Monday, April 27, 2020

Giving Thanks and Doing Planks

Week 1: https://www.strava.com/activities/2853361170
Week 2: https://www.strava.com/activities/2869860970
Week 3: https://www.strava.com/activities/2889006694
Week 4: https://www.strava.com/activities/2905404761
Also an instagram story highlight

If you haven't noticed, I love participating in campaigns and contests that relate to my life and things I support. During November, one of the campus organizations hosted #GivingThanksAndDoingPlanks, which made my heart leap when I saw the email announcement, and that is no exaggeration. I was so into it, I did one every day. The posts were to be submitted on their Facebook page, and you could make a new entry every day to encourage both healthy living and gratefulness during the month of Thanksgiving. Faith and fitness! Two of my favorite things! So I got creative and found something, big or small, that I was thankful for every day of the month.

These pictures below are out of order, but the above links to my Strava posts have them in order with their short descriptions. I think it is so important to find ways to see good things in every day, even if it seems like a "bad day."
Attitude of Gratitude.

And would you believe that I won!? I did! I won an Amazon Echo and a UTC Columbia pullover. I also got a new connection with the wonderful Carol Oglesby of UTC Healthy Living Initiative and Center For Student Wellbeing, as well as UTC Healthy Mocs on Facebook and Instagram. It also gave me something fun to be involved in throughout the month and ways to find thankfulness.

"Give thanks in all circumstances. For this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." 
1 Thessalonians 5:18


Christmas shopping ** My dog



All the great holiday things this week: family, pets, Thanksgiving, Christmas, home ** Making holiday goodies to share (pumpkin spice Chex Mix)



New UTC clothes ** The "thankful bucket" I made for our dorm living room



Some time with God-Choose Joy! ** Birthday celebrations and carrot cake ** A free dark chocolate strawberry smoothie from the Smoothie King app



My first post of the month: at conference being thankful for the race and my roommate for the trip ** Vibrating foam rollers and chocolate milk in the weight room and getting stronger!



A class that gets me outside and in the community ** Pumpkins!



Class cancelled, so I got to take a nap and eat hot lunch on a very cold day ** Hotels!



Heading to region! and a new Clif Bar ** Cooking dinner


A new PR! For me and several others. ** Simply thankful



Seasonal pajamas ** Coloring (yes, it was for class)



Christmas lights (though for year-round decoration) ** Christmas socks and shoes!



Umbrellas and rain boots (essential for college!) ** Air freshener (especially fall scented and after a run in the pouring rain)



Coffee! ** Playing (yoga?) with some goats!



Heading home for Thanksgiving Break!




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Friday, March 13, 2020

National Rare Disease Day & Leap Day

Shop and Save with ibotta




As you may know from my various pages and posts, I love to celebrate and create. With my semester internship for both of my majors (Communications and Sport, Outdoor Recreation, and Tourism) with UTC Athletics Communications, I am getting to do a lot of fun things with our social media, website, and events/coverage. One of my favorites that I am personally connected to is running the track and cross country instagram page. I am always looking for new and exciting things to share to help improve our content, and the weekend of indoor conference had plenty of opportunities! There was the biggest indoor meet of the season, of course, leap day, and National Rare Disease Day! 

Our team has a partnership with Team Impact and a little boy named Levi, so we did a video to share about our connection with him!
I won't be redundant, so you can watch the clip above!
Thanks to Katie Smith and Anne Wehunt for some of the pictures; Sophia, Ashlynd, and Nicole for being in the video, and NeedToBreathe for writing some great songs.

If you want to see, share, or save it on the Tube, here is the link to the video on my YouTube channel.


This one is another part of my internship for the semester, but it is more on the goofy side! It was pretty fun to make and participate in, and shout out to Madelyn in the opening clip for being a real jumper (also does long jump and sprints, but not in the video) for getting all-freshman team at the meet! I used TikTok to make it, and I am still learning how to make those videos better, but it is tons of fun. If you have any tips, let me know! And give me a follow @makenziejones97



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Friday, February 21, 2020

"Faith" --Songs and Scriptures



It's been a busy year, and this semester, "busy" doesn't begin to cover it, but I have made it a point to do something to spend time with God every day. Going through a relatively minor but still very painful and limiting injury (now make that two) has added to the stress but also added to the strength of my faith. That's usually the plan. Over the past few days I have been looking at a relatively new song by Jordan Feliz called "Faith," and it came to me as encouragement to not lose hope, keep on going, take care of myself, prepare for good things ahead. I may be down, but I am not out. God has brought me through a lot of unlikely circumstances before, He can and will do it again. My job is to believe in Him and do the little things that can help. 

