New Year Resolutions!

    Making New Years resolution is a subject that goes through everyone’s minds. However, some resolutions are a bit lofty and sometimes are unattainable. I tend to be goal oriented so I am definitely guilty of making large resolutions as well. This year I’m attempting to make simple, attainable goals such as: 

Memorize Scripture: Print it out here

Live Stress Free

Savour the Moments

I would love to hear what y'all are doing, what are some of your New Years Resolution? Are you making large goals or small goals? How do you intend to keep your resolutions?

Blessings!

The end is near, and so is the beginning.

       

I have entered into my last week of undergraduate college. I have completed my senior violin recital and the semester is wrapping up. The only thing keeping me from my diploma is two papers, one project, and two final exams. I wanted to take a few minutes from paper writing to encourage you as the season draws to an ends. It feels like I keep announcing final events, like: my last week of school, my last Sunday at my church, my last rent payment till I get married, and my last moments in the music building that I love so much. But really it is a time of beginnings. I will begin job hunting, I will begin serious wedding planning, I will begin my first home soon, and my life will begin as a real adult. That is almost too daunting to thing about right now...
             
      I am reminded of Gideon in the book of Judges from the Old Testament. Gideon was a normal guy who was pressured to be the leader of his people and take only three hundred men to fight against their enemy. They were surrounded and least likely to win but Gideon had the Lord on his side. The Lord told Gideon to sound the trumpets and shout to the Lord in the middle of the night around the camp of the enemy. When Gideon and his people obeyed, they won the battle with little bloodshed.

         Sometimes at the end of the semester I feel like Gideon felt. Surrounded at all sides with no hope and stressed beyond all measure. But I know that if I trust in the Lord, he will not give me more than I can handle, and I normally finish strong. I can only make it through because of the power of Christ that gives me strength when I am faithful and reliant on Him. So I charge you to be like Gideon, sound your trumpets of praise and life high the name of the Lord! He will get you through whatever battle you are facing! I found the picture below online somewhere and I can not remember at all where I found it, but it gives me such hope and reassurance. I hope you find it a blessing as well!

Enjoy the journey,

 

Modesty... What?

Yes, you did read the blog title correctly! Modesty! I have come to the realization that modesty has grown to have some negative connotations in our ever changing society. If you are like me, and grew up in an extremely conservative home, then you would be familiar with being modest. However, I realize that many people didn’t grow up like I did and might not understand the relevance of modesty. I have observed that most younger girls these days don’t even think of modesty in any area of their lives. Of course this is not their faults! Modesty has a lot more to do with living than just clothes. It has to do with being a daughter of God, obeying parental guidance, and living in such a way that we are an influence and represent our King Jesus. 

My goal these next few months is to introduce to you some ideas of modesty and how to apply it to everyday life. 

I attended a private Christian school from Preschool until the end of 3rd grade. Then my parents decided to homeschool my brother and me. I was completely thrilled! I have no idea what drew me to being home-schooled, but ever since I started 4th grade at home I adored being home-schooled. I also intend to homeschool my own children when the time comes. I adapted to being home-schooled flawlessly. Not to say that my mother and I never disagreed about school or chores, but I loved the way home-schoolers lived! I wanted to wear the long skirts, and braid my hair, and bake delicious homemade goodies, and craft to my hearts content! This was the life for me! So almost without my parents to guide me, I developed a heart of modestly. I was somewhat ridiculed for my choice of clothing and my excessive crocheting at the age of 14. Somehow I just didn’t care! They were still my friends whether I wore long skirts and sweaters or not and I think secretly they were just jealous! 

I just adore the concept of being modest. I also believe that it is a part of our mandate as a Princess of the KING! In 1 Timothy 2:9-10 

I also want women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, but with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God. 

I know this text is controversial because of the fact that we know God doesn’t mind if we wear expensive things or adorn shiny objects on our ears. Paul wrote this letter to the church of Ephesus. Scholars believe that He wrote such strict instructions to the women because they had a problem with worrying too much about their beauty and status in the church than worshiping God. That is where modesty comes in. It is to show God that we care about our bodies and are respectful not to show them off for everyone to see. 

So I want to make a list of some things that I think can help. Starting from head to toe:

1. Cleavage - It is always best if there is none showing. Try getting some extra long tank tops to wear under tops to give some added coverage, also having a correct fitting bra can help tremendously.
2. Bellies - I know at certain times showing off a belly is okay. For instance, age 0-4, and perhaps when pregnant. (Bathing suits are not included right now.) When trying on an adorable top at the store, lift arms to the ceiling to see how far the top rides up. 
3. Butts - Please no plumbers! Cheeks are only cute when you’re smiling! A good rule of thumb is to always bend over and touch your hands to the floor when trying on new pants. A belt is always welcome as well! 
4. Legs - This one has mixed opinions, I know. Mine is that anything above finger tip length is a bit too short for naked legs. This means when trying on shorts, skirts, or dresses relax arms at sides and see where your fingers touch. If you still want that short skirt style just add a cute printed tight or sheer panty hoes. 

