Weekend Links + A Download

(Click on the image to save for a background download- - -)

Things have been a little quiet here. Those that are still here, thanks for hanging with me. It's been a weird couple of weeks, but the end result will. be. worth. it. 

And thanks to you sweety pies of you who helped me with my microdermabrasion dilemma on Facebook. Saving up for the Clarisonic and making an appointment this week.

I went to this conference with my pastor's wife and it was sweet and refreshing. The biggest take-away for me: God, my Father, empowers me to be right where I am. 

Mmmm (Christina Perri) Christmas music.

This is taking most of my time these days and I am LOVING it. These girls are my passion and my inspiration. This year, we're Becoming Brave. 

Holy salad. 

I had a moment of shame this week when I realized nearly 90% of my "Food" Pinterest board was dessert. Dessert people. As if all I eat is dessert. 

@LASCANNER is the funniest informative person I follow on Twitter. Hands down. If you live in LA, you need it.

How true is this?

So, What are you doing this weekend? 

Los Angeles Dream Center

In early October, Ty and I got to lead worship for some of the most passionate men and women I've ever encountered. '

It was not a Sunday morning; it was 7:00 Friday morning.
It wasn't in a church; it was in a gym.
The seats weren't any pews; they were metal folding chairs.
The people weren't in dresses and slacks; they were wearing jeans and black t-shirts.
There was no worship band; just one guy, a congo and a guitar.

There was no facade. It was Spirit of God.

We were at the Dream Center.

Our new friends, Steve and Brooke, invited us out because Steve was teaching that morning's chapel. I am not exaggerating when I say God has explicitly anointed and had favor upon the efforts of the Dream Center. In a place where desperation would be understandable, it does not exist. 

For the drug addict, the at risk teen, the pregnant mother, the starving family, the homeless men, women and children, the rescued sex slave, the Dream Center of LA bleeds hope. 

Hope that only comes from Jesus. And I am honored, honored to be in the same city as these folks. ~

More information on the Dream Center:
How it Started
Write a Letter to a Rescued Girl
Youth Center
Adopt a Block

Speak of What You Hope

Lyrics from What We Hope by Elenowen

Be Right Back

 Due to some recent events, JM will be taking a short break. Everything's good. No one's dead :) 
Thanks, as always, for reading and writing and encouraging!

Love,
Julianna

Psalm 23:6 - (Day Twenty)

"Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life." (Psalm 23:6)

Ty and I prayed Psalm 23 over our marriage, knowing that because of the journey preceding five verses, verse six is a choice we were making. We would pursue goodness and mercy from God, towards each other and those around us. 

It is the cornerstone on which we build our marriage. And so far, it has served us well. 

- - - - -
*Oh hello! New here? Til the end of October, I'm writing verses that have been pivotal in my life. Everyone has those they cling to in seasons of life. Do you? Share it with us on Facebook!

Psalm 23:4 - (Day Nineteen)

"Your rod and staff, they comfort me." (Psalm 23:4)

I don't know about you, but rods and staffs, those were tools of discipline in my home.

Ok well not exactly a rod, more like a wooden spoon but when you're on the tail end of it, it's pretty much the same thing. (Can I get a witness? Yup, that just happened.)


But in the phases of life, there are transitions. 

"When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child." (1Cor13:11)

When I got in trouble, I knew there were consequences. I knew they sometimes came in the form of a wooden spoon. I knew that reasoning was not an option (with me) because I was stubborn. 

I remember one time, my brother and I were whining and fighting in the garage as my mother was attempting to talk to a neighbor. A couple times she asked us to stop. "It's not very becoming," she'd say.  

We didn't, of course. 

So she turned to me and said, with her stern face, "Go to your rooms. I will be there in a second."

Oh shoot. 

We ran as fast as we could into the house and talked through our elementary game plan.

"Go get Julissa. We'll lock ourselves in the bathrooms, and have her bring us pitchers of water so that we'll keep drinking and always have to pee. Then, Mom can't spank us. Because we're in the bathroom!"

Genius! 

"When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child.
When I became a (wo)man, I put childish ways behind me. 

Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love." (1 Corinthians 13:11-15)

The maturing process of a Christian is very similar to that of a child; no matter what age you are saved. 

In both realms, discipline is meant for protection.

