How Do I pursue Christ in the Relationship Situation I am in?

Wow. I can't believe the wisdom and thought that has gone into these posts, I am so thankful to you four ladies for hosting and posting on a topic as important as this. It has been wonderful to hear your thoughts and hearts for this topic and to be encouraged in the process. This is what I love most about blogging.

This topic is an interesting one for me, as you probably gathered from my purity and waiting post earlier in the week (read here). The Lord cultivated my heart for encouraging others in their singleness many years ago. The joy I have in sharing my thoughts and encouragement with someone in this topic has only increased as my relationship status has changed.


In high school, when I was single, I struggled.
Then the Lord brought an interest into my life.
Then I was single again for a while. Then he brought that same guy back into my life who then pursued me and became my husband.
So all that say, I feel I have walked through many of the different relationship paths even though I am now in that (often coveted) marriage relationship. So I love to encourage other women as I have walked many paths even though they may be different from your own.


These past two years of marriage have been such an adjustment in so many areas of my life. Also with my heart for encouraging single girls. You see slowly the Lord has removed my influence in this area. But the heart for young girls and their pursuit of the Lord has not disappeared.

I think honestly it's hard to pursue Christ no matter what relationship status you currently find the Lord has you in. I think you spend a lifetime learning about and pursuing Christ, regardless of your relationship status. A lot of the ways you pursue Him will be similar regardless of your love life.


A lot of things about pursuing Christ have not changed since my single days:

• Reading my bible ~ the main way I find to learn more about who God is
• Praying (either alone or with other people)
• Fasting (I really need to do this more than I do)
• Sharing with others ~ accountability with people. Letting them in so they can speak truth into your life.
• Going to church & having fellowship with other Believers
• Listening to sermons during the week for teaching & encouragement
• Reading good christian literature
• Listening to worship music in my car ~ This makes me so much more content as I start my workday by driving and singing along with music. {Britt Nicole's album Gold has been on repeat for weeks now.}
• Just spending time with the Lord ~ While I was single, I had several 'dates' with the Lord. Where I would purposely seem to be by myself at dinner or out so that I could be with Him during those moments. Like you would spend time with someone in any other relationship. 

Other things have changed since I got married two years ago:

• Praying with the hubby ~ now something that we strive imperfectly to do together.
• Talking about or sharing sermons with my husband.
• Reading good books with my husband.
• Balance in spending time alone with God and spending time with the Lord together with the husband ~ requires a lot more balance and effort than those single days.

A lot of the struggles I dealt with while single have in fact disappeared or been resolved. But they have been replaced with different ones with marriage.

Instead of feeling lonely, I now struggle to try and prioritize spending time alone with God and trying to be purposeful in setting aside time to spend with my husband pursuing God together.

Rather than finding discontentment with not being in a relationship, engaged or married....I now find that I could easily be discontent with feeling my marriage should be better or we should have children by now. 

It has definitely been an eye-opener while being married to see that it seems the 'grass is greener' on the other side. While single I was desperate to be married and pursuing the Lord together with my husband. Often now I realize how much easier it was to pursue the Lord while single as I didn't have to do that as well as spend time together with my husband pursuing God. 

Regardless of where you find yourself in your relationship status ladies....I hope you glean wisdom from the posts of this wonderful linkup and grow in learning how to pursue Christ and trust Him with where you are at. 

As Paul said:

'I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things.'

(Philippians 3:8)

Hope you have been encouraged and continue to pursue the Lord with all your heart.

Whether you are single. Dating. Engaged. Or married.

Much Love,

L

Oh happy day....a new sponsor way.

Have you guys met
Nicole from Living with Fletch?

Facebook // Twitter // Pinterest

I have been reading her blog for a while now....from when her and Fletch were engaged. 

{See engagement pics here and here. Cause everyone loves to see gorgeous photo sessions}

I regularly read her blog just before they were married, I was totally in love with their library session engagement pictures. Seriously....I love books that much. 

