lowercase letters

BOUNTIFUL BOWLS

2013-05-23T07:00:00.000-04:00

this ain't no joke, my friends. this IS a fresh new little miracle. i prayed before i grocery shopped last time, and God is certainly giving me vision for my food. like how to put it all together. to make it last extra long. and help it actually taste good. the last three nights, my man has said, "babe, this is a great recipe!" to which i replied, "are you serious?? because it's my own recipe straight from my head." i'm the girl that chose to make a potato chip encrusted chicken with a peanut butter honey and mustard dip in our first year of marriage. he didn't marry me for my cooking, but clearly, he just might stay with me for it. ; )

i can't not share these head recipes with you. you're welcome. but first, here are some fun facts:

1. i like to cook as quickly as possible
2. i like one pot/skillet meals
3. i like lots of veggies, but i don't always know how to cook them well

put 1, 2, and 3 together to get these:

BOUTIFUL BOWLS

it's like a non-recipe recipe.

these bowls are made from three basic parts:

1. ONE PROTEIN chicken, steak, ground turkey, ground beef, sausage, eggs, or tofu
2. VEGGIES (as much as you can possibly stand to dice)
3. GRAIN my favorite grain, (pictured below) is $2.99 at Trader Joe's in the frozen section. there are three separate serving packs. one serving works well for one meal for four people. the ingredients? cooked whole grain brown rice, cooked whole grain red rice, and cooked whole grain black barley. this rice medley makes the bowls even easier. but of course, you could use any grain or rice variety. i just add a package to the skillet and it cooks in 3 minutes!

first off, get out your favorite skillet (mine is old and cheap so it's not my favorite. but hey! it cooks.) and cook up your protein, that is, if it's meat or eggs. if it's tofu or beans you should wait to add it with all the veggies. once your meat (or eggs) is cooked, throw in all the veggies you can find. then add some seasoning. let it all simmer and cook for 10 ish minutes. then add rice, beans, tofu, and/or spinach. then cook for a few more minutes and wa-la! a fresh, flavorful healthy dinner in basically no time and little pain. this is so adaptable, which is what makes it miraculous. you could have the exact same ingredients but because you use different spices you get a totally different meal. ALSO! i roll up the leftovers in a tortilla wrap the next day. so it gives last night's dinner a new spin. here are a few ideas:

Mexican Bowl

SLICED CHICKEN BREAST
HOMEMADE SALSA i put this on last and kept the salsa cold, but you could throw it in the skillet, too): tomatoes, red and orange peppers, cilantro, lime juice, garlic clove, salt and pepper
SPINACH lots of it
MEXICAN SEASONING 2 tbsp cumin, 2 tbsp chili powder, 2 tbsp paprika, 2 tbsp oregano, 1 tbsp garlic powder, 2 tsp cayenne. YOU DO NOT WANT TO USE ALL OF THIS at once. it's will last you for a lot of meals. once your seasoning is mixed together, use 2 tbsp of it in your skillet, or however much you think you'd like!
RICE
BEANS
CHEESE add it on top when serving (if desired)

i could have made this with eggs instead of chicken for a breakfast or brinner (breakfast for dinner) with some sliced avocados. except my hunter has an egg allergy, so i didn't. but it sounds so good!!

Asian Bowl
GROUND TURKEY
CHOPPED VEGGIE MEDLEY: spinach, yellow peppers, cabbage, broccoli, onions, carrots, raddish, celery, jiacama
SPINACH
RICE
1 TBSP OREGANO AND 1 TBSP THYME
SWEET AND SOUR SAUCE (if desired), drizzled on top when served

all i want to eat for life are bowls. i could have taken the asian bowl and used noodles. or i could've changed up the seasonings, added noodles and made it italian. so versatile!!

happy bowling, people.

miscellany monday

2013-05-20T06:00:00.000-04:00

write random and join in below!
phone photos! find me on instagram @carissa_graham

one.

cooking, grocery planning and shopping has long been a struggle of mine. mostly because i hate cooking. i want to be like the people that love to cook. but i just can't seem to. so, i thought, duh! why not pray it over. why not pray my way through the grocery store, asking God to take my clumsy hands that burn toast and scattered mind that forgets the grocery list at home and make it something healthy, delicious, and budget friendly. if He can calm a storm and part the sea, surely He can help me with this little task! no matter what, as hard as it is to find the time for it, meal planning is always helpful. here is a great resource for meal planning - i have done bits and pieces of the meal plans when i'm in a rush and need help or when i'm too tired to come up with my own. i also want to get the Bread and Wine cookbook. i think a new cookbook is inspiring and get's me more excited about being in the kitchen. (also! i created my very own recipe last night and can't wait to share it with you. very versatile - very easy - very delicious. verily, good, i tell you. miracles are in the making.)

two.

Hunter is all finished with 3 year old preschool. it was so good for him. he made his own friends and blossomed. he went from a very shy boy to a friendly little guy who engages in conversation with kiddos on his own. i will miss sending him twice/week. he is going to drive me crazy at home begging to make crafts. they/re his favorite. preschool was a good way to get that out of his system. so, if you need me this summer, i'll be crafting with my boy.

three.

this man of mine happens to be one fine assistant. we had a wedding on friday evening and i've decided i like employing him. he takes darn good pictures too, for the win! also, this sweet man took the kids and let me work for a whole entire day. normally i work at naptime or stay up wayyyy late to get photo processing done. not on this day. i have a mighty good man.

four.

so i do have a recipe for you today. surprise! this is too easy it truly feels like cheating. whole wheat tortilla + basil pesto + mozzarella + fresh basil + red peppers. 8 minutes at 350 degrees. i have also cooked it a little less and rolled it up like a wrap. my kids like it with plain cheese and a few veggies. the possibilities are endless and it's a great way to use up extra tortillas leftover from mexican night.

five.

beach time! i didn't have to work saturday afternoon or evening for what felt like the first time in an eternity, so we trekked out to our favorite beach fishing spot, built sand castles (or something like that) and put our line's in the water. only sister said the water was "meanie" and instead threw her line in the sand. whatevs. it all worked out in the end.

LINK UP BELOW-

telling it real; risk is right. + a winner

2013-05-17T07:00:00.000-04:00

we don't sugar coat things around here, unless we're talking cupcakes that is. when big events happen, we tell our kids. we tell them about persecution. we tell them about evil. we tell them about sin. because not only is it in our world, it's in our hearts. and if they don't understand their sin, how will they see their need for a Rescue?

i want to bottle them up, these little hearts of mine, tuck them away, remove all dangers that could possibly touch them. but is that really living?? instead i just let them run around railroad tracks. ; ) these are barely in use any longer, fyi.

