Tag Archives: christian

NY | HOU. My Big Move

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It’s big and it’s bittersweet. That’s the best way for me to describe my move. If I haven’t told you, I’m writing this to tell you. I wish I could text everyone individually. It’s been a long decision process. I’ve been fighting it to be honest, but moving home to Houston is just it for me right now. I’ve prayed a lot. I’ve fasted a lot. I’m at peace and actually pretty excited to get back to Houston now. I say actually because when I first seriously considered moving back, I cried. I didn’t want to move home to Houston. Not because I don’t like home, I love my fam and my home, I am beyond blessed. Just keeping it real, I was like ha, really God? After all the little stepping stones, the building, the growth, now I move?

I’ve been in New York for four years. It’s been amazing. New York is the city I know as an “adult”. I’ve met some amazing friends, life long friends here. I have an awesome church (if you need a church, go check out Times Square Church, you won’t be sorry). I’ve worked with some super duper talented people (shout out to Lewis at The Sol Studio). Four years in, I feel like I’ve started to establish myself in NY, and now I’m moving to Houston. Houston is home, but I haven’t lived at home since high school which was eight years ago. Eight. So basically, I move home to Houston and I start over. (Ok, it’s not necessarily starting over. I won’t forget everyone and everything in NY, but you get what I mean.)

That’s life though, right? It’s about the journey. The ups and downs and all arounds is what pushes us, what makes us grow. I know I’ve grown like crazy these past few years, mostly because my experiences pushed me to seek God more than ever before, to pray, to stand on His word. That’s what keeps me going! You may be thinking growth personally, career wise or whatever else, but don’t forget spiritual growth. Regardless of what’s going on, that’s where we should always be focused. If we are spiritually healthy, everything else will fall into place. Even when we don’t see it, we have to believe it. And that’s where I am, it’s tough! I haven’t decided what I’ll be doing in Houston, but I’m sure it will be cool because I’m praying and you’re praying with me 🙂 (Prayers appreciated lol)

I started listing everyone who’s impacted my time here in NY, but I had to stop. From church to work to MLT, Emory, neighbors, BBBS… life, there are so many of you. Thank you, thank you. Seriously, thank you. The prayers, support, encouragement (and discouragement lol), the keepin it real better not stop because I’m not in NYC anymore! This goes for me too 😉

Back to the move, I don’t have an official date, but I’m thinking mid-Sept which is super close, so we gotta make the most of these next twenty-one or so days. I want to see you, chill, chat, eat, hang with you before I head out!

Last thing… a couple of scriptures for y’all, good reminders, and these were some that I meditated on in my decision making!

The one who calls you is faithful, and He will do it. (1 Thessalonians 5:24)

Commit thy works unto the Lord, and thy thoughts shall be established. (Proverbs 16:3)

When Pharaoh finally let the people go, God did not lead them along the main road that runs through Philistine territory, even though that was the shortest route to the Promised Land. God said, “If the people are faced with a battle, they might change their minds and return to Egypt.” So God led them in a roundabout way through the wilderness toward the Red Sea. Thus the Israelites left Egypt like an army ready for battle. (‭Exodus‬ ‭13‬:‭17-18‬)

Lots of love,

Carin

P.S. I’m relaunching the blog soon with a fun new series, check it out later this week!

3 Reasons the Bible is Not Outdated

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We think that things are so different now than they were in the “Bible days” that there’s no way God could have meant what He said then for now. Society has definitely evolved; but, people are still people doing human things and making human errors, and sin is still sin. The Bible talks about God’s word being everlasting. If we truly believe in God, then shouldn’t we take this as truth also?

Three reasons (scriptures) why the Bible is not outdated (notice the absolute terms used in these scriptures):

1. God’s word is for eternity. 1 Peter 1:23-25 says the word of God liveth and abideth forever, the word of the Lord endureth forever.

2. God doesn’t change, people change. Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8). “For I the Lord do not change…” (Malachi 3:6)

3. God doesn’t lie. God is not human, that he should lie, not a human being, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill?(Numbers 23:19) And, as Psalm 33:11 puts it, “But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations.” 