Then of course swooned over their wedding pictures. I was in love with Nicole's dress, she made such a stunning bride right? 

Then after they were married, I was definitely a regular reader.

She taught me how to curl my hair properly here.

She also was the first one to show me Kristen Bell's Sloth meltdown video {here if you haven't seen it yet}.

Nicole has such seriously awesome taste in fashion and continually keeps me entertained with stories about her and Fletch's married life {here, here and here}.

Oh and if you haven't heard about the cornify app for chrome see here. 

Nicole is also hopelessly in love with Disney. 

So we're lifelong friends now =)

Oh and did I mention she happens to be my newest sponsor.

You guys should seriously head over and say hi. 

I think you'll like what you see.

Much Love,

L

P.S. Would you like to be added to my sponsors? Email me:

allgloriouswithinblog@gmail.com

The Girl Behind The Blog Linkup: A Little More.

The Girl Behind The Blog- A Little More

Time limit: Vlogs should be 2-3 minutes long

Introduce yourself and your blog

What is something we wouldnt know about you just by reading you're blog?

How would you describe your style- whether it be home decor, music or personal?

What is your biggest pet peeve?

What is your favorite guilty pleasure?

I'm still working on these not being so awkward you guys.

Did I ever tell you about the time in 6th grade when I ran for student council.

I said my name and froze....in front of like 300+ people.

Yeah....good times.

So public speaking is not my thing, even in front of my camera.

But anyway.....I made another one.

Hope you enjoy!

Don't you love how I look like I'm spelling my name. Fun times.

Much Love,

L

P.S. Hope to see you all at Influence in October =) =) I am $50 away from being able to buy my ticket. Buy from my Etsy if you want to support me.

[Behind the Scenes] Early Summer Fashion with Annie & L

{Co-hosted Fun with Annie of What She Saw....}


We rock those scarves! Oh yes...we do!

Want some fashion fun with Annie & L???
We knew you would....who wouldn't want in on this fun!!
Windy days are great interesting for fashion shoots. Its the new 'in' thing at least we think so.
So we met up for some coffee, as Starbucks can fix a lot of things when shared with a friend.
The number of spiritual conversations the chain of coffee stores must have seen, and the number of worst pickup lines....what a thought.

[The fashion part]

shirt: love culture

scarf: forever 21

jeans: charlotte russe

shoes: dsw

In case you ever wanted to see 'behind the scenes' of taking pictures on a windy day,

you can see the full effects. Annie is one of the best models for putting up with difficult conditions. Plus not to mention the town we were in was having an Art show, so there were hundreds of people crammed into the small downtown area. Awkward for posing right??

Annie did awesome.

Come on....who else could make a scarf flying in your face look cute!! 

 

[The fashion part]
shirt: Old Navy 
tank top: Wet Seal
scarf: f21
jeans:aeropostale



Yes, pictures with L usually involves much goofing off & results in lots of silly poses.
Since this is a behind the scenes post, you will actually be able to see them today.
No-one ever gets to see 'behind the scenes' of fashion shoots.
We usually see the perfect shots where people look like models.
(Or rather are airbrushed to the point of no recognition in magazines)
But for every one of those shots, there are ten hilarious ones.


So in an attempt to not put our best foot forward, we bring you the unedited behind the scenes look.
We're keeping it real, ladies.
The scarf look.....for those awkward, fun, silly & awesome summer moments.
On days where it isn't 90 degrees and sunny anyway.


Much Love,


L

Purity & Waiting.

It feels strange to write about a topic which has been so dear to my heart for such a long time and know that it may not be heard well. In my single days, or even my dating days....it was easier to encourage people in this situation. But I have found as the Lord has brought a beautiful relationship into my life which turned into a marriage, that my words on the topic of singleness and dating are not heard as well.

I have often heard it is hard to be encouraged, while in your single years, by someone who has what you want...a relationship.
I even felt this way myself while waiting for the Lord to bring a man into my life.
I'm beginning to think that my unwillingness to listen to encouragement from those who had already walked down the relationship path, I may have missed out on hearing how God provided and answered the similar prayers of another sister.

