In Like, FOREVER

I feel like I haven't blogged in like, forever! :) My life has been crazy busy, and I'm sad at the fact that I haven't had the time to sit down to write... Alas! There's good news! I'm going to return to writing this weekend because that's when things should return to normal in my world. I miss writing and my bones feel dry for the lack there of... Can't wait to get started again!

Below is one of my favorite songs by Misty Edwards & band. Hope it blesses you today! Muah!

Favorite Kid Quote of The Day

A while ago, I used to babysit an amazing 4-year-old kid named Chase. Over the past week, his attitude wasn't quite the best - he'd been fighting with other students and not doing his schoolwork or participating in activities. So, after picking him up from school one day, I asked him to tell me about his day. Here's the extent of the conversation.

Me: Hey homie! How was school today?
Him: Okay. But I didn't get in trouble today! (as he munches on a peanut butter cracker)
Me: That's awesome!!
Him: You wanna know why? (totally excited)
Me: Sure, buddy!
Him: Because Jason made me upset today and I almost got in trouble, but then I remembered what my mommy read to me last night about loving my friends and so I didn't get upset at Jason and fight or be mean. (all in one breath) And you wanna know something else?
Me: Sure!
Him:

"For if we love one to another, then we will be much happy."

...I couldn't have said it better myself.

I'm A New Fan!!

I am a new fan of BarlowGirl! I feel like I've been under a rock or something! I LOVE this group!

A girl at my church danced to this song this past Sunday, and I almost cried! It was so beautiful! So, I tracked it down so I could share it with you! Hope you enjoy!

	BarlowGirl - Surrender
	Found at bee mp3 search engine

With My Morning Coffee

There's nothing like some Laura Woodley early in the morning... This is from her 'In Love' album. Happy Tuesday, all.

Into The Light, by Laura Woodley

The Presence of Integrity

Do whatever it takes to deal with the issues of integrity in your life. Do whatever it takes to walk in purity (truth & authenticity).

I remember the first time I heard the word integrity and actually took it to heart. I was a sophomore at Oral Roberts University, and I was walking with a friend who was sharing with me their concept of leadership. I remember our time together being very fruitful because I walked away from the conversation challenged about being a leader and about this word called integrity. At the time (and a little while after), I thought integrity only meant, "who you are when no one is looking," but it wasn't until recently that I learned it means so much more. Besides ethics and moral character, I learned through a word study that integrity means 'integer' or the state of being whole. Integrity is huge in relationships, finances, friendships and even our walk with the Lord. A person of integrity is a person of their word; they are ruthlessly honest. And being ruthlessly honest means having a healthy fear of God. It means that you love God more than your desire to disappoint man... As I try to live my life after Christ, with no walls and as transparent as possible, I've got to share that a few months ago, those few principles was not only a reminder, but a stern wake-up call for me.

There was an area in my life where I lived life thinking I've been integral in certain situations when I have not. My word fell through on certain promises, I had not been faithful in certain situations and I certainly had not been ruthlessly honest with myself, others or the Lord. I've even told a little "white lie" before - you know that kind of lie that is partially the truth, but not really. For example, it's a "white lie" when you tell a friend you can't hang out because you have other plans, when really, you do not and you just want to avoid them. Or, calling your boss to tell them you're late because of traffic when actually you're late because you decided to sleep in 15 extra minutes or because you wanted to finish watching Good Morning America. "White lies" slip in in instances where you really don't want to tell your friend the whole truth because you're afraid that they'll not want to be your friend anymore, so you tell a partial truth in good faith. You do the right thing the wrong way. In essence, all "white lies" do is cloud the presence of integrity. "White lies" are what I call silent assassins because they leave seeds that eventually grow to quench the root of internal integrity - when the Holy Spirit convicts, we hear and we obey it.

Growing up, my mother would always tell me, "Terri, swear to your own hurt and change not." "What does that even mean?!" I would think. I didn't see it then, but even as a child, my mother was teaching me about the presence of integrity; she was actually quoting scripture. The latter part of Psalm 15:4 says, "...He swears to his own hurt and does not change." It means, be a person who makes firm on commitments and do not change. Speak the truth outwardly and in your heart. Even if it hurts, do what you say you're going to do. Forgive and then model that forgiveness by not changing, reneging or keeping record of wrongs. Being firm.

As I move towards a greater presence of integrity in my life, I know that God's grace is sufficient. It makes me cry every time I think of it. Even when we mess up, we get to try again. And, although grace is there, God also holds us accountable to His standards; walking in integrity is part of the fabric of God, being truthful is a part of His standard(s). In this instance of integrity, developing a healthy fear of God will keep us mindful of "white lies." We'll not want to tell them; instead, we'll want the truth to pour out of us because that's all that's in us. Practice purity because purity is not an absence of evil, but a presence of light.

What's your biggest struggle with integrity? Are you a person of integrity? Do you keep your word? Are you transparent and honest with others and with God?

Be faithful. Keep moving forward.

"The integrity of the upright will guide them..." Proverbs 11:3

He Is Faithful

I was planning to blog today, have all sorts of things to share, but as I listened to this song over and over and over and over again during my quiet time, I thought I'd share this instead of a few words...

Beyond all else, He is faithful!

In Heavy Rotation

I LOVE music. Thought I'd end the blog week by sharing my music list with you. In heavy rotation on my iPod this week:

Jake Hamilton - "Marked" & "The Anthem"
Nina Landis - "Tired," "Gluttons At A Table" & "Greatest Weapon"
Jake Newton - "Burn In My Cage"
Fred Hammond - "Show Me Your Face"
Chasen - "Nothing Like You'
Hillsong - "Desert Song" & "I Will Exalt You"
Canton Jones - "Doin' It Big," "5 seconds" & "Warrior"
Cory Asbury - "My Beloved"
Ryan Edgar "We Become"
Kari Jobe - "The More I Seek You"
John David Helser - "Fly"
Christmas music (I play it all year long!)

NOTABLES:
Miles Davis
ColdPlay
James Morrison
Frank Sinatra
FAME Soundtrack
Press Play
Matt Gilman
Oren Lavie

P.S. If you've never heard of some of these people, I strongly encourage you to check'm out! Happy Friday!