God relates to everything we have done, are doing and will do. He knew where we, as a people, were heading before we got there and He created His word to stand firm through our changes. Because the unpopular thing has become popular doesn’t make it right or because the relevant is no longer relevant (to the masses), that doesn’t actually make it irrelevant. Sometimes we like to justify our actions because… who wants to be told they are living a lie? Saying the Bible is outdated is like a pass to justify certain things we know are sin, but don’t want to acknowledge because then, that makes us wrong in our ways.

There is plenty of scripture that is not understood, misunderstood, misinterpreted and has been taken out of context. This doesn’t mean we should decry the Bible. Tough truth y’all, it’s time to go deeper. For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart (Hebrews 4:12).

❤

When Will You be Done Living a Simple Life?

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You are running away from peace, love, happiness and don’t even know it. You may think you are doing what brings you happiness, but, it feels like you’re in a constant state of confusion. You are digging deeper in the things you are trying to run away from: loneliness, emptiness, unforgiveness, the desire to be loved, the list goes on. The relationship or job promotion, the drugs, sex, alcohol, shopping or whatever it might be loses it’s appeal after so long and you’re back at step one, you feel empty and you are pursuing that love, the success, your purpose, only to find these things no where. That’s because they can only be found in one place, with God. If you are saved by grace and know God, the ways of the world shouldn’t be your ways (Romans 12:2, 1 John 2:15-17). If they are, you will forever be running. So, when will you be done living a simple life?

A simple life is not living by God’s word. It is simple to say yes to the flesh, to your desires. It is simple to say that the Bible is outdated and to pick and choose what you want to believe because society is “evolving”. A simple life is being like everyone else around you, doing what everyone else is doing, accepting what everyone else is telling you to accept. It is simple to live how you want to live. It is not simple to live by God’s grace. But, why, shouldn’t it be? If you believe and walk by faith, then why is it so hard to live by His word? We make it tough on our own because we do not walk in the fullness of the Lord (Ephesians 3:14-19).

It’s not that God doesn’t want you to be happy or to have fun. It’s that the more we sin, the further we go from God. The further we are from God, the further we are from being where He wants us to be, doing what He wants us to do. There is no peace in that. You will forever be empty and looking for something more because true happiness, true joy and purpose only comes when you are wholeheartedly serving Christ and letting Him lead you.

My reality isn’t your reality and your reality isn’t mine. Yes, there are biblical truths that none of us can deny, but when it comes to living, each of our journeys are unique to us and that is between God and you. You just have to keep it real.

I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth (John 17:14-17).

Are you willing to stand apart, to go through the trials, to be bold, to be different? I don’t mean different like the world defines different, but different because God is calling you to stand apart and go somewhere only you can go if you let Him lead you and take you there… Through the fiery furnace like Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, through the wilderness to the promised land like Moses, through trials and prisons like Paul. Are you ready to live more than a simple life?

With love,

Rinny

Stop Living for “Me”

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Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. (Philippians 2:3-5 NLT).

Your life is for others, not yourself. Think about where you are and all the people that have helped you get to that point. Your parents, siblings, a teacher, pastor, friend, but also maybe a “random” person that you’ve met at some point who just gave you a timely word. If these people weren’t in place throughout your life, would you be where you are? God knew exactly what you would need, when and how you would need it and who He could use to help you. God wants us to know that He’s created us for more than ourselves. He wants us to live for others even though it’s not always the easiest thing to do and sometimes may require sacrifice. I know, the world says differently… do what makes you happy, we teach self expression, individuality, independence, pursuing what you want, living your truth. But, what is your truth if it’s not the truth? 

In Matthew, the disciples asked Jesus what is the greatest commandment. Jesus responded, “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind… And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.” (Matthew 22:36-40). If we focused beyond ourselves, wouldn’t the world look a bit different? God also commands us to do unto others as we would have them do unto us. Not just family and friends, but everyone, even the most annoying, miserable person who gets on your last nerve :).

When you realize that your life is about more than you, you might find it easier to make it through the tough times and find joy in everything. God comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. And when others are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us because we understand (2 Corinthians 1:4). There’s greater purpose to your trials, to your six figures, to your pain, to your happiness.