As children, rods and staffs, they aren't comforting. They are painful, seemingly unnecessary and emit "consequence" to us. But they are done out of the love of our parents. 

When my Momma slapped my hand as I went for the stove, she knew I was going to get burned. When my Dad made me change my booty shorts before youth group, he knew they were wildly inappropriate for the occasion and my age. 

Parent's don't (or shouldn't) enjoy disciplining their children, but it's their responsibility from the Lord.

As adults, the discipline we received as children helped guide us along to maturity and wisdom. We can see now that the discipline for whining and fighting was to eliminate that habit from my life. Who wants to hang around an adult whiner or complainer?? 

As new believers, there are things we cannot know are right or wrong without the guidance of a Father, leading us, carrying us, nudging us and disciplining us along the way.  

As mature believers, have perspective and comfort in that training. It was a Father, raising up His children in maturity. 

I hate discipline. And I use to fight it. But God has been showing me more and more, how necessary it is for my life. It's only awful if I don't learn. It's beautiful if I do.

- - - - -
*Oh hello! New here? Til the end of October, I'm writing verses that have been pivotal in my life. Everyone has those they cling to in seasons of life. Do you? Share it with us on Facebook!

Psalm 23:3 (Day Eighteen)

I was a little high school freshman, my first year at Winter Camp, and our speaker was a Jamaican Mexican bald man who had more love in his heart than the world knew what to do with. (If you know Sabo Cortez, insert head nod and smile here.)

In the pinnacle of his evening message he leaned in, looked every single one of us in the eyes, and whispered, "Brothers and sisters, you were saved FROM something, TO something."

Wide eyed we leaned in as if he were giving away the secrets to life. 

So interesting. 

For the longest time, my limited view of Christianity was so I wouldn't go to hell. That Jesus loved me enough to save me from there. I was never okay with the "waiting for Jesus to come back" mentality. It didn't sit right with me. But I didn't know what else there was to do.

And then that night, the door was unlocked and swung wide open. I'm supposed to be DOING something. Not sitting. Not waiting. Moving, faster than ever. Pushing, with the force and stamina of the Gospel behind me. 

"He leads me in paths of righteousness, for His name's sake." (Psalm 23:3)

He led us into righteousness, for His namesake. Not ours. 

He led us FROM something (sin, shame, guilt) TO something (freedom, mission, purpose, life).

Are you stuck in the FROM of salvation? 
What will it take to move you FROM, TO? 

I have my Jam-exican friend's number, I can have him call you ;) 

- - - - -
*Oh hello! New here? Til the end of October, I'm writing verses that have been pivotal in my life. Everyone has those they cling to in seasons of life. Do you? Share it with us on Facebook!

Psalm 23:1-3 - (Day Seventeen)

Psalm 23 was one of those bible verses everyone memorized at Vacation Bible School. I can hear it, as if it was yesterday. 100 kids, all wearing some bright colored t-shirt, standing and reciting, the Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want...

I am forever grateful for that basis of Biblical knowledge. 

But over time, the foundation gets jaded. Know what I mean? 

Over time, I have forgotten the preciousness of those words. The Lord God Almighty, He is my Shepherd. Everything He does, as a Shepherd, is thoughtful, purposeful, intentional and beneficial to my well-being. 

"The Lord is my Shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside quiet waters, He refreshes my soul." (Psalm 23:1-3a)

As a newly wed, I remember being so relieved that sometimes, God, as a good shepherd, makes us lie down in green pastures. Sometimes, when I'm running around like a crazy person, He takes that rod, swats my booty and firmly causes me to stop. 

You need rest, He says. There is a longer journey ahead. Drink, be refreshed and sleep. 

It's happened so often in my adult life, that I am learning to recognize the signals. 

I know that when my physical body is weak, for no obvious sickness or reason, it's swat and lay #1. 

I know that when my mind starts running like a rat race, completely out of control, that's swat and lay #2.

And I know when I am burnt out, physically, emotionally, spiritually, and mentally, to the point where talking to anyone is too much effort, I've missed or ignored the first 2 swats and this one is a little firmer. Swat and lay #3. 

I lack nothing with my God, because it is He that refreshes my soul by His firm and gentle shepherding. 

- - - - -
*Oh hello! New here? Til the end of October, I'm writing verses that have been pivotal in my life. Everyone has those they cling to in seasons of life. Do you? Share it with us on Facebook!