Projects

I have approximately a month and a half until I move and I am getting pretty excited about decorating the apt. I've made up a pinboard on pinterest and have started a couple of projects. Brittany and I were driving down Walnut Grove on the way to Osaka (I LOVE OSAKA.) and I made a u-ey when I saw these window panes laying on the side of the road. It looks a little rough at the moment but after I finish out this semester I'm going to fashion it to look something like the bottom picture. 

My second on-going project is a bedside table. I also found this on the side of the road. People throw away the coolest stuff, although the first picture was taken after some sanding and tlc. It looked ROUGH. 

Sanded and painted it looks a lot better but I feel like it is a little too bright so I am going to work on distressing it. 

But that's what I've got going on at the minute- finishing up school and working on craft stuff. What have you guys been up to?

<3 lucy

Reflection on Perceptions

I feel like in society today, people have really started to embrace individuality and respect the differences that make each one of us unique. So it has become easy to have a "I don't care what people think of me" mindset. In all honesty though, I still care very much and not because I am a very insecure person, but because I think it is important to consider the perception you are sending out to the world. When I first started this blog I was very hesitant to share anything about my faith because I didn't want to be perceived as someone who is too forward with my beliefs. I was afraid to share anything personal with people in general because I didn't want people to refer back to something if it wasn't a shining moment. But there came a point where I had to decide to broadcast the real me, not the politically- correct, refined version. 

While the "I don't care what people think of me" mindset is beneficial in the development of self-esteem in youth, this mindset for us as young adults- and especially as Christians, should concern us. I had a conversation with a friend of mine over the weekend about the struggle between partaking in the social norms of our generation versus maintaining a lifestyle reflective of his desire to serve Christ. This conversation mainly encompassed the consumption of alcohol and use of fowl language. Drinking alcohol in itself is not a sin, in my opinion and neither is swearing. However, Titus chapter 2 clearly states that we are to "to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good(v.3)" and also to "say 'No' to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good (v.12-14)." My main concern with these things is that both hurt your ability to witness to other people. Although these are (arguably) not moral issues, the consistent presence of either depicts a life not centered in Christ which is so selfish because He bought us at a price (1 Corinthians 6:20.) I feel a responsibility to honor God with my life and have convictions against doing things that are ungodly, not in expectation of justifying salvation but because my life is HIS. 

Now, I am not saying that you are a better Christian for never drinking or swearing. I am just saying that I really feel like it is important for each of us to ponder the perception we have with non-believers and let the perception we desire shape our actions to benefit the expansion of the kingdom of God. 

-lucy

Multiple thoughts...

Rejoicing with others in their victories


¹⁴  Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. ¹⁵  Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. ¹⁶  Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but give yourself to humble tasks. Never be wise in your own sight. Romans 12:14-16


Have you ever found yourself stressing over the victory of another- be it your friend or enemy- as if their gain is your loss? In the world of social networking it is so easy to compare our lives against the posted accomplishments of our friends- relationship status, children, new jobs, body image... These are all things that are easily coveted. I'm so guilty of using social networks as a device to creep on people from high school or check out people I have just met to decide whether or not they're trustworthy and the majority of users do the same. That's so silly though. If I didn't care about these people in high school, what need do I have to know If they're getting a divorce or having a kid? Using facebook to qualify people as trustworthy or not is ridiculous also since users can create a facade of how they want to be portrayed. I need to change my mindset toward facebook/twitter so that I log on, not to stalk or covet the things in my friends lives, but to remain updated on their achievements and congratulate them. I want to rejoice in the accomplishments of my friends. This means I'm going to have to narrow down my "friends" list to people who I genuinely have an interest in maintaining relationships with. 


On another note...
Today in YAC Chad Johnson spoke on this verse from Colossians- 

^"23  Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, ²⁴ knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ." Colossians 3:23-24


Are you working hard or are you hardly working?


Everyday I find myself ticking down the hours/minutes until I can leave work. It is so easy to forget what a blessing it is to have a job at all much less one where I have the ability to share the love of Christ. As most of you know, I work at a frozen yogurt shop that specializes in using locally grown/produced toppings. To many this would seem menial but I have contact with hundreds of people a week and I have recently realized that the attitude I come to work with can effect everyone I come in contact with in a negative or positive way. So this week my goal is to do every task as if I am doing the task directly for God. I also will focus on keeping a positive attitude while in my work environment so that customers might see the difference in my life made through relationship with our all-loving God. 


I have a lot to share lately because of how much God is revealing to me (for which I am abundantly grateful!) but more will have to wait another day. Goodnight! -lucy