Healing Begins

Have you ever gone through something so painful, so terrifying, that you didn't think you would ever recover? Some of you would say it was a death of someone close to you, for others it would be a tragic accident, or an illness. It's in those times we search for something to hold on to. We find hope in the embrace of a spouse, or a parent. We may find hope in medicine, or exercise. We may even find hope in some time away from the pressures of life.
Yet, we still go to bed at night alone, in our own minds...
Until we allow God to come in.
I so wish I could explain my journey to you now. But I'm still in the midst of the rubble. I'm still learning how to walk on my own two feet. But what I can share is that Jesus Christ, the living God, is truer than all truth. My entire life has been filled with faith in Jesus, in belief that I am not alone on this journey.
But I didn't have much reason to doubt. I cannot begin to explain how blessed I feel as I look over my life and see the love that surrounded me from day one. Yet there was still pain. There was still fear. It's called life.
And this year, that faith was tested.
It was put through the fire.
I was put through the fire.
And it burned. It burned so deeply, I didn't know whether I would make it out alive. There were times I was filled with so much doubt in my mind, I couldn't even remember what truth was, what hope and joy felt like.
Have you been there?
Are you there now?
Well, you will be safe in His arms.
Trust in Him child of God.
 Where else do you think you came from? Do you think you are here by chance, for no purpose at all?
That's just not truth my dear friend. And that pain you are going through? That's not just coincidence either. God is allowing you to go through that for reasons I cannot explain. But what I can explain is that you are not alone. You are not the only one waking up in the middle of the night crying out for God to deliver you from this fear, this anger, this hurt. You are not the only one searching for healing. For direction towards the light.
I am right there with you.
And God desires for us to lay it down and seek Him. He wants us to turn our eyes away from ourselves, and onto Him.
I cannot yet explain what joy I feel in knowing that I am alive. I am alive and well and God is with me. Until now, I never fully grasped how deeply God loved ME. I knew He loved me. But He REALLY loves me. And he feels the same for you.
It's like for years I figured I needed to settle with my anxiety, it would be there forever.
 But God had a different plan. He wanted me to dig deeper, to battle the pain, the fears, the unrealistic fears that crept in without my wanting them.
And I am healing. I am becoming a new, better version, of ME.
Are you willing to trust? To cry out to God and say, ok, I really don't understand.
 I believe, but honestly, can you help me in my unbelief?
Friend, I am asking God this same thing each moment the fear nudges again. You aren't the only one.
The Beautiful Truth is evolving. As some of my friends would say, some times it feels like the ugly truth. Because life can be ugly. It can be painful. But through grace, it is turned into absolute beauty.
And that is how we find healing.
Through HIS beautiful truth.
Will you open up your heart to Him?

It's Time

I'm so excited to announce to you all, the Beautiful Truth is heading toward another 8 week (or more) series starting in January! Woo hoo! Since launching the ministry for the very first time January of 2011 at Columbia Bible College, a lot has changed in my own life personally. My husband and I moved to Bellingham, WA almost exactly a year ago for his job. I've also starting working full time as a receptionist at a real estate company. We are on the hunt for our very first home, which is much easier being that I look at new homes on the market for a job. My brother spent a very long, grueling year and a bit in Afghanistan as a hard working, sleep deprived soldier. It was obviously difficult for him, but also for my family. My baby brother started high school, which means he's growing up! Ahh! We also plugged in full force to a new church in Lynden, City Bible Church and have fallen in love with the vision and the people. It's such an incredible place to be and you are welcome to join!

Aside from all the incredible changes we experienced over the last year, there was a stirring and cooking in my heart for the Beautiful Truth. From the moment the first series ended at CBC, I knew I needed to take some time to evaluate all that was done and experienced. I wanted to take time to get to know people in Bellingham and allow God to bring new friends in my life down here. It's always been my desire to have local women a part of this ministry, so that there could be continuous friendships created. My heart will never forget what was done in Canada with this ministry, for it was the actual beginning! It was the beginning of something great and beautiful. That, I will forever remember.

It was interesting to see who God brought into my life and how there were many similarities to my own dream. Some were there to encourage me to keep dreaming, while others would end up joining my team for the Beautiful Truth 2012. It's incredible! All of them have become good friends, and that's even more wonderful.

