Tuesday's Top Ten PLUS Ten: Favorite Bible Stories

"Theeeee B-I-B-L-E yes that's the book for me. I stand alone on the Word of God, the B-I-B-L-E!" Okay okay, I couldn't help myself! It's been stuck in my noggin since Sunday. But while that reigns true, it seems fitting to use it for opening this week's topic; favorite Bible stories! (disclaimer: by "stories" I do NOT mean fiction. I believe that every one of these events did happen) And check out BecKyle's list too!

1. The Gospel

"For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day, in accordance with the Scriptures." 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 Nothing else could be more powerful. This remains my very favorite event in the Bible, and history for that matter :)

2. The Birth of Isaac and events leading up to, is a beloved passage of mine. Why? Well when the Lord visited them (Abraham and Sarah) and made His promise that they would have a son-Sarah laughed. She was far past the age of conceiving children, and not only that but she was barren in the first place. God had closed her womb, but now promised to open it. And she laughed in disbelief. He responds with "The Lord said to Abraham, 'Why did Sarah laugh and say, 'Shall I indeed bear a child, now that I am old?', Is anything too hard for the Lord? At the appointed time I will return to you about this time next year and Sarah shall have a son." Genesis 18:14 Aaaaand, that son that she had-Isaac-his name means "laughter". :) 

3.I am the Good Shepherd

Out of all of the "I Am"s of Jesus, this is my favorite. Found in John 10:1-30, Jesus describes amazing attributes of His such as; sacrificing love, salvation, election, and sovereignty. To name a few. And another cool little tid-bit...Psalm 23:1-4 "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff they comfort me." This is a commonly used passage, but what I recently learned is about the end-that is usually left out. "Your rod and your staff they comfort me"..the staff was used as a means for bringing the sheep back (a.k.a. the elect) and the rod was used as a means of protecting and disciplining the sheep. How cool!! Jesus further verifies the fact that He is indeed God, and reminds us of his amazing sovereignty!

4.Solomon Asks for Wisdom

In 2 Chronicles 1:1-13 God appears to Solomon, newly made king, and says "Ask what I shall give you." Out of all he could have requested, such as riches or wives or anything..Solomon says this 2 Chronicles 1:9-10 "O Lord God, let your word to David my father be now fulfilled, for you have made me king over a people as numerous as the dust of the earth. Give me now wisdom and knowledge to go out and come in before this people, for who can govern this people of yours, which is so great?" And God basically responds with something like this "since you asked for wisdom instead of money or honor, I will give you both!" (very rough paraphrase :) )

5. Daniel's Prayer

Context is, basically King Nebuchadnezzar says "I'm not going to tell you what my dream was, I need you to read my mind, discover the dream, and tell me what it means...or you will all die." Daniel 2:1-13. The king had inquired of all the magicians, enchanters, sorcerers, and the Chaldeans. Daniel however had been given understanding in all visions and dreams from God. He went and made an appointment with the king, and then went home and met with his friends (Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah...commonly known as Shadrach Mescach and Abednego) and prayed that God would reveal it to him before he met with the king the next day. Sure enough, God did, and the part that is my favorite is his thankful prayer of exaltation afterwards. Daniel 2:20-23 "Daniel answered and said: Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, to whom belong wisdom and might. He changes the times and seasons; He removes kings and sets up kings; He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding; He reveals deep and hidden things; He knows what is in the darkness, and the light dwells with Him. To you, O God of my fathers, I give thanks and praise, for you have given me wisdom and might, and have now made known to me what we asked of you, for you have made known to us the king's matter."

6. Saul's Conversion into Paul

Long story short, found in Acts 9 a Christian killer had the eyes of his heart opened, and got a talk from God. His life was completely turned around, and his name was even changed to Paul. That guy wrote a large portion of the new testament. How. cool. When I think about the fact that God turned his life around, even though he was, well who he was...it just forces me to consider how much He forgave me of as well! How gracious. 