"safety is a myth. you can't put enough padlocks on your door or bars on your windows to keep from having a heart-attack. any safety nets we may use, are ultimately an illusion; there are no guarantees. our life is in God's hands. Jesus said, if they persecute me, they will persecute you. Paul said you enter the Kingdom through many afflictions. Peter said don't think it's strange when a fiery ordeal comes upon you."

Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, (2 Timothy 3:12, ESV)

everyone who decides to live a Godly life will be persecuted. there are continual promises in the New Testament of suffering...

And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. (Luke 9:23, ESV)

so why should we teach our children otherwise? why should we live otherwise? we cannot avoid risk; let's embrace it for Gospel purposes.

all quotes are paraphrased from John Piper's Risk is Right.

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the winner of the Lemonade Makin Mama giveaway is: TARA!!! she's a light, go visit her. congrats, sweet lady. (email me! lowercaselettersblog at gmail)

LEMONADE MAKIN' MAMA GIVEAWAY + misc. monday!

2013-05-13T06:00:00.000-04:00

write random and join in below.

1. folks. i was tired five days ago. now i'm plumb expired. forgive me if anything said here is senseless. it's quite possible. i finished wedding #4 in seven days on Saturday and therefore have mostly phone photos for you today. you understand, right? find me on instagram @carissa_graham. here's a phone photo preview from a recent wedding. swoon.

2. and here is a real wedding image from last week, to even things out. this was taken with an on-camera flash and an off-camera flash held behind the gorgeous couple. also? kelly was my 2nd shooter and flash holder. he's officially hired. i love my husband.

3. i don't deserve to be mom to two precious babes. His grace is endless and He is exceptionally kind.

4. it's not an airstream, nor is it mine, but still. completely photo worthy.

5. chick-fil-a has a new line of salads. which is really amazing because the old ones were getting so old. i've tried the asian one, and it only has 330 calories of good, fulfilling nutrition. it got me through an 8 hour wedding day without even feeling hungry. success!

6. if you don't know Sasha, the Lemonade Makin' Mama, you should. she's all kinds of talented, has a sweet soul, and a huge heart.

you have a chance to win one of her most popular items, an Antique Ball canning jar flour sack dish towel from her lovely shop. just leave a comment here saying you want one and you're entered to win. yay! hurry... giveaway ends on Wednesday, 5/15/13 at 9pm EST. GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED. WINNER ANNOUNCED FRIDAY, 5/17/13

it's your turn. link up below!

redeeming my messy motherhood + a winner

2013-05-09T07:00:00.000-04:00

i find it stunning, really, that our God is all about using little things, the lowly, the last, the lost, the common, and the dirty to bring about His story, for His glory.

Leah, in Genesis 29-30, was the girl no one wanted. Jacob chose Rachel, not Leah. she wasn't the prettiest, she was scarcely noticed, yet God chose to rescue the whole world through Leah's family.

i think about God's choosing of David, as a young boy. He could have chosen the strongest of Jesse's sons, the wisest, or the tallest. nope. He chose the smallest. and even when David committed adultery and murder - two of the grossest sins we might imagine - God still chose to rescue the world through His line.

and finally, through the line of Leah and David, He sent His own son, a King, to be born in a barn, to an unwed young woman. He wasn't a conquering King, but a humble one. He was poor, didn't come with a sword, or an army.

you see, when a mama is a sinner, and she's raising kids (younger sinners), it's messy. it isn't perfect. nor ideal. grace isn't given when it should be. discipline isn't rendered when it should be. mama gets tired. kids get crabby.

but, if God chose the lowly, the sinners, the poor, then certainly He can take our mess of motherhood and make it something pretty. don't be discouraged, rest in His providence. He can take the lowly sinners, redeem us, and bring about His story, for His glory.

The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. (1 Timothy 1:15, ESV)

and i don't think it's even a coincidence that two little children's books were the inspiration for this post.
The Jesus Storybook Bible
Thoughts to Make Your Heart Sing

//

the winner of the Shabby Apple $50 gift card is Laurel from Mama D's Dozen. i can't think of a more deserving lady! congratulations.

misc. monday + WIN a SHABBY APPLE GIFT CARD

2013-05-06T06:00:00.000-04:00

write your randoms and join in below. ~~plus! enter to win a $50 gift card to Shabby Apple!!~~ GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED. WINNER ANNOUNCED SOON.

1. these flowers + this quote. love - love.

2. our instalately's. find me @carissa_graham

3. he and me... he worked all week, i worked all weekend, but we enjoyed a glorious date in-between. and now, after a two wedding weekend, i could sleep for dayssss.

4. Shabby Apple is an online dress boutique that specializes in vintage and retro dresses. i am a fan of Shabby Apple because the dresses are very modest without sacrificing any style. they also have gorgeous shoes, accessories, swimwear, skirts, tops and even maternity. but there's more. you really just have to go look for yourself! giveaway is now closed.

you have a chance to win a $50 gift card to Shabby Apple! to enter: like their facebook page, visit their line and let us know what you love by leaving a comment below. for extra entries, pin, tweet, or share this giveaway and let us know you did. giveaway ends tomorrow (5/7) at 9pm, EST. so hurry! (giveaway open to US residents only. the entry happens by leaving a comment here, although it is contingent upon a facebook like. facebook is not a sponsor of this giveaway. i have received no compensation in any way. all opinions are mine.)

LINK UP BELOW!

loving lately

2013-05-01T07:30:00.000-04:00

it's been raining in these parts a whole lot lately, so we did the only sensible thing... put on rain jackets and galoshes and danced. we loved it.

now here are some other things, i like a lot, that i think you should know about. when i make discoveries i tend to want to share them with you, too. hope you understand.
THIS. it's pricey. i've never in my life paid $8 for lotion. but, somehow my $1 store lotion was getting on my nerves and i smelled this. it had me at the first whiff. really, really unbelievably amazing. i put it on after i shower and i feel like it lasts like two days. and you don't have to use much. now for the bar soap - it's $4, but lasts a long time and is cheaper than decent liquid body wash.

if you think coconut oil is amazing, this is even more so. it actually works. remember PAM? she has seen better days. well, with PAM, stuff sticks. with this? nothing sticks. and it's so cheap from Trader Joes. (of course! duh.)

these make for amazing breakfasts or lunches. they taste like dessert but it's really dates. it's magic! they are filling, too. the cookie dough ones are fab as well. they are about $1/bar.

i'lll admit, these taste more healthy than delicious, but they will keep you full for awhile. AND only 100 calories of good nutrients. $2.99 for a box of 5.

i'm loving these devotionals each day by D.A. Carson. they are paired with a read the Bible in a year plan. so much meaty TRUTH here.

this CD. it's groovy and if you like The Fray, Billy Joel, or Motown, you will love this. i'm happy to be married to a musician, he keeps me up-to-date on good music.

i like my mom. and i hope you like yours, too. here are some sweet things you could get her. or ask your husband to get you.

gorgeous jewels from hannah at happy days! you can save 20% with the code below.

also! my girl, becky, has her shop re-opening today!! hurry on over there to get yourself a cuff or a pretty luggage/camera tag. the tags are brand new and i know they are going to fly out of her shop fast.

you must remember how much i like mine!

what are you liking as of late?