There are so many ways to wear what is in style and still be modest! I hope these simple steps can help! Let me know what you think about modesty! Did you grow up learning about modesty? Let me know how you feel about modesty in our society.

Blessings :)

Passion

The Passion 2013 Tour is going on right now! Here you can watch the morning session streamed online! Go Check it out cause it will encourage and equip you! 

These are the sessions that are still online! 

JAN

02

9:00a // Community Groups 
10:45a // Main Session 
1:30p // Main Session 
7:30p // Main Session 
10:30p // Community Groups

JAN

03

9:00a // Community Groups 
10:45a // Main Session 
1:30p // Main Session 
7:30p // Main Session 
10:30p // Community Groups

JAN

04

9:00a // Community Groups 
10:45a // Main Session 
1:45p // Dismiss

WONDERFUL COUNSELOR

Isaiah 9:6 "For un to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called WONDERFUL COUNSELOR, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."

What is a wonderful counselor, and why do we need him?

To me, a counselor is someone who is wise and whom you can trust to keep all of your secrets. This person must also be honest and give strait feed back on a situation or thought. Even the Psalmist David needed a counselor way out in the fields watching the sheep. 

Psalms 119:23-24

"Though rulers sit together and slander me, Your statutes are my delight; they are my counselors."

Have you ever felt like that? That people are just sitting around talking about how annoying you are? Or that some people just don't like you? I sure have, this week in fact. My fiance and I have been battling the devil all week in a situation that should have never arisen. When one thing comes, ten others like to follow. We have been praying about it and consulting counselors and the only counselor that seemed to give us any comfort was one that didn't have to even say a word. Our WONDERFUL COUNSELOR Jesus Christ. He came to the world to be our counselor and direct us in the ways of righteousness. It is amazing to think that even the smallest amount of faith can comfort a person so much, in good and bad times. I don't know what I would do without the Almighty. Sometimes I feel as though God needs me but it is always the opposite. I need God. I need him everyday and in every way. God knows what he is doing and it is for our good. The Prophet Isaiah says it best: 

Isaiah 40:13 "Who has understood the mind of the LORD, or instructed him as his counselor?"

Trust in Him, our Wonderful Counselor! 

Blessings,

P.S. Happy Finals Week! I hope they all go well and we all finish strong! 

The First Day of Advent!

Christmas is often a whirlwind of decorations, presents, and food! All of which I am totally okay with, but this season I am trying to devote myself to remembering the season for what it is. I grew up Pentecostal Holiness and never really celebrated Advent as apart of Christmas. My brothers and I always knew there was no such thing as fat man who came down our chimney to leave us presents under the tree, but we did believe and honor St. Nick of long ago. I was never scared or injured in anyway by not believing in Santa Clause. I simply had a respect for the man he was. We also got to play along just like everyone else that some presents were from “Santa.” 

I would like to take a moment and share what Advent is really and why I would like to celebrate it more during the Christmas season. The word Advent means simply coming, or arrive. So the season of advent is all about celebrating the coming of our savior 2000 years ago and waiting for His soon coming return. As a Christian it is so exciting to wait for the return of the Almighty! I think it is extremely important to teach children about the celebration of the advent season. I am gathering all sorts of cute ideas for one day when I have children to teach it to! 

Everyday this month I intend to post something knew about the advent season in hopes of helping you find the peace and joy in the real reason for the season. I am doing this for myself as well, in means of teaching myself to step back and really celebrate the Saviors return and not worry about money or school. I need to be reminded of the real reason for the season everyday and especially this month of December. I pray this month that you may be encouraged by my blog and be in awe of the Christ Jesus. 

Isaiah 9:6 

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Lonely One

When I think of the word “lonely” I think of not having anyone around, a state of quietness, or deserted. So, what happens if that is not how life is and there are people around who love and care for you, yet the feeling of loneliness remains inside? What is there to do about this deep feeling of being alone? 

For the past few weeks, since I have been at school, I have felt like this so much! I believe that my homesickness and frustration in being at school has increased much more this year than my first year here at school, when I was new and had no one I knew. At school I am five hours away from my home and family, so there is no just dropping everything and running home. I have to wait it out for certain weekends, or plan much in advance to get to my family and loved ones.