I've also been on my own journey this past year in speaking truth into my heart. There were times where the battle to feel beautiful was really strong, and I felt like I couldn't get past this stronghold. It's interesting to see how God takes us on these journey's, where at times you don't struggle at all. Then there's other times where you feel like your running against a wall over and over again. I began to focus to much on losing that 10 lbs I had gained over the last few years, and created an unhealthy mindset. Working full time definitely changed my workout routine, and up until a few months ago, I struggled to enjoy the time I worked out. I didn't want to go to the gym, or if I did I was thinking about losing weight rather than just taking care of my body. I realized this a bit ago after I took a 7 week class on CrossFit. It was incredible to learn how to use my body and weights and be challenged beyond what I ever thought I could do. It was so challenging and so much fun. Yet, I noticed my mindset was a bit off kilter and needed a re-booting. Once I was done with the class, I ended up not continuing Crossfit at the gym because of conflicting schedules. So I worked out at the gym where I live, but was unsatisfied because I no longer had my own personal trainer pushing me harder and harder. I started to think that the only wait to lose 10 lbs was to do the Paleo Diet, and Crossfit. And that's just not true. I took some time to re-evaluate why I wanted to be healthy. I dropped the whole "I want to lose 10 lbs" and changed my way of thinking. I read "Who Switched off my Brain" and realized that God calls us to renew our minds, and that scientifically it's possible! We are able to renew that way we think, and actually take captive our thoughts. Through a 21 day journaling study, you actually renew the way your mind works. It's exactly what I've needed, to break the stronghold of unhealthy thinking and LIVE in God's truth. Crossfit was incredible and I continue to do some of the workouts. I kept a journal of every warm up, work out, stretch, so that I could apply to my own routine after the class. Even though there were some curve balls in relation to my battle to believe TRUTH, I had gained a renewed passion for a healthy lifestyle. That's not something I would ever change.

Through my own journey, as well as conversations I've had with other women in their early 20's, I've added different topics to the Beautiful Truth. I've realized that there are so many other things that we are struggling with, that impact ALL areas of our lives. There's a need to bring God's truth back into our personal lives with friends, guys, sex, beauty, insecurities, fear, lifestyles, struggles with gossip, lust, materialism, YOU NAME IT. Therefore, we're going to talk about it. We're going to dig into the truth of God's word and get rid of the lies we've come to believe. I'm so excited to see freedom come through the conversations we'll have, the challenges, and prayer times. Jason and I have started going to this church called Ekklesia that meets Friday nights. It's filled with about 300 or more young adults ready and willing to worship our God and it's incredible! Every time I'm there, I see so many incredible  young women that just might need to be reminded of God's truth, in a way that isn't necessarily discussed when a bunch of gents are around. I'm believing that God brought me, this ministry, and my team to this area for a reason.

So where do we go now? Basically right now I'm working on branding the Beautiful Truth. I'm also trying to listen to God in a new way because I desire to be mindful of every message I share. It's going to be a fun ride everyone, are you ready for it?

Here's what's coming up....

In December we are doing a fundraiser to get the word out. It will be a dessert night, meant to share my story, as well as a few others. I want to let every person out there who's interested in on what God has in store and what this new series will bring. Keep your eye out for a date for the fundraiser, and a few other things we have planned. Looking forward to seeing your beautiful faces soon!

Britt

P.S If you made it through this entire entry, props to you! It was WAY too long my friends:D Thanks for baring with me....

Oozing Out Joy

Quite a few years ago I was really involved in my youth group at Mt. View Wesleyan Church in Oregon. I had a great core group of friends there and still look back on the many memories made and thank God I had those friends in my life at a time where friends are everything. One of the memories came up in my time with God this morning. I was listening to God is Able by Hillsong, and was overwhelmed by the reality that everything I was believing God for last year, has been fulfilled in ways I could not have even prayed a year ago. I was journaling about all of the specific things that God has done and just could not write fast enough. I was OOZING with joy.

I remember a message Erik Timmons spoke about oozing. His desire was the get us to realize that as Christian's, we are to live out our faith, to live out all that we believe. The work of the Lord is so amazing which means that we should be oozing with absolute joy. I remember him speaking about how he desired for our youth group to be different, to be just bursting with the love of the Lord. Then, the Oozer Times was born. A few of us came up with this "brilliant" idea to call ourselves oozers, and put out a monthly newsletter to the youth group. It's a blast looking back at how God's work spilled out in my life at 14-15-16-17.

Once again I'm overwhelmed with where God has taken me throughout the last few years. Thank you Erik Timmons for having patience with me and the rest of the crew. We were sure crazy, and I am still reminded of the love and joy you and Mary poured into my life. You truly were brought at such a time ordained by God. I want you to never forget what you did in my life, and in Zach's, Jon's, Becky's, Mandee's, Amye's, oh man the list could go on and on. Really though, I'm taking this moment to thank you for EVERY SINGLE THING you did for us. Thank you for being obedient to the calling on your life to lead us for those years. You both directed me towards the cross multiple times. I will be forever thankful. I love you.

