Jesus Feminist: A Review

(I don't think any of you care but I feel like I need to do that thing where I told you I bought this with my own money and these are my own unbiased thoughts and whatever)

Jesus Feminist by Sarah Bessey

From a technical point, Sarah Bessey is a great writer. Her words flow like a song and are very easy to read. I think it's important that when you're writing a book on something so controversial as this, you need to be articulate.

Now onto the part you probably want to hear about. The part where Jesus and feminism meet (gasp-- clutch pearls.)

Oh my goodness, I loved this book. Bessey's love for Jesus and humanity shines through so strongly. It has inspired me so much to be a vessel of love and Jesus' light.

It also has cleared up some of the bible for me. If you're a woman I'm sure you know the verse where Paul says he does not permit women to speak in the church (I believe it's 1st Corinthians 14:34). I don't know if you have, but I've struggled with that verse. But when I read that Bessey believes (I'm sure she also had sources, but I forgot to take notes) that Paul meant not to gossip and ask useless questions in church, it clicked for me.

We are told that women and men are equal, but in the world and even in the church that's not true. Bessey really encouraged me to fight for equality with love both in the world and the church. Stand up. Be brave and courageous.

There was also beautiful talk of embracing our differences as women. Some of us love to craft. Some ride motorcycles. Some women are called to stay home, some are meant to travel to desolate places or even just go to work. No matter what you do, it doesn't make you less of a woman. Love your fellow creatures and love Jesus.

I love this book so much. I want to recommend it to everybody, male or female. So, hey. Hey, YOU! You, who's reading this. Please read this book. It's about $2 on Kindle, or get it from the library, or go for a personal physical copy if that's more your thing. Just read it, please. Even if you think you might not agree with everything, just try.

These are my thoughts for today. (also I missed you guys)

xx

What I've Been Loving Recently

*please bare with me as I ease back into blogging. I'll try to take some pictures soon to make my posts more interesting :3*

Madeline's tiny list of things that have been making her happy lately:

• the Hamilton the musical soundtrack (its on youtube, check it out). I just love it so much. The songs are beautiful, creative, and witty, but the lovely people who sing them bring them to life. 

• the opi nailpolish color I cannoli wear opi. It's the perfect light grey and it's been staying on my nails beautifully, which is nice because I'm a lazy sloth. 

• writing my thoughts down. I feel weird calling the notebook I write my thoughts down in a 'journal,' and besides I'm including blogging in this pinpoint. But anyway it relieves stress, it helps me think issues out better, and it's insuring I'll be able to remember how I feel about whatever now, when I look back at it years from now. I wish I was doing this a year ago.

• trusting in the Lord. Because, gahhhhhh, it's not always easy. There are so many times when my future looks so uncertain, or I'm worried about friends and people. It's such a comfort to remember it's not in my hands, it's in my heavenly Father's.

-My thoughts today

random tidbit of song I heard while I was writing this:
'it was beautifully depressing, like a streetcar named Desire'

Thoughts on Maturity

Maturity is the ability to realize while somebody may be a great, outstanding person, they can still be a terrible friend.
Maturity is the ability to let something go, to move on without bitterness in your heart.
Maturity is praying for your enemies, and for your own heart towards them.
Maturity is not praying for the downfall of others, but that they will be lifted towards Him.
Maturity is thinking before you answer sharply.
Maturity is knowing others aren't perfect, and you aren't either, but everybody's doing the best they can.
Maturity is knowing everything is a choice, and others can't be blamed for choices somebody else made.
Maturity is forgiveness.
Maturity is love.
Maturity does not have to be solemn and straight faced. Maturity can be fun, joyful, and full of wonder. And it should be so.

-M's thoughts on Maturity

{I love to hear y'alls thoughts and experiences, please feel free to leave them below!}

Thoughts on Salad and Loving Yourself

For a long time, salad was a form of punishment for myself. ''You're eating salad for lunch because you need to lose weight and clear your skin,'' I told myself as I reluctantly ate salad without dressing (or croutons, or cheese--basically lettuce. ew madeline why). 