7. Job

An easy way to sum up the book of Job in one sentence would be..Job 37:14b "stop and consider the wondrous works of God". And it forces you to do just that. Basically, Job was in deep deep mourning. He had lost almost everything, and had three friends who were trying, and miserably failing to comfort him. They wanted to blame what had happened on some sort of fault of Job's, believing that there must be something he had done to deserve this. Then along comes Elihu who shows them reason and truth. He spoke the above quote. And at the end, God answers Job out of a whirlwind (how stinking cool) and asserts authority and justice. It's pretty cool, but above that, humbling. The book just screams, "Praise God!".

8. Joseph

Story found in Genesis 37-50, this guy went through a lot. From being sold into slavery by his brothers, to becoming governor over all the land. Of course he was not perfect, but I admire some qualities of his, like his; patience, humility, self control, and forgiveness. 

9.Hannah's Prayer

Hannah, also known as Samuel's Momma, was another woman who was barren. She asked the Lord for a son, and promised that if she was given one, she would devote his life back to the Lord. He grants it to her and she exults God for it in 1 Samuel 2:1-10. Her prayer is full of attributes and actions of God, and is definitely one to meditate on. 

10. Christ's birth

I will never get sick of the story of how the Word of God came down to a sinful world, in such a lowly and humble way, to die on a cross for sin that he never committed. His birth is definitely not the start of it all- that work started before the foundation of the world, but it is significant and beautiful. You can find that in many places, such as; Matthew 1, Luke 2, and John 1.

Thanks for reading! Hop on over to BecKyle's list now to see what hers are! :)

Melany's Musical Mondays: Wishful Thinking

Lord is it possible to get this far

And just now understand who You are?

Feeling foolish yet relieved as well

'Cause what I bought before, I just can't sell

But now my eyes are open wide

If this is wrong

I don't wanna be right

Could it be that on my worst day

How you love me still will not change

What if it's really not about

What I do but what you did, oh what if

This ain't wishful thinking it's just how it is

This ain't wishful thinking it's just how it is

Well, I guess I'm better late than not at all

Or did you plan it this way all along

'Cause without suffering grace is hard to see

So maybe I'm right where I'm supposed to be

And now, I'm thinking you so differently

And all I can say is finally

Could it be that on my worst day

How you love me simply will not change

What if it's really not about

What I do but what you did, oh what if

This ain't wishful thinking it's just how it is

This ain't wishful thinking it's just how it is

-"Wishful Thinking" by MercyMe

"MercyMe" always has been and always will be a favorite of mine. This band has decades of good music and as far as I can tell, sound theology. This song is one of my very favorites, and is fairly new.

I can relate to this song in a few ways. The very beginning reads "Lord is it possible to get this far, and just now understand who you are?" and another says "Well I guess I'm better late than not at all, or did you plan it this way all along? Cause without suffering grace is hard to see, so maybe I'm right where I'm supposed to be". I grew up (or spent some of my growing up) thinking that I had to be good enough, or that I had to impress God. If you've never felt that way, let me tell you-it.is.exhausting. And not only is it untrue, but quite frankly it is self-centered.

We certainly are not "good enough to impress God at all, nor are we so important that it is about what we do. Rather, it is about what Jesus did. As usual, my favorite parts of the song are emphasized, because I feel like they are pointing to; Jesus, sovereignty, and grace. The fact of the matter is that no human can sufficiently earn his salvation, or attain it. And thankfully...we don't have to! We are completely and utterly depraved (Romans 3:9-18 or Romans 3:23) and God saves, not you."No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day." John 6:44 Aaaaaaaand not only that, but once He has (by His incredible grace and mercy) saved you-it's not going anywhere! No matter how bad of a day you have, how much you sin, or even how mad you get at Him. What's done is done. "My sheep hear my voice and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of my Father's hand. I and the Father are one." John 10:27-30. As stated above, Jesus and the Father (being one) have both got you in their hands. He has got a double-fisted grip on you and He won't let go. I learned to stop spinning my wheels and to just rest in that. Believe me, it's much better :) Thank God for the comfort and rest that comes from sovereignty! 