That should not be discouraging. It should instead be a beautiful picture of how God answers those prayers we are praying. As I've grown older I've learnt to value having someone further ahead of you on the path in life to encourage you and seen how it's also biblical.

'Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.'

{Hebrews 11:24-25}

There is something encouraging about hearing God answer a prayer that you yourself are praying. To see victory over a challenging trial as it gives us great hope. (or at least it should, instead of just bring up envy)

I know from experience that it can be discouraging waiting to meet that someone in your life, being desperate to love them already and not understanding why he isn't here yet. I long to encourage you girls in this situation. To show you that God really does answer those prayers for a godly husband. That He hears you, loves you and definitely hasn't forgotten you. 

Did you know that you can be loving your future husband now, even before you meet him.

In fact that's what the picture of the Proverbs 31 woman shows us.....

'Who can find a virtuous and capable wife?

    She is more precious than rubies.

Her husband can trust her,

    and she will greatly enrich his life.

She brings him good, not harm,

    all the days of her life.'

{Proverbs 31:10-12}

Let me introduce you to a guy who has spent his single years living for himself. He has embraced the messages of the modern culture today and decided to 'seize the day' or 'live for the here and now.' He goes out with a different girl several times a week, just having fun. He may not sleep with any of them, he is trying to follow the Lord after all. But he figures in order to find the right girl, he needs to date around right? He doesn't spend much time investing in his family, in fact he spent most of his teenage years at home wishing he could be out with his friends during family dinners. His room is a mess and he is disrespectful of his parents. He lived for trips out to the movies with his friends and spending time with maybe even a girlfriend. When he hangs out with his friends, he shows-off wanting to be seen as cool by everyone. He loves being the center of attention, burps loudly and laughs at crude jokes being told around him. He's quite even possibly all-around a nice guy on the service, he says all the right things and knows how to be a romantic guy.

Now picture a different guy. He has also decided to make the most of every opportunity, but in order to love his future wife. Instead of not giving her much thought while growing up, he wrote her several letters and regularly prayed for her. He purposefully has chosen not to date until the Lord shows him a girl he should pursue. He works on the relationships which are already in his life. He shows his parents respect, encourages his younger brothers and sisters and genuinely loves his family. He speaks words of encouragement to his friends, seeking ways to build them up in their love for the Lord. He may be hopeless at keeping his room neat at home, but he tries out of respect for those who come into his living area. 

Which one would you feel most treasured/loved by if you were the girl brought into their life? 

Now imagine that these are not in fact guys, but girls. Just like you and me.
How wonderful would it be to aim to love our future husbands in that way?

I would love to say that I spent most of my single years pursuing the model of the second guy. In some ways I did, of course I couldn't achieve perfection in this area of life.

And that's ok. There is grace. 

(We are not saved through the things we do. The bible makes it perfectly clear we are saved by Christ dying on the cross in our place alone. Works do not play a part in our salvation. Purity does not equal salvation. Just to clarify.)

When we love Jesus and chose to follow him. We are called to live our lives for him, a life marked by love.

'A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.'

{John 13:34-35}

We are called to love our future husband all our days in Proverbs. I'm pretty sure the author was being literal. Before we are married we can show we love them by how we chose to live (and love God through these decisions to love others and put them before ourselves). 

We can find a great definition for love in 1 Corinthians.

 'Love is patient, 

love is kind. 

It does not envy, 

it does not boast, 

it is not proud. 

It does not dishonor others, 

it is not self-seeking, 

it is not easily angered, 

it keeps no record of wrongs. 

Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 

It always protects, 

always trusts, 

always hopes, 

always perseveres.

Love never fails.' 

{1 Corinthians 13:4-8}

This is quite the challenging list and should be where we go for a measuring stick on how to love others in the relationships in our lives. Boy, isn't this challenging and hard?!

Choosing to prepare yourself for your future husband, while you are still single, is an amazing way to love them before you've even met them.

