MR. BRIGHTSIDE

i’m thankful for the sunshine we’ve been having. even though it’s flipping freezing and my legs are still frozen from my walk to work, i am thankful that it’s not rainy and grey. 

i’m a natural optimist. positivity is listed as my second highest strength according to the strengths finder test but as those rainy and grey days take over the calendar i find my sunny self slowly sinking… i am thankful for reminders that i don’t have to stay there.

earlier this year i started reading Jesus Calling…wow, just wow. i have never come across such a fresh and real devotional. a couple weeks ago this particular one tugged at my heart and i knew i had to share it…

This is the day that I have made! As you rejoice in this day of life, it will yield up to you precious gifts and beneficial training. Walk with Me along the high road of thanksgiving, and you will find all the delights I have made ready for you.

To protect your thankfulness, you must remember that you reside in a fallen world, where blessings and sorrows intermingle freely. A constant focus on adversity defeats many Christians. They walk through a day that is brimming with beauty and brightness, seeing only the grayness of their thoughts. Neglecting the practice of giving thanks has darkened their minds. How precious are My children who remember to thank Me at all times. They can walk through the darkest days with Joy in their hearts because they know that the Light of My Presence is still shining on them. Rejoice in this day that I made, for I am your steadfast Companion.

                                              -Jesus Calling (November 26th)

my prayer is that God would open your eyes to see the beauty and brightness of the day. no matter how grey your circumstance is, may He fill you with the Light of His Presence and bring you hope and peace.

xo,

s.s.♥.

DECEMBERRRRRR!

today i opened my advent calendar which means it is officially december and Christmas is coming…boooyah! decembrrrrr weather has definitely arrived. i made that observation as i ran along dallas road this morning. insane winds + razor sharp rain slashing at my face = not the best conditions…

i’m yet to decorate my house, but we’re getting our tree on friday…yay to real trees!

i’m officially going to two cookie exchanges.

our church is so pretty at Christmas time. trees and lights for the win. and our carols series started tonight…(watch last year’s videos here!) 

hope you had a marvellous december 1st.

until next time,

s.s.♥. 

HERE WE GO AGAIN

well friends, november is almost done and gone and you know what that means? CHRISTMAS IS COMING!!!! james and i went to costco today and stocked up on our usually christmas cravings of salami and brie…mmmmmm meat and cheese.

i’m happy to report that my weeks on weeks of essay writing have come to a close and now i am a free woman to blog away. tonight i planned december. fingers crossed i can keep this up.

happy friday!

s.s.♥.

BRB

i did have a posting schedule all set and ready for november but unfortunately i have procrastinated my distance studies and am currently hiding (and crying) behind these books on my desk. 

i will be back at the end of this month and i promise you…i have so much in store for ssheart! i’m counting down the days till i can work on my new site (yes, look out for a new design and a move from tumblr to a big girl website in january!) i’m planning collaborations and christmas diys and i’ve discovered my new favourite cookie recipe that i cannot wait to share…!

anyways, i’m back to the ol books…thank you for sticking around! in the meantime check out some of my favourite blogs to read…

bleubird (cutest famjam, full of inspiring things)

she loves magazine (a big ol warm hug for your soul)

joy the baker (cookies or life crisis? this girl knows what’s up)

xoxo,

s.s.♥.

JESUS FEMINIST

as you probably know, i became a christian when i was 18 years old. i was living in london, england and had stumbled upon hillsong church. i can’t remember who was speaking or what songs we sung (i strangely do remember what i was wearing, ha) but that night the Holy Spirit tugged at my heart and i knew it was time to surrender my life to Jesus and accept him as my Lord + Saviour. 

i went to colour conference two weeks later. there i saw women who were preaching boldly. they spoke with authority AND femininity. they all had different speaking styles yet it was so clear to me; they were being used by God to preach his word.

as i continued my journey there (11 months in all), i never thought about gender roles in the church. both men and women graced the platform speaking powerful messages. there were male pastors, there were female pastors. this was the norm. gender roles in the church seemed like they were a non-issue.

and then i moved to north america.

it makes my heart sad that it’s even an issue. it makes my heart sad that young girls believe they have to be a “pastor’s wife” to be in pastoral leadership. it makes my heart sad that we have to write books and blog posts about it. 

I will pour out my Spirit upon all people. Your sons AND daughters will prophesy. Your old men will dream dreams, and your young men will see visions. In those days I will pour out my Spirit even on servants—men AND women alike. -Joel 2:28-29 NLT

i cannot wait to get my hands on sarah bessey’s Jesus feminist. i’m thankful that she took up the challenge and tackled this issue straight on. i’m also thankful for kim moran who preached on this issue to bible college students (listen to it here). i’m thankful for churches and pastors who have let women do what God has called them to do. and i pray that one day, gender roles in the church will be a non-issue amongst all.

-s.s.♥.