nitrobrewpls

[nitrobrewpls]

Walking past the little yellow corner store reminds me of all my unfinished stories and all the lives I cannot live. Who decided to paint the corner store yellow amidst a world full of endless colour? How did someone commit to yellow? We live in a world full of endless possibilities, how unfair that we can only ever experience it once. 

The little yellow corner store reminds me that my life is not a choose your own adventure novel that can be re-read and enjoyed over and over again a million different times, more importantly a million different ways. 

What collection of stories led to the little yellow corner store? When will my experiences meet together to form a concise story? And will my story even inspire someone, just like the yellow corner store inspires me?

MG 04/04/2021

#poetry

[nitrobrewpls]

What sorrow awaits those who argue with their Creator. Does a clay pot argue with it's maker? Does the clay dispute with the one who shapes, it saying, 'Stop, you're doing it wrong!' Does the pot exclaim, 'How clumsy can you be?' How terrible it would be if a newborn baby said to its father, 'Why was I born?' or if it said to its mother, 'Why did you make me this way?'

Isaiah 45: 9 & 10 NLT 

Today is Good Friday, and I’m spending today focusing on the intentional and consistent love of my God. A love so strong that He allowed His son to die for my transgressions. This passage helps me to keep myself in check when I begin to question the will of God. My God is the ultimate Creator, and His plan is never failing. 

#bibleScripture #Bibledaily #biblejournaling #happy easter #goodfriday #lifestyle #lifestyle blog #Christian

[nitrobrewpls]

Loneliness will creep in...

Today was the first day I felt lonely and very sad since I stopped working and began the process of self-isolating. All I want to share is the advice my good friend Oge gave to me today:

“I hope you feel better soon, we're sending you all the love and light. But in the main time, pretend you are having a worship session or a dance party with your favorite people listening to your favorite songs, and if that doesn’t work doodle and play your best songs in the background, if that doesn’t work then let us know if a group call will help you feel better”

It is in moments like this, when community surrounds me, that I feel a flavour of Gods love shown through man. My prayer is that everyone can experience the gift of a supportive community, especially during COVID-19.

[nitrobrewpls]

The Value in Christian and Non-Christian Community during COVID-19.

My devotional has me summarize and share the passage I am studying each week, and today the concept of sharing- especially with those who have not accepted Jesus into their life- really made me think. Am I leaning too far into Christian community and neglecting those who need Jesus the most?

Christian community is important and valuable, however if I am secure in my identity in Christ, I should initiate fewer conversations with other Christians and more with those in desperate need of the gospel. Simple acts such as sharing life choices made on the foundations of faith with those who wouldn’t naturally turn to Jesus in seasons of stress and fear can change lives. 

Months ago I was talking to a friend of mine who was really struggling with the concept of Christain community and she said “I will have eternity with my Christain friends, but I only have the time here on earth for those who don’t know the gospel”. Especially during a pandemic, life is as precious as ever, so value your non-Christian friends and be a light in their dark world. 

“For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light — for the fruit of the light consists of all goodness, righteousness, and truth — testing what is pleasing to the Lord.” Ephesians 5:8-10

Through Jesus, I was made a child of the light and it is my obligation to expose darkness. Through the power of the Holy Spirit I will expose the darkness seeping into the lives of our non-christian friends, co-workers and neighbours.  . 

[nitrobrewpls]

He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain. Like one from whom people hide their faces he was despised, and we held him in low esteem.

Isaiah 53:3

A beautiful prophecy from Isaiah about the coming of Christ. Prophecy is one of my favourite ways to understand the character of Jesus, because it is so straight forwards in explaining who the messiah is. Prophecy to me is like how you would describe a friend you know to a person who has never met them: simplistic, respectful, and honest.

#biblescripture #biblejournaling #bible #bibledaily #christian #jesuslovesyou #prophecy #lifestyle #lifestyle blog #daily blog

[nitrobrewpls]

devos and discord// The communications platform discord has been the glue keeping my church family together. I was blessed with the opportunity to memorize Ephesians 5:8-10 with them today.

#aestehtic #bible #biblejournaling #christian #devotions #lifestyle

[nitrobrewpls]

Avoiding escapism during COVID -19

“Don’t use Netflix to escape from the reality of COVID.” My pastor encourages my church body to delete Netflix all the time, but not watching tv during COVID-19 is practically unthinkable! However, I’ve taken up the no-Netflix challenge during COVID-19 and I’d encourage everyone else to do the same. I’ve always wanted to have more time; now I have it, and I do not want this time to slip through my fingers.

I’ve given myself eight basic things to do every day that help with avoiding escapism during this season: 

1) Daily devotional 

2) Exercise

3) Text someone in my church family

4) Blog

5) Get fresh air

6) Read 

7) Facetime a person you love 

8) Create something

Some of these tasks can intertwine such as exercise and getting fresh air, but these eight things help me stay grounded in God and community opposed to escapist distractions such as Netflix, social media or just negative thought spirals. 

Ignoring COVID-19 is easy, but as Christians, we are not called to an easy life. In Mark 8:34-38, Jesus reminds us of the truth we are called to. “And calling the crowd to him with his disciples, he said to them ‘If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel’s will save it. For what can a man give in return for his soul? For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of Man also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.’” I am called to deny myself, pick up my cross, and follow Jesus. My prayer is that COVID-19 is a refining fire that allows me to do these things better. 

#covid_19 #self care #netflix #christain #biblescripture #bibledaily #lifestyle

[nitrobrewpls]

Ephesians 5: 6-14

Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not become partners with them; for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. walk as children of the light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret. But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says,  “Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.”

This passage is overwhelming and convicting, and therefore it is fulfilling its purpose. The Bible isn’t a feel good read, it’s a book that convicts unhealthy behaviours and brings them to light — just as Paul is calling the Ephesians to do in this passage. 

Ephesians 5:6-14 tells me I was a sinner who lived and took pleasure in darkness, however, my God is the God of light and when I followed him I became a child of light. Therefore, when I find darkness seeping into my life, it is my duty to bring that darkness into the light. 

#christian #lifestyle blog #biblescripture #biblejournaling #bible #daily devotion

[nitrobrewpls]

Make me know your ways oh Lord, teach me Your paths. Lead me in your truth and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation; for You I will wait all the day long.

Psalm 25:4-5

[nitrobrewpls]

~thoughts on COVID-19 and self-care~

This month has been one hell of a ride, and I just can’t help to see this as a season for self-improvement. It’s taken me some time to get here, but self-isolation is a gift, if we choose to see it this way. I’ve been starting habits that I should have began years ago, however, now I have all day to do the things I should do every day! So I started a little tumblr blog to track my progress and keep accountable for simple things such as working out, reading my bible, and keeping connected with the people I love. So here goes nothing! Day 1 of blogging my journey to self-care in a time of self-isolation begins. 

#self care #christian #covid_19 #lifestyle