The purpose of saving ourselves for marriage should be out of love for our future spouses, not to earn favor with God. 

When you meet someone who has chosen to wait for you, they have saved themselves physically, emotionally, spiritually just for you. You really feel loved.

I know this from personal experience. 

But choosing to wait is not something we should do to get it given back in return. It is done out of love for the other person. It is choosing to put them first in our lives, regardless of what they choose to do for us. A great preparation for marriage. 

No matter where your life is at, or what your past looks like, you can choose to live out of love for your future husband from this day forward. 

There is no such thing as perfection while we are still human. 

Even people who set out trying to live this way selflessly from the age of thirteen still mess up. 

So even if you have already dated many people, or even if you have slept with someone....you are not damaged goods. You can choose to live out of love from them from this point onward. 

None of us has a perfect past and we all mess up.

God is a loving God of second chances.

If you have made a choice to wait for your future husband, know that from someone who has been there, it is worth waiting for. 

I promise.

I don't know of anyone who has waited, guarded their heart for their husband and regretted it. 

So keep at girl! The Lord does answer those prayers! I am totally here cheering you on and telling you to keep running this race (Heb 12:1-2). 

I leave you with a beautiful song that encouraged me so much during those years of waiting.

Much Love,

L

Being Content with your Life.

Today was one of those super scorchers, like in the high 90s and super humid.

One of those days where I totally wish we had AC in the house, or hey the car would even work.

But since we don't and since I have the privilege of caring for two beautiful girls, I spent the day hanging out in the sprinklers, shrieking joyfully with a four year old and enjoying myself.

There's something so sweet about hanging with children.

They are content with little things.

They don't worry about being things, they know they are cared for.

I loved being reminded that even if I'm hot, I can run through a sprinkler.

Yes, my hair might get messy, but who's watching?

I can lie back in a hammock with two precious girls who share their thoughts and ideas, as we munch on blueberries and other good fruit.

I can enjoy brushing their hair and reading to them.

(Even the book I've read at least 20+ times already)

We tell stories over lunchtime, yes I have made up an entire series based around a strawberry called Sally.

We play Wii when it starts to pour with rain outside and enjoy the shelter of a house.

We take naps.

Then at the end of the day before heading out to be with the hubby, I get to lie in the grass and see what shapes the clouds make and laugh at silly jokes like:

Why did the chicken cross the road?

Because he was running after a mouse......

(no idea)

I am learning that being content with life is a choice.

Although that day sounds just plain awesome.

There are moments in between which could be seen as difficult or negative.

Choosing what to take away from the events in a day can help you feel content or discontent.

It really is a choice.

I could choose to focus on what I don't have in life right now.

Like wanting to own a home, or a decent car that doesn't need regular work or 

even has working ac.

We don't have health insurance or even steady income sometimes.

But you know what. 

God provides.

If its something He has taught me since we got married (almost two years ago, can you believe it!) its He provides above and beyond our needs.

Always.

Although I could choose to focus on what I don't have......

I can also choose to focus on what I do have.

A year ago we moved into our first home together.

We had no furniture. Like literally.

Now, I'm wondering how in the world we are going to get all the furniture which was mostly given to us into a truck to move it elsewhere in a few weeks.

Just over a year ago, I was living in a different country to the hubby.....since then I think I have only been apart from him for a handful of nights.

I have no idea what your life is like girl.

I haven't walked your path.

But know that I care, God cares more.

I don't know what you are waiting on Him for or what you have been dreaming of since you were a little girl.

But I know that the Lord hears us when we cry out to Him.

That He has not forgotten those dreams you shared with Him.

But I also know several things the Lord shares with us about contentment:

'Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.'

{Hebrews 13:5}

'Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.'

{Philippians 4:11-13}

'Now there is great gain in godliness with contentment, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content.'

{1 Timothy 6:6-8}

'Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.'

{Matthew 6:31-33}

I have much to learn about being content.

I am sure a lot of the hardships in life are to bring about riches in our spiritual life. 