“You don’t become happy by pursuing happiness, you become happy by living a life that means something to someone else. The happiest people are not always the richest or most powerful ones, but rather the ones that are kind to others, have peace, love, etc. Happiness is a byproduct of purpose. The more you busy yourself in your God calling, serving others, loving others, praying and being a blessing to others, you find your happiness, your blessing.”

Life is about more than “me”. Live for yourself, but live for others!

With love,

Carin

When It’s Good to be Weak

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I think we can all agree that no one wants to be weak or even to be seen or thought of as weak. Whether we are talking physically, spiritually or mentally, no one wants to be weak. We try to eat right, work out, study, read the word so that we can be strong. Check out 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 though, whenever I read this scripture, I want to be weak. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 

Sometimes, we have to come to this place of utter weakness and dependency so we can learn what it means to really trust in God and let Him be God. No back up plans, no doubt, just pure faith. We are weak without God because only He can give us the strength we need. When we are broken, done trying to do stuff on our own, then we are most useful to God. He has all the space in the world to show Himself as strong and mighty, to show his power through our lives… and we will know it was Him who came through. We have no choice but to exercise faith in Him. This faith and lack of hope in ourselves and anyone or anything else is how we bring glory to His name. 

If we know we are working for and with God then why should we let anything come against us? When something is yours, nothing and no one can stop you. No failed meeting, bad grade, bad interview, lack of experience, broken relationships, no negative people should be able to make us stop believing that God is faithful. 

So take this seriously. The LORD has chosen you to build a Temple as his sanctuary. Be strong, and do the work. “Every part of this plan,” David told Solomon, “was given to me in writing from the hand of the LORD. ” Then David continued, “Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Don’t be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. He will see to it that all the work related to the Temple of the LORD is finished correctly. (‭1 Chronicles‬ ‭28‬:‭10, 19-20‬ NLT)

I lovee this passage. Sometimes I think we forget how the characters in the bible are no different than us. I’m sure Solomon looked at that plan like whaaat!? That’s why David had to remind Him who he’s working for and with and where those plans came from. God has chosen us not expecting us to know it all, but wanting us to completely depend on Him and seek Him wholeheartedly to accomplish what He has called us to do. We are not meant to to do anything on our own. Isn’t that cool!? That makes me happy 🙂 

God gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless. Those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint. (Isaiah 40:29-31) God will always be found and He will give us clear instruction as we seek Him. If we first let God give us His plans and instruction and we give God our plans, only then will we be successful. Proverbs 16:3 says to commit your actions to the Lord and your plans will succeed. 

He has already prepared us in advance for the job He has for us and He’s equipped us with everything good for doing His will (Ephesians 2:10 and Hebrews 13:21). Wherever He has called you, you are already equipped with what it takes. He’s just asking you to trust and depend on HIM to get you there, not yourself. 

Pray and ask God to bring you to a place of weakness. If there’s something you can’t let go, you know it’s just not in you to let it go, you may need to be weak so that God can show you His power. It may not be easy for you, but God can do it. I believe what He will do in your life will be so powerful that your testimony will glorify God in a big way and be a huge blessing to others.

With love, 

Rinny

Being Frustrated with God

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Keeping it real as you can tell with my title lol. Ever since I really gave my career over to God, it’s been a roller coaster. At least that’s what it feels like, tons of uncertainty, doubt, ups and downs. Sometimes I question why I quit my job, where would I be if I didn’t quit my job and start my own company? I heard a sermon last month, A Temporary God Appointed Wilderness, that really put some things in perspective. (Must listen if you feel like you’re in a wilderness… crazy how direct this sermon was for me!)

When our circumstances don’t look like what we want them to be, we began focusing on our situation and ourselves. We take our eyes off of eternity, which is what God wants us to focus on. We start thinking “maybe God has forgotten about me”, questioning why He doesn’t hear us or why we aren’t hearing from Him in our most helpless place. We start focusing on the wrong things, success defined by wordly standards, our job or lack thereof, our failed relationships, loss of a friend or family member, our empty bank accounts or whatever it might that’s troubling us. What we forget is that in all of these things is that God is still with us, he hears us, he has answered us. There is purpose in our struggle (James 1:2-4, Romans 5:3-5).