Chris Swarty and Rach, you both were like family to me and even though I wasn't involved in youth quite yet, thank you for loving me and allowing me to be apart of your lives. I look at the way you did youth ministry and am still in awe. Being that Jason and I are leading the youth ministry at our church at this time, I find myself looking back at what blessed me at that age. You both demonstrated such open arms it's unbelievable. God has used you to bless more teens than most youth pastors could ever imagine. Thank you for being who you are. I love you.

Jeremy and Wanda, you both came at a time where I was moving out of the youth group, but I want you to know I adored the two of you and saw the gift you both brought to our church. You created an atmosphere of just crazy fun. Yet, you knew how to dig into the word and speak into our hearts. I look forward to listening to you preach again someday, or reading the book you will write. You are brilliant Jeremy, and Wanda, your spirit of peace and joy is contagious. I believe that you are the most incredible Mother to your four girls, and your precious boy that is dancing with Jesus to the curious George theme song. All of us that were touched by your precious boy, will never forget. It brought me such joy to see Carter's smile on your Christmas card. He is still in our hearts as much as he was when he was at our church every Sunday. I miss you guys and pray for you! I still adore you guys!

The last few years have been filled with up's and down's and alllllll around's. Yet each time I take a moment to thank God for all he has done, I am overwhelmed.

Thank you God for all you have done, all I can do is praise you.

He has:
Lead us both to move back to the states and fall in love with an incredible church.
Given us so many opportunities to use our gifts at City Bible Church
Allowed us to mentor and lead the youth ministry that is just beginning
Provided jobs we both just love
The perfect home for us at this time
Brought my soldier back to the states safe and sound
Given me so many wonderful memories with my family
Given a wonderful new family
Provided above and beyond my basic needs
Filled me with hope when I was filled with fear
Protected
Loved


I'm just thankful and in awe that God has held onto me so strongly. He truly is my love.

When Will We Be Satisfied?

Lately I've been wondering about this same question over and over.

When will we be satisfied?
When will I be satisfied?

Being that I'm a woman, obviously, I have a lot of other women in my life, old and young. Often the conversations end up being about someones new boots, new shirt, new jacket, cute hair, and coffee...We end up talking about the latest clothes we have purchased for fall, or the good deals we found at Target. Or we end up talking about how our boobs are too small, too large, or hang just quite a few inches too low. It's a perpetual conversation about our outer beauty. Now, I'm just as guilty as anyone else. It's the first thing I notice when I see a person. Cute boots, cute jacket, cute hair, cute glasses, cute watch...cute this that and everything else. And I don't think there's anything really wrong with talking about these things. It's all in good fun. We are ladies! The problem is when we start to put ourselves down in order to build another person up.

You know what I'm talking about. "Those jeans look so good on you! I've got NO butt what so ever, so I couldn't even pretend I could wear those." Or, "You're hair color is so perfect for you, don't look at mine though, I know it looks horrible I just can't afford to touch up these roots right now."

See what I mean?

As we complement someone else, we put ourselves down. All in one sentence.

When are we going to be satisfied?

A good friend of mine challenged me last year to not only complement every woman I talk to longer than 5 mins, she said to complement them on more than just their scarf. I remember her asking what we would be like as women if we said things like, you have beautiful cheek bones, or your eyes are so green. Or what if when another person puts themselves down by saying something negative about their bodacious booty, we tell them that they are just beautiful and curvy like so many other woman wish they were.

What if we verbally replaced the lies each one of us was saying about ourselves with the TRUTH. Often we don't see the truth ourselves, but other's see it before us. Take my Mom for instance. Whenever I'm with her she reminds me that my hair is so beautiful and how she wishes she had it. To be honest I never look in the mirror and think, wow this thick hair is beautiful! I think, wow, how much back combing do I need to do to get this volume to stay! She sees the beauty. I see the issue. Every time she complements my hair I'm reminded that it is nice hair and I should love it just the way it is, even if it's been a while since I've gotten it thinned out.

What if the next time I stood in a circle of women and the topic goes towards something like the song..."do your boobs hang low..." I reminded them that the reason those glorious girls are hanging lower than they used to is because they spent a good part of their life giving life and food to their precious children. How incredible is that? Why don't we remember those things? Your body BROUGHT LIFE and SUSTAINED LIFE THROUGH THOSE LADIES! Yes. I call them ladies my friends. Only for those a little more shy I presume....