Even though those trials are so hard, they usually reap the most rewarding results.

I may not have any control over the trials in my life.

But I can choose to be content.

To be wholeheartedly where the Lord has me.

To trust Him.

Want to join me?

If you have burdens and need prayer for contentment.....

I would love to be able to pray for you.

You can email me (allgloriouswithinblog@gmail.com) or find me on twitter.

I would love to hear from you.

Much Love,

L

Sponsor Spotlight: Taste and See, Along the Way with Rae & What She Saw

Hey Chicas,

Thought I would take another moment to introduce you to more of my lovely sponsors over here at All Glorious Within.

So far you've met Erin, then Julie.

Now I bring you 3 more beautiful ladies.....I asked them to share with y'all a little bit about their blogs and their favorite bible verses.

Be Encouraged! (I know I am continually by these ladies)

<3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3

Hey y'all! I'm Chelsea and I blog at Taste and See. 

Here you'll find updates from my adventures as a student minister, reflections on my faith, and lots of yummy recipes! You can check out some of my favorite posts here and here and some of my favorite recipes here and here.

One of my favorite scripture passages is Colossians 3. The whole chapter is just so good. Verse 17 in particular is one that I keep fresh in mind to focus my purpose on Jesus in everything I do.

"And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father."

Be sure to stop by and say hi! I'd love to get to know you better.

<3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3

My name is Rachel, and I blog over at Along The Way With Rae. 

My parents call me "Rae" all the time and I love that nickname, but no one else calls me that, so hence my use of "Rae" in my blog name :) I am a 20-something, college student, new to the blogging world. I've had my blog since February, and I must say that I LOVE BLOGGING and all of the wonderful bloggers out there.

 Blogging is my outlet. It's my way to express myself and get my thoughts out there. I am a Christian gal, and God is, and always will be at the center of my life and at the core of my blog. I love being encouraged by other Christian bloggers and wanted to do the same! 

You will also find the musings and randoms of my every day life and experiences, Pinterest finds, style inspiration, or anything else that may be on my mind or heart. Now come on over and say hi, I love meeting new people, and it would make my day if you were one of them! :) 

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

.

<3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3

Meet Annie from What She Saw.

i'm perpetuating my own brand of individuality by combining the act of classy with the act of gangster, because when you're from where i'm from, you can do that.

okay, not quite.

i'm a twenty-one-year-old college graduate who studied english lit and history, with an unnecessarily large vocabulary and an addiction to eschewing capital letters.

i love Jesus, reading & writing, and the color orange. i believe singleness is a gift even when it isn't easy, that faith is a journey, and that it isn't until i lose my life that i find it.

My favorite Bible verse is Hebrews 12:28-29:

Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire.

<3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3

There you have it! 

Three beautiful ladies who you should definitely go and check out, and leave some comment love on their blogs. 

(Turned off here for that reason)

Tell them L sent you =)

Much Love,

L

Life on God's Timing.

I am a list person.

I like to write things down so they won't be forgotten. 

I stay up late to list the things that need doing the next day. 

Then I have the immense satisfaction of being able to cross out tasks as I accomplish them.

It brings me great feelings of achievement.

I have even been known to add things done prior to writing my 'to-do' list, just so I can cross them off already. 

Yeah, I'm one of those. 

Whenever I have a 'day off' or 'day when I don't officially work' I like to write lists so I feel I accomplished something with my day.

The problem with my list days is that I find I'm pretty clingy when interruptions try and take away what I planned to do that day. 

See having the list usually leaves no room in my day for doing things on God's timing.

For seeing people and interactions through His eyes.

I'm all about trying to maximize my precious free-time to get as much done as possible during my 'day-off.' 

Sometimes I have even managed to be so into a task on my list, that I feel needs doing, that I have not answered my phone because I felt I was too busy. 

This kind of thinking has been leaving no time in my precious days to accomplish the Lord's plan for my day.

