// experiencing God //

I believe that God gives us several ways to know Him more. Prayer, reading the Bible, praise and worship, serving, and fellowshipping with other Christians are ways that we can draw closer to Christ. All of these things are incredibly important and should be part of our walk with God, but I also think that each of us has one or more ways that specifically help us focus on God's truth and love. Creating art may point someone to God's characteristics of creativity and love. Another person may really experience God through listening to the Bible. 

"If you come to worship for any reason other 

that the joy and pleasure and satisfaction that 

are to be found in God, you dishonor Him...

God's greatest delight is your delight in Him." 

{Sam Storms} 

One of the ways that I connect most with Jesus is through praise and worship. I love music and I feel such a connection and satisfaction in Christ when I'm singing and praising Him. I'm able to reflect on His sacrifice, experience His love, and surrender to Him while I sing songs of praise and worship. Throughout the week I keep myself grounded in God's truth and love by listening to Christian music. I love finding new songs with His amazing truths, and I also love the old, classic hymns. So, I put together a playlist of some essential worship songs. 

Here are some of my favorite artists . . .

The Silver Pages

These two brothers incorporate many unique instruments and sounds in their songs, 

and the outcome is wonderful (I may be a little biased cause they're my cousins). 
They have two EPs out, and the most recent one was just released this last week! 

Rend Collective
I have fallen in love with Rend Collective these past few years. Their songs are filled
with so much joy and celebration! 

NEEDTOBREATHE

Some of their songs are more rock and indie, but a few of them are very worshipful and beautiful. 

Bethel Music

So. Good. 

All Sons & Daughters

This duo creates songs that are so authentic and honest. 

You can listen to my playlist on Spotify or YouTube. The first one unfortunately isn't on Spotify and it is totally my jam right now, so listen to it here.... 

Oh come, let us sing to the Lord;

let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation. 

Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; 

let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise. 

{Psalm 95:1-2}

Happy Listening friends!

the secret to {bloom where you are planted}

jealousy doesn't heal.

jealousy doesn't fix anything.

it only brings bitterness, hatred, and pain.

it hurts relationships and breaks friendships.

it puts up a wall 

between you and others.

when you are jealous of others

you become restless 

and dissatisfied with what you have.

you compare 

the seemingly perfect life that she has 

to your ugly, messy life.

you question God and ask, 

"why her?" 

"why not me?" 

"where are my blessings and talents and gifts?"

i want to feel content with what i have and who i am.

i want to let go of my insecurities 

of not being good enough. 

i want to be at a place of growth.

i want to flourish and thrive.

i want to be okay with my brokenness,

but not okay with staying there.

i want to be at peace with who God made me to be 

and not always wanting to be 

someone else or someplace else.

i want to find the everyday beauties in life.

this happens when i begin each day

thankful for what i have.

it means looking at the small things in life

and realizing that they are actually

the big things.

it is deciding that i am going to truly 

bloom where i am planted - 

whether that be in a bed of weeds,

the scorching desert,

or a luscious garden.

i can choose to make the best

of my situation 

by choosing to be content in this season of life. 

the days won't always be sunny,

but we can be sure that when the rain comes,

so will the growth.

cling to this truth 

and be grateful for the breath in your lungs

and the hope in your heart.