Respect, Class, and a Chicken Sandwich.

All this talk about chick-fil-a is starting to get really nasty, and honestly I am appalled by the way the national conversation about this has become a national argument. It is arguments like these that have divided our nation.

We live in a broken, sinful, world. While I do have my personal opinion about the situation, in the end I know that I am not of this world, and I am not called to love the sins and temptations of it.
What I AM called to do is: Love God and let his will be done in my life, and share God's love and the Gospel of Jesus Christ to all.
I believe in the love story that God has written for us.
The bible is a not only a guidebook but a story of God's pursuit of the hearts of the human race. And our constant ignoring of a loving father who sends his son to overcome death so with faith in him we can be saved and transformed.

A lot of people have been offended by Dan Cathy's comments about his beliefs and faith, and opinions.
Others have been offended by the backlash against his statements and business.

I am proud of the rights we have as American citizens to use our freedoms of speech, religion, and assembly (among others).

Both sides of this argument have fully used these rights, and I will fight for the right for any group to protest, voice their opinions, or worship whatever they please, so I can retain my rights to do so as well.

The main things that are lacking in this controversy is RESPECT and CLASS.
Respect for Dan Cathy's RIGHTS of speech and religion.
Respect for the LGBT community's RIGHTS of speech, and to protest or to boycott if they want.

Can we please inject some class into the conversation, and stop name calling? Using derogatory terms toward The LGBT community, or terms like "bigot" and "homophobe" all hurt the same... And only pour salt in wounds.

Words can be healing, or dividing. And right now what our country needs is healing, and something to remind us that our differences don't have to tear us apart. In order to keep America strong, we need to be united as a nation, not divided by economic class, political parties, or gender. Differences don't have to be divisive, instead they can be the very glue that holds us together.







I encourage an intellectual and civil conversation on the issues at hand, because I believe that is the only way this issue can be solved.

5 Favorites!

Well, posting in September has been a fail... seeing how this is only my second this Month. 
In my defense (excuse) it's been busy! 

"Where'd Kaylee go?!"

I've:    Won an iPad, entered a pageant, joined two clubs in school, been cast in a play, filmed for some upcoming projects (whose names are under wraps at the moment;)), started a refined sugar and fried food fast, and neglected my devotionals (again:/)

So here's to 5 favorites, things I've been enjoying in my siesta away from the blog world:

1.      Ezekiel 4:9 Sprouted Grain Bread,
 is an organic, nutritionally-dense, high fiber bread that also is a complete protein — one of the few breads on the market that contain all 9 essential amino acids, is low in fat, has no Trans Fats or cholesterol and is generally low in sodium. 
(http://www.answerfitness.com/213/ezekiel-bread-healthy-food-day/)
THIS BREAD IS A BLESSING.
Why?
 No flour= no carb crash
Protein= more filling= eat less= healthy portions= a healthy diet= happy body
It's amazing, end of story.


2. Winged Eyeliner,

Whether paired with a bold lip and matching blush, or a nude face, winged eyeliner is so classic and easy!

I have a little trick... I draw the line on the outer half of the lid, so I can focus on the wing. This is super helpful for if you have already applied mascara, then apply a highlight on the inner corner, and apply white eyeliner on the bottom waterline. its' a cute, easy makeup job, and you don't have to worry about the black smears you get underneath your eye with normal eyeliner!

3. Waves

An easy hair-do! Procedure:
1. shower. (thats good to do every once in a while;))
2. comb hair 
3. apply hair product (if you use any regularly)
4. braid
5. go to sleep.
6. take out braids in morning, and voila!  Beautiful waves, and all you did was sleep. 
best bedhead ever.


4. Sparkles.
Yes. Be it shoes, eyeshadow, or clothes, glitter is big right now!!

modcloth.com

5. Dylan Patrello:
Her lyrics and rhythms are so relaxing, fresh and unique!

 So there's my 5 favorites for the month of September!!


Proverbs 12: 25
Worry weighs us down; a cheerful word picks us up.


Task for tomorrow, give someone a pick-me-up with a cheerful word!


Hope everyone's September was a good one!

Beware of Christians

My church hosted a screening of the Movie "Beware of Christians" recently.



