Friday, December 23, 2011
joyful noise
"Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth, burst into jubilant song with music." Psalm 98:4
This little girl is so awesome to me! She really is just shouting for joy-or just shouting...but hey, I would have fun doing that! If you start the clip at :40 you will be able to get a good idea of her awesomeness. This made me literally laugh out loud. Things I love about the video and things to take note:
1. The embarrassing looks of the kids all around her.
2. The child in the manger is a real baby, and sleeps through the entire thing.
3. It was filmed 15 years ago.
4. The "girl" in the blue playing Mary, is actually a little boy!!
5. She didn't sing like that in the rehearsal so her mom told her to "sing louder."
**I got all of these facts from the youtube page. So awesome!!
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Colorado
I got a camera and it is so awesome! I also got to visit one of my best friends in Colorado, Jordan Newberry- who just moved there. It was such an awesome trip so I tried to capture it in pictures- Here are my favorites:
"For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made." Romans 1:20
"For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made." Romans 1:20
Through God's creation, we can see His glory, beauty and splendor. I love it. While in Colorado, I got to go skiing, ice skating on a frozen lake, and hiking up the beautiful mountains! It was amazing. God is so evident in all of creation!
I'm still learning how to use my camera - I love this photo below but I have to learn how to get rid of the sunspots! Hopefully I will learn how and then post some more photos!
Thanks for looking at my photos!Brittni
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
my mind in this moment
Most of these days my mind has been on...a camera. photography. What is it about a photograph that can capture our eyes, our minds, our hearts, and our imagination? There is so much in a photograph that can bring a laugh, a smile, tears and a story.
Stories. They are so unique and important. We, as human beings, are so incredibly drawn to stories. That's why we go to movies. That's why when we aren't going to the movies we are reading books. That's why 9 times out of 10 in our conversations we are telling a story: of the past, the present, or dreams of the future. The coolest part about stories I think is that God knew this very thing. That's why the Bible is the coolest story that could have ever been written, a story of redemptive history starting with the creation of Adam and Eve. That's why God revealed His word in a book for all to read. That's why Jesus himself taught in parables (stories). That's why the gospel is centered around the greatest story that was ever to be written: that God sent His Son to come and die on the cross for our sins so that He could defeat and conquer death and allow us to be covered in His righteousness, that we may be seen as holy before God.
There are so many stories. There are stories in my life that I want to remember forever: stories of redemption, stories of the lives of the people that I run into by God's grace, stories of how God is daily sanctifying me and changing my life dramatically every day. And my mind keeps going back to a photograph. Photograph's can capture a moment in time; a moment to remember, the moments in my life I don't want to forget.
This week on my week off I am really excited about a project I have thought of. I am going to develop the pictures of the girls who are on my lacrosse team and put them in a photo album. I am excited because I am going to write about them...not just facts, but the dreams I have for their lives and where I hope and pray God will lead them in the future.
And with photography, my mind goes back to a camera. I am considering buying one. And I don't mean a digital camera. But a good, nice, expensive (yikes) camera. One that I can have forever to capture the moments of happiness, joy, suffering and surprise of life. That can travel with me and my lacrosse team right now and hopefully to a mission field one day to capture the lives of others to share with the world. I am praying to see if it is a good investment of my money, so this may end up being one of my big dreams but who knows...maybe I could become quite the photographer.
Some photos that have captured my heart:
Taken by: Natalie Parkman
Stories. They are so unique and important. We, as human beings, are so incredibly drawn to stories. That's why we go to movies. That's why when we aren't going to the movies we are reading books. That's why 9 times out of 10 in our conversations we are telling a story: of the past, the present, or dreams of the future. The coolest part about stories I think is that God knew this very thing. That's why the Bible is the coolest story that could have ever been written, a story of redemptive history starting with the creation of Adam and Eve. That's why God revealed His word in a book for all to read. That's why Jesus himself taught in parables (stories). That's why the gospel is centered around the greatest story that was ever to be written: that God sent His Son to come and die on the cross for our sins so that He could defeat and conquer death and allow us to be covered in His righteousness, that we may be seen as holy before God.
