Happy Birthday To Me!

Hey friends, welcome back to my blog! It has been so long since I last posted but for good reason. I have been extremely busy with school. And by busy I mean, when I get home I am so tired that I do not feel like typing out all of my amazing blog post ideas! LOL

Anywhooooo.....

Today is a very special day in my heart. It is not quite my birthday…not in a traditional sense at least, but as I sit here and write this I can’t help but feel like it is indeed my birthday! Okay, I’m done beating around the bush!

On this very day, seven years ago, I got baptized!

So exciting; I know!!

I like to think of this day as my birthday (this is totally new! I haven’t done this for the past seven years) because it was the day I became a new creation in Christ!! And thank God for it because I am far from perfect!

Today I really thought about a lot of things. I thought about my life the past seven years and it was kind of scary I can’t lie but it was a beautiful time of reflection. I took a moment this morning to quickly have a conversation with God and thank him for this day, for this moment seven years ago, for the future, and for everything in-between. I listened to a few bible stories on my You Version Bible App and then went about my day. I don’t know if it was because I had a busy morning but I was waiting to get some sort of holy sign. My morning was smooth…it was enjoyable but I think I put a lot of pressure on the day.  

It wasn’t until my drive home that I felt the spark. I was listening to K-Love and a little segment from Levi Lusko came on. He was talking about how he has heard of some pastors who look down on New Year’s resolutions and they wondered why people would want to change their lives if God has made them the way they are. Well Lusko’s point was like hold up, why not accept change? Aren’t God’s mercies new every day? Isn’t every day like a new year as a Christ follower? *cue the Oprah ah ha moment* I was like yes! That is 100% beautiful. Not only am I accepting of those new mercies daily but I am thankful that they happen because of my choice to completely surrender my life to the will of God.

The past seven years of my life have not been the easiest. I haven’t had this smooth ride because I was baptized but I have seen the effects of radical faith. I have seen the God’s favor in situations that I never thought would be resolved. God has taken me to new amazing places and got me out of some low ones. There will never be enough words to express my gratitude.

If you have stuck with me this far I want to share one more Oprah moment with you. Going off of those lows I mentioned…as I was scrolling through my Facebook newsfeed, I accidently pressed one of Steven Furtick’s messages’ about scars. We all have scars so let’s be honest about them for a moment. Steven Furtick was talking about how we allow ourselves to feel this unbelievable amount of shame when it comes to where we have been. We wear jackets and turtle necks, so to speak, just to cover up those scars. But then he says guess what? Did you ever think those scars…the things that have caused you so much pain in your life might be something that produces so much power in your life! I got to thinking about how God can use all of your hurt as a means to helping others, or starting a program, or just sharing your testimony with a friend. The things we are ashamed of do not have to have to be a stronghold on our lives. Those chains have been broken.

So I am trying to come up with a way to end this blog and a few things are on my mind. Don’t be afraid of what has happened in your life. Because God’s mercies ARE new every day we are able to have that ‘fresh start’. We do not have to live a life of embarrassment or shame. We can treat each day or semester or month as a new year. We can make tweaks and changes in life. We can strive to be a better person, follow God in a whole different way, volunteer, get involved in church, we have those amazing opportunities because not every day is promised and each day God wakes us up is a day to chase after our dreams and love out brothers and sisters in Christ with like unconditional love.

I feel like I have ranted for a while but it was truly on my heart. A few verses I want to share with whoever is reading this right now are

1. The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning. Lamentations 3:22-23 NLT

2. This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is Gone; a new life has begun! 2 Corinthians 5:17 NLT

Thank you reading!

xx,

C

Spring '17

Hello there and happy spring semester! Well, that only applies to my college friends but I hope your January is going fantastically! I am currently writing from the library and I have a feeling it will be my second home this semester. It is an exciting and very scary realization because there is no T.V. stuck on Bravo. lol As I am entering this semester I have a few goals and expectations for myself aside from the ones of my professors. As I sit here and drink my homemade iced coffee with a side of white cheddar popcorn and some JB on Spotify, I can’t help but to see these huge groups of students already studying and already getting into the swing of things. I wonder if they are just putting on a front because honestly, I went to sleep early last night and still have no energy to giggle with a whole group of girls. OR stare at a textbook until my next class. I am sitting thinking about if Cynthia from last night’s episode of My 600 Pound Life ever decided to take Dr. Now seriously and lose the weight. I tried to find her on social media for a recent update but that was a fail. Not only am I still stuck on Cynthia but I am completely low key freaking out about my course load for this semester. Clearly not every college student is the same and I am not going to have everything figured out by day 2….I’m okay with that.

