Substance over Shadow

We're only 4 days away from the big day--Christmas! Mitch and I will leave on the 23rd for Pensacola. We're excited to spend time with friends and family while celebrating the birth of our Savior. 

I was listening to a sermon the other day and would like to share. 

It comes from The Village Church in Dallas, TX. The pastor, Matt Chandler, is one of Mitch and I's favorite to listen to. 

Colossians 2:16-17 says,

"Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to religious festival, a New Moon celebration, or a Sabbath day. They are a shadow of the things to come; the reality, however is found in Christ." 

Christmas comes around each year and we get so worked up about it. I mean, people start decorating and buying before Thanksgiving now. Ridiculous, if you ask me. Anyway, it comes for a moment and then it's gone and we're like, "Was that it?" The presents, the food, the glitz and glam of it all is not satisfying. 

That's because "the reality, however is found in Christ." Christmas, the celebration of Christ, is just a shadow of what's to come. Have fun in the shadow, but don't forget the substance (Christ)! 

One a different note…I have been obsessing over this song lately: 

So excited to worship with this band @ Passion 2012!

If you're not familiar with Passion then you need to be! Click here

Passion is a conference for 18-25 year old's to come together in Atlanta, GA and worship the one true God. We're super pumped! This year it's in the Georgia Dome! Can you imagine? 80,000+ packed in there all for His glory and His renown! Pray that the Lord awakens us young folk to change this world, challenge our older generation and carry His name wherever we go.
Can't wait to come back and share all about it :)

Merry Christmas to all!

It's funny how your prayer from 3 months ago is still your prayer for today. 3 months ago I was saying "Lord release me from this to-do list and help me to seek you!" Today I'm praying a pretty similar prayer. I've come to realize that life doesn't get un-busy, it gets busier! Even after college…especially after college!

But I know that it's a process. Sanctification- a process. One of these days I will learn to be still. That is one reason I am looking forward to the upcoming break. I will have no excuse not to spend all day dwelling in God's presence.

So I pray for myself and every other busy wife out there.
Lord, slow us down.
"Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him." Psalm 34:8 

Abide in the Lord. Dwell. Pro-long. Wait.

If you were to ask what the Lord is teaching me right now, I wouldn't be able to put a finger on it. Maybe it's a lot of little things. I can definitely see him refining me as a wife. I long to be a Proverbs 31 woman/wife.

"A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies.
Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value. She brings him good, not harm,
all the days of her life."
Prov. 31: 10-12


"She is clothed with strength and dignity; so she can laugh at the days to come.
She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. She watches over
the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children arise and call
her blessed; her husband also and he praises her: Many woman do noble things but you surpass them
all. Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised." 
Prov. 31: 25-30 


We need to remember that alone time with the Lord is crucial. This is where refinement takes place. Do you want to be a better man or woman of God. Spend time with Him.