There are so many stories. There are stories in my life that I want to remember forever: stories of redemption, stories of the lives of the people that I run into by God's grace, stories of how God is daily sanctifying me and changing my life dramatically every day. And my mind keeps going back to a photograph. Photograph's can capture a moment in time; a moment to remember, the moments in my life I don't want to forget.
This week on my week off I am really excited about a project I have thought of. I am going to develop the pictures of the girls who are on my lacrosse team and put them in a photo album. I am excited because I am going to write about them...not just facts, but the dreams I have for their lives and where I hope and pray God will lead them in the future.
And with photography, my mind goes back to a camera. I am considering buying one. And I don't mean a digital camera. But a good, nice, expensive (yikes) camera. One that I can have forever to capture the moments of happiness, joy, suffering and surprise of life. That can travel with me and my lacrosse team right now and hopefully to a mission field one day to capture the lives of others to share with the world. I am praying to see if it is a good investment of my money, so this may end up being one of my big dreams but who knows...maybe I could become quite the photographer.
Some photos that have captured my heart:
Taken by: Natalie Parkman
Taken from a blog by: Alicia Keel
Taken by: Natalie Parkman
Found online.
Found online.
Found online.
(I love this picture and I will eventually blog about it. It has so much significance and purpose-I'm excited to share about it!)
Thursday, November 17, 2011
the most effective thing...
What is the most effective thing we can do in the world? I think Im starting to understand what it is. Let me tell you a story:
One day I was driving home from school and going to stop at Walmart to buy some food to take home and eat. As I was driving, on the corner of the street I saw a man standing on the side of the road with a sign that said: Single dad, two kids. So I stopped and asked him if I could get him food. I went to walmart and bought as much as I could to help this man and his family through Thanksgiving. Some people might say I am naive, that I am unwise, that that man only wants money, but my heart breaks for the homeless and the poor and I felt the Lord calling me to help him out in any way I could (who knew that that man would eventually be the one to help me). I got the food I bought and brought it to him. Before I could say anything, the first thing he said was: "Ma'am, do you know Jesus?" My heart filled with joy and I said yes sir, I do. And the next thing he said was: "I truly appreciate this, but what I really need are your prayers." I was in in awe. This man truly trusted Jesus. He trusted that the Lord would provide for his family and that by asking God for help, God would be there. We talked a little longer, and my heart continued to grow for him, but when I walked away I could not stop thinking about his first two sentences.
I thought about my heart. When I saw this man on the side of the road, I didn't even think to pray for him. When I got the milk and the bread and the fruit...I didn't even think to pray for him. How could I think that small measly me could fix all of his problems by getting a load of food for him and his family. I can't. But God can. God can provide food, God can provide Ken a job, God can provide for his 6 yr old daughter Kayla and 4 yr old son Ben. Why didn't I turn to the Lord?
"Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective." James 5:16
Prayer is EFFECTIVE. Period. It is effective. It works. It moves. It is the most effective thing we can do. Rely on, trust in, depend on, and ask a HUGE God who can do anything and who has created all of who we are and who we will be. Prayer is POWERFUL. Period. It is powerful. It is mighty. It is strong. It is bigger than us. So what is the most effective and powerful thing we can do for our friends, family, the needy, the broken, the hungry? PRAY. I'm not saying that I am never going to give food to the needy again, but I will lift them in prayer as I do whatever I can to help them. I think prayer will lead us to action. Because we can do way more with the help of God than we ever could on our own.