My Aspirations In Life…*BEYONCE VOICE*

So this semester I want to try and not compare myself to other college students. The world will not be over if I don’t find a group of 7 girls to study with. I’ll be fine if I sit alone and listen to my random Spotify playlists. I have been in college for what feels like forever and that's a story for a different blog, but every time I'm on campus I cannot help but to compare myself to them. I don't go overboard or into a depression but I wonder how they do it all. My conclusion is this...every one is different. We learn differently, we care about different things, I am not going to be a "typical" college student because there is no such thing. When I finally realized everyone is struggling with their own personal tragedy I was able to really enjoy college a lot more.

I want to be more proactive in my assignments. Okay this is hard for me! Like extremely hard, bible, omg! Hahaha!! If you know me, you know I am obsessed with my T.V. shows and DVR. I really want to make more of an effort to focus in on what I have to do and not wait until the last minute it’s due…literally.

#fitlife…
Well not 100%...but I want to utilize the on campus gym way more than I did last semester. The other day when I waited 359 minutes at the DMV, I finally finished the Khloe Kardashian book. I say finally because my sister gave it to me last year for Christmas. Anyway, I took a lot out of that book. I love how she writes about working out becoming more of a therapy for her. I totally get it. Instead of trying to make these crazy fitness goals and giving up my favorite foods, I want to work out more often so that I don’t have to be so out of breath when I walk up a flight of stairs on my way to class. And don’t act like it doesn’t happen to you!!

Omg sign me up!!!!
This semester I hope to become more involved in life. It has been a really long time since I have joined a club or attended a bible study or volunteered my time for a great cause. I want to get back into more of a community. I really hope to just be present, make more friends, and learn new things.

This semester is going to be amazing I can just feel it!!



A few things:

1. Bear with me! My blog is under construction

2. Follow, Like, Share, Comment! // Instagram & Twitter: texaschristian_

3. Thank you! If I have 1 reader or 10, I am thankful for your time.

4. Pray for me, I'm praying for you!

Peace & Blessings,

C.

#2017

          I would like to start this blog by saying Hello, I’m Christian. I first started this blog as Miss Christian back in 2012. I strayed away from my blog and always knew I wanted to keep writing but I just did not know what I wanted to write about exactly or where I wanted my blog to go. I have since changed my blog name to Texas Christian (also my Instagram & twitter name so check it out) and to be honest it may change again in the near future. I am exploring different options for this blog and it is all so exciting. Enough chit chat…lets get to the good stuff!

            So like I said before, the last time I truly blogged was in 2012! I can’t believe it has been so long and I most importantly cannot believe how much I have changed since then. This year I really want to blog and blog a lot! I’m not looking for attention or some sort of internet stardom, I simply want to keep a digital journal. I want to be able to share my thoughts and feelings publicly because it is easy to feel like you’re the only one going through something. Gawk, I really hate that feeling! I want to be able to keep moments for myself but also share them with others. Life is so much better when you share and interact with others. I have a pull towards my blog this year and I love it. It’s going to be so fun!  

            For much of 2016 I was “quiet”. I felt an internal silence which was just so weird to me. During the final days of last year I was really racking my brain trying to figure out why 2016 felt so odd. I finally found my answer on January 1^st during worship at church. Back in the beginning of last year I asked God to silence me in order to hear his voice. If I can be completely honest, I didn’t hear his voice all that often but boy did he silence me! Let me explain a bit further, I have learned that in order to hear God’s voice you must seek it. So during 2016 I didn’t meet God halfway. He just completely silenced me. Not everyone will understand this and I'm okay with that. This is one hundred percent my experience.

