tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1180229498802363021.post3786996111743252218..comments2023-06-28T02:49:09.341-07:00Comments on hallie jo photography: april thoughts in bullet pointsHallie Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06260566713529838458noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1180229498802363021.post-36401646164701561602016-04-26T13:59:32.017-07:002016-04-26T13:59:32.017-07:00<3 <3 <3 Thanks fwiend. I sometimes feel ...<3 <3 <3 Thanks fwiend. I sometimes feel like I'm rambling but I do think honesty with our deepest thoughts and emotions is one of the most powerful things we can give to others. :) Hallie Johttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06260566713529838458noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1180229498802363021.post-32316401780141760432016-04-26T13:57:42.134-07:002016-04-26T13:57:42.134-07:00Thank you for taking the time to share your though...Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts, Dani! I always appreciate and enjoy your comments on my blog posts (even though I'm afraid I usually do a terrible job of replying). Your words are spot on and it's funny that you mentioned how we always want to evaluate ourselves based on what we do, because that's the very thing that started me thinking about this in the first place! It seems to run deep even in the secular culture around us to identify with our actions and our career. What I love is that in Middle Eastern culture, where the Word of God was first written and distributed, identity is based far more on who you are related to - and if I think about it that way and realize that I am a child of God, the things I do become almost irrelevant compared to my identity in Christ!<br /><br />Thanks again for commenting! <br /><br /><3<br /><br />PS - I LOVE that your church uses the Psalms for worship! The Psalms have such a great balance between (like you said) the mountain tops and the valleys. That must be such a powerful time to spend with the Lord and His people!Hallie Johttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06260566713529838458noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1180229498802363021.post-55007671799397180152016-04-26T13:43:05.127-07:002016-04-26T13:43:05.127-07:00Hallie,
As Christians I think we too often wrap ...Hallie, <br /><br />As Christians I think we too often wrap up our identity in what we do. And so when we continue to sin, we immediately identify ourselves with that sin instead of realizing that the only way to pursue sanctification and rid ourselves of the old man once and for all is to cling to Christ, cling to our identity in Christ, because it is only when we remember who we are that we will indeed become more like Christ.<br /><br />Sanctification is not an easy process. Over the last few months I have discovered that a lot of my sins are rooted in pride. It hurts to have your pride deconstructed over and over again but ultimately I want to be thankful that I have a God who is willing to not let me be happy in my pride.<br /><br />I grew up (and still am) in a church that sings Psalms exclusively in worship. And I've come to love the Psalms and love singing them as they not only are the beating heart of our Savior but also because for every place in life I have found myself, God has given me a song to sing and not just any song, but a song that he himself has written. For every trial and emotion, whether I find myself in grief or in joy, repentance or in praise, God has given us a Psalm.<br /><br />I think sometimes in worship we try too much to keep that "mountain top experience" and we forget the beautiful arc that God reveals in His word. Our God is not simply a God who can be found on the mountain top, He is a God who follows us through every experience, emotion, and trial in life...<br /><br />Dani xoxo<br /><a href="http://www.avaporinthewind.com" rel="nofollow">a vapor in the wind</a>Danielle Carlsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05501447317033088220noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1180229498802363021.post-65449637378598281332016-04-26T13:24:29.173-07:002016-04-26T13:24:29.173-07:00I just love these posts of yours because they are ...I just love these posts of yours because they are so thoughtful...and I know you were talking about "old souls" but I think everyone comes from a place that needs understanding. The "old souls" of us are the ones who help others, who have difficulty expressing themselves, to understand their own thoughts and feelings. I appreciate that you're willing to share what God has been teaching you, that every post comes from a place of contemplation; because you are willing to share your true feelings, even if it's "only" from a blog, you will touch someone's heart.<br /><br />Sorry if this sounds cheesy or silly, but that's what you made me think of. :)<br /><br />Love,<br />Hannah<br /><br /><a href="http://www.hannahbarta.blogspot.com" rel="nofollow">Dance A Real</a>Hannah Bartahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16113296657540921039noreply@blogger.com