When am I going to be satisfied and realize that this body is the body God created? He made me this way because he sees it as beautiful. Being that I am 23 I am still young. But that doesn't mean my body hasn't changed since high school. I now need to eat better and exercise throughout each week in order to sustain a healthy weight. I have to work for good health. Yet I still find myself looking back and wishing I could look like I did here, or there, or there, or in that photo. When am I going to be satisfied and realize that my body is changing because I'm human. When am I going to constantly remember that I exercise to be healthy, not thin.

Are you satisfied with the way you look? If so, I'm just so incredibly thankful! I truly am! And I would LOVE your words of wisdom because that means you have learned something so incredibly valuable that you need to share. For those of you who are not satisfied, why? What are you striving to look like? Those that live up to the unrealistic expectations our world has set? There's some pain deep down that they may not even realize just yet. Everybody struggles with something.

Today's challenge is for you, for me, for my close friends, and for those whom I have never met. My challenge is that we think about what it is we are striving for. Is it a healthy life? Or is it to be tiny, hot, and "sexy" according to the world.

Just think about it. When will you be satisfied? When will I love my body because it's mine and it's beautiful?

But God Helped Me Overcome

Lately I've been in a bit of a writing rut, which is not too normal for me. Typically I find myself falling asleep each night with various things going through my mind about God, life, beauty....all things that challenge me to journal and blog. It's been a season filled with early mornings and late nights, serving coffee and scones, until tonight. Tonight I am packing up my home, packing up the life that I've lived here in Canada for the last 5 years. Of course a night like this would lead someone like to me thinking...which only leads to writing....

This morning I had a coffee date with a really good friend and left feeling challenged, encouraged, and refreshed in so many ways. I sure hope she feels the same way because we were in Starbucks for a good four hours!

One of the things we were talking about was the things I fear in my life.
    -my big brother who is fighting in Afghanistan for the US Army
    -my 14 year old brother who is beginning his own battle through high school
    -my Mom, Dad, Grandma, the people I adore back home in Oregon
    -my husband and the beautiful journey we are on together and the things that frustrate me about myself
    -my fear for our future, what our roles may be in this beautiful new church we have joined
    -my fear of being forgotten, for not being able to use the gifts I've been given and so desire to use

This may seem like quite a lot to talk about in one coffee date but hey, we are women right?

So as I was just thinking about the various things I'm worried about, I could hear God saying, Just TRUST me Britt, I'm your heavenly Father. I have written every page of your life even before you were born. I have your life in my hands. Release your fear. Release your worries. Release your brother to me, I will take care of him. Release your little brother, I have wonderful plans for his life. I love your parents, even more than you do, I have incredible plans for them. I adore your Grandmother, she's my precious daughter. I have things planned for you and Jason, things that you could never imagine. Truth me Brittany. Trust me. Trust me. Just trust me.

The cry of my heart is to trust Jesus with everything I have. To open up my hands and release all of those things I am holding so tightly. Why do I do this? The creator of the heavens and the earth LOVES ME and takes care of me. I need to TRUST IN HIM.

The song, Overcome by The Desperation Band came on the playlist and hit me ever so deeply tonight. Hearing the words of various people my age saying how God has helped them overcome, reminded me that I'm not alone. I'm not the only one that still has things I need to overcome. I'm not the only one that  can say God has helped me overcome an eating disorder, insecurities galore, fear of leaving my family, fear of the unknown, fear of singing in front of people and allowing God to use my voice. I've overcome the average person's fear of speaking in front of groups of people. The list really could go on. Yet, the list of things I know and desire for the Lord to help me overcome is even larger. And for the truth that GOD WILL HELP ME OVERCOME, I am grateful! So incredibly grateful!

What is it that is holding you back today? What is it that you find yourself thinking about way too much? What are you worried about? What are you doubting God can do?

I'm serious. Take a moment to allow God to show you what it is you are holding onto and not allowing God to free you from.

Then, release it to God. Release it to Him in the morning when you wake up and begin to fret and worry about it again. Release it as you drive to work, or as you fall asleep each night.

I know I'm going to have to do that.

Listen to this song, and allow God's truth to fill up your heart.
What has he helped you overcome?
What CAN he help you overcome?

We're Forgiven

Isn't that right there such a beautiful truth?

As I completed some other writing, the song, Forgiven by Sanctus Real came on the playlist, and I just had to write an encouraging reminder to us all. You and me both baby!