Well, I looked up the meaning for the word lonely and I was given generic descriptions such as: (without companions, solitary) and for a place (unfrequented and remote). I found the definitions of this word to be bare and hopeless. So as I turn to the bible to look up some encouragement apart from the desolate word, I discovered that David, the writer of Psalms felt just as I do right now. Psalms 25:16 says, “Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted.” I read those words and prayed an imitative prayer to God, but I think to myself, “how did David, a man after God’s own heart, get to a place of loneliness and torment?” I scrolled up to the beginning of chapter 25 and read verses 1 and 2 which say, “In you, Lord my God, I put my trust. I trust in you; do not let me be put to shame, nor let my enemies triumph over me.” How can this be the same chapter that I am reading? In verse 1 David is putting his trust in God and believing in the Lord to not let anything harm him. Reading down David asks God to show him the ways of the Lord, to guide him, and to teach him, while all of David’s hope is in God. 

As I try and imagine how David can be so lonely, as shown in vv.16, when he is so close to God; I find a footnote in my NIV study Bible, which says that David was the target of his enemy’s words. In a sense, David was mostly dealing with spiritual warfare to not let his spirit take in all the nastiness that was being said to him. 

I find it so encouraging that David has gone through this situation, because in our world today there are so many “bullies” that come against us. Satan tries to tell us “you are all alone” or “you are worthless”, but through this cry of David we continue down to see that in verses 19-21 David says to God, “See how my enemies have increased and how fiercely they hate me! Guard my life and rescue me; let me not be put to shame, for I take refuge in you. May my integrity and uprightness protect me, because my hope is in you.” David is completely trusting in God! David knows that God is holding him through the hard times no matter what, because David does not let anything askew his faith, trust, and hope in God! 

As I feel hopeless and lonely in my dorm room praying the same prayer as David did; I am encouraged to know that I am not alone! God is with me, and I know that He is holding on to me because I remain faithful to Him. Loneliness is not supposed to be a lesson of selfishness, but a lesson of giving. Give yourself to God today and let Him use you in this trial season of your life. Choose not to let your heart be troubled but to speak in faith as David has shown us how to do. 

A few more encouragement verses to look up are:

• Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”
• 1 Corinthians 3:16 “Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s spirit dwells in your midst?”
• Psalms 119:116 “Sustain me, my God, according to your promise, and I will live; do not let my hopes be dashed.” 
• Hebrews 10:23 “Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.”
• 2 Thessalonians 2:16 “May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope,”
• 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.”

Spray Paint!

Finally, I have completed my wall picture for my room at home! It is not entirely finished but the picture frames are up! I just adore Spray painting, so this project was a thrill.

I started with some mixed/matched frames I had displayed in my room.

Spray painted them in an off-white out door paint.

The long poster frame is painted with the same paint and I wrote the scripture on white paper. I hung the frames below with fishing wire. I think this is so whimsical and cute! The last thing is to put black and white photo's in the frames, then this project will be complete!

The Lord is my Strength!

I need strength! I am nothing without the strength of the LORD! His strength is what keeps me together, it holds my little broken world better than any glue man has made! I felt the need to share these verses with you, for my sake if no one else's.

Exodus 15: 2 The Lord is my strength and my song; He has become my salvation...

Deuteronomy 6:5 Love the Lord your God with all you heart, and with all your soul and with all your strength.

2 Samuel 22:33 It is God who arms me with strength and makes my ways perfect.

Nehemiah 8:10 ... Do not greave, for the joy of the Lord is our strength.

Psalms 28:7-8 The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song. The Lord is the strength of his people a fortress of salvation for his anointed one.

Psalms 46:1 God is our refuge and strength and ever-present help in trouble.

Psalms 118:14 The Lord is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation.

Isaiah 40:31 But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; the will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

1 Corinthians 1: 25 For the foolishness of god is wiser than man’s wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength.

Philippians 4:13 I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

As I think on these top scriptures I find that strength is only given through God. No matter how hard we try to strengthen ourselves, we will always remain weak to God’s strength. I also find it interesting that strength is not one of the fruits of the spirit; Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness and self-Control. But oddly enough not one of us can give in to these traits with out strength. We need God’s strength to help us acquire these fruit. I find that I am at my weakest spiritually when I have messed up in one of the fruits of the spirit. For example; when do not act lovingly then I know my strength is weak, or when I loose my patience easily, I am in need of God’s strength. There is no human way to exude all the fruits of the Spirit and Godly character with out God’s strength! I charge everyone to pray God’s strength in to your lives!