There is no ocean that can't be parted
There is no mountain that can't be moved

I know there's help for the heavy-hearted

The weak will find their strength renewed



You just gotta have faith



It's light for the shadows

For all your tomorrows

It's knowing He's there through the sun and the rain

It's when you believe it

Before you can see it

And you can walk on, ‘cause He's making a way

Just gotta have some faith, faith



Searching for purpose in all the waiting

Praying through so many silent hours

Finding a breath when you feel like fading

Learning to love where you are right now (where He's got you now)



You just gotta have faith


Remember your Rescue is standing beside you




I have to remember that there is nothing I can't get through; God will always make a way. When my heart is weighed down by all the negativity and problems of the world and anxieties of my life, He lifts me up. When I feel weak and have nothing left to give, He gives me strength and energy. He is the light that shines in the dark situations, the one who holds my future so I don't have to fear. He has given me good times as well as comfort in my bad times. I have to believe in His power and His plan before it comes. That's part of the journey. I can always find reasons to keep going. When I feel stuck, waiting for something better, I can pause in patience knowing there is a purpose. Prayers may seem unanswered, but it is just not time yet or not what I expected. Know He is hearing, and He is acting. Take time to breathe and take care of myself when I feel like things are crumbling. Find joy in the journey whether it is rough or smooth--it is all great in God's plan. Remember that God is right here with me through it all and is working everything out for my good. Walk by faith. 


Verses

FAITH & BELIEF
"The righteous shall live by faith." Romans 1:17
"For we walk by faith, not by sight." 2 Corinthians 5:7
"But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt..." James 1:6
"Whoever believes in Him is not condemned..." John 3:18
"Jesus said, 'Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?'" John 11:40
"For it is with your heart that you believe and with your mouth that you confess your faith and are saved." Romans 10:10
"Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you." Matthew 17:20
"Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see...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 11:1, 6
"Through Him you believe in God, who raised Him from the dead and glorified Him, and so your faith and hope are in God." 1 Peter 1:20
"These trials have come so that the genuineness of your faith, of greater worth than gold, may result in praise, honor, and glory when Jesus Christ is revealed. Though you have not seen Him you love Him and believe in Him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy." 1 Peter 1:7-8
"For everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith." 1 John 5:4
"So that your faith might not rest on human wisdom but on God's power." 1 Corinthians 2:5
"Take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one." Ephesians 6:16
"You know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance." James 1:3
"Faith comes from hearing the message, through the word about Christ." Romans 10:17
"Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours." Mark 11:24
"Surely the righteous will never be shaken...they will have no fear of bad news; their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the Lord." Psalm 112:6-7


NOTHING GOD CANNOT DO
"I am the Lord, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me?" Jeremiah 32:27
"Jesus looked at them and said, 'With man this is impossible, but with God, all things are possible.'" Matthew 19:26

 LIGHT
"The people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death, a light has dawned." Matthew 4:16
"The light shines in the darkness..." John 1:5
"When Jesus spoke again to the people, He said, 'I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.'" John 8:12
"You are a chosen people...belonging to God that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness and into His wonderful light." 1 Peter 2:9
"This is the message we have heard from Him and declare to you: God is light; in Him there is no darkness at all." 1 John 1:5

 HE IS WITH US
"He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together." Colossians 1:17
"I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go...I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you." Genesis 28:15
"Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand." Isaiah 41:10
"The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing...He guides me along the right paths, for His name's sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and staff comfort me...Surely Your goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life..." Psalm 23
"The Lord watches over you--the Lord is your shade at your right hand." Psalm 121:5
"The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?" Psalm 118:6
"Do you not know that you are God's temple, and that God's Spirit lives in you?" 1 Corinthians 3:16
"For this God is our God for ever and ever; He will be our guide even to the end." Psalm 48:14
"The Lord Himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged." Deuteronomy 31:8
"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9
"He is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." Psalm 34:18 (and 147:3)
HE IS OUR RESCUE
"The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to His heavenly kingdom." 2 Timothy 4:18
"The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in Him." Nahum 1:7
"In You, Lord, I have taken refuge...In Your righteousness, rescue me and deliver me...Be my rock of refuge, to which I can always go...You have been my hope, Sovereign Lord, my confidence since my youth." Psalm 71:1-5
"The righteous may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers Him from them all." Psalm 34:19
"He reached down from on high and took hold of me; He drew me out of deep waters. He rescued me from my powerful enemy, from my foes who were too strong for me. They confronted me in the day of my disaster, but the Lord was my support. He brought me out into a spacious place; He rescued me because He delighted in me." Psalm 18:16-19

CARRY ON
"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." Galatians 6:9
"I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength." Philippians 4:13
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith...consider Him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart." Hebrews 12:1-3
"...Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." Philippians 3:13-14
"Though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with His hand." Psalm 37:24
"Therefore, since through God's mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart." 2 Corinthians 4:1
"Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." 2 Corinthians 4:16-18
"But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded." 2 Chronicles 15:7
"Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love Him." James 1:12
"Consider it pure joy, brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." James 1:2-4

 PRAYING
"The spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us...the Spirit intercedes for God's people in accordance with the will of God." Romans 8:26-27
"The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still." Exodus 14:14
"Jesus told the disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up." Luke 18:1
"Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours." Mark 11:24
"Rejoice always, pray continually." 1 Thessalonians 5:16-17
"Is anyone in trouble? Let them pray." James 5:13
"the is what the Sovereign Lord says: 'In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength..." Isaiah 30:15
"Pray with the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. Be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord's people." Ephesians 6:18
"Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing but the body is weak." Matthew 26:41
"Lord, hear my prayer, listen to my cry for mercy. In Your faithfulness and righteousness come to my relief." Psalm 143:1
"Hear my prayer, Lord; listen to my cry for mercy. When I am in distress, I call to You, because You answer me." Psalm 86:6