One day I was driving home from school and going to stop at Walmart to buy some food to take home and eat. As I was driving, on the corner of the street I saw a man standing on the side of the road with a sign that said: Single dad, two kids. So I stopped and asked him if I could get him food. I went to walmart and bought as much as I could to help this man and his family through Thanksgiving. Some people might say I am naive, that I am unwise, that that man only wants money, but my heart breaks for the homeless and the poor and I felt the Lord calling me to help him out in any way I could (who knew that that man would eventually be the one to help me). I got the food I bought and brought it to him. Before I could say anything, the first thing he said was: "Ma'am, do you know Jesus?" My heart filled with joy and I said yes sir, I do. And the next thing he said was: "I truly appreciate this, but what I really need are your prayers." I was in in awe. This man truly trusted Jesus. He trusted that the Lord would provide for his family and that by asking God for help, God would be there. We talked a little longer, and my heart continued to grow for him, but when I walked away I could not stop thinking about his first two sentences.
I thought about my heart. When I saw this man on the side of the road, I didn't even think to pray for him. When I got the milk and the bread and the fruit...I didn't even think to pray for him. How could I think that small measly me could fix all of his problems by getting a load of food for him and his family. I can't. But God can. God can provide food, God can provide Ken a job, God can provide for his 6 yr old daughter Kayla and 4 yr old son Ben. Why didn't I turn to the Lord?
"Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective." James 5:16
Prayer is EFFECTIVE. Period. It is effective. It works. It moves. It is the most effective thing we can do. Rely on, trust in, depend on, and ask a HUGE God who can do anything and who has created all of who we are and who we will be. Prayer is POWERFUL. Period. It is powerful. It is mighty. It is strong. It is bigger than us. So what is the most effective and powerful thing we can do for our friends, family, the needy, the broken, the hungry? PRAY. I'm not saying that I am never going to give food to the needy again, but I will lift them in prayer as I do whatever I can to help them. I think prayer will lead us to action. Because we can do way more with the help of God than we ever could on our own.
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
my messy car
I have been convicted lately over the craziest things and one thing in particular is...my messy car. All of my friends know, I am not a neat freak. In fact I would describe my life as "organized clutter." In the midst of my mess in my car, office, room I know exactly where everything is and if anyone would come in to move things or clean up in the slightest way my "organized clutter" would no longer be organized.
Now in life we are called to be good stewards. In the words of my favorite rapper Lecrae, "If you making money hope you doing it right because the money is Gods you better steward it right." We always think of money when we think about stewardship but I am starting to think about other things. Do I steward my money well, my time well, and my car....No I dont and here's how.
I have a job in which I am always around people. I love hanging out with my friends in Rome, and my co-workers but especially my team. I love the girls I coach and we are frequently going out to meals together and if anyone wants to ride with me...they can't. It's too full...with junk. Recently a girl broke her thumb during practice and I had to rush her to the ER. I had to stop carrying her for second and run to my car and push everything from the front the the back. It took 1 minute that we could have used getting her to the hospital. Next, the team left the ball bag (very heavy for one person) at the gym and one girl who stayed behind had to carry it to the field. And..she didn't have a car. I stopped to give her a ride but there was no where for her to sit. Wow.
My car is from the Lord because "to him and through him and from him are all things" (Rom 11:36). I am called to be a good steward of all things. My car is a vehicle for helping girls who dont have cars, being able to handle emergencies efficiently, and just hanging out with friends to share fun experiences. I am going to clean my car and keep it clean. So I challenge you, what are the things that you are overlooking that you could steward well for the Lord? Mine is my car (and alot of other things) but I will focus on one small thing at a time!
Now in life we are called to be good stewards. In the words of my favorite rapper Lecrae, "If you making money hope you doing it right because the money is Gods you better steward it right." We always think of money when we think about stewardship but I am starting to think about other things. Do I steward my money well, my time well, and my car....No I dont and here's how.
I have a job in which I am always around people. I love hanging out with my friends in Rome, and my co-workers but especially my team. I love the girls I coach and we are frequently going out to meals together and if anyone wants to ride with me...they can't. It's too full...with junk. Recently a girl broke her thumb during practice and I had to rush her to the ER. I had to stop carrying her for second and run to my car and push everything from the front the the back. It took 1 minute that we could have used getting her to the hospital. Next, the team left the ball bag (very heavy for one person) at the gym and one girl who stayed behind had to carry it to the field. And..she didn't have a car. I stopped to give her a ride but there was no where for her to sit. Wow.