This line hits me the most, "devil just won't let me forget".

He doesn't seem to want us to forget what we've done in the past. He doesn't want us to live in the freedom of God's forgiveness. He wants us to be boggled down by every sin we've ever committed. He wants us to be filled with fear, anger, frustration, guilt, and just about every other things that fills us with pain. He wants to bring us as far away from God's original plan that he can. He begins by breaking our hearts, by ripping apart every truth he hold onto dearly in our hearts.

Sometimes when I'm struggling with my body image and holding onto God's truth, I begin to fear that I'm going to go down the same road I went a few years ago. That I'll just forget everything I've learned and spend my life on the eliptical again. I fear that I'll lose all the strength I've gain in my mind in knowing God's truth. And then I take a moment to stop and think and I'm reminded that fear is not from God, which means we are not supposed to hold on to that. The devil is doing everything in his power to keep myself from speaking God's truth into my own life, by spreading lies, which produces fear.

And that's when I've got it! I get it! I can battle through this because I've got the upper hand. I've got the creator of the universe on my side. He's not letting go of me anytime soon, so I can push through these lies, and believe in the truth. Thank goodness I'm not alone!

So where am I going with this?

We are forgiven. We means we don't need to live in fear because of what we've done in the past. We've been forgiven!

Praise God for this truth today!

Brit

Take a second to listen, we've been forgiven!

It's a Continuing Dream

The other night I got to see three beautiful ladies that were a part of the very first session of The Beautiful Truth and let me tell you, everything I had felt during that series flooded back into my memory. I even leaned over and whispered to Jase at one point saying I wanted to do The Beautiful Truth at CBC again this year.

For those of you wondering, The Beautiful Truth is not over for good, it's only the beginning! I spent about  9 months last year pouring my heart and soul into something that I hope to have in my life for many many years. Yes, I have graduated from Columbia Bible College, and do not think I will be able to lead this ministry on that campus again. But that doesn't mean it won't be happening somewhere else. My husband and I are still in a place of searching for where we are supposed to settle down and plug our lives into for the long haul. Which means I am busy spending time time working at "that wonderful coffee shop we all make sure to stop at on a regular basis." We are also pouring our hearts out into the lives of the youth in our church this school year, which is something we are really excited about. That just means it could be difficult pulling of a successful 8 week series of The Beautiful Truth at CBC.

Who knows what the future may bring though! Maybe years down the road, The Beautiful Truth will take place each January at CBC, along with tons of other college campuses, churches, and anywhere else! That is my dream you know:)

The Beautiful Truth begins to grow each day. As I've started working about 30 hours a week, my energy level has cut down quite a bit and my motivation to get in that healthy exercise has lost it's spunk some days. I continue to struggle with the temptation to each yummy things at work, things that make my mind spin and lead my down a path that doesn't bring out the best. Don't get me wrong ladies, I LOVE my desserts and allow myself to enjoy them on an occasion WEEKLY. Yet, it's difficult when those yummy things get damaged at work, and you are more than allowed to eat them! I try and just take a bit or two to give myself a treat, and the let it go. Yet, the temptation is still there, and the struggle of positive and negative self talk can so easily creep in.

Why am I sharing this with you?

Just to remind you once again that I struggle too, even though I've created a ministry that teaches us God's truth about how beautiful we are already! So it's ok, we're going to have our bad days where our confidence is struggling, but what have we learned through The Beautiful Truth? WE ARE BEAUTIFUL JUST THE WAY WE ARE. Yes, we need to take care of our bodies in a healthy way because we are God's precious creation. Yes, we get to enjoy yummy food hear and there. Daily even when the proportions are right!

Babbling seems to be a gift of mine:) Yet, that's what blogs are for sometimes!

The Beautiful Truth is not done, and will only continue to grow from here! My job is to listen to God's leading about where I am supposed to share this ministry next time, whether that's 5 months from now (if so, God start talkin cuz I've gotta get goin!:) Or if it's 2 years from now....

For now, I will continue to pour the only thing I know, God's truth about our beauty, out in this blog, in the relationships I have, and any young women, or old, that needs to hear God's truth!

Can I hear an AMEN?!

K ladies, remember that you are BEAUTIFUL! If there is a topic you want to hear about, an experience you've been dying to know if someone else has battled through, send an email to thebeautifultruth@hotmail.com and I can spend time researching, and writing about it on here ok? Oddly enough, that's what I enjoy doing in my spare time:)

Hugs and Blessings,

Brit