de rather die than deal with whatever was going on at the time. Once I truely got a hold of what God said through His word and and what it said about me, how I felt about myself became what God feels about me. And its amazing how He changed my life. Because of Him i'm beautiful, i'm brave, I have this amazing joy inside of me, I have love for others and things that I wouldn't if it didn't come from God. Who I am today is because of Him.
And knowing He did this for me, He can change others lives.

I feel like, for me (and other believers) we need to share our faith more. People need Jesus, they are ready to listen. All they need is someone to be bold enough to stand up and show them God, be like Jesus, love them. There's a song i've been listening to lately that I feel relates. It's called "Keep Quiet" by BarlowGirl.   
 

I can relate to this so much. I'm the quiet type, but I was really shy. I tend to hold things back, not share. And it's especially hard to talk to people I don't know, especially about my faith. But I need to more. I need to share what God has done and what He can do for them. There is so much hope in Jesus. More people need to know that. And i'm looking forward to sharing. I just feel like we need to share more. Speak up, don't keep quiet. You could be the difference in someone's life and future. God through you can change someones life. Don't be afraid, take courage. You can do all things through Christ who gives you strength.(Philippians 4:13). 

I'll probably be sharing more about this later. As for now, that's what's on my heart.
Thanks for reading. God Bless.
-Jen

Overcomer!

Good Sunday Morning!
I do have more to share a little later, but I just wanted to post a quick simple note taken from one of the songs i'm obsessed with "Take Heart" -Hillsong United, Aftermath.

"All our troubles, tears, failure, fear, heartache, pain, burdens, and shame- God our hope, love, healer, freedom, justice, grace, refuge, and strength, He is with us and He has overcome!"

Whatever your going through, I just want to let you know God has overcome it through His Son Jesus Christ. God is there for you. He will help you. There is always hope. He is everything you need to overcome too.
I would also like you to know, I'm not only here for crafting, finances, my favorite music, and whatnot; but i'm also here for you. So if there's anything you need prayer for or just to talk, please feel free to comment or leave me an email message: sobrilliantlife@hotmail.com.
Thats all for now.
I will be back later!
-Jen

You are Loved!

You were chosen before the creation of the world (Ephesians 1:4, 11, Ephesians 4:1; 2 Timothy 1:9)d
You are My workmanship (Ephesians 2:10)
You belong to Me (1 Corinthians 6:20)
You are dearly loved (Colossians 3:12)
You have been shown the riches of My grace (Ephesians 2:7)
You are forgiven (Ephesians 1:8; Colossians 1:14)
You have been justified (Romans 5:1)
You are no longer condemned (Romans 8:1, 2)
You are set free (Romans 8:2; John 8:32)
You are dead to sin (Romans 1:12)
You are alive with Christ (Ephesians 2:5)
You are promised eternal life (John 6:47)
You are redeemed from the curse of the Law (Galatians 3:13, Ephesians 1:8)
You are a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17)
You are a holy temple (Eph. 2:21-22; 1 Corinth. 6:19)
You are holy and blameless (Ephesians 1:4)
You are sealed with the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:13)
You are adopted as My child (Eph.1:5,John 1:12)
You are a member of My household (Eph. 2:19)
You have access to Me, your Father (Eph. 2:18)
You are My friend (John 15:15)
You are My coworker (2 Corinthians 6:1)
You are My disciple (John 13:15)
You have hope (Ephesians 1:12-13)
You have peace (Ephesians 2:14 , 2:20)
You have purpose (Ephesians 1:9 & 3:11)
You are not alone (Hebrews 13:5)
You are not helpless (Philippians 4:13)
You are persevering (Philippians 3:14)
You are protected (John 10:28, I John 5:18)
You are victorious (1 Corinthians 15:57, I John 5:4)
You are more than a conqueror (Romans 8:37)
You are a light in the world (Matthew 5:14)
You are a minister of reconciliation (2 Cor. 5:17-20)
You have not been given a spirit of fear, but of power, love and self-discipline (2 Timothy 1:7)You are not in want (Philippians 4:19)
You are qualified to share in My inheritance (Colossians 1:12)
You are promised a full life (John 10:10)
You are blessed in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing (Ephesians 1:3)
You can approach Me with freedom and confidence (Ephesians 3:12)
You have been established, anointed and sealed by God (2 Corinthians 1:21-22)
You are a citizen of heaven (Philippians 3:20)
You are seated in the heavenly realms (Eph. 2:6)