Changing of the Seasons

Fall is in full swing.
The leaves are starting to change colors, the air is crisp and cold, candles are making their big debut on mantle pieces, boots are back in fashion, and coffee is number one.
All the way it should be.
If you don't already know, fall is my favorite season. I did a whole post on it a month ago.

As I'm writing right now I'm drinking a cinnamon french vanilla coffee, while my snow apple mint candle is burning silently next to me, and Jazz music is softly playing in the background.
Can't you just feel the mood with me?
Perfection at its finest.

Friday afternoon me and my best friend, Lexie, died my hair.
I guess you might say that we were feeling sporadic.
The changing of the seasons does that to you.
We gave myself an Ombre.
Soooo cute!!!
I absolutely love it!
For some reason it's making me feel even more in the Fall spirit than normal.

Something tragic has happened in my church.
I am not going to go into any details whatsoever because it's too painful, and I don't really want everyone knowing everything that has happened.
Basically, sexual abusement happened and wasn't reported until a week and a half after it happened. And then it was just super complicated.
Now, five workers at my church have been suspended. And four of them are youth workers. And two of those youth workers are our youth pastors. And the other two, the girl is my role model and counselor, and the other one plays a huge role in my youth group. Acting like a fatherly figure to most of the girls there.
Let's just say that the past two weeks have been excruciatingly painful.
I know that the truth always comes out. And I know that what the devil intended for evil God has meant for good. But when your in the moment, it's hard to actually believe that.
I have cried so many tears. I don't know how it's humanly possible for someone to cry as much as I have the past week.
I know that God is collecting all my tears in a bottle. He holds the whole world in His hands. He loves us so much! Unfathomably!
This situation has strengthened my relationship with God so much. I've just had to give it all to Him. Rely that He knows exactly what He is doing. I can only see what's going on right in front of me. He sees the whole picture of all eternity.
With time, God will heal of our broken hearts and fix this church.
Until then, all that we can do is trust solely on God and meditate on His word.
I will say this though, because of all that has happened, our youth group has turned into a real family.
#WeAreFamily

Intro.

I realized something here.
I like to blog in series.
Weird I know!

Today I want to start a new series.
One a little bit more in depth than the color series. But one that is just as fun. In a whole new way.
The title of this:
NOT A FAN

I'll explain this a little bit later.

About a week and a half ago I got a package in the mail. I wasn't expecting a package so I was really interested in who would be sending me one and what was in it.
As I looked at it I saw that it was from my uncle in California. Mark. The one in the Marines.
By this point I was super excited because he doesn't send packages.
I opened it and inside was a book and a DVD. Both titled "not a fan."
I was surprised.
I wasn't expecting this gift.
And I certainly wasn't expecting this gift to be a book.
When I read the back of the book I was even more shocked.
This book was talking exactly about what our church's theme is for the month of September.

So this is what my new series is about.
I shouldn't really call it a series. I feel like a pastor or something when I say that. And I'm pretty sure I'm not a preacher or anything. I'm just very passionate about my faith and my God. As I should be.

The goal of this new sequence of posts is this:
Becoming a completely committed follower of Jesus.

Simple.
Captivating.
Challenging.
Fulfilling.

So here's how this goes. Basically I'm going to write a post per chapter in this book.
Chapter 1.

D.T.R.

 

Are you a follower of Jesus?

 

I know that most of you probably didn't really understand or take very much time thinking about that question. So I'm going to ask you again.

Are you a follower of Jesus?

 



 

There are normally two groups that people fall into.

1. The "Jesus Fish on the Back of My Car" Group

2. The "Why is their a Fish on the Back of My Friend's Car?" Group.

 

I'm going to ask you a few questions to help you determine if you're in group 1.

Do you go to church?
Are your parents or grandparents Christians?
Did you raise your hand at the end of a sermon one time?

Did you repeat a prayer after a preacher?
Do you own three or more Bibles?
Have you ever appeared in a church directory?

