Weekly Truth - Beatitudes Week 6

We're on week 6 of our Beatitudes study, and the time is flying by! In case you missed it, here's week 1, week 2, week 3, week 4, and week 5. 

The Beatitudes, Week 6

"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God." Matthew 5:8

"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and the plate, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. You blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and the plate, that the outside also may be clean." Matthew 23:25-26

Like the Pharisees, we have a tendency to get caught up in the outward workings of our faith and miss the heart of the issue entirely. We whitewash the tomb, but there are still dead bones inside. We fool those around us into thinking that we have it all together, that we're a "good person," but God sees our sinful hearts.

"For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart." 1 Samuel 16:7b

The first thing that we learn from this week's verse is that Jesus is concerned with the heart, that deep private recess in each of us where our thoughts and feelings hide in secret. His aim isn't that we would become more moral or follow a set of rules; the good works of a sinful person don't please Him. He didn't come into the world to break our habits or clean up our act on the outside. Jesus came into the world because our wicked, deceitful hearts need to be made clean.

Second, Jesus promises that the pure in heart shall see God. Those whose hearts have been washed by the blood of Jesus will be admitted into God's presence, experience His glory, and be comforted by His grace. I find it fascinating that the One who spoke these words about the pure at heart in His Sermon on the Mount is the same One, the only One, whose death enables our hearts to be clean. And because Jesus purifies our hearts, we are able to see God and experience Him. Grace upon grace!

My prayer this week is that we would pray like David for clean hearts (Psalm 51:10) instead of trying to maintain appearances, and look to Christ "who gave himself for us... to purify for himself a people" (Titus 2:14). 

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Each week I design a new iPhone background with a different verse and share it on the blog. Seeing Scripture several times throughout my day reminds me of truth, strengthens my faith, and helps me me memorize God's Word so I can accurately share it with others. Feel free to download, pin, and share these backgrounds as many times as you would like!

Today's Top 3

Happy Monday! I'm back with more favorites this week in one of Elle & Company's newer series, Today's Top 3. Today I have upcoming events, our funny little cat, and a few great books on my mind.

Top 3 things I'm looking forward to

• The Bloom Workshop - Two of my favorite ladies are bringing their workshop to the East Coast this Thursday! I'm excited to meet Michaela and Ashley in-person, share some insight on blogging and design on their expert panel, and meet other creative business ladies. Three more days!
• Home Suite Home reveal - It's starting to feel real. Our prints from Minted arrived for the gallery wall, the new table for our eating nook is on its way, and Jake and I are pulling out the paintbrushes this weekend. Each individual piece is so pretty; I can't wait to see it all together!
• Elle & Company Planner Launch - A new name, a new concept, and an updated design. It's only a few weeks away! Stay tuned...

Top 3 Heidi quirks

I promise I'm not a crazy cat lady. I just can't get over this odd little cat!

• Neighborhood walks - It's the strangest thing; Heidi joins Jake and I for walks around the neighborhood. She runs along beside us, taking the occasional break to run up a tree, and she makes noise the entire way. Jake gets the biggest kick out of it and I must admit, it's hilarious. 
• Friendliness toward the dogs - I've never seen a cat that loves dogs quite like Heidi. She joins the dogs next door for their afternoon walks around the pond, she hops the fence to play with them, and she even lets the black lab puppy lick her on the head. It's precious.
• Snuggling - She loves to snuggle up with us, especially Jake. He can't get away with studying or reading for class without Heidi jumping up in his lap, and she sleeps on his back every night. It's endearing and obnoxious, all at the same time. 

Top 3 books I'm reading

Because who reads just one book at a time? 

• Faithful Women and Their Extraordinary God by Noel Piper - I picked this book up at the Gospel Coalition Conference last June and I've been reading it each night before bed. It documents the lives of five women - Sarah Edwards, Lilias Trotter, Gladys Aylward, Esther Ahn Kim, and Helen Roseveare - who trusted God with their lives and exemplified what it means to be faithful. Reading about the extraordinary things God did through them has been an encouragement in my own walk and has challenged me to make a difference for Christ in my family, my church, and my community.
• Trusting God by Jerry Bridges - I'm going through this book with a sweet lady from my church and this is her fourth time reading through it - it's that good! Trusting God is well-rooted in Scripture and it's applicable to every season of life. Reading this book has helped me realize that God is completely sovereign, He is infinite in wisdom, and He is perfect in love - therefore, I can trust Him. I'm only two chapters in, but this book has already had a great impact on me.
• Women of the Word by Jen Wilkin - This book has been recommended to me by several godly friends that I trust and admire, so I picked it up at the seminary this past week. Jen Wilkin provides great tips and wisdom for going deeper into God's Word and studying it on our own, without the help of a guide or someone else's opinion on Scripture. I'm excited to keep reading this one.

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Your turn! What are your top 3 favorites this week?

