Discipling

As I mentioned in this post, I had to apologize to some women in my life for my failings with them.

One of the things I've been learning a lot about lately is the importance of discipleship.

Not only am I supposed to have someone (or multiple people) discipling me and helping me grow...but I need to be discipling others and helping them grow.

In fact, Jesus calls us at the end of Matthew to "go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit" (Matthew 28:19, NIV).

We should be walking so closely with those in our lives that we are constantly teaching and encouraging them to be more like Christ.

While it may seem impossible, especially in the midst of our busy society, it is absolutely necessary. It's something we need to make time for. It's something that should be so important to us, something we are passionate about.


One of the reasons I know discipleship is so important is because it's something Jesus did. He chose a select few to follow Him closely, to learn from Him, and to then go out and do the same with others. While He of course taught the crowds that followed Him as well, it was the 12 that He really devoted the majority of His time to. It's extremely important that we do the same.

It will be lived out differently in each of our lives, but I'm sure there is someone or a couple of people that immediately come to mind that we should be teaching and encouraging in a much deeper way to follow Christ more closely. Or, even those who don't already have a relationship with Christ. If not, I would encourage you to begin praying about it. Pray that God brings people your way that He wants you to lead closer to Him. It may be tough, you may have to call them out on some things...but it will be worth it in the long run.

And, if you yourself are not being discipled, be praying for someone to come into your life that will do that for you. You may have to seek it out yourself. It definitely does not hurt to ask someone.

Failure

I fail way more often than I'd like to.

In fact, I sat down with a couple of other women yesterday and apologized to them for my failings.

It's really easy to get caught up in my own selfish wants and desires and forget that there are other people out there that are watching me...or need me...or desire to have a different relationship with me.

And, until I can get to the point where I start actually seeing people and where they are at, I'm never going to stop looking only at myself.

We were talking with our college group this week about how many times we fail in God's eyes, too. We constantly let Him down, and rebel against Him, and choose our own way instead of His.


But, the beauty of God? He forgives us, He still loves us, and He doesn't remember our failings. He doesn't hold them against us and He sees us through the eyes of His Son, Jesus.

I am so thankful I serve a God who still loves me in spite of me.

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose...What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?
Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death.
(Romans 8:28, 31-32, 1-2 NIV)

Spring Forward

I am honestly really looking forward to spring.

Coming from a girl who loves winter with a passion, that's kind of an unexpected confession.

Maybe it's because we haven't had much winter-like weather this year.

Maybe it's because both Christmas and my birthday just didn't have the magic that they normally do for me.

Maybe it's because my expectations have been unrealistic and far too high.

Whatever the reason, I am looking forward to a new season.

(via creamaricrea on Pinterest, pinned by me)

A season full of promise and hope.

A season full of new blooms and new life.

A season full of love, resurrection, and the promise of more.

Maybe getting older and experiencing life in a different light is causing me to love things in a different way than I did before.

Or maybe I'm just learning to let go a little bit more.

Whatever the reason, spring can't get here fast enough...

Love and Photography

I have a beautiful friend that I've mentioned on here before that has recently developed a love for photography (no pun intended).

She has taken some really great pictures and I asked her around Christmastime if she would be able to take some pics of my hubby and I. Our schedules didn't coincide until the middle of February, but it was perfect timing...as it happened to fall right before our anniversary.

She and I both scoured Pinterest for some inspiration for poses. She came up with some great ideas on her own, too. And, we were all so very happy with the results.

Enjoy!

(Photo taken and edited by Elise)

(Photo taken and edited by Elise)

(Photo taken and edited by Elise)

(Photo taken by Elise, edited by me)

(Photo taken and edited by Elise)

(Photo taken by Elise, edited by me)

(Photo taken by Elise, edited by me)

(Photo taken by Elise, edited by me - this is the journal I wrote letters to my future husband in. I gave it to Josh on our wedding night. I started writing letters when I was sixteen)

(Photo taken by Elise, edited by me)

(Photo taken by Elise, edited by me)

(Photo taken by Elise, edited by me)

(Photo taken by Elise, edited by me)

(Photo taken by Elise, edited by me)

(Photo taken by Elise, edited by me)

I'm so very thankful we have these beautiful photos to cherish for years to come...and that they celebrate the four years we've been married.

Order of Importance

This past week, my hubby and I celebrated our 4th wedding anniversary. And, in two days, we celebrate the 7th anniversary of the day our whole relationship got it's start.

I smile a lot when I think back on all the times we've spent together.

We've had good times and bad, just like any couple, but the good always outweighs the bad in my mind.


We went to Disneyland last week to celebrate our anniversary. This was our third year doing so (we kind of love that place...a lot). It was fun to actually be there on our anniversary this time, though.

(Anniversary dinner at the Blue Bayou)

While we were on our trip, I couldn't help but think about how different things would be if we didn't take time out to spend together. Not just going on a vacation, because we definitely do not vacation all the time...but doing little things together. Some of our best conversations have been in the car, whether we were on our way somewhere, or just driving for the heck of it.

I see so many people fall out of love with their spouses because they don't take time out of their busy lives to spend together. And, believe me, I know it's not always easy to find time to go on a date or even to have an important conversation that lasts more than 10 minutes. But, I also know that it's very important that we do so...for the survival of our marriages.

(My handsome hubby on the tea cups)

I'm going through the book Discerning the Voice of God by Priscilla Shirer right now. She's been talking a lot about the importance of spending quiet time with God to hear His voice, and taking the time to read from His Word so He can speak to us through it. If it's important to the survival of our marriages that we take time out to spend with our spouses, it's even more important that we give God the same consideration. And, the nice thing about His schedule is that He's always free.

I just really feel like we, as women, (but mostly myself because this is something I'm currently learning) need to understand the importance of cultivating the important relationships in our lives. I know I spend far too much time watching TV or reading posts on Facebook or Twitter than I do reading my Bible, or having a serious conversation with my husband. Life is too short to waste it all away on things that don't matter all that much.

It's time we set our sights on the things that matter, not on the things that don't (or that shouldn't matter as much).


Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.
(Colossians 3:1-2, NIV)

Be blessed this week, friends, and pursue the things that truly matter.