It's taken a while, but through adventures and mistakes I've realized how wrong that mindset is. I've started caring about my health again and eating better than I have been, but my mindset is totally different. 

''You're eating salad because it's good for your body and you love yourself,'' I've been telling myself. And you know what? I've been eating caesar salad with as many croutons and as much cheese as I want. And I love it.

I love knowing I'm feeding my body what will make it strong for years to come. I eat lettuce and spinach because I love myself, but in the same meal I also eat dressing and croutons and cheese because I love myself. 

This mindset extends from just my lunch. I eat chocolate and sugar because I love myself and I want to treat myself. But at the same time, I don't eat too much of it because I love myself. 

When I eat, my mindset is a loving one. And I hope and pray yours is too. In this world, loving yourself is so important. It's a journey, and it's not achieved over night. Heck, I know my journey is far from done. But please join this loving journey with me. 

-Madeline's thoughts over lunch 

{Comments? Leave them below}

My Everything

You're the poison under my tongue

The toxic in my bones

The shards of glass under my feet

The bruises littering my soul

The sharks surrounding me

The worst nightmares

You're my everything

-=+=-

yaaayyy more angsty teenage poetry :}

xo

A Peek Through my Sketchbook

I think an artist is someone who can make people feel emotional by experiencing their work {not necessarily art}. Any sort of emotion, it's all relative. Being an artist is certainly one of the best things to be. 

A Peek Through my Sketchbook:

{all drawings by yours truly}

coffee stains are the bane of my existence

 

 

she's missing an eye... don't question it

 

 

 

 

 

 

And there you have it! If a couple of these look familiar, I get all of my inspiration from Pinterest. Duplication is one of the best ways to learn. :)

xo

-=+=-

There are stars in my eyes

and galaxies in my mind

Wires in my bones

and feathers in my brain

Lies in my mouth

and mold in my heart

xo

madi

5 Things to Always Remember

 

Five things to always remember:

1. Everybody is going through something. 

2. There's a difference between kindness and being a push over.

3. You always have a choice.

4. Let simple silly things make you giddy with happiness.

5. You are important, you are loved, and the world wouldn't be the same without you. <3

xo

Madi

Lets Talk: Modesty!

I think I'm going to start this new little series called 'Lets Talk.' It's not going to be published on a certain schedule, but only when the time strikes me to rant. It's called Lets Talk because I want to have discussions on y'all too about what you think on the matter, so always feel free to leave a comment. :)

-=+=-

Modesty has been a big issue recently in my church youthgroup. The basic rules are: no tanktops and no shorts under five inches short. It's because the church doesn't want the guys looking at the girls and lusting, basically. To start off with, you always have a choice. About everything, but I'm talking about sin here. Nobody can make you sin, thanks to the free will God gave us. Nobody can make you look at a girl and lust over her body, no matter what she's wearing. It's a choice you're actively making. 

Second, putting the responsibility of your sin on somebody else is never ok. Making girls wear certain clothing is only teaching guys to justify their sin. Like ''it's okay I'm looking at her and sexualizing her because her shorts are 3.5 inches long.'' 

Now, look at the sentence above and the one below:

''It's okay I raped her because she was dressed a certain way.''

It's victim blaming both ways. Both sentences are fruit from the same tree.

Don't teach your girls to dress a certain way, teach the boys to control themselves. 

Third, it's insulting to both parties. It's insulting to girls because it's pinning somebody elses sin on them, and making them objects, not humans. It's insulting to the boys because it suggest they're not smart or strong enough to control themselves on their own. It's suggesting they're basically animals, not humans.

Fourth, a person can objectify you no matter what you're wearing. Booty shorts or a burka, it doesn't matter. So you might as well wear your 3.5 inch shorts, because it's pretty darn hot out. 

XO,

MADI

please leave a comment on your opinion, but be nice and respectful to everybody :)

Hello.

*awkward hello agains for the win*

Sorry I left you. But now that I'm mostly free of commitment {yay summer} I dearly hope we can get to know each other again. Let me introduce myself:

My name is Madeline, but I'm chill with Madi or Madz.

I'm fourteen and three months young.

My hair is currently long and brown/blond ombre, but I'm craving a short lavender pixie cut.