My car is from the Lord because "to him and through him and from him are all things" (Rom 11:36). I am called to be a good steward of all things. My car is a vehicle for helping girls who dont have cars, being able to handle emergencies efficiently, and just hanging out with friends to share fun experiences. I am going to clean my car and keep it clean. So I challenge you, what are the things that you are overlooking that you could steward well for the Lord? Mine is my car (and alot of other things) but I will focus on one small thing at a time!
Friday, October 7, 2011
when i have wrinkles
Im not married, and not even dating someone but if God brings me a husband I really hope that we are like this couple. Haha I would love to have some kind of choreographed fun routine to be able to do even in our 90s! This video is so amazing! There is joy and fun in the years to come, wrinkles and all! Please watch:
Friday, September 23, 2011
my sister
Today is September 23, my sister's birthday so I decided to dedicate this blogpost to our last 21 years together. These things I remember the most from the years we lived together.
She was my very first sister.
She was my very first friend.
She was the first person to physically abuse me(haha).
She was the first person to run me into a column in our house busting my lip and giving me a black eye (example of the physical abuse haha).
She was the first person I pushed off the slide and accidently broke her collarbone (oops!).
She was the first person I hugged and cried to after we almost got into a car accident together.
She's my sister.
Every year for about 8 years in a row from age 4-11 we sang this song at every single church talent show...EVERY YEAR.
We dressed alike almost everyday from ages 3-12 (embarassing) but we dealt with it. And to this day I am still the cute one and she's just my sister.
Lauren and I grew so close since we went to college. Through high school we argued all the time and never got along. We still have tifts but she and I have both grown phenomenally in learning to read each other and understand each other in a way only sisters can. I love her so much! She means the world to me! God has grown or relationship so much and I am so thankful!
Here are some flashbacks from our past:
This is Lauren holding our little sister Anna Kate.
This is Lauren and I have no idea what she is doing...I think she stole the noodle from me!
This is Lauren and I modeling our boogey boards-alittle blurry but this pic is priceless!
I am Jasmine and she is a Cat!! (WHISKERS)
I think this is the first day of school one year. I feel like I can say with confidence that we have both grown in our fashion sense! Thank goodness!!
Lauren and I in high school!
And all of us now!! Happy Birthday Lauren!! Love ya!
She was my very first sister.
She was my very first friend.
She was the first person to physically abuse me(haha).
She was the first person to run me into a column in our house busting my lip and giving me a black eye (example of the physical abuse haha).
She was the first person I pushed off the slide and accidently broke her collarbone (oops!).
She was the first person I hugged and cried to after we almost got into a car accident together.
She's my sister.
Every year for about 8 years in a row from age 4-11 we sang this song at every single church talent show...EVERY YEAR.
We dressed alike almost everyday from ages 3-12 (embarassing) but we dealt with it. And to this day I am still the cute one and she's just my sister.
Lauren and I grew so close since we went to college. Through high school we argued all the time and never got along. We still have tifts but she and I have both grown phenomenally in learning to read each other and understand each other in a way only sisters can. I love her so much! She means the world to me! God has grown or relationship so much and I am so thankful!
Here are some flashbacks from our past:
This is Lauren holding our little sister Anna Kate.
This is Lauren and I have no idea what she is doing...I think she stole the noodle from me!
This is Lauren and I modeling our boogey boards-alittle blurry but this pic is priceless!
I am Jasmine and she is a Cat!! (WHISKERS)
I think this is the first day of school one year. I feel like I can say with confidence that we have both grown in our fashion sense! Thank goodness!!
Lauren and I in high school!
And all of us now!! Happy Birthday Lauren!! Love ya!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)