MISCELLANY MONDAY

2013-04-29T06:00:00.000-04:00

write your randoms and join in below.

1. we love to create. i stock them up with paint, paper, tape, glue, cotton balls (their favorite. they make fab clouds, so i'm told.), crayons, and if i'm feeling like being brave, scissors. and then they have at it. i used to feel like i had to plan crafts all the time. but now, i'm realizing the un-structure when it comes to creating helps foster their own creativity. i love it.

phone photo! you can find me on instagram @carissa_graham.

2. last week, i had a streak of adventure running through my veins; i set off to spy on the filming of Army Wives. just call me papa paparazzi. they've been filming in Charleston for seven seasons and are embarking on the last episode. so, it was now or never. i saw a lot of action and may have been giddy.

3. this is high time for photo sessions and weddings! here are some recent beauties:

4. girls, i had a total geek out moment when i did a quick photo session at the local news station. i got a studio tour and somehow restrained myself from asking for people's autographs. it was too rad.

this is my cousin's wife, manda. she has a tiny crush on Lester. too funny!

5. if you're in the mood for FREE pretty printables, visit Danielle at Take Heart. her designs are rockin.

6. introducing The Honest Company! they have great products without nasty chemicals and it all works really well. i got what's pictured below (laundry detergent, dishwasher detergent, all purpose cleaner, bug spray, and fruit & veggie wash, for $21 and i'm very happy with it! you can use the code INVITED10 to receive $10 off your first order. go visit!

grab the button and link-up.

these are but scattered beams.

2013-04-24T07:00:00.000-04:00

To go to heaven, fully to enjoy God, is infinitely better than the most pleasant accommodations here. Better than fathers and mothers, husbands, wives, or children, or the company of any, or all earthly friends. These are but shadows; but the enjoyment of God is the substance. These are but scattered beams; but God is the sun. These are but streams; but God is the fountain. These are but drops, but God is the ocean. -Jonathan Edwards

this quote has dug a spot down deep into my heart. as i collect sweet moments, as i chase shadows, catch scattered beams, follow streams, see drops... i hold on to it all so much. yet God is infinitely better than anything we hold close. i think if we truly believed this to be true, we could more easily let go of fear. in the midst of soaring loss, horrific events, and the evil we have seen lately in the world, fear often becomes a faithful companion. to know that the things we hold so dearly are just a foretaste of glory divine, a small hint to the big secret that will be revealed to our hearts when we meet our maker - that HE is truly all we need. and if nothing can tear us from His grip, no matter what happens to us - sickness, disease, death, financial woes, tragedy - we will never be separated from Him. and if He is infinitely better than anything we hold dear, why do we fear?

I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. -John 10:28, ESV

For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. -Romans 8:38-39, ESV

my prayer is that that no matter how deeply i love my family and those who i hold near to me, that my ultimate joy and hope will rest in HIM. that's where peace is found and fear ceases. because He is the substance, He is the sun, He is the fountain and He is the ocean.

MISCELLANY MONDAY

2013-04-22T06:00:00.000-04:00

write your random musings and join in below.

if you think it looks different, you're thinking right. it looks a little simpler here these days. i kinda love it!

1. you should know about canvas people (thanks shannan!). they're having a smashing sale... you can get an 8x10 canvas for free (plus shipping). now if i could only pick just one image. here are a few in the running:

2. frozen yogurt... it's been over a year since we have indulged. it was so worth it. also? somehow we all managed to eat some for $4 something.

3. ladies, i'm convinced that everyone should own a plain black shirt (slightly dressed up - mine has arm ruching from Forever 21, 2012, $6.81) and grey pants (target, 2012). these two pieces go with everything - even together.

4. i should have taken a real photo, but a phone photo will have to do. we have this leather chair and it's a cheapo; the seat section is holey and ripping and ugly. to try to hide the damage, i tucked in a blanket. it adds color and comfort, too. granted, my tucking job isn't perfect here, you get the idea. a blanket is like 200% cheaper than a new chair.

5. this stuff is $3 something at Target and is an amazing laundry booster. it fights tough stains and lasts a really long time. i'm talking it's better than oxy or tide stain booster. plus, it's all-natural and 1/3 of the price.

join in below-

i can't do it all. there, i said it.

2013-04-19T07:00:00.000-04:00

recently i spent a glorious day with my man and kids just enjoying them... no chores, just them. then this post was born.

it's not popular, in this age, to be female and say you can't have or do it all. let's cut to the punch. i am a woman, i am weak, i am tired and i absolutely cannot do it all. i go to bed too late with unchecked boxes on my to-do list.

there never seems to be enough minutes in an hour to accomplish all the work i set out to. yet, Jesus claimed that:

"I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do." -John 17:4, ESV

in Jesus' short time on earth, He accomplished all that the Father gave Him to do. now, it doesn't say He did what the crowds wanted or even what His disciples wanted, but rather He was about His father's business. i have a feeling that if we stick to our Father's business, we too, can accomplish what He has required of us. otherwise, we live just like Nancy Leigh DeMoss (duh! she's my hero!) described here:

The frustration comes when I attempt to take on responsibilities that are not on His agenda for me. When I establish my own agenda or let others determine the priorities for my life, rather than taking time to discern what it is God wants me to do, I end up buried under piles of... projects... and tasks. I live with guilt, frustration, haste, rather than enjoying the peaceful, well ordered life that He intends. - Nancy Leigh DeMoss, Lies Women Believe

establishing what the Father would have each of us do, is really a daily thing, and it will change depending on the season of life we are in. AND, this looks different for everyone, so let's quit comparing the calling of others to our own calling. first off, though, THE non-negotiable:

No matter what we do, we do it in time, so we cannot make the best use of our time unless the Gospel touches and transforms everything that we do. -Ligonier Ministries

1. fight and pray for the Gospel to make up the fabric of our lives. move over, cotton. ; ) i believe this is only possible with consistent time in the Word and in prayer. if #1 doesn't happen, the rest of the list gets all out of whack. this is where my worth lies... in Christ and nothing else; in order for priorities to stay in check my worth cannot be found in any earthly relationship, job, or thing.