I adore makeup and books.

My current fav music is anything on the Christina Perri Pandora Radio, but always Ed Sheeren's X. 

I have a Christmas tree up in my room year round and I'm not ashamed.

Peach herbal tea is my jam and I'm rocking it. 

Summer is my favorite season but skinnies and oversize sweaters are always welcome.

I get all of my photos from pinterest unless they have my watermark. ;)

Leave a comment below; say hello and tell me about yourself! :)

Clean Slate

I'm trying to remember how to breathe,

I'm trying, oh so hard, to remember how to see the world again without holding onto your hand.

I'm trying to taste, to feel, and to explore without every single thing reminding me of you.

Because it wasn't worth it, to hold onto your love.

Nothing was worth it after tear filled nights, holes in the wall, and my body stained with bruises. 

I've washed away all the memories--terrified nights, hiding in the closet--along with summer days filled with our laughter.

The good and the bad, I've washed it all away from my clean slate.

-=+=-

Please bare with me as I figure all this blog stuff out. :)

{Also, a huge thank you to Emily from Twenty-One Designs for giving my blog a fresh look. Isn't it lovely?}

The New Blog

I am pleased to introduce:

the new blog

also,

A Beautiful Blur

And so our adventure ends, my friends. The new blog is a work in progress design wise, so please bear with me. I'm going to at least try to design it myself before turning it into a hot mess and handing it over to a more experienced blogger. ;)

There is a follow button, is if you would like to stay updated about my goings on and what not I'd love it if you followed. Please don't feel obliged to.

This blog is going to be kept up for reference and if you'd ever like to run through it feel free. 

{There is one last non update-y post coming up, so be on the lookout. I hope it'll be a good one.}

-Madeline

Saying Goodbye

I've had this blog for little over three years.

I've made tons of great friends on it whom I won't forget.

But now it's time to say goodbye.

-=+=-

I've decided to have a fresh start and start a new blog. I hope that it'll be up by the start of Feb.

For In The Wind, it'll still be up, and anybody who wants to peek through the archives is very welcome.

I'd be glad if you'd like to follow me on my new blog, but for those who don't: thanks for the journey. It's been really great.

I'm looking for somebody to design my new blog. If you'd like to and have had expertise, please leave a link below to your design blog/page. I'm pretty much broke, so it's not likely I'll be choosing somebody who charges, but I'd still love to look through your work. :)

And I will leave a link as soon as it's finished just for anyone who wants to see it.

I'm terrible at saying goodbye, sooooooooo:

Thank you for putting a smile on my face every time you comment. Thank you for the sweet words. Thank you for following my little rambly-blog. Thank you, most of all, for being you. <3

The new blog's name:

A Beautiful Blur

Reading Suggestions And My Favorites

**Before we go on: I have made a choice concerning wether or not to keep In The Wind! I'm announcing it on Thursday and all I can say is that I'm very excited for the future.**

These are a few of my favorite books and books I'd suggest for certain moods. I tried to add some books that are new and I loved. Read ahead, book warrior. ;)


Dark but not too dark:

You know when you're in the mood for something dark, but you don't want to be scared senseless? This book is the one for you.

 

Daughter of Smoke & Bone by Laini Taylor is breathtaking. Dark and romantic with angels and demons. There were a few things I didn't agree with {from a religious standpoint--you may have no problem}, but it was amazing still and at the last book I wasn't ready to end the series.

When you're feeling alone:

When you're seriously disappointed that fanboys are such a rare species, read this and you won't want one anymore. You've got a fictional boyfriend now. ;)

The Conspiracy of Us by Maggie Hall was just--- GAH. You know. It's a debut novel {??} that just came out this month; with a backdrop of Paris and Istanbul and a couple other fabulous countries it's bound to give you chills.
{Shatter Me is another great book if you're in this mood. It's just been read a lot so I decided not to add it}


Short and Sweet:

A book to read when you haven't got much time or when you're participating in a book challenge.

 

We Were Liars by e. lockhart gives you summer cravings and dreams of the beach. Around the 130 page mark it's the perfect book to read quickly. There were a few plotholes that will bother you once you're done, but it's not worth it just to skip this book.