 HE WILL MAKE A WAY
"This is what the Lord says--He who made a way through the sea, a path through the mighty waters...forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up. Do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.'" Isaiah 43:16-18
"You make known to me the path of life; You will fill me with joy in Your presence, with eternal pleasures at Your right hand." Psalm 16:11
"No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to man. God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will provide a way out so that you can endure it." 1 Corinthians 10:13
"Jesus answered, 'I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.'" John 14:6
"'For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are My ways your ways,' declares the Lord. 'As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts higher than your thoughts.'" Isaiah 55:8-9

 MORE FOR OUR HOPE
"Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not be faint." Isaiah 40:31
"You wearied yourself by such going about, but you would not say, 'It is hopeless.' You found renewal of your strength, so you did not faint." Isaiah 57:10
"The Lord has made everything for its own purpose." Proverbs 16:4
"This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it." Psalm 118:24
"Make the most of every opportunity because the days are evil." Ephesians 5:16
"All the days ordained for me were written in Your book before one of them came to be." Psalm 139:16

Now you can go listen to the song and sing about how you have something to have faith in, then wait and see how God responds!


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Monday, December 30, 2019

Are We Like the Innkeeper?

Are we missing what God may have for us in His plan because we are too busy?


I watched a new Christmas Bible Study series on the Casting Crowns' YouTube channel titled "How Are You Making Room for Jesus This Christmas?" based on their new song with Matt Maher, "Make Room."

They were all short videos, but there was a great message behind each one. I could personally make a lot of connections to my own life, so I thought that I should share a few and the resources, so maybe you can see some applications to your life and family, too.

The first video was a simple yet strong challenge to simply change the focus of your home or atmosphere. It seems obvious, but thinking about it, it's huge. When I change the music I am listening to, Instagram and Twitter accounts I look to each day, the notes I leave myself on my phone and in my room or textbooks, the thoughts I have, the way I look at the world, etc...wow it is a huge difference! Life seems better and calmer even when things are not that smooth and pretty chaotic.

Another point that I really liked to hear Mark Hall make in this intro video was that sure, we can still have all the fun holiday things, gifts, Santa, parties, songs, and whatever else, but we have to have Jesus first. That's what makes the difference.

The second video looked at the innkeeper. At first, while I was listening to him tell about Mary and Joseph's journey and the job of an innkeeper during this time with the census, I was wondering where he was going with that. But then it hit me. While people may look upon the innkeeper negatively because he turned Mary and Joseph away, he wasn't doing anything wrong; he wasn't a bad guy. He was just doing his job during the busiest working time of his life. So many people were traveling during this time, his guest rooms would have been in high demand. Mary and Joseph were just a couple more travelers, and there was no room. He was busy. And he missed out on being a part of one of the greatest plans God ever had.

Does this sound like your life sometimes? I can tell you that it is definitely my life many times! I am busy. Always busy. Mom gets frustrated with me because even in what could be some wonderful, relaxing times for me, I am busy with something. I never run out of things I could be doing. However, there are times, especially during the school year, that I am so busy I feel like I never sit down, and my brain is going on overdrive all day long, and I swallow my food whole like I haven't eaten in four days. Do I have time to open up my Bible? Time to take a deep breath and pray? I feel like I don't, but I do. I can make room. My inn may feel full, I can be doing lots of great things, but I can be busy and miss what God has in His plan for my life. Busy-ness isn't a sin in itself, but it can be a distraction for God's greater purposes right here in front of us. God can knock on a door, but He can't make us bring the opportunity inside.

In the third video, Mark talked about Jesus's life later on. People wanted rid of Him. He challenged the way the world worked, went against the status quo, He got in the way of how people wanted to live their lives and do religion. Why don't we always make room for Jesus? Because it gets in the way of how we want to do things in life. It's a challenge to our routines.
The final video made me smile as he told of his family's tradition of reading the Christmas story from Luke 2, because that's what my family always does as well. The Hall family has a nativity scene that sounded similar to what we also had on display, but they added a unique twist to both sharing the story and using the nativity. The parents would take the pieces and hide them throughout the house before the kids were up, then they would have a sort of Easter egg hunt with the pieces. Each person would have the piece(s) he or she found, and as they read the story from the Bible, each person would talk about it from the character's or animal's point of view. Imagine being a part of THE Christmas story! We may not be able to be a part of the birth of Christ, but we can be a part of many other miracles and once-in-a-lifetime opportunities that God has in His story ever day.

So I am using this series as a challenge to myself when I get in the Christmas spirit in the future, as well as every day, to pause in what I am doing to breathe, pray, take my mind off of myself for a minute, and see what God may be trying to get me to see. I may feel like I can't slow my progress or I'll fall apart or behind, but God will take care of that. We have to look to Him first, then we will see.






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