In this Documentary, 4 College guys from Highland Park, Dallas take a trip to Europe to escape american culture and throw everything they know about church out the window, all with a goal to grow closer to God.
They interview many Europeans about views of faith, and problems facing young people today.
What I took away from it after was the art of listening. I have a problem with talking and arguing instead of listening. But once you stop talking and start listening, you begin to understand truly what us Christians need to do to live like our name... (Christian means 'Little Christ')

Matthew 23

Religious Fashion Shows

 ^1-3 Now Jesus turned to address his disciples, along with the crowd that had gathered with them. "The religion scholars and Pharisees are competent teachers in God's Law. You won't go wrong in following their teachings on Moses. But be careful about following them. They talk a good line, but they don't live it. They don't take it into their hearts and live it out in their behavior. 


Christ didn't look down on the prostitutes, thieves, and beggars. Christ called out the Pharisees...a.k.a. the religious of the religious.... They knew the rules, went to school for religion, and made sure everyone knew they did.
But Jesus knew what they were really all about.
Beware of Christians, to me, calls upon the fact that a lot of God's proclaimed people aren't really walking with him, and it's blatantly apparent, especially through a non-Christians eyes.
I applaud Will Bakke for a great film that's hilarious, and thought provoking at the same time!



for more information about the film, check out this website!

Where Are You?

I went to my Mom's bible study this past Tuesday and the topic of the day was seeking the Lord.


What became very clear through the lesson to me is that if your'e not actively pursuing  the Lord, in prayer, reading your bible, and worship, you're actually drifting away.
 If we truly want a relationship with the Lord, we must treat it like any other relationship and give it effort, because we all know how it feels when were in a one sided relationship... like our effort isn't appreciated.
We have to pursue the Lord, and only then will we truly begin to know him more like a father, and less like a judge.


"He did evil because he had not set his heart on seeking the LORD" 2 Chronicles 12:14


So the readers digest version of what i'm trying to say is this: If we don't seek the Lord, and make an effort, it will be so much easier to fall to temptation. Because once you forget about Jesus, you will begin to make the wrong choices. 
Read the bible, or do devotionals. Keep a prayer Journal. Talk to HIM. . Get to know that God that knows everything about you.


Great songs for worship, or to listen to alone!

Kari Jobe also has some great organizations shes backing through selling products (If you love online shopping like I do), I'd check it out! Click here to go to Kari's website

Hitting the books. And prayer.

Lately I have been SWAMPED with school work and such. It seems like everything gets thrown at you at once! So between homework, studies, tests, rehearsals, and auditions... when in the world do you have time for reading anything but your assigned english book...(such as the bible)...? My solution... get a lamp next to your bed, and read before you go to sleep.

Have you ever been on the phone with someone you care about and talk untill one of you falls asleep? Thats what I find mysellf doing every night before bed. Just talking about my day with the Lord. I would like to challenge you to try it out! You may feel funny at first, like your talking to the ceiling, or the inside of your eyelids. But God hears our prayers, and just a mustard seed of faith is all it takes. Vent about your day or the people in your life that you're worried about, things you are thankful about from your day, questions you wish to pose to the Lord, anything! If you are more of an early riser, you could pray while your getting ready in the morning.



Put GOD on speed dial!

So there is my challenge. The more comfortable you get talking with God, the easier it becomes. The big clincher that ends a lot of relationships is communication. And your relationship with God is just so! But he'll always be there when you call.

 Another Matthew West song!

Lyrics are powerful, and explores the spirit of prayer!

Stress, Fashion, Bible, Hip-hop.

I do not like stress. Who does? Today was just one of those days when everyone around you is in a bad mood, and the tension/awkward in the air could be cut with a knife. (I blame the icky weather).
It's crazy how your environment so much affects your ability to work and your attitude. Ever hear the old saying bad company corrupts good character? I definitely would say that is a valid point.

SO.................on a fashion note!
Went back to urban outfitters with a friend and got a ROMPER (on sale of course) Thought I'd share it...

 Sooooo looking forward to when it gets warm again so I can wear it! (Come on! It's May and 53 degrees?)

When you're having a frustrating day,or it's not warm enough to wear your romper, or a bad hair day, maybe this will give you some joy:

In heaven, there won't be any bad weather, or bad hairdays!!

YES!

 Psalm 23:1-4                                                                                                                    

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures;

He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness.

For His name's sake. Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

Love this verse... lying down in a green pasture sounds good right about now!

....Which reminds me of a song!

for those hiphop lovers! Group 1 Crew has a unique style while keeping its message true.

Have a great week!