Did you grow up going to VBS and/or church camp?



Have you ever worn "witness wear"?
Under "religious views" does your facebook page say "Christ follower"?
Did you dog Harry Potter and rave about Lord of the Rings?

Point is. Many of us are quick to say, "Yes, I'm a follower of Jesus," but I'm not sure we really understand what we are saying.

If you are part of the second group than I don't need to help you figure out if your in it or not. It's pretty self-explanatory.
If your in this group than you probably think like this: "It doesn't bother me that my friends and family have a Jesus sticker on the back of their car, but why? "

It doesn't bother you that people follow Jesus. It's cool, but not your thing. You don't really care. If that's what they like, okay. Just don't try to make me like it.

But...what if?
Put your life on pause for a moment and ask yourself this question, what if all of life comes down to this one question? What if there really is a heaven and there really is a hell, and where I spend eternity comes down to this one question?

To you, this may sound completely ridiculous. But to others you may be considering this a minute possibility. Isn't it worth at least thinking through this question?

I believe that the reason we were put on this earth is to answer this one question. And the truth is, whether or not we do so consciously or intentionally, we all answer this question.

First things first! I'm not here to "sell" Jesus. He's not for sale. And if He was, no amount of money, or good works could even measure up to a hair follicle of how much He is.
My goal here is help you. And to help myself.
That's all.
Nothing more.
Nothing less.

I hoped that little tidbit helped you in some way, shape, or form.
Know that I love you guys!

Lovingly,
Miriam <3

Pacific Life Whales and Loyal Jackrabbits

Who's ready for a new color perspective??
I AM!!!!!
I just love writing about the rainbow.
Next color is:

Blue

 

Blue is the most popular color.

It is the color that most people would say is their favorite color.

It represents that your newborn baby is a boy, and not a girl.

 

Blue- the pure color of a clear sky; the primary color between green and violet in the visible spectrum; an effect of light

Again, that's the literal meaning.

I don't even know why I bother to give you the literal meaning because I completely disregard it for the rest of the post. I guess it's just kind of a filler. Plus it's just good to know what the color blue really is. In case you already didn't know that.

 

 

 

 

The color blue connects with nature.

It is a calming color. Just like green.

Both of the colors have a soothing aspect to them.

 

It is strong.

Steadfast.

Visible.

And forceful.

 

But it is also light.

Friendly.

Welcoming.

 

Almost everyone likes some shade of blue.

 

When I say a natural color, I mean that it is a universal color. A color from the sky.

Its cool, calming effect makes time pass more quickly, and helps you to sleep better.

A great color for bedrooms and houses. But be careful! Because too much blue can dampen one's spirits.

 

The Blue person:

 

The color blue embodies trust and responsibility.

It is sincere, reserved, and quiet.

It doesn't like to create a fuss or draw attention to itself.

Blue people hate confrontation and like to do things their own way.

A blue person is reliable and responsible.

They exhibit inner security and confidence.

If you are friends with a blue person, then you can rely on them to do the right thing in difficult times.

Blue people have a need for order and direction in their lives.

 

Blue is the helper, the rescuer, the friend in need.

A blue person is a giver, not a taker.

They build strong and lasting relationships. They become deeply hurt if that friendship is lost, or that trust broken.

 

 

 

Have you ever seen those 'Pacific Life' commercials?

Ya know, the ones with the big blue whales?

I love those.

The beautiful, crystal clear blue water.

The huge blue whales.

The magnificent blue sky with the rolling white clouds.

It's captivating.

Calming.

I can never look away when those commercials come on.

My eyes are transfixed to the screen.

 

Just watch this little clip and see what I mean.

 

 

See what I mean?

It's amazing!

The color blue is spectacular!

 

So be a blue person!
Be reliable, responsible.

Trustworthy and loyal.

But most of all just be you.

The blue you!

 

And remember, See the Rainbow, Taste the Rainbow!!!

Loyally,

Pacific Life staff