I lovee this passage that I read in Isaiah: Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; therefore he will rise up to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him! People of Zion, who live in Jerusalem, you will weep no more. How gracious he will be when you cry for help! As soon as he hears, he will answer you. Although the Lord gives you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, your teachers will be hidden no more; with your own eyes you will see them. Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.” (Isaiah 30:18-21) If you’re like me, you might be frustrated, you might want to give up. Reread these scriptures and think about how powerful these words are, especially vs 19, “As soon as he hears, he will answer you.”

Our difficulties, our trials are much bigger than us. They are for eternity. Think of it as a growth period, sometimes short and sometimes so long that it feels like an eternity to us lol. 2 Corinthians 4:18 says, “So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” The unseen is eternal. Eternity is being obedient to God in the now. Success to God is being obedient to Him. God is most concerned with eternity, which is why He takes us through the wilderness. He is preparing us for His eternal work through our lives. Sometimes, there is no easy way out.

So, keep praying, keep waiting, keep believing. In the midst of waiting, He’s breaking our trust issues with Him. He is dealing with our faith, our character, our spiritual maturity. In all honesty, we actually have no reason to be frustrated with God. God’s word says He is waiting to show us His mercy, His grace (Isaiah 30:18), His favor. He wants to give us every good and perfect gift. He know the plans He has for us… we just have to believe and endure as He has called us to.

The Lord will fulfill His purpose for you (Psalm 138:8). He who started a good work in you will finish it (Philippians 1:6). It’s His promise!

With love,

Rinny

The Truth About Secrets

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Little secrets, big secrets, we all have them, right? Wrong 🙂 There is one person who knows all of your secrets. He knows every little detail about your life, your past, present and future (Psalm 139:1-6). God.

And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows (Luke 12:7). God is so interested in you and your life that He has numbered every hair on your head. Why does this matter, why would God number your hairs? He wants you to understand how valuable you are to Him, how much He cares about you that He would pay attention to the smallest of details.

Let’s talk more about secrets. A secret is something that is kept or meant to be kept unknown or unseen by others. Secrets can be good (who else likes cool surprises like I do!?). But, secrets can also be bad. It may be anything from something “small” you did or something “big” that happened to you. Keeping “bad” secrets can be dangerous. Why? Because you’re are allowing something to take control of you, your thoughts. It may not seem serious and it may start off as something small, but the Bible says light and darkness do not mix (Matthew 6:23).

How this manifests in your life will vary. You may lose freedom in a certain area of your life, insecurities, unhappiness, depression, you become bitter, you open up a door to fear (fear of someone finding out… because a lot of times secrets do come out, Luke 12:2-3)… then it’s a big mess. It also may cause you to think about yourself differently, unworthy, not good enough. It allows the enemy to tell you all kinds of lies, and you believe them.

James 5:16 says, “Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.” Do you have a confidant? Someone that knows God and will pray with and for you? If there is no one you want to share with or feel like you can talk to, mom, dad, brother, sister, family, boyfriend, girlfriend, husband, wife, best friend, remember God. He is the one you should always go to. Actually, God already knows what happened, he knows your deepest, darkest secrets, so why not just tell Him? He wants you to talk to him so can heal you and tell you how to go and live freely!  Being transparent with God, others and yourself helps you to have a pure heart.

If you are reading this and there is something you know you need to go to God about, do it. If you need to ask for forgiveness, do it. He will give you freedom and cleanse you completely. Isaiah 43:25 says that God blots out your sins for His own sake and will never think of them again. If God won’t even remember your sin, why should you? Why let it hold you back?  

From the silliest to the most serious things, God wants to talk to you. He wants to laugh with you and cry with you! Don’t forget that God is a 24 hours a day, 7 days a week God. You always have someone to talk to 🙂

With love,

Rinny

Living on God’s Timing

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Trusting God’s timing is not always easy. It can get frustrating actually… God, do you even hear me? Even though I know everything happens for a reason and the season (good or challenging) I’m in is making me learn and grow in whatever way God wants me to, it’s kind of easy to stop giving thanks despite the outlook and to start getting discouraged.

Shouldn’t this be simple though? There’s ALWAYS a reason to give thanks. God is faithful, He gives us His best, He promises us good things. God doesn’t lie and He isn’t a God that changes His mind (Numbers 23:19). He’s planned out every second of our lives, including our tests and trials. If we keep our focus on Him, won’t we always find victory?