2. who has God put in my household that i am to serve? my husband FIRST and kids SECOND. this means, i don't work all day long. i have allotted times - nap time and after the kids are in bed. now, i have to set aside specific evenings of not working for husband time. (non-work nights are my fave. obviously. sidenote: i often have to say no to job opportunities for my own sanity as well as my family's.)

3. what areas am i called to be involved in the church? we live 30 minutes from our church, so the best way to be involved is on Sunday mornings, since i will already be there.

4. how can i serve others? this always looks different depending on the day/week.

5. have-to chores: laundry, cooking dinner, grocery shopping. my family needs to eat; this is something (no matter how much i dislike cooking) i HAVE to do. also, they can't run around naked, fyi.

6. exercise. no matter how tired i may be, running somehow always gives me more energy in my day.

7. and finally, last and least, home chores. as it turns out, all of the other things can be accomplished without a freshly-cleaned home. i'm not advocating a pig-sty, but i am saying that cleaning the house only once a month isn't a sin. plus, i work anywhere from 20-40 hours/week on photography along with most every weekend. there just flat out isn't time for major cleaning often. i'm a tidy-er, so everything is picked up and put away daily. but the major clean happens once/month.

anything beyond this list, even other ministry, play dates, girl's nights, extra-curriculars and kid's activities should be examined on a case-by-case basis. sometimes a "no" is necessary whereas other times i may have the freedom to say yes.

i can't do it all, but with His strength and because of grace, i can do all that He has called me to do. ultimately, my worth is not found in all the things, but in the One who holds all things together.

MISCELLANY MONDAY

2013-04-15T06:00:00.000-04:00

write your random musings and join in below. let's make monday fun!
phone photos are where it's at today. find me on instagram @carissa_graham

1. cool is back in session/season. people, it's only spring, but the south thinks it's already summer and we aren't complaining one bit.

2. this weekend was a whirlwind, to put it plainly! i kissed my kids goodbye more times than i wanted to, but this mama had to earn her keep. ; ) after two sessions and a wedding, i could sleep for daysss. don't be jealous of my awesome ninja wedding wardrobe.

3. we even squeezed in a 30th birthday party dinner downtown Charleston for one of my dearest friends! (sidenote: i just realized it's been an entire decade since i graduated high school. eeek!)

4. daddy may or may not have shown the kids how to pop ants with the sun and a magnifying glass. i had no part in this, fyi. i just stared and took pictures, is all.

5. this girl has had some major progress the past few days in the self-control/temper tantrum department. and i can take NO credit. God is hearing our prayers and working in her heart (and MINE!).

6. i recently realized it's been almost three weeks since i've pinned a single thing on pinterest. the good news is that i haven't made any new fattening deserts, i haven't spent money on dinners that turned out like dog food, and i haven't second guessed my lack of excitement over craft time with my kids. : ) it's been good for my soul. i highly recommend the hiatus. another thing good for the soul? if you're a christian female, BUY this book - i've said it 800 times before and i'll say it 800 times more. i reference it almost every week and have for a few years. BUY IT NOW.

7. i can't not share a cute newborn photo (or three) from this weekend. so here:

now it's your turn. write your randoms and link up.

on being offended

2013-04-11T07:00:00.000-04:00

it's true, these pictures don't have anything to do with this post. hope you're not offended. ; )

it happens... people do or say things that offend us. recently this happened to me and it kind of ripped me apart inside. for awhile i was half heartbroken, then angry (i know what i'll do! i'll email them to say just how much their words hurt me and maybe they'll learn a lesson!), and finally here i am in a place of fighting to believe Truth over the lies. and the Truth is, Jesus was mocked, tortured, and instead of being offended, he surrendered His rights... HE GAVE THEM UP.

dangling at the very bottom of the root of offense is this notion of "my rights." like, i should have a right to defend myself when i am offended. or i don't deserve to be offended like this. i love what Nancy Leigh DeMoss has to say about our rights -

The fact is, successful relationships and healthy cultures are not built on the claiming of rights but on the yielding of rights. Even our traffic laws reflect this principle. You'll never see a sign that says, "You have the right of way." Instead, the signs instruct us to "Yield" the right of way. - Nancy Leigh DeMoss, Lies Women Believe

the Old Testament offers an example of this with the Prophet, Jonah. Jonah believed he had the right not to be compassionate for the people of Nineveh. he believed he had the right to see the Ninevites judged by God since they deserved it. isn't this what we do? people offend us, we make them out to be Ninevites and then heap coals on their head because they "deserve" it. in fact, Jonah was so angry with God for choosing to have compassion on these people, that he wanted to die. at this point, God asks Jonah, "Have you any right to be angry? (Jonah 4:4)" God confronted Jonah with this issue of "rights." because Jonah felt like his rights were being violated, he threw an emotional temper tantrum (i have no idea what those are! YEAH RIGHT.), camped outside the city, watching and waiting to see it destroyed.

Jonah felt that he had the right to control his own life, and environment, to have things go the way he wanted them to go, and to be angry when they didn't. His insistence on his rights caused him to be emotionally unstable, isolated and estranged from God. -Nancy Leigh DeMoss, Lies Women Believe

the only way to get rid of this way of living that causes me to fight for my rights at every offense, is to -

Yield all my rights to the One who ultimately holds all rights. -Nancy Leigh DeMoss, Lies Women Believe

giving up my rights is in stark contrast to what my human nature is screaming. it's loudly proclaiming i pick up a sign and go protest anything infringing on what i deserve. giving up my rights requires letting go of pride-

“First of all, our proud self must be broken. Our own self must give up its rights. Our self is hard. It does not want to obey God. It likes to show that it is right. It wants to go its own way. It wants to claim all its rights. It always seeks glory for itself. The self must bow to God’s will. It must confess that it is wrong. It must give up its own way. It must obey the Lord Jesus. It must give up all its glory. Only in this way can the Lord Jesus have all and be all in our lives. We must die to self.” - Roy Hession

dying to self is hard. yet there's a promise in His word for me and you to cling to:

I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. -Galatians 2:20

Christ works in and through us, moment by moment, enabling us to die to self, surrender our rights, like He did, and to choose grace rather than choosing to be offended. this is Truth and this Truth will set us free!

MISCELLANY MONDAY

2013-04-08T06:00:00.000-04:00

write your random musings and join in below.