Silence: What I’ve Learned

            Last year I really felt like a shell going through the motions. I withdrew from serving at church. I was not very social, I really spent a lot of time to myself and in my own thoughts. Looking back now, I am so thankful for this time. That season of silence was what I needed because as soon as the clock struck midnight God spoke to me! God gave me such an internal confidence and reassurance. I cannot explain the feeling because it was so supernatural. I needed to be silent last year in order to receive the brand new drive, will, and dedication God has called of me for 2017. Last year I dealt with a lot of emotions. I put up with more than I should have. I didn’t stand up for myself when I probably should have. I didn’t live every day with excitement and joy. 2016 was rough.

Here’s What: My Voice

            Now I want to share my experience during Sunday’s service with you! Its so exciting! Once I rang in 2017, at home with my family, I went to bed and prayed. I instantly felt a calming and thrill at the same time, it was weird. The next morning I woke up and headed to church so excited and during service GOD SPOKE! After a year of not truly seeking God’s voice and presence in my daily life, he made his presence known. God told me to speak! He gave me the ok to go out 100% confidently into the world and speak! My head has been rushing with ideas ever since and I haven't stopped talking about 2017 ever since, just ask my little sister! Lol

The Game Plan

            So going forward I have a million plans and ideas. I most importantly want to be constantly conversational with God! I want to actively purse him and his word. I don’t want to make this crazy list of unrealistic goals. I simply want to be more intentional and truly love every single day of my life. I hope to have more of a Christ like love. I hope to grow as a person and allow God to lead the direction of my life. It is so hard for us as mere humans to give up control. I am so very thankful for my season of silence and I cant wait to see what is in store for the season of my voice.

Last Minute Thoughts:

1. Bear with me! My blog is under construction

2. Follow, Like, Share, Comment! // Instagram & Twitter: texaschristian_

3. Thank you! If I have 1 reader or 10, I am thankful for your time.

4. Pray for me, I'm praying for you!

Peace & Blessings,

C.

Blogging in 2016

Hey, Y'all!! I has been so long since I have last blogged. I have had so many ideas and have really been completely inspired lately. With that being said, I am so excited as I write this blog because I have decided to make blogging in 2016 my mission.

 

When I started Miss Christian back in September of 2012 I had a completely different vision than I do now. I kind of wish I would have kept writing in order to see the growth throughout the years. Anyway, lately I have really been getting a writing itch. I want to use this blog as a fun outlet and a way to just share with people. I know to some it is completely crazy that a small town Texas girl could even reach people through writing and sharing thoughts but that's what I am going to do. lol!!

 

I have so much that I want to do with my blog and I ultimately want to create a website. I truly love beauty, and baking, and crafty...cooking, travel, family, and football. I love sharing my faith and talking with other women. Because I have grown and changed since 2012 I have also decided to change my blog name to Texas Christian.

 

Texas Christian, to me, is a fun play on my faith being a focal point in my life AND it truly embodies the great state that I love. I am a Christian, I am a Texan, My name is Christian and so I knew Texas Christian was the next chapter for my blog.

 

There are so many bloggers that I have come to admire and they are the reason I so passionately want to put so much into my blog in 2016.

 

I am completely excited to see where the new year will take me and where my little ol' blog can go. I have a dream for this...a vision...a desire to take Texas Christian to great places.

I'm Tired of Being Stuck

 

 

Do you ever feel stuck? I'm not just talking about a physical stuck either. Have you ever felt like everything in your life is going so wrong and nothing will ever get better? If so, did you blame God?

It is hard to actually admit but everyone has been there. Every day it is so easy to get overwhelmed with work or school and forget about what matters in life. You may start to feel like everyone around you is moving forward and you are just stuck in the same place you were last year, last month, last week, etc. I totally get it! I've been there. But here is the sweet beauty of it all. Jesus is committed to get you out of that rut.

Okay, so first of all ADMIT it! RIGHT NOW!! Admit that you are stuck. Whether it is financially, emotionally, spiritually or anything else, admit it to yourself and definitely admit it to God. Let him know your struggle. Get personal and let him know what's up!! (Psalm 145:18; The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in TRUTH.) There is no greater feeling than knowing that your burdens are not your own. Psalm 55:22 says "Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved." The Lord wants us to cast our worries on him. We often go through life with huge burdens yet we walk around telling people we 100% trust in The Lord. Trust the same strength that sustains you, to carry your cares as well.