Tuesday's Top Ten PLUS Ten: What I Believe About the Bible

Happy Tuesday :) This week has been one of the most challenging for me, simply because I don't want to leave anything out that I feel is important. It's one of those situations where you feel like you are going to give your answer, but later on think of 5 better ones. As far as I can tell though, my top ten list is solid. So here are the top ten things I believe about the Bible...and remember to hop on over to BecKyle's list as well!

1. I believe that the Bible is 100% true. In other words, it is infallible. Psalm 19:7 "The law of the Lord is perfect". 

2. I believe that the Bible is timeless. The truth in it will never become void, or out-of-date. It will and always will be definite truth, no matter how long ago it was written.

3. I believe that the Bible is sufficient. 2 Timothy 3:16 "All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work."

4. I believe that the Bible is inerrant, meaning without error. It should never be taken from or added to. Proverbs 30:5-6 "Every word of God proves true; He is a shield to those who take refuge in him, Do not add to His words, lest he rebuke you and you be found a liar."

5. I believe that the Bible is fixed, certain, and will not change. Every promise in the Bible has either been fulfilled, or is waiting to be. God always keeps His word and it will not ever change. Being perfect, He doesn't even have the ability to go back on His own word.

6. I believe that the Bible points back (or forwards I guess:) ) to Jesus. Jesus was the final and ultimate word of God, the most important part. John 1:1-5 "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him was not anything made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it."  That's Jesus it is talking about! If you jump down to later in the chapter it also says.. John 1:14-15 "And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen His glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth." Isn't that so cool!! Jesus was the final Word of God!

7. I believe that the Bible points to sovereignty at every turn. Ah. Wonderful and beautiful sovereignty. Whether it is obvious like this...Isaiah 45:7 "I form light and create darkness, I make well-being and create calamity, I am the Lord, who does all these things" or less apparent- I see sovereignty throughout it all.

8. I believe that the Bible is food. No no no, not literal food of course, but more important than that. It is a necessity.Something to be desired, and hungered for. Deuteronomy 8:3 "And he humbled you and let you hunger and fed you with manna, which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, that he might make you know that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord" 

9. I believe that the Bible is active, and no not because of Hebrews 4:12 "For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart" (as I learned very recently) because that passage is another time that the Bible says "the word of God" and means Jesus!!! Yay Jesus! But anyways, I believe that the Bible is active because of 1 Thessalonians 1:5 "because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power" This book isn't just words!! It is effective and active.

10 I believe the Bible is beautiful. I do not mean "oh wow that was nice and made me feel really good" because if you think that about the whole Bible, you're not getting it. It irritates me when I hear the Bible called "the greatest love letter ever written" because it wasn't written to us for 1, but for 2 because it's not what you expect as a love letter. Not mushy gushy wishy washy feelings, but truth. And that truth can hurt. Just like the verse quoted above (2 Timothy 3:16) the Bible is used for things like reproof and correction as well. Now don't get me wrong, God loves more than we can even wrap our minds around, and everything (even the conviction and the correction and all of that) is done out of love to discipline and sanctify us..I just don't like the way it's setting your expectations when you think the Bible is all rainbows and daisies. And yes, it is beautiful. Very beautiful! The sanctification process is definitely not always fun-but it is always purposeful and it is for His glory and our good. I call that beautiful.

Thanks for reading! Before you go, don't forget to hop on over and read Becky's list. :)

Melany's Musical Mondays: To Love You Back

From the first sunrise you knew my name.

You knew I'd fail you over and over.

But you still loved me all the same,

you still loved me anyway.

(Pre Chorus)

The way you don't give up on me,

you've really got a hold on me.

You give me more than I deserve.

You've become my everything,

the only reason that I sing.

The beauty is you chose me first.

(Chorus)

And I still can't believe

 that you've loved me for eternity.

And what's so marvelous to me,

is that I finally get 

I finally get,

I get to love you (to love you back) 

I get to love you.

I get to love you, yeah I finally get, 

I finally get

I get to know you more and more

and make every single day about you.

I want to live like I can't afford,

to spend another second without you.

(Pre Chorus&Chorus)

To go back to the start, 

back when my heart first met you.