1. hunter and hunters. could this be any more perfect? i think not. // model credit: becky's feet ; )

a very nice person gave us free tickets to Boone Hall Plantation last week during Becky's visit. it's where Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds were married... so i'm told. i know they're famous but i had to google it. oh and hey, the Notebook was filmed here. (amazing) anyway, think southern charm and cotton fields and swoony. (if you couldn't tell by now, i'm going to miss this farmgirl and her chicks)
2. over the weekend we went to a place called Bee City with our besties. it's weird and random, far out in the country with a wide assortment of crazy animals. the lemurs will even eat a cheerio straight from your hand. we came home with fresh honey, fun memories, and happy kids. look! it's our kid's getting ready to touch a tarantula.

i hate this picture of my face (mainly because i just realized my sunglasses are ugly and they pop off my nose when i smile. but that's beside the point). julie and i don't take enough pictures together, so here we go.

3. my day is incomplete without grapefruit + sea salt. i was leery, but since it's becky's thing, i had to give it a try and now i'm hooked. a grapefruit a day keeps the fat away. or at least that's my story and i'm stickin' to it. give it a whirl.

4. red shoes for my sage. $2 at a garage sale. they are worn but hello, they're red. who even cares?!

5. look at this camera tag. brilliance. thank you, farmgirl paints! she's the cuff master and soon (may!) these too will be available in her shop.

it's your turn. link up below.

the farmgirl comes to town.

2013-04-05T07:00:00.000-04:00

this farmgirl had me at hello. the first time, over 3 years ago, my eyes saw her blog, i knew knew knew i loved her. and since then, i've loved her a little more with each post and picture. she's the one who inspired me to pick up a camera and learn how to use it. to top that, she inspires me to create, to love well, to enjoy life and make it full.

never in my wildest dreams did i actually think this pretty farmgirl would come and stay at my house, meet my people, see my town and hug my neck. i dreamt once that she did. but now it really happened even though it still feels like a dream.

to say i was nervous is an understatement, but the minute i heard her voice, i felt reassured and i was certain we'd click in real life, too. i just hoped she liked me back. : ) (turns out, she did!) it was easy being around her. i could be myself, we could blow our noses, cough up flem, and it was no biggie. that's a real friend, people. our kids played together, they put up with tantrums from a certain cute two year old, they obliged a certain four year old; drew dinosaurs and dragons. becky put up with my constant getting lost even though my gps told me exactly where to go. i am scatter-brained and she said it made her feel right at home. that is love. they even said the dinner i made was really good (thank you, Trader Joe's). our families lived life together for a few days, visited pretty places, ate tasty food (AND DESSERTS - too many), and enjoyed each other's company. it was truly a gift. a sweet gift straight from Him.

God is so kind to bring His people together no matter the miles. Becky is a friend for life. hope she's okay with that. ; ) this farmgirl is encouraging, uplifting and certainly one of the most thoughtful people i've ever been around. but most of all, she loves really well. she cares deeply and loves fiercely, finds specific ways to bless people. for that, i'm truly inspired and feel honored to know her. love you, farmgirl! and your chicks too - they are the sweetest and kindest little gals. also? numerous people said my farmgirl and i could pass as sisters. #bestcomplimentever #thankyou

you can find more of our visit together on instagram- visit @carissa_graham @farmgirlpaints @bigchick7 (and i just may have a whole other day's worth of photos to post soon!)

this is becky's pic and my favorite one out of all the 10,000 pictures we took.

becky meeting my bestie, julie

MISCELLANY MONDAY

2013-04-01T06:00:00.000-04:00

write your random collection of musings and join in below.

1. spring is blooming here in Charleston. such a perfect time to be reminded of new life and all that awaits us in Christ. i am in love love love with this quote:

“It is finished!” Jesus cried in his agony on the cross. Now he thinks of the Kingdom he is making, of the world he is redeeming, of the living hope he has unleashed. He smiles to himself and agrees with the Father.
“It has only just begun.” --Andrew Peterson

2. my parents have a rooster. don't let his looks fool ya, he's as mean as they come.

3. hunter got to go in this ex-sailboat turned mini motor boat with his kid aunt and uncle. you have no idea how much this made his whole entire ~~year~~ life.

4. caught with chipmunk cheeks and a handful of chocolate. i can't blame her.

5. my ultimate favorite fruit/oatmeal combo is with blackberries. i could eat it for dayssss.

6. Easter babes! my nephew and niece were looking mighty cute on Easter in their almost Birthday suits!

7. that moment when a decent family picture (one with everyone remotely smiling/looking) appears as your uploading your flash card that you didn't know was there!

8. i did a Legacy Bracelet photoshoot over the weekend. these bracelets belong to every woman in your life. seriously! i love mine.

9. exciting times are happening this week. my blog crush is coming to see me! eeeekkk! can't wait to share all about it. xo!

grab the button and link up below~

this is love

2013-03-29T07:00:00.000-04:00

we walk in a dark sanctuary, quiet hushes are barely spoken, the mood is somber, the emotion is heavy, and tears drip on our cheeks. during our Good Friday services we remember He was scourged, mocked, spat on, struck, stripped, and crucified. we remember the setting sun, the darkness that fell and Jesus willingly accepted it. this is love.

as Jesus hung there on the cross, He appeared to have been stopped and condemned for calling himself God (Mark 15:29-31). He breathed His last breath at the same time as the daily sacrifice would have been made in the Temple (Mark 15:38). today, though, the curtain was torn in two, removing our separation; providing access to the Holy One, proving He was God. this is love.

remembering His sacrifice is essential to our spirit. death is no longer a bitter pill to swallow. death itself is swallowed up in victory - once and for all. as we meditate on His death, we begin to grasp the Gospel more. our own life is filled with death - sin - and the more we see our sin, the more we see our redeemer. our sin is deep, our Savior's love is deeper (1 John 4:9). this is love.

we betray Jesus like Judas, time and again, and Jesus washes our feet, time and again. God gave His best to redeem our worst (1 John 4:9-10). we cried for His blood. and He gave it. this is love.

we weep over His sacrifice, but not as those without hope. because Sunday is coming. we must always remember Jesus' death, to fully understand the new life He purchased with it. He is undoing all the bad things, rescuing the fallen, and fixing the broken, because He alone brought forth life out of death and does the same in each of our hearts. this is love.

miscellany monday

2013-03-25T06:00:00.000-04:00

write your random musings and join in below.
brought to you by phone photos (find me on instagram @carissa_graham), minus the fancy St. Kitts wedding!

1. yesterday was Palm Sunday; this week is Holy Week and i tend to be somber and thankful all at once. i'm reading these Resurrection Letters Meditations by Andrew Peterson and this Lent Guide from The Gospel Coalition. here's an excerpt from Andrew Peterson:

You come to save a fickle people, who one minute cry for help and the next cry for blood, and it is both help and blood that you give us.

