The Browning Tribune

The Lord does not just think, He knows.  The other day I woke up to the sun coming in the window at 6 a.m. Not being much of a morning person I was not ready to get up, so I laid in bed thinking and praying what was on my heart. Then my mind began to wonder to a place which is very familiar to my brain. I thought about the day a guy might look at me and say I'm beautiful and be ecstatic to be with me. I thought about that for a few minutes and a mix of emotions came over me. I thought "Why hasn't that ever happened to me?" and "When it actually happens it will be beautiful." Then I got out of bed to get ready for the day and looked in the mirror. I felt the Holy Spirit come over me and whisper "You are beautiful." My beauty does not come from what others think of me it comes from my creator.  "I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know this full well"  Psalm 139:14 Then a...

It's not about denomination it is about Jesus. Hey friends! It has been a while since I have wrote and I thought it might be time I share what has been on my heart for a while.  While I call myself a Christian, I also know that my belief in Jesus goes beyond the label. Also when asked I do not really identify with a denomination. I have been to Baptist, Evangelical, and Nondenominational churches. I have been to traditional and new age churches. I truly believe no matter the circumstances, it is all about Jesus.  Over the past couple months people in my life have took notice of the way I live my life. Not everyone was a Christ follower, but they opened up to me and wondered why I live the way I do. They took note of the fact that I don't drink because I am not of legal age yet, they noticed the way I interact with people, they noticed my integrity, and more. Some people even talked to me about it. This opened up a conversation about what they believe in their he...

Freedom looks good on me! Sometimes I struggle with the fact that I have never had a real relationship. I begin to wonder what is wrong with me. I see couples all around me, my social media is flooded with  adventurous relationships, and the most discouraging part is that I am never the friend to get hit on. I remember one time I was at dinner with one of my girl friends, when this guy left his number with us and she said to me that he meant for her to have it not me. I have never been the friend to get the digits or the one to get asked on a date. I have never been the girl in the friend group with a boyfriend.  When I think too deep about this it makes me want to cry, but then I remember how lucky I am for the opportunity to enjoy this special time. I get to be independent. As a single girl I get beautiful opportunities I might not have offers coming my way every time I turn around, but I get to discover my worth and who I am on my own. I know when a boy falls for ...

Last April I wrote a letter to myself. A friend of mine had it and mailed it to me when the time was right. I got this letter in the mail a couple weeks ago and it really hit home. It was exactly what I needed and I thought it might encourage you too. ________________________________________________________________________________ Jourdyn!                                                                                                                             April 2, 2017 I know what you have been though. You have had a wild ride. God has shaped you. He has pulled you closer. Those mistakes you made are covered in grace . God's grace wins! Even though times might...

FOMO- fear of missing out Admit it if you are like me you have struggled with the fear of missing out. This is something have struggled with for quite some time. I have always wanted to be where the party is and not miss out on meeting a potential friend or worse my future husband. When I told my mom my thoughts she said "You have been this way since the day you were born."  There have been times in my life where I have worn myself so thin from going to every possible function and not taking time for myself. I have also found myself going to every event possible put on by every organization I have ever heard of. This just wears me out and there are times when I do not even have a good time. Even though I am a social person, I need time to rejuvenate and not be in a large group of people all the time. Just cause I am an extreme extravert with an entertainer personality does not mean down time is not needed.  Something God has laid on my heart lately is, when we say...

There is no scrooge crushing my Christmas spirit this year.  I used to love Christmas. I loved counting down until the special day. I loved everything about the season. In kindergarten I remember some kids taking about Santa and me telling them that Christmas was Jesus' birthday.  I remember being about six years old and going to bed at 6pm because I thought it would make Santa come sooner. December 25th was my favorite day of the year. Everything about it was perfect. For the past few years the holidays have not been the easiest time for me. There have been lots of crazy emotions attached. The holidays just marked the end of another year for me. No one really knows this. I have just recently opened up about it, honestly I am only now realizing it for myself. I just accepted that this is the way the Christmas feels when you get older. This weekend I realized this is not true, I also realized my need to let go of my past. It all started when I was in eighth grade. This ...

You are called and capable. HE calls you worthy.  "Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? And not one of them is forgotten before God. Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows." Luke 12:6-7 Lately I have been feeling like there is no way someone could look at me the same if they knew all the baggage I carry. I know God has forgiven me, but somehow I still struggle to believe that others could accept me even if they heard the stories about me from my high school years and the beginning of my college experience. I often think to myself that no one would recognize me if they saw the first semester Jourdyn.  I have also realized over the past few months that this is the devils way of trying to pull me away from my Father. He uses this lie and the lie of many others to tell me that I am not good enough. He tries to get me to give up.  I look back to two summers ago when I was on sum...