~what's it to ya?

How often do we find ourselves caught up in talking about others? If we're honest, the answer is probably, all too often. We shouldn't feel the need to discuss insignificant things about other people. That is gossip. And it is hurtful.

I've never agreed with the little saying "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me," yes, it my feel empowering to say, but it's not true. Words can hurt. Words can have such power in them and that's why I'm so enthralled with them. They have the ability to encourage and to discourage, to share truth and to spread lies, to comfort or bring discomfort.

But gossiping aside, how often do we find ourselves so consumed in thought about what other people are up to, or do we find ourselves with a mindset of judgment? We may be very good about keeping our lips sealed when we are tempted to gossip, but what's happening in our minds?

When gossiping or the wrong mindset towards others becomes a struggle, it's difficult, but it's best if I ask myself "what's it to me?" That very thing about that person, that thing they did or said, that I feel the need to talk about or toil over, what's it to me?

Then Peter, turning around, saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following, who also had leaned on His breast at the supper, and said, “Lord, who is the one who betrays You?” Peter, seeing him, said to Jesus, “But Lord, what about this man?” Jesus said to him, “If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you? You follow Me.”
-John 21: 20 & 22

~the unlimited broadcasting station

Nature!
Today I went on a walk with my family around the lake... what a great reminder of the beauty of God's creation! And the beauty of God Himself. The fact that God wants to time with us, amazing. Spending time in prayer out in Gods magnificent creation is beyond the best to me. He wants to hear me. Is there anything more awesome?! No. There's not.

I love to think of nature as an unlimited broadcasting station, through which God speaks to us every hour, if we will only tune in. -George Washington Carver

~heart of diligence

Keep your heart with all diligence,
For out of it spring the issues of life. -Proverbs 4:23

Diligence is difficult. I think about how even with daily tasks, remaining diligent, isn't always easy. So keeping your heart with all diligence? Wow.

Out of our hearts springs the issues of life.. Have you ever heard the saying "You get what's in the well," or something along those lines? Basically meaning, what comes out of your mouth, is a bucket full of what's in your heart. If our hearts contain wrong intent, bad attitudes, jealousy, and so on, our mouths will make those things apparent. In the same way, if our hearts are full of love, compassion, joy, and so on, those things will be known. So, yeah. That's just my thought of the day.

~leaves are falling

Yesterday was the first official day of Autumn! I love this time of year. When the trees get colorful, there's just something in you that really wants to drink a mug of hot apple cider and cover the front porch with pumpkins. There is always a little sadness leaving Summer behind, but hello people! Carmel apples aren't in the Summer agenda! And anyway, there's something exciting about the whole, leaves falling, wind gusting, pull out your jacket or you'll freeze otherwise, bonfires & s'mores, pumpkin patch with friends, time of year.

~big ideas

We all have dreams. Some big, some small. We all want to be in control of our dreams. We all want the power to say "This dream will come true," but what would happen if we hand our dreams over to God? The One who gives us our dreams. The One who gives us the ability to dream. The One who is actually capable of making our dreams, or better, dreams that we couldn't even imagine, a reality.

I want to find out.

I'm on an adventure. Not the dorky, put on a jungle hat and let's explore the wilderness! kind of adventure, but the adventure of seeing how my life changes when I give Christ complete control of my life.

Part of that is giving Him complete control of my dreams. I guess I could have prayed and told God that I give Him control of my dreams, but being the visual person that I am, I wrote them out.... and burned them. Telling God they belonged to Him.
Some of my dreams that I gave to God were everything from a ride in a hot air balloon to being a missionary to getting married and being a mom. My dreams are a little bit all over the place. Just the way I like it.

They're His now! And I thought this was beautiful, because He makes beautiful things out of dust and what's that there? Dust! I'm so excited to see what Christ has in store for my life. Not what I had planned, but what He has planned for me.
A man's heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps. Proverbs 16:9

~ little ideas

Thursdays. I love them. Cause I get to spend time with those two girls right over there. I get to see these lovely ladies at art class. I also love Tursdays because I have my harp lesson. But there is another reason why Thursday, out of all the days of the week, stands out to me the most. For whatever reason, be it the music or the art, or a mixture of them both, I am struck with at least one good, solid idea on Thursday. And it's not just an idea that passes through my mind and I think "Hey! That's a good idea!" and then nothing comes of it... usually the idea sticks. Last Thursday I had an idea for a painting and I am working on it still
(I won't tell you what it is, I'd rather just show it to you when I'm done:] ). Today, just so happens to be Thursday and guess what! I have an idea. I'm going to begin blogging along with a photo a day. So you can see the world through Kara's eyes. I'm pretty excited about this!

Oh! And also, I've gotten a pretty good little collection of words to blog about in October. I'm getting pumped for that! But I still need more, so if you have a favorite word, let me know. I want to post about it:]
Well, now I have the idea that I need to finish up some school work. So, I hope you all have a wonderful Thursday!

~words

Word. noun /wərd/ words, plural

A single distinct meaningful element of speech or writing, used with others (or sometimes alone) to form a sentence and typically shown with a space on either side when written or printed.

I have a new (ish) found fascination, words! For the month of October, every day or possibly every other, we'll see, I'll be posting about one word. The meaning of the word, and my thoughts on the word.

But here's where I need your help; I need you to tell me your favorite word. You can leave it in a comment or you can e-mail it to me at throughkaraseyes@gmail.com. I want to do a post on YOUR favorite words. Sound dandy? :]

dan·dy/ˈdandē/ Adjective:

Excellent: "upgrading seemed a dandy idea".

I hope you all have fun thinking about what your favorite word is!

~distractions

dis·trac·tion. noun /disˈtrakSHən/ distractions, plural
A thing that prevents someone from giving full attention to something else.

I think when it comes to distractions, it's safe to say we all have them. The key to getting rid of them is identifying them. But hey! Why would we want to get rid of distractions? What is it that we have to give our full attention to? The simple answer is Christ. He should have our full attention. Without any distractions. What is the chief end of man? The chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever.
Glorifying God! What a beautiful thing! And why wouldn't we? He sent his Son to pay the pardon for our sins, so that we can have freedom from eternal death. That is such a magnificent thing that we, in return, should want to give Him all honor and praise. Praising Him even through the hardest of trials? Yes!
Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.
- 1 Peter 4:12-13
Now, To glorify Him and to enjoy Him, we have to get rid of these distractions that are getting in the way.
Identify the distraction! Usually when something takes a lot of your time and it's unimportant, it's a distraction. For me.. Facebook and television are distractions. I spend too much time seeing what my friends are up to and watching movies. Ouch. I'm working on it:] That leads me to the hardest part...
Diminishing the distraction! Ask yourself, "How much time am I spending on the internet?" Then spend the same amount of time in God's word and prayer. By no means am I saying that I do this everyday.
We are surrounded by distractions in today's culture. It is so vital that we, as followers of Christ, keep our focus, and that we are set-apart.

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
-Romans 12:2