(Don't get me wrong, I totally think there is a time and place for my lists. A lot of time the tasks on them are honoring to the Lord. But I hold to my own plan of how my time should look too tightly.)

For instance, instead of feeling the bathroom had to be scrubbed from floor to ceiling because the mess was becoming embarrassing (or just driving me crazy), I could have done something more meaningful. I could have perhaps taken a call from a sweet friend who needed to talk about something and encouraged her in her walk with the Lord. 

There is nothing wrong with keeping a clean house, in fact I feel it is a very good thing.

But perhaps not to the point where that task is interfering with more important things.

Lately, I've been even more demotivated than when I started after a 'List day,' as I climb into bed exhausted from the number of tasks I tried to accomplish in my 'rest day.' I may have written five items on a list that morning and only accomplished two because life got in the way a little. 

a friend called to have lunch.

my parents called from across the world to say hi.

I received an urgent email that needed replying to.

I realized I forgot to pay the heat bill.

Then I was on my computer already so I checked my email.

Interruptions are a part of life.

I'm trying to learn that before we have kids too. Because as I have heard & learned from some experiences it will only get harder to try and get some things done.

As I was reading a section similar to this topic in Grace for the Good girl by Emily Freeman, I came across this:

'To accept the lovely, the messy, and the unexpected things in our days, knowing that God sees them and has an eternal perspective, is to say with confidence I receive your timing. I accept that you know so I don't have to. Even when it all goes wrong.'

I'm learning that in this rapid-paced, always-in-a-hurry culture that I have adopted some of its tendencies to feel the need to be on the go all the time. 

It's no wonder I feel tired a lot.

I'm (trying) to learn that it's honestly ok when (often what seems to me) like an essential task gets put off for a few days, like cleaning the bathroom.

I hope I will learn to have an eternal perspective someday where I will regularly take time out of the busyness of emails, social media and just lie in the grass staring at the stars praying. Knowing that this is a far better way to spend a free hour. 

Learn to do what matters most.

Time with the Lord matters most. 

Writing tomorrow's blog post is less important.

Relationships matter most.

A clean bathroom is less important.

Learn to see that sometimes good things get in the way of great things.

God's timing is a much better pace for my life.

Even if at first it feels weird & uncomfortable.

I hope someday I get to the place where I can wake up on a 'day off' and start the day without a schedule by saying 'Lord, show me what you want me to do today.'

Wouldn't that be an exciting adventure? Who knows where He might lead.

earrings: charlotte russe

dress: target

shoes: payless

Much Love,

A recovering List-addict

cheesy blogging pickup line.

So you know all those cheesy pick-up lines pictures going around.

Isn't this totally like one of those.

Yes, I wrote that to a potential sponsor this week.

And all I could think about were those pickup line things.

Then I laughed at myself, like hysterically.

*sigh*

What has coffee done to me.

I never used to like it. Like at all.

Then several bloggers got me into Starbucks lattes. (Thanks Ladies!)

Lets just say the effects of being hyped on coffee and up late are rather amusing.

Well, at least I find myself really amusing anyway.

That's all for today.

Much Love,

L

Fashion Alert: Stripes are In!

As I was sitting in Starbucks on a Saturday afternoon, I was totally watching people from the window checking out what they were wearing.

As I sipped my iced vanilla latte, I noticed how a lot of girls were wearing stripes.
Like a lot.

They are totally versatile too, for colder summer days in the Midwest. Or the scorching hot days where you just want to head to the beach.

{Via}

{via}

This tankini from Target is definitely the best $20 I ever spent on a swimsuit.
Like seriously, it comes in about four different colors and looks awesome with shorts and by itself.
Plus the halter strap means it doesn't feel like its about the fall off.
Very important selling piece for me.

{Via}

{Via}

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 Plus now that Casey Wiegand has been seen wearing them here & Lisa from Mommas Me Time here....well we know they will take the blog world like a storm ;)

Anyone else have any stripe fashion finds they want to share?

I'm totally into this trend. Even if this photo suggests otherwise ;)

Much Love,
L