A new Dystopian:

I know you're probably pluck-tired of YA dystopians and have read them all, but this is a new one you won't want to miss.

Snow Like Ashes by Sara Raasch is such a complex world. You don't know who to love and who to despise; but you do know something's terribly wrong.

*I had to set this book down a few times just to do slow breathing*

That's it for now! I sincerely hope you pick up a few of my suggestions. Tell me below which ones you've read and which ones you want to read. :)

*how I feel about all the books*

The Moon

I mourn the moon as it slips from night to day,

say goodbye to my silvery friend

I turn my back on what is fading 

and welcome the sun,

hello bright friend

you speak of glorious new beginnings

I held the moon in my arms

the stars wept as they disappeared

''don't be afraid,''

my silvery friend whispered to me,

tears painting me liquid silver,

''often the sun brings brighter things.''

-=+=-

Happy Thursday! I couldn't decide which one to publish so here's my ramble-y thoughts, gathered into a poem about a moon. xx

Into The Forest -- My Old Novel!

This isn't actually the start of chapter one because that was too gag worthy, so this is about the middle. Please enjoy this forever embarrassment of mine.

{If you don't know this is the story I wrote when I was about ten. I promise /hope I don't write like this anymore. Re-writing this is one of my New Years goals.}

Though I try to find Prissy, a familiar voice calls my name. ‘’Alissa!’’ it cries, over and over again. ‘’Percy!’’ I shriek. Old, proper Ms. Johnson, who doesn’t approve of my best friend being a boy, glares at me. ‘’Quiet down!’’ She says, and waves a wagging finger in both my and Percy’s directions. 

       ‘’I was looking all over for you,’’ Percy says, as if I was trying to run away from him. ‘’And I was looking all over for Prissy. Do you have any idea where she is?’’ I ask. ‘’Probably trailing the King’s and Prince’s carriages. Why?’’ I glare at Percy. Even though Prissy may not be the brightest or best sister, I can’t afford to let him tease her when she cannot defend herself. ‘’She’s not that low. Only the blonde girls do that.’’

       ‘’And maybe that’s why they are always chosen?’’ Percy snorts. Snorting isn’t becoming to anybody, but Percy’s sharp jaw makes it okay. 

       ‘’Oh, just don’t talk to me,’’ I moan, starting again on my journey to find Prissy. ‘’You know I don’t mean it,’’ Percy says, walking along with me. Being taller than me, he finds Prissy easily. ‘’Over there,’’ he points in Prissy’s direction. He’ll probably suppose it makes up for his teasing. Being Percy, one can just simply hug a girl and both she and Percy will believe there is no hate over his teasing. But all those girls are only aware of his ‘’dreamy’’ sharp jaw, short, fluffy brownish black hair, and brown eyes. I’ve known him for what seems to be forever, and couldn’t care less about what he looks like. 

       

*dies forever*

Even though this was terrible, I'm really excite to write it again. I absolutely loved and still do the plot. :D

{If you'd like me to post more from this, just comment!}

Grey

His arms were warmth

and his eyes full of fire

but now his arms don't reach out to me anymore

and his eyes are too cold

all I see now is grey grey grey grey

the colour of his eyes.

Things To Do When You Feel Sad/Insecure

 

* drink water

* take selfies you know that are stupid and ridiculous but they're fun

* take a shower

* text a bestfriend

* eat fruit

* pour your feelings onto paper

* listen to music

* clean something

* remember that you're beautiful and I think you're great

-=+=-

{ little things concerning the photo above: that photo isn't mine. Most are from pinterest and I have a disclaimer below that states that, but I like to post the reminder every now and then. Just so you know. :) Second off, when I saw it something in me stirred so I knew I had to write something about it, so it will be seen again. Little things not concerning the photo above: Until I make a decision concerning the blog regular posting times will be every Monday and Thursday. }

New Year's Reevaluations and Resolutions**

**Change this word to ''Goals'' please in your mind. I just wanted the two Rs so it sounds snappy when you say it. For real, try it. ;)**

I'm really sorry for that weird H if it bother you too

I'm sure you already know this, but tomorrow is a new year. 2015. Oh boy.