Sometimes we find ourselves stuck because of the people we hang out with. Do you have friends who don't do anything in life but they try to criticizes others every chance they get? Do you hang out with people who aren't Christians? Or do you have a friend who says they are a Christian but they don't wish to pursue a God-like life? If so, text them right now and tell them it was nice knowing them but you are on a mission to pursue God and they are bringing you down. Then, move on with your life and continue to pray for that friend. Sometimes people are so cold you end up catching their cold. Negative spirit can jump on you!! Your friends determine who you are so, watch your connections and the company you choose to keep. Proverbs 13:20 says "Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm." Our friends affect us more than we may think. Be careful with who you choose to call your closest friends. Try to spend time with people you want to be like-because you and your friends will grow to resemble each other.

Being stuck is a blessing in disguise. I know it isn't fun being in a rut but remember you aren't going to stay that way forever. Like all the other seasons in our lives we are just passing through. You have to get rid of the negative in your life and let God have his way. Allow him to have full control over you. It is time to move on to greater things. Tell The Lord you are ready to put it all in his unchanging hands!! I promise life is so much sweeter that way.

Peace and Blessings Y'all!

xo

C.

P.S. Follow me on my social networks!!

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Twitter: @miss_christian_

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Peace at last, Peace at last!

Hey readers, It's Sunday!!
Ok, so I wasn't able to post anything on Friday because I was super busy. I have now come to the realization that when I first started this blog it was just for fun, just something for me to do in order to express my feelings. Well...soon after I decided Wednesdays and Fridays seemed to be my days of leisure so I decided to post my entries on those days. Ha I should've known something would happen. What I'm trying to get at here is FORGET WHAT I SAID BEFORE!! If I choose to write and post something every day or once a week I hope my readers stay loyal and patient! Above all I do promise to stay true to who I am and write about what is in my heart!

So, with that being said today I am going to talk about change!

I have always been the kind of person who HATES change!! I like to have order and routine. Some may say I'm boring but I'd like to say I'm just stuck in my ways!! I'm not sure if it's the change in weather or the ending of October but I am all about change this year. At the beginning of October I told myself "okay girl, you can either enjoy life as it comes and have fun OR you can try to plan things out as usual only to be disappointed when things don't go as planned". Well, I chose my first option. October has been so good to me and I honestly feel so amazing!!

Today as I was sitting in church I realized the most beautiful thing. Every Sunday before church is dismissed we are given 3 invitations. 1. Accept Christ as your personal savior if you haven't already. 2. Become a church member if you don't have a church family. Or 3. Recommit your life to God if you feel like you have gotten off track or something. For a long time during my sophomore and Junior year I wrestled with the first invitation. There was no doubt in my heart that I accepted God as my one and only personal savior but I was TERRIFIED of getting baptized. I have this weird thing with water but let me not get into that right now. After prayer and a quick talk with my Pastor I did it!! April of my junior year in High School I sealed the deal so to speak. I got baptized and survived. My life was great. Everything was going smooth, graduation came and went, college started and I honestly didn't realize it until last month that I had NO PERSONAL relationship with The Lord.

I have recently begun a spiritual journey to grow as a Christian and become a true child of God. Today, sitting in the pews, listening to the invitations was the first time ever that I felt true peace in my heart. I wasn't scared to be baptized. I wasn't wondering if God really cared about my life. I wasn't pondering a recommitment. I was completely at peace with my life. It was such a beautiful moment for me. I know God has slowly but surely gotten me to this oh so sweet peacefulness and I just love every minute of it. The little changes that I have recently made in my life have already made a tremendous change in my life. Today God really opened my eyes to his love and I NEVER want to close my eyes again.

God's love is so amazing and indescribable! I hope you can experience or are experiencing the extraordinary love of The Lord. 

Peace and Blessings Y'all

xo

C.

 

Fill My Heart and Flood My Ears!!