2. had another busy weekend shooting a wedding. this is what's inside my camera bag lately- Canon 7D, 6D, 24-70mm f/2.8L, 50mm f/1.4, 430 EX, lots of Sony rechargeable batteries, a video light, some diffusers, and memory cards. phew!

3. the plus side to it still feeling like winter outside? lots of layers and leggings.

4. so i wouldn't say i taste the greek yogurt, but it does taste good.

5. i have received so many questions about these Martha Stewart Flash Cards, seen here:

we stripped Hunter's walls down bare and are selling things! so, if you are interested in buying the flash cards (they are tied together as shown), email me: lowercaselettersblog(at)gmail(dot)com with your paypal address and i'll send them right out. to my knowledge, they cannot be found in stores any longer. i am asking $25 and that includes shipping.

6. here is a small sampling of the St. Kitts trip. more to come soon!

now it's your turn. write your randoms and link up!

that time mama flew the nest.

2013-03-21T07:00:00.000-04:00

i wouldn't say i deserved a vacay, but my body told me i needed it. the first night i went to bed at 10pm and woke up the next morning at 10am. first time i've slept-in in four years. also the first time i've ever left my kiddos and been farther than 30 minutes away from my family. the only thing that competes with it is that time i drove two hours away to shoot an eight hour wedding (actually, amy drove, because i've never driven anywhere over 30 miles. i'm not that sheltered, but i am).

amy and i certainly squeezed every last bit of goodness out of it. there's something remarkably refreshing about working with one of your closest friends and getting to vacation while working. for the record, we are all about destination weddings. also, if anyone is considering Hawaii, i can make a really shiny deal for you, just FYI. ; )

next week i will have some real DSLR photos for you. for now, here's a phone recap, because i'm impatient.

miami airport had miami written all over it. fun.

st. kitts -

we had 2.5 days to play, 2 days to work. i like that ratio. our days off consisted of working out (turns out resorts have fancy equipment with tv's attached - this girl hasn't had a gym membership in over 6 years, so the tv's were to me, like sliced bread's debut in 1928 - extraordinary. especially since we don't have cable. i was in HGTV heaven people. we stayed on those machines for 1-2 hours/day and sometimes even in the morning and night. it was bliss. normally i get back from a vacation with an expanded waistline. this time it was like i went on the biggest loser and it felt so good. running outdoors is my main squeeze, but let me tell you, this almost tied that big time.

then we ate overpriced resort food to the tune of salads and smoothies. twice we ventured outside the resort and then asked to turn-around. call us cheap, or wimps, but $80 excursions and beach bar shacks aren't quite what we had in mind. the resort beckoned us back to lounging in the sunshine over books. i read the rest of Courtney Walsh's Sweethaven series (thanks to Julie's kindle!) as i overheard waves crashing on the shore. which, by the way, i didn't realize the appeal of a kindle until i used one. maybe i'm lazy, but holding a paper book after that feels like a chore. long-story short: st. kitts was good to us.

target has some awesome modest tankini's this year (merona brand) for $24. can't beat that.

saturday and sunday were our work days. on saturday we photographed a catamaran snorkel cruise - there's always a first time for everything! on sunday the wedding was laid back and beautiful. the reception was a party like i've never seen and that night we were as tired as tired gets.

catamaran cruise!

tip: if you ever shoot a catamaran snorkel cruise, as a precautionary measure be sure to bring your back-up camera rather than your main one. just for sanity's sake. thankfully we did and they came out unscathed.

sunset over the caribbean

wedding day

where else can you shoot the bride getting ready with towel dried hair and in turquoise shorts??

4:30 am came early monday morning but our airline tickets told us we had to go. come to find out, we'd spend the next 36 hours in airports because our plane's battery was flat out dead. since island's don't keep spares around, it complicated things. also, i'm notorious for motion sickness, only this time, the sickness started before the motion and i found myself sprawled out in the St. Kitt's airport restroom, hurling over the toilet, three separate times. the saving grace was that we travelled with wedding guests and two of them were doctors. they gave me two different kinds of nausea meds and i was as good as new, aside from the fact that i was a drowsy camper. i'd rather be a zombie than a puker! right?!

our view in the airport for hours

the view got better!

i was so drowsy, i didn't care that they were metal chairs or dirty.

twelve hours later we ended up with a hotel in miami in the scary part of town. the hotel, was, questionable, and i knew from the moment we walked into our room with the trash can's full of someone else's trash that we were in for it. after a long night and a longer day, that included hours of standing in line, we made it home in one piece. it was no small miracle!

dining on the airline! you bet we used every last bit of our meal vouchers.

reunited at last!

coming away from it i've concluded a few things:

1. time away is a refreshing thing, but isn't essential for a good attitude, nor is it deserved. it's grace!
2. i had wifi one day while i was there, give or take a few times here and there, and i've decided that life is best lived away from the internet. it's just simpler. and my mind is more clearly focused.
3. my husband is my hero. i'm pretty sure he accomplished more things around the house than i have in an entire year, all while being mom, cooking, and cleaning. he blessed me from head to toe, knowing he was holding down the fort just fine and taking the best care of our kiddos.

the moral of all this: if you get a chance to get away, take it. if you get a chance to get away for free, jump on board faster than you can say yes.

MISCELLANY MONDAY

2013-03-18T06:00:00.000-04:00

join in below!

today, since i'm out of the country, i thought it was a perfect occasion to open up miscellany monday to one of my favorite ladies, hannah. if you know her you love her. and if you don't yet know her, you will love her once you do. this girl knows what it means to be a light for Jesus and is so good at being encouraging. so, let's get on with hannah!

hey, there! i'm thrilled that my sweetie friend carissa asked me to share a miscellany monday post!

she's pretty fancy, so i am feeling pretty fancy here.

while many are seeing signs of spring, we're still mostly grey. soon enough, i'll stand in this same spot in my neighborhood, and those trees will be drooping with pretty leaves. hurry up, green!

this is my phone wallpaper. a favorite photo of my little guy.

i captured it not really on purpose, don't you love when that happens?

when i see him here, i pray for him and it keeps him close. lately he isn't around as much as i'd like. he spends many many hours a week apart from me at school and therapy outside of the home. elijah is autistic. we've been so blessed by his incredible school, teachers and therapists that the lord has placed in our life. it's been good for my soul to document our journey, you can catch up here. perhaps you'll find encouragement for you or a friend!

one thing i enjoy doing when i am missing my kiddo, reading. i've been slowly soaking up the quotes in this book. this one made me ponder this scripture from psalm 139 "search me, o god, and know my heart! try me and know my thoughts! and see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!" i highly recommend the book, but be ready to have your feathers ruffled. for. real.