“God has set a time to deliver and send His favor upon us—and it usually comes in our worst hour of trial. That’s the time when we’re no longer struggling to do things on our own. Instead, we admit, ‘Lord, I can’t do it—it’s a mess. I give it all over to you.'” I heard this and it made me think how much God wants us to truly understand dependence, how dependent we should be on Him, to have faith in Him and what He is doing and wants to do through us. Once we reach that place of total surrender, then God can really move.

I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father. You can ask for anything in my name, and I will do it, so that the Son can bring glory to the Father. Yes, ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it! (‭John‬ ‭14‬:‭12-14‬ NLT)

God is always faithful. We are the ones that neglect Him, lose focus and direction, especially in our tough times when we start looking to everyone and everything to give us an answer. We forget that through our struggles, trials or tests, we still have purpose. We start taking care of ourselves and focusing on ‘self’ instead of letting God take care of us. If we take care of God’s ‘house’ first in our lives, then our ‘house’ will be in order (Haggai 1:7-11). Don’t lose focus. God has us where we are for a reason, so why give up? Everyday, we are being molded, changed and pruned for something greater than we can see. Someone needs you to push through, someone needs to hear your story, to see your victory.

And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him (Hebrews 11:6 NIV). Trust God 🙂 Continue to seek Him and spend time with Him daily… read the word! Think of it as food lol. It will give you strength and sustenance for your journey. Remember that God loves you so soo much and will never forget about you.

So do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord. Remember the great reward it brings you! Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that he has promised (Hebrews 10:35-36).

With love,

Rinny

You Are Worth More

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…than your career, a relationship, your fav designer shoes. Sometimes we place so much value on these things that they began to define us. We want the next promotion, more money, the newest gadgets, and enough is never enough (Luke 12:15, Ecclesiastes 5:10). They become our identity.  When we feel empty or we are looking for something more to fulfill us, it’s easy to turn to the things society deems as important.
 
Reality is, this only leads to confusion because we are so much more than these things. Career, money, power and even relationships are all temporal things. We should be kingdom focused, storing up treadures in Heaven, Matthew 6:19-21.

I love this quote from author/writer Richard E Simmons, “We live in a culture that measures greatness by building a business, amassing some great fortune or being a celebrity. But in my mind, true greatness is measured by the impact you make on the lives of other people.”

If you are you looking for something more in life, what are you looking to? Are you fulfilled in Christ first? I know this might be a bold statement for some of you, but, if you’re not, you’ll forever be searching. 
 
Ephesians 3:19 says, “May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.”
 
So how can you be made complete or find contentment where you are? To be made complete, you must first believe in Jesus Christ (Philippians 3:8-14).
As far as contentment, a couple of things: depend on Christ to strengthen you, to take care of you, trust God and be thankful no matter what your situation or circumstances are (Philippians 4:10-13, Ecclesiastes‬ ‭6‬:‭9‬).
A lot of us are not where we want to be… trust, you’re not alone lol. But, you’re where you are for a reason. You’re learning, you’re growing and as long as you’re focused on God, you’re one step closer to the next thing He’s called you to do, so keep going! 🙂
With lots of love,
Rinny

God Wants You To Be Happy

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Just a reminder 🙂 Sometimes we get really caught up and forget what God really wants and has for us. I was reading Ecclesiastes 3 today and came across these scriptures (specific to work)… This whole chapter is about there being a time and place for everything.

So I concluded there is nothing better than to be happy and enjoy ourselves as long as we can. And people should eat and drink and enjoy the fruits of their labor, for these are gifts from God. (‭Ecclesiastes‬ ‭3‬:‭12-13‬ NLT)

So I saw that there is nothing better for people than to be happy in their work. That is our lot in life. And no one can bring us back to see what happens after we die. (‭Ecclesiastes‬ ‭3‬:‭22‬ NLT)

God wants you to be happy with what you’re doing and to enjoy what you work for. Colossians 3:23-24 says to “Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and that the Master you are serving is Christ.” Work unto him and everything will work out for you. If you’re not happy where you are, it might be time for a change! Change isn’t always easy, but is it time to take a step of faith and make that move?

Jesus lovess you and cares and wants you to be happy. Remember that 🙂

With love,

Rinny