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Coffee Date with Emily Thomas

Today's Coffee Date guest could charm the dew right off the honeysuckle! If you've been following along with Southern Weddings for any length of time (especially this past week on Instagram), you are probably already familiar with who she is.

Emily Thomas is the creative director at Southern Weddings and the lady behind one of my favorite blogs, Em for Marvelous. Her hard work ethic and drive have been a great example and encouragement to me, but her genuine, kind-hearted personality takes the cake! A lady like Emily deserves to be highlighted. So without further ado, meet Emily!

Landon Jacob

What's in your coffee mug this morning?

I actually don't drink coffee! I love the smell of it but can't stand the taste. I like to drink chamomile tea at any hour of the day or OJ in the morning.

What does a day-in-the-life of Emily Thomas look like?

My days usually look a big like this:

8am:  Roll out of bed

8:30am:  Out the door and on my way to work at Southern Weddings!

9am:  Arrive at the office and spend some time scrolling through email that cam in overnight (I never check it after work) and through Instagram (I also don't check that overnight). I create a paper to do list from whatever didn't get done the day before and anything that came up over email.

9:30-1:30:  Work time! This means lots of email (I try to work on a one-touch system); consulting with Lisa and the other ladies about upcoming shoots, magazine and blog features, shop products, and social media things we're trying; formatting and writing blog posts; calls with creative partners for upcoming shoots to finalize details; email; setting up Blue Ribbon Vendor portfolios; and pinning to our Pinterest boards!

1:30pm:  Lunch outside on the porch. Even if my lunch break is only 15 minutes, I try to take it away from my desk for a change of scenery and so that I'm not staring at my screen for 8+ hours on end. I almost always bring leftovers from whatever my husband cooked the night before!

1:30-5:30pm:  I finish up my work day at SW with more of the same.

6-7pm:  I'm home! I usually arrive home before my husband, so I try to knock out any Etsy orders I need to work on before he arrives - usually about an hour of work on a normal day.

7-11pm:  Once John gets home, we almost always go for a walk around our neighborhood if we're not heading out to a meeting or our church family group, which meets once a week. He makes dinner while I sit at our kitchen bar and either work on a blog post, answer personal email, or chat with him! I do the dishes, then we'll watch a show, read, work on more blog things, do some sort of chore, work on a house project... the possibilities are endless :)

Working in a creative field is a blessing, but sometimes it's easy to get stuck in a rut. What do you do when you're in a creative slump? How do you stay inspired?

At Southern Weddings, I'm thankful that we have two very real sources of inspiration - true love stories, and the beautiful South. If I'm ever at a loss for what details to include in an editorial, I try to think about real couples and real love stories that inspire me, or I try to experience something new and beautiful outside my door. Em for Marvelous is really the story of my life, so I've learned over time that it's extremely important for me to actually be living a life that's worthy of documenting and sharing. For me, that means less frequent posts (about two a week) so that I have time (in addition to my full time job) to do interesting things and improve myself!

Meredith Perdue

What have been your top 3 highlights since working at Southern Weddings?

Oh wow, too many to count! Everything about producing the magazine is still so exciting for me - from seeing the concepts we dream up come to life, to holding each issue in my hands, to seeing each on the newsstand for the first time. I have a picture of myself kneeling next to the newsstand rack with every one! :) I've gotten the chance to work on set with amazingly creative and kind people over the years, including Jose Villa, Joy Thigpen, Blye Eyed Yonder, Ali Harper, Katie Stoops, and Joey and Jessica Seawell! I've also traveled to Florida, Virginia, New York, South Carolina, Texas, Georgia, Indiana, and the Grand Caymans for Southern Weddings, which is a huge highlight.

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You went out on a limb and took a creative approach when you applied to Southern Weddings. What advice do you have for other young women on setting themselves apart and breaking the mold?

Honestly, the thing that most sets someone apart in my inbox is whether or not they're a good writer. In a world that's increasingly moving online, the importance of being able to communicate effectively, graciously, smoothly, and with great tact through writing cannot be understated. Great writing skills are a skill set that will serve you well no matter how technology changes the world or your industry in the years to come. For those who already have a job, I can't say enough how much I love the career advice Joanna Goddard recently posted - I give an enthusiastic YES to everything, especially numbers 4, 7, and the bonus!

What is something you've been loving lately?

Bright lipstick! I just traveled to NYC for Bridal Market, and it reminded me how fun it is to wear a bold lip color. My favorite is Nars Schiap. Also honeycrisp apples, which are not necessarily compatible with bright lipstick, but delicious nonetheless.

You're originally from Connecticut but you've been living in North Carolina since 2009. Just for fun, what "southern-isms" have you picked up in the past 5 years?

Well, I do say y'all on occasion - it's just too useful not to! My favorite Southern adoption has to be the food, though, with biscuits, pimento cheese, Chick-fil-a, and vinegar-y barbecue topping the list. YUM!

