Jesus, Friend of Sinners

 As I was driving home from a church event and dinner with some new friends, I felt such a peace and comfort in my soul that one only gets when feeling completely overfilled with blessings. It was the kind of feeling that makes you want to shout for joy, to sing your heart out in praise to Jesus because He is just SO GOOD. 

I called my mom as I headed home (as I always do), both of us so happy because we had such a great night surrounded by wonderful friends. After we hung up, I turned up the radio and just let the songs sink in and belted my heart out. And then this song came on. And Jesus broke my heart in about five minutes. 

The words were like a gut punch. A slap in the face. A bring you to your knees (except not while you are driving, of course!) kind of break. 

Jesus, friend of sinners, we have strayed so far away

We cut down people in your name but the sword was never ours to swing

Jesus, friend of sinners, the truth's become so hard to see

The world is on their way to you, but they're tripping over me. 

If you were to just sit and let those words soak in, oh what heartbreak you might feel. I'm not talking of the heartbreak that makes you feel ashamed or judged, but the heartbreak of knowing that we will never reach the kind of perfect that He is. This is the kind of heartbreak that is GOOD because it reminds us of how important it is for us to truly love. 

What if we were to let go of our own (unintentional & intentional) selfishness and pride and allow ourselves to feel the kind of love that Jesus has for us, for all of our neighbors? There is not one person that does not deserve grace or mercy from us. While we go through our own troubles, we can still humble ourselves to love someone else because we are no more important than them. Christ has given us the power we need to reach the lost, the broken, & the lonely. He gives us the tools every day and all He asks is that we seek to have hearts like His. We are all no higher than the other. We are all no better than the other. 

So, what is stopping us from living like Jesus? Humility. We aren't asking ourselves to love like Jesus. His love is the only kind of love that will reach the ones who feel unloved, outcasted, the lost-costs. BUT WE, TOO, CAN HAVE THAT KIND OF LOVE. Our God will give us that love if we ask for it. AND WE MUST SHARE THAT LOVE WITH EVERYONE. 

Let our hearts be led by MERCY. Help us reach with open hearts and open doors. 

Oh, Jesus, friend of sinners, break out hearts for what breaks yours. 

Jesus, Friend of Sinners by Casting Crowns

Jesus Friend of sinners we have strayed so far away

We cut down people in your name but the sword was never ours to swing

Jesus friend of sinners the truth's become so hard to see

The world is on their way to You but they're tripping over me

Always looking around but never looking up I'm so double minded

A plank eyed saint with dirty hands and a heart divided

Oh Jesus friend of sinners

Open our eyes to the world at the end of our pointing fingers

Let our hearts be led by mercy

Help us reach with open hearts and open doors

Oh Jesus friend of sinners break our hearts for what breaks yours

Jesus friend of sinners the one who's writing in the sand

Make the righteous turn away and the stones fall from their hands

Help us to remember we are all the least of thieves

Let the memory of Your mercy bring your people to their knees

Nobody knows what we're for only what we're against when we

judge the wounded

What if we put down our signs crossed over the lines and love like

You did

Oh Jesus friend of sinners

Open our eyes to the world at the end of our pointing fingers

Let our hearts be led by mercy

Help us reach with open hearts and open doors

Oh Jesus friend of sinners break our hearts for what breaks yours

You love every lost cause; you reach for the outcast

For the leper and the lame; they're the reason that You came

Lord I was that lost cause and I was the outcast

But you died for sinners just like me a grateful leper at Your feet

'Cause You are good, You are good And Your love endures forever

You are good, You are good and Your love endures forever

Oh Jesus friend of sinners

Open our eyes to the world at the end of our pointing fingers

Let our hearts be led by mercy

Help us reach with open hearts and open doors

Oh Jesus friend of sinners break our hearts for what breaks Yours

And I was the lost cause and I was the outcast

You died for sinners just like me, a grateful leper at Your feet

FALL 2016 STYLE GUIDE

one, two, three, four (here, here), 

five, six, seven, eight

one - button downs and flannels are perfect tops to wear in the colder weather. When planning to wear bright or bold accessories, go for a soft, neutral top. And do not be afraid to mix patterns! These days, it is difficult to mess up a pattern mixture! 

two - florals and tortoise are in this season and I could not be any more excited! This necklace has been found at J Crew for a couple of years now, but many places are catching on to the trend and you can get it for a fraction of the cost (seriously, it's only $15 here!). You will be catching all the compliments with this piece!

three - floppy hats... please tell me where we can go wrong with these this season. You can't. 

four - blanket scarves are EVERYWHERE. The problem with this is making sure you are paying a good price for one you will love. As long as you are keeping the price under $25, you are doing great! 

five - my two statement items this fall are floppy hats and handbags. Charming Charlie has so many beautiful and fun bags and the prices are the very best! 

six - ankle boots. Also called, booties. Call them what you will, they are wonderful. You can find them with the heel and without. Bonus: Target has a pair for every occasion. 

seven - my favorite pattern for fall (actually, let's make that every season..) and leopard shoes complete an outfit without even a doubt. You can't go wrong. (I was waiting on class to begin, one day, and there were three of us girls sitting there with leopard shoes. I didn't even know the other girls!) 

eight - last, but not least, vests. My favorite vests are found at J Crew Factory, but the price can be outrageous if you don't hit a sale or have a coupon code and these don't happen weekly, but Old Navy is amazing and has our backs! ;) They offer several colors and fit wonderfully! Definitely a hit! 

 Fall is the perfect time to play dress up. Pick pieces from your own closet and mix and match.Whatever you choose to wear, my advise is to just have fun!

My Skincare System

Clinique’s Acne System

I never did experience acne in middle school. Or even most of high school, now that I think about it. But by my (very) late teens and now in my twenties, I break out constantly. I highly believe that my breakouts are caused from all of the products I use daily, but it still doesn’t stop me from continuing to use them.

I decided to look into Clinique’s skincare line again and instantly reached for their acne system in hopes that I could try and control my breakouts at least a little bit. Truth? It worked! After about two weeks of using these three products, my skin felt clearer and I could even walk out of my house makeup-less!

                                  

These products are full sized and like all of Clinique’s products, they are reasonably priced! Clinique is also very great about including free products in your order, so when I purchased these products, I also received FIVE samples (AND they have lasted me for four months!). My full sized products are still going and they will not run out anytime soon.

Well worth the money! 

The only issue regarding these products is that because they are made to clear acne, they can be drying. My advice would be to apply moisturizer after using the system.

**I am not a beauty expert, nor a professional. These are just honest opinions from my own experience.