There are a few personal things I want to work on in 2015 and I'll get into that later but right now a want to talk about things concerning this blog and the new year.

During January, I really want to reevaluate why I have this blog. With some people, you can read their post about anything --mushrooms, for an example-- and be totally transfixed. It's just a natural talent for writing anything. They phrase their words so beautifully and string them elegantly together and I really don't believe I have that. Sure, I'm great and what not at poems, but how often do I actually post those? I'm seriously thinking about letting this blogging chapter of my life end. I love sharing my writing pieces with you guys and I hope y'all like them too; but my posts about anything else are so bland. One option is to keep this blog open only for my poems, but then I feel like it'd gather dust {if it could} in-between each infrequent post, and I really don't want a ''dusty'' blog.

If I do decide to keep In The Wind I think a lot of things would be changing. I really want to be taking more of my own pictures. I want to share more of my life, even the ridiculous stuff.

As for personal goals, I've decided to have three big goals to work on throughout the whole year, and one small goal that I can accomplish each month. Some things take more than just one month to work on, so that would be a year goal. I'm going to decide each month's goal as I come to it. But as for the year's goal:

• {this is the average cliche one so beware} I want to eat healthier. Maybe your family does this too but for mine we usually eat healthy for the first two months of the new year and then flicker off {nothing bad with this: it's better than never having that goal and spending those months eating bad stuff instead}. Yes, I'm counting myself in there. But this year even if I'm alone I want to genuinely try to make healthier choices. You only have one body, which is precisely why you should both eat chocolate and broccoli. 

• I want to say yes to more things. Not only am I introverted but I'm also very shy. I want to learn how to embrace my introvert-ness and yet still say yes {to group activities and trying new things} and still be friendly and social. 

• I want to rewrite Into the Woods. If you don't know when I was about 12/11 I wrote a short story {130 pages or so}. It was a fantasy snow white retelling. I've tried writing so many different things since then but none of them flowed so magnificently like that one did. It was the best feeling. I absolutely loved that story and I still did. There was never a day when I didn't want to work on it. I'm beginning to think I may only ever have one story that pours out of my soul so naturally, and if I do; I want to stop wasting my time and start perfecting that story. It was written when I was pretty young so obviously it's crap, but I still love the plot and I want to try to rewrite it and round out the plot. I'm going to keep most of the scenes, but add more in and develop the scenes and the characters more. So basically I'm rewriting all of it and keeping the inspiration there. :p

January's goal:

• Drink more water. This is also a unofficial year goal but I have a filtered water bottle, and there are very few bad things water can do to you. Better skin and metabolism? Don't mind if I do. ;)

Please tell me your goals and spread the inspiration below. If you want, leave encouragement on other comments. I have no doubt we are all going to have a fantabulous new year.

Some Books

**edit: I just realized my blog anniversary was on the 22nd! Guys, if you look I have never remembered to post on that day about my anniversary. ;/ Seriously though, my memory... anyway, I think I've been blogging for three years? Four? **


Clever title, eh? {Newp. I stink at titling things}

I wanted to show y'all the two books I got for Christmas! I got other things too that I'm very grateful for but I didn't care to add them since they're not books.

 

The Undertaking of Lily Chen by Danica Novgorodoff

I wanted this book because I heard that the watercolors are just beautiful {and they are--see picture below ;} and because the story sounded so interesting. It's about the old Chinese custom of ghost marriages.

Right now I'm really enjoying the plot and the pictures but I'm not really invested any in the actual story. :/ Hopefully it'll get better at the last half.

*dies*

 

Snow Like Ashes by Sara Raasch

I've also heard a lot of good things about this one! I was at Barnes and Nobel and it looked interesting so I picked it up with some holiday money. XD

I haven't started reading it yet but I'm really excited to! I think it's kinda like Narnia where the world is enslaved in an eternal winter. 

I think I need to do a ''most anticipated books of 2015'' post because Red Queen {dang that cover} along with other books.

What did you guys get for Christmas? Books or otherwise, I'd love to hear. :)