when you can't see spring, you make it. or something.

here's a first look at some new items hitting my jewelry shop today!

seriously, doesn't a good dose of color just make your day?!

one more thing i must share, the hope spoken conference. save the dates, it's happening next spring in dallas, texas. i want you to go read all about it! i have the incredible honor of being a speaker alongside such a beautiful, gracious group of women. the lord heaps grace upon grace into my life. his faithfulness has been a rock and shelter for me, and i love telling the story of how god is transforming my heart, making me new and growing me rich in his love. i am a work in progress. we all are. we all are storytellers. i hope you'll join me there in spring 2014! we are praying and seeking the lord already about how he would have us share his work in our hearts and lives with you. in addition to the swoony speaker lineup, we've got some amazing small group leaders joining us! we're writing a special devotional book to use as a guide through scripture during the conference. we'll be connecting with christ together with you through prayer, story and song.

now, i could keep on sharing my random, but i'd much rather hear yours.

what have y'all been up to? what are you loving right now? link up below.

making beautiful the ugly.

2013-03-13T07:00:00.000-04:00

the kids planted their $1 gardens c/o of Target, and stared and stared looking for flowers and leaves immediately. in their little minds, if you plant the seeds, you should see growth right then and there. it's just a messy pile of ugly dirt until something beautiful grows. somehow i think our minds are just like theirs...

-after one morning of dieting i magically think the scale will read 5 pounds less.

-sharing the Gospel with a friend or family member and expecting them to believe immediately... when often it's waiting years upon years upon more years praying, hoping, waiting for them to come to faith.

-in my own spiritual walk. it can be utterly overwhelming looking at our sin, understanding our depravity, and how far we have to go still.

i was sharing dinner with a friend, talking about our stories - we share a lot of experiences and struggles - and how we still wrestle with certain aspects of the past and it's so frustrating that it's hard to move on. then it hit me. i said, well think of how far the Lord has brought us. even though there's more work to be done, more healing to be had, more refining to take place, we are not in the same spot we were when we started our journeys; there has been growth. that reality can prod us on, by remembering what the Lord has done, to know He will continue the good work He has begun in us and will bring it about to completion.

And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. -Philippians 1:6 ESV

this doesn't mean we go on trying harder to be holier because that bypasses the Gospel.

the heart of the good news is that we can be more like Jesus only if, and because, we are united with him. -Journey to the Cross, page 48

we are united with Christ by His grace through faith in his finished work on the cross and the resurrection. that is good news, friends!

when we look back, regardless of our stories, and experiences, as believers in Christ, we see the great work of His redemption in our lives. He plucked us out of the pit of sin, to make us children of God. and if that is our history, imagine our future. despite our shortcomings, our sin, our pride, our ugly, Christ in us, the hope of glory, is bringing growth and change, making beautiful the ugly! do not lose heart.

MISCELLANY MONDAY

2013-03-11T06:00:00.000-04:00

write your random musings and join in below. today i'm talking random with a "currently" theme, for the win.

1. currently listening to cody fry, thanks to noisetrade. and if i was really cool, i would have told you about the free cd download before it expired. my apologies. but still. he's worth every penny on itunes. if you like Drew Holcomb, Ben Rector, John Mayer, Brooke Fraser, and/or Andrew Ripp, you'll like him. (and yes my font just went all black and i can't do anything about it. glitch.)

2. currently thankful that my sagey babe has done well with potty training boot camp (this has been a year in the making, mind you)... minus a poop on the carpet incident that happened yesterday while i was at garage sales (hallelujah), daddy took one (or a hundred) for the team and cleaned up everything.

3. currently obsessed with this recent engagement session. these cuties are delightful, some really great friends, and it was a joy to capture their sweet love.

4. currently getting a baby fix after this precious family session!

5. currently (or always) loving phone photos, also known as the best invention for mothers. this was daddy's idea - hunter sleeping on the bottom of the cart part. i saw the situation, about fainted, gasped, and let it go, all in the same breath. pretty sure that's like a fourth child thing, and he's my first, but we had just come from the pediatrician's office, so this was like taking a shower compared to that.

6. currently (as in yesterday) wearing my pink belt. it adds a fun pop to any outfit. i'm the girl with the least accessories (mainly because i'd rather get a shirt or a major outfit piece than things to accessorize an outfit, i somehow feel like it's more bang for your buck that way!), so even spending $4 on this at Old Navy was a stretch. totally worth it, though.

7. currently preparing for a trip to the Caribbean on Wednesday to help shoot a wedding. i've been away from my kids never. so it's a bit painful thinking about it. i'm trying to focus on the fact that i won't have to cook for five days and that helps. : ) oh, they're like, hey, lets just hold hands because we can.

it's your turn. link up below.

my house and my heart.

2013-03-08T07:00:00.000-05:00

yes! that is a basketball hoop in our house. the kids got it from their grandparent's for Christmas and since it's winter we just left it inside for now. you should try it.

Sage in her glory, picking away.

i think this is the first time ever, i've posted pictures of our home. these were taken yesterday, hunter was running a 103 degree fever, i was potty training Sage and everything was far from perfect, for the record.

in less than one month i have a VIP coming to visit. this is someone i kind of have a girl crush on and am almost certain i'll be speechless the moment she knocks on my door. then it will be really awkward because i won't know what to say and she will be staying with me for four days. in the meantime, i look around my house all panicky and think, um, i need to get this place up to speed... i.e. lets repaint the entire house so it looks less like an earth-toned cave, and i certainly should remove the bright blue beach towel we have stapled to a gate that keeps our dog from peeing all over our couch. oh, the mantle - that thing hasn't been updated in seven years - along with most every other room, i should really make it my business to update. i want the best for my guests!

all this, so i can appear to have my life in order in a pretty package.

let's get to the heart, the root of it: honestly, this thinking is completely self-seeking. i'm hiding behind a guise of wanting the best for my visitors when really i want them to think the best of me.

this is when i can choose to believe truth or believe a lie.

the lie says i can't be a good hostess unless i have the best and the prettiest and the nicest. the lie says i have to act like something i'm not in order to impress, in order to win approval. (meanwhile, i'm certain my VIP is like, girl, take a chill pill. i'm not the President. plus, i'm not here for your home!)

also, as a side: hello! i have so much. even though it's not new or the nicest, it's much newer and nicer than most places in the world. REALITY CHECK!

truth comes in and dismantles my aspirations for my mantle. seriously. this is a heart matter and not a house matter. (i am not saying that having nice decor is bad, or getting new things for your home is wrong. but it would be wrong for me to do so, because one, we don't have the money for it, and two, my reasons for doing so.)