Like I mentioned in "Mr. Small Town" recently something was said to me which changed my life forever! "I don't know why you go to church. It doesn't even work for you" still makes my bones shake. After I heard this I wasn't sure if I should cry of embarrassment or laugh at his pure stupidity...well I did BOTH but first I prayed. Yup, I prayed, THEN cried of embarrassment, and finally laughed at his stupidity and let me tell you exactly why.

I've always been told that prayer is a powerful thing. Of course I never actually thought about it, I just did it. I prayed that god would make my remote work because I was too lazy to go get new batteries. I would pray that my professor would dismiss class early because I wasn't sure how much longer I could stand listening to his monotone voice. Are you getting the picture? I wasn't praying correctly!! I was just talking to myself...LITERALLY. Now please don't think that's all I would ask for. I would pray for bigger things but the point I'm trying to make is I wasn't making an effort to build a closer relationship with God. That Sunday night boy did I pray!!! I prayed 'til I cried. I prayed that God would look into my sinful heart and help me, really help me be a better person with a godly heart. My crying led me to realize how much of a hypocrite I was and that, my friend, is absolutely embarrassing. What kind of Christian was I if people couldn't see the Christianity flowing out of me when I met or had a conversation with them? To me a good Christian lives and acts like God. You know...WWJD? I know we are humans and full of sins but what good is calling yourself a Christian if you don't even put forth an effort to act like one? I was mainly embarrassed because if one person could see that I didn't put much effort into living up to my Christian duties then everyone else did as well. Finally I laughed at his stupidity. I thought to myself and realized that Mr. Small Town was...well quite frankly he's an idiot. One day my judgment will come and Me, Myself, and I will have to answer to The Lord. My family and friends won't be there to say "Oh God ,no, she didn't mean to do that." I will have to testify for why I chose to live my life the way I did. In the end only God can judge me and that's a fact!! (Ecc 3:17; Romans 2:16)

So after going through my moment of reflection I started to think of ways in which I could live like a Christian and enhance my relationship with my heavenly father. Okay, I'm not gonna lie, first I Googled it. NO JOKE. Every day people post blogs just like this one expressing their views and beliefs so I thought maybe I would find an answer online. That didn't work. Then I was going through my collection of books and I found my The Purpose Driven Life: What on Earth Am I Here For? by Rick Warren and Princess Unaware: Finding the Fabulous in Every Day by Brenda Garrison. I decided to start the 10 week Princes Unaware program and I recommend it to every girl who is truly seeking God to work in their life every day. The next thing I wanted to do was limit what I listen to on the radio. I started to really think about what I listen to when I'm driving. I could either listen to some ridiculous rapper talking about drinking, sex, and drugs or I can listen to KLOVE (a fantastic national christian radio station here's the link: http://www.klove.com/listen/player.aspx). Of course I chose KLOVE. Throughout the day the station fills my heart and floods my ears with encouraging words and amazing songs that help me with my journey to the center of Gods unchanging, loving hands. I still listen to country music, by golly, I will never stop listening to country!!

I've decided that I desperately want to live for The Lord. I want people to look at me and think "Wow that girl's got Jesus". I don't want to ever wonder if I'm getting my golden ticket into heaven. I want to KNOW with pure confidence that when the conductor of the Heavenly Express stops in front of me I'll be on a one way trip to the gates of Heaven. Life is short and I don't want to live for anyone else but God.

Every day is a challenge and I find myself in some situations that are not so Christiany but I talk to God every morning and I ask him to help me make Godly decisions as I go about my day. I often repeat this quote from a song by Sanctus Real: "So Father, give me the strength to be everything I'm called to be, Oh Father, show me the way, Father, lead me 'cause I CAN'T do this alone" (listen to it NOW http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yLr6G8Xy5uc). With time I know I will be exactly where I want to be spiritually and my gosh, I'm really looking forward to that day. My Religion is very important to me and I will always put God first in everything I do. It is because of God that I have such a blessed life.

Peace and Blessings Y'all

xo

C.

P.S. Follow me on my social networks!!

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/#!/miss.christianlh

Twitter: @miss_christian_

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