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Monday, February 23, 2015

not mainstream ♥



shared in my instagram feed about something that was hard on my heart yesterday ... in church our pastor talked about being brokenhearted over our sin. about going into mourning mode when we do something that grieves our loving merciful perfect Holy God. 
as believers we are set apart. 
chosen for a specific purpose. 
we aren't supposed to look mainstream.

late talks with my hubby the night before led me to tell him i often feel like an outsider. 
like i don't fit in. don't belong. 
even sometimes in circles of other believers. 
but i think when we feel that way it's to serve the purpose of reminding us that we are strangers here. for only our short lives and that everything we do everyday, every minute, even every second counts. and i don't want to waste it. i want to look different. i want to speak different. act different. do others see Jesus in me even in brief encounters? i desperately want them to... Father help us to stand out. help us to not fall in with the rest of the crowd. help us to use the precious time You've so graciously given us as if we only had that moment to spend it. and when the line starts to blur help us to remember Your Words... 

Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, 
for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. 
{first john two fifteen}

then i saw this post from here this morning
had to screenshot it 


i'm determined to be devoted. no matter the cost.
no matter what. 
and that's scary to say... but i think i need to say it.
i think we need to say it. maybe you need to say it?
i hope you are encouraged today 
♥ much love to you 



17 comments:

  1. Mm, great post, Jaime. Lord, may I be keenly aware of any vestige of sin in my life... like a trace of lipstick which didn't get washed off the glass.

    After Thee following hard!

    Happy week,
    Kelley~

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    1. But the thing is that there is no stain of sin left in us because Jesus died on the cross and rose again so that we can be forgiven of all our sin. If we concentrate on our sin we say that Jesus died for nothing. When God looks at us he sees Jesus who is perfect because we are the rightiousness of God in Christ. Our forgiveness and rightiousness is not dependant on anything that we can do or on us remembering to ask for forgiveness, it is all down to Jesus and what he has done on the cross. Thank you so much Jesus, what a fantastic God we have.

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    2. so true Liz :)
      but i'm not talking about the redemption that has freed me from past present & future sins that we know are wiped clean and cast as far as east is to west... i'm dwelling more on the sins that we harbor in the nooks & crannies of our daily lives that get excused or justified ... the little habits we know we want to conquer with the Spirit's empowerment. the ones that grow bigger & uglier when not taken care of and repented of. those should not be ignored, but should grieve us as we strive to be more Christlike. i don't ever want to be indifferent towards my sin. but so true, that our salvation is not dependent upon anything we've done or do... because grace is a free gift after all... why would it be taken back or revoked? thank you for your comment ♥ jaime

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    3. Absolutely Jamie, I'm in total agreement. I have so much admiration for you and the way you write in your blog, I was just a little saddened by the comment from Kelly where she thought that some little stain hadn't been washed off and I just wanted anyone reading it to know that ALL their sins are washed and forgiven by Jesus. This knowledge of grace brings so much freedom and allows us to love ourselves as Jesus loves us. Thank you for your blog and God bless you Jamie.

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  2. Very honest and heartfelt post. Blessings to you Jaime.

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  3. That's beautiful. Thank you for sharing your heart!

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  4. Just stumbled on your blog.... I echo a hearty "Amen!"
    No turning back, no turning back.

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  5. Jaime, you are such an inspiration! Thank you for your insightful words and for being a wonderful example of a true believer.

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  6. Very good and brave words, Jaime. Sister Theresa of Liseaux used to say that she was a sojourner in a foreign land here on earth. I believe the Lord is calling his children to a deeper walk with him.
    Blessing hugs,
    Teresa

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  7. Your words spoke to me yesterday and are a great reminder again today. Kudos to you for using social media to honor God!! When a lot of others use it for evil. I have met so many awesome women on here. When you ask for prayer the warriors are right there for ya!! Love ya pretty Jaime. XOXO Fran.

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  8. Very inspiring, Jaime. I have followed your blog off and on, but after reading this post and went back to read more. I discovered (from you mentioning what stores you do and do not have...lol, then checking out the article in BH&G) that you live near me (I, in Henrietta). Where do you go to church?

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  9. I've been feeling the exact same thing lately, but you've done a great job of putting it into words. Thanks for clearing up my thoughts.

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  10. Your words express the yearnings I've been having in my heart and soul too. Love your blog.

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  11. I needed that encouragement!! Have a great week!!

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  12. For sure! Definitely need the reminder that I am supposed to look different. Not in a 'holier-than-thou' way, but in such a way that others see something in me that is different and that it would point them to God. I love the quote by Madeleine L'Engle that says that we draw people to Christ by shining a light so lovely they want to know the source of it. It is also a good reminder that to shine for Christ, we must be filled with Him. Every day. Love how you speak your heart and the truth.

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  13. we ALL need to say it -- YES and AMEN

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  14. Love this post, friend! That Lent devotional is really ripping my heart out in the best way this season!

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