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The First Step in My Creative Process

Like most occupations, it's helpful to have a process in place as I go about my work. I haven't seen many creatives approach this subject, so I thought it might be helpful to spend the next few weeks sharing my own creative process. While my method may not work for everyone, my hope is that these posts will encourage you to streamline your own process and think through the steps you take as you go about your work. (Why is it important to have a process? Find out in last week's post!)

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Visual Communication Design. I always wondered why they changed a simple, common name like "Graphic Design" to an unrecognizable name with so many syllables. I feel the need to explain myself when I tell people that my degree is a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Visual Communication Design, so I end up bypassing it all and sticking to what everyone is already familiar with: "I have a degree in graphic design."

But the longer I'm in this field, the more I see that the name is a perfect fit. Graphic design isn't only about creating pretty things (although that's definitely one my goals as a designer); it's about problem solving to visually communicate an idea.

Clients come to me with problems: they don't have a website for their business, their current logo and website don't accurately capture the mission of their company, they're narrowing their focus and they want their brand to reflect their change in direction, etc. In order to solve their problems, visually communicate their ideas, and meet their needs, I have to clearly understand what their needs are. Which brings me to step 1 of my creative process...

Defining the Problem

It seems so simple, doesn't it? But if I miss this step, I miss the boat. If I don't clearly define the problem and communicate with my client before I put pen to paper, I will end up with 10+ revisions and an unhappy customer down the road. I have to have a good understanding of what the client's goals and expectations are in order to deliver a brand that accurately displays their business.

What does this look like?

Like most designers, I meet with my clients in person or by Skype for an initial consultation to discuss their project. This usually involves many questions, some clarification, and a lot of listening. I start by asking questions about their business before I begin asking about their design needs. What is the purpose and mission of your business? How did you get started? Who is your ideal customer? What are your business goals? Then I move onto more specific questions: What are you looking for in terms of design? What are some keywords that come to mind when you envision your new brand and website? While I listen to the answers, I jot down lots and lots of notes on my Client Detail sheet. I keep those notes nearby and refer back to them when I move into the next step of my process (more on that next week!)

Many designers create a creative brief after they meet with a client to compile their notes and nail down project goals. A creative brief is a usually a single-page document that outlines the purpose and expectations of a project, and it's a great way to make sure that you and your client are on the same page. (Visit this great article for more insight into creative briefs.)

Communication is fundamental in my design process and in my occupation. In order to visually communicate an idea through design, I have to define the problem and know who and what I'm designing for. 

What could this step look like for you?

Whether you're an engineer, teacher, hairstylist, bank teller, photographer, or even a student, chances are your first step deals with some sort of problem solving and communication. So what could this step look like for you? What tips and advice have you found helpful for clearly communicating and documenting expectations with your clients and coworkers?

Weekly Truth - Beatitudes Week 5

Can you believe we're already on the fifth week of our Beatitudes study?! I've really enjoyed going through this series with you and studying these 8 verses from Jesus' Sermon on the Mount. There's nothing quite like digging into Scripture and uncovering what it means in our lives, and I'm excited to get started on this week's verse! In case you missed them, here's week 1, week 2, week 3, and week 4. 

The Beatitudes, Week 5

"Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy." Matthew 5:7

Isn't it funny how slow we are to give mercy and how quick we are to expect it from other people? So often we hear "an eye for an eye" or "they deserved it," but those phrases take on a whole other meaning when we're the guilty party, don't they?

Mercy is defined as "compassion or forgiveness shown toward someone whom it is within one's power to punish or harm." In other words, it's not punishing someone when they deserve to be punished. This week's verse tells us that those who extend mercy to others will receive mercy themselves, and it builds upon the 4 previous verses that we've been studying these past few weeks. I love how Jon Piper connects the first 4 beatitudes to this verse. "Mercy comes from a heart that has felt it's spiritual bankruptcy (Matt. 5:3), and has come to grief over its sin (Matt. 5:4), and has learned to wait meekly for the timing of the Lord (Matt. 5:5), and to cry out in hunger for the work of his mercy to satisfy us with the righteousness we need (Matt. 5:6)." 

Mercy is a gift from God. It begins with Him. We can extend mercy to others only when we recognize the punishment we deserve and the mercy that God has extended to us through His Son, Jesus.  

Here are a few more verses for reflection as you consider mercy this week. 

"And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience - among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ - by grace you have been saved."  Ephesians 2:1-5 (emphasis mine)

"The Lord is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. The Lord is good to all, and his mercy is over all that he has made."  Psalm 145:8-9

Every breath that we breathe, every blessing that God gives us is a gift of undeserved mercy. And when we recognize that, mercy will spill over from our hearts and onto other people. Mercy doesn't begin with us; it begins with God. Praise God for withholding the wrath that we deserve and pouring out His mercy on us!

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Each week I design a new iPhone background with a different verse and share it on the blog. Seeing Scripture several times throughout my day reminds me of truth, strengthens my faith, and helps me me memorize God's Word so I can accurately share it with others. Feel free to download, pin, and share these backgrounds as many times as you would like!