speaking of hospitality anyway,

what we have to offer is from God, and should be offered in faith as an act of worship, not for our gain but for the good of others (Romans 12:1-8). -page 51, Journey to the Cross

once again, as most things go, it's not all about me. having people into my home isn't about upholding an image, or making myself look better than i am.

the Truth is, it's not about me. it's all about Him. The Truth may not change my circumstances [or change the color of paint on my walls]-- but it will change me. the Truth will set me free. -Nancy Leigh DeMoss, page 235, Lies Women Believe

maybe your house looks different than mine, maybe you don't desire new paint on your walls, maybe it's something else, but i'm certain we have this in common: we want approval. and if we aren't rooted in Christ's finished work on the cross as our approval, we will look elsewhere until we find it - whether it's from our calling, our careers, our family, our friends. our hearts can only be settled, our approval can only be resting in an unchanging God who loves unconditionally because of His Son's sacrifice.

miscellany monday

2013-03-04T06:00:00.000-05:00

write your random collection of musings and join in below.

1. i shot a wedding over the weekend and brought my husband along as my assistant. he said it was the most terrifying thing. just like that, he was hired and fired all in one day. : ) and we still love each other.

the story of God's redemption was splattered all over this celebration, and i love how God knits families together, in His own time.

the beautiful new family!!

2. phone photos! follow me on instagram @carissa_graham. impromptu date night after the wedding. the best dates? barnes and noble book reading for free (besides the coffee). also? joy the baker cookbook. dangerous. and gorgeous all at once.

3. if you don't know about this, you should. The Home Depot has FREE workshops for kids each month. look online to find one near you. hunter has made a valentine box, a race car and next month it will be a birdhouse. it is such a highlight for him, it's free, and means special guy time with daddy. and did i mention it's free?

4. all of a sudden little missy uses the word awkward. like a lot. and it couldn't be more fitting:

5. i'm starting this soon (thanks JOY!) and after so many raving reviews, i'm giddy. francine rivers takes biblical history and weaves it throughout this series of novels. since there are three books i don't have to be depressed when i finish one. do you get like that?

6. thanks to pinterest, i have now discovered a suitable (and cheap) way to clean my produce. soak (for up to an hour) fruits and veggies in a 1:4 vinegar to water ratio (vinegar is a miracle in a bottle) to help remove toxins and pesticides. plus it helps make it last longer!

it's your turn. grab the button and link-up:

THE BLOG ENTRY ABOUT BLOGGING

2013-02-26T07:00:00.000-05:00

recently i've gotten a few questions on blogging. anywhere from why to how to when to where. and it's good because it forces me to re-evaluate why i do the things i do. here's my conclusion, in three parts. and sorry, but this is as condensed as it gets.

1. what blogging is not:

firstly, i think it is crucial to identify this reality: we are all placing our identity in something. maybe it's our calling as a wife or a mother, as a voice in social media or blogging, in our profession or achievements. it happens to all of us because it's rampant in our culture and it's in our very sin nature.

Sin is the despairing refusal to find your deepest identity in your relationship and service to God. Sin is seeking to become oneself, to get an identity, apart from God. -Soren Kierkegaard

if i am blogging to have significance because of my influence (i.e. - worrying about numbers and followers or pageviews, etc) then i will be exhausted and frustrated continually because establishing myself on the basis of people's approval is impossible and restless. as St. Augustine wisely said, we were made for God ALONE and we are restless until we find rest in him. our worth must rest on the approval of Christ alone. if looking to our own lives isn't an example enough, look at Israel's-

This is how Israel got to where they were. They made other things ultimate and whored themselves out to false gods who could not save. Israel was always running to other gods and then coming back to the Lord. This is the nature of our sin. We give ourselves out to false gods and then come running back to God when our life is in ruins. The gospel sets us free from this kind of fickle faith. God approves of us in Christ, without condition. We are accepted and adopted into his family. -Journey to the Cross, page 38

blogging is not a means to which i find my worth, a way to gain approval, or acceptance.

2. what is it then?

i honestly believe blogging to be another way to share the Gospel. granted, because all of life is under the Lordship of Christ it does not mean i can't talk about other things. but the central focus of my blog should be the Gospel. because a blog is, albeit a small one, a reflection of my life. and hopefully my life is centered and resting on it as well.

If there's anything in life that we are passionate about, it's the Gospel. And I don't mean passionate only about sharing it with others. I mean passionate in thinking about it, dwelling on it, rejoicing in it, allowing it to color the way we look at the world. Only one thing can be of first importance to each of us. And only the Gospel ought it be. - C.J. Mahaney

when i am learning new Truth and trying to apply it, i love sharing it. because how can i keep silent? part of the journey is sharing how the Lord is carrying me. i find a blog to be an accessible way to do just that.

3. so, how do we blog?

words are important. they are weighty. death and life are in the power of the tongue (Prov. 18:21). we should ask the Lord to make the words of our mouth and the ones we type acceptable to him (Ps. 19:14). our words should be gracious (Prov. 16:24) and most of all, we should be quick to listen and slow to speak (James 1:19). in essence, we should carefully choose our words. we should not write in haste, and we should even pray about what we write. once in a while i will go back and read an old post of mine and cringe. why would i say that outloud?? it's embarrassing. but it is refreshing to see how i have been pruned between then and now. thankfully there's more pruning ahead.

i can't tell you how many times i've heard people frustrated because someone's life seems perfect on a blog. if writing a blog causes you to exaggerate the good in your life or if reading a blog causes you to be discontent, then you should re-evaluate what you are doing. i say that only from experience and not with a pointed finger. clearly, we all know no one is perfect, no matter what picture is painted. as an aside: because i do photography, i choose to mostly use good pictures and not the bad ones. it's like if you are a chef, do you give your guests something you prepared that doesn't taste good? no. you only give them what tastes good - your best.

what you share is your own business. no one needs to tell the internet everything. for each person, there will be a different comfort level and conviction about what you write. it's up to you through prayer.

oh, and no matter what, weave encouragement throughout. don't point fingers, unless it's pointed at yourself. we are not here to condemn or convict, in my opinion.

words are truly a gift. let's use them well.

i leave you with this -

Human language is our attempt at navigating God's language; it is us running between the lines of His epic, climbing on the vowels and building houses out of the consonants. - N.D. Wilson, Notes from the Tilt-a-Whirl, pg 44

may our stories continue to tell of His work and kindness and grace in our lives. may our language be an attempt at conforming to His language, and by the end of our small story in His epic, by grace, we'll have conveyed something truly worth saying.