I heard you were good, 

but this is more than I expected.

So I answer the call, I will give you my all

and lay it at your feet.

I can't praise you enough, 

but I promise to give you my love.

(Chorusx2)

"To Love You Back" by Jamie Grace

May I just start with saying that the first time I heard this song I had goosebumps? And still get them...Have a listen and you will probably understand why.

The more and more I listen to Jamie Grace, the bigger of a fan I become. This girl loves Jesus and has a beautiful voice...aaaaand has good theology. In bold are my favorite lines and lyrics that scream Calvinism. From one Bible lover to another...thank you for the wonderful song. 

The very first lines speak of predestination and grace. Ah. But don't take my word for it..here's some Bible to back it up. "For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers." Romans 8:29 Aaaaand "For he says to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion. So then it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy." Romans 9:15-16 

He chose us before the foundation of the world. We can't do anything to earn it, but it will never go away. "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand." John 10:27-30

I just love what it says. And it's so true! Once your eyes are opened and you are granted salvation, you finally get to love Him back! No longer are you in your depraved state, but now being sanctified you get to enjoy Jesus! Heck yes!!! :) 

Tuesday's Top Ten PLUS Ten: Favorite Summer Outfits!

Summer is upon us (and almost behind us)! But before the wonderful season of fall descends, we wanted to share our ten favorite summer outfits with you! Be sure to read BecKyle's post as well!

*side note...photography is brought to you by Melany's cell phone, quality isn't the greatest


1. Newly discovered this combination, love it! Beloved shoes and awesome colors!

2. Leggings, sundress, and cardigan is often chosen 

3. I love this sundress and overlay, plus beeeautiful shoes 

4. Comfy ruffled strapless top with same overlay as above

5. Lacey boho tops are pretty great :)

6. The only time I wear horizontal stripes... :)

7. Sheer pink button up (the back has a fun cutout) and white tank

8. Oh how I loooove tribal print! And this super soft and light top. 

9. Sheer flowery racer-back tank 

10. Aaaand my Camp Joy 2014 tshirt..because well..I love it :)

The next time a blog post addresses our closets it will be about fall...yay!!! I cannot wait for the season of scarves and boots and cardigans (OH MY!). Not to mention leaves and pumpkin and coffee..oh how I missed fall :) Thanks for reading-don't forget to hop on over to BecKyle's list as well! :)

Tuesday's Top Ten PLUS Ten: Bucket List!

Tuesday's Top Tens are officially resumed now that the summer has died down a bit! This week I will share the top of my bucket list, which is surprisingly not too extensive! So here it is! Hop on over to BecKyle's page and read hers as well!

(In no particular order)

1. Phantom of the Opera was the start of my longing to attend a masquerade, and it hasn't left since. I would probably die if I were in a giant room full of extravagantly and antiquely dressed dancers, not to mention the music.

2. I have always thought it would be fun to play a part in some kind of flash mob. Practicing and surprising people like that just sounds like a blast.

3. Being as obsessed as I am with fairytales, I would loooooove to visit Disneyland Paris, it is exquisite.

4. Speaking of Disneyland Paris, I could also "settle" for a castle. And seriously any castle. I want to roam free through rooms and rooms and rooms for days in an old castle.

5. Which leads me to the fact that I also would highly enjoy being in Ireland or Scotland, that's been a dream of mine for a while. Gorgeous land and accents would make the trip worth remembering, not to mention the history behind everything!

6. Marriage is also a part of my bucket list. You should marry your best friend and that's exactly what I want to do.

7. As much as it may terrify me, I would like to ride in a hot air balloon and gaze at the ground below.

8. The Northern Lights have always been so very beautiful and breathtaking to me, I would love to see them in person some day!

9. Being the musical buff that I am, going to a Broadway performance in NYC would be a dream come true, that is definitely a part of my bucket list.

10. And last but not least, I want to go on a mission trip to another continent someday. I have heard from so many who have gone on mission trips far away like that, and there are many choices. I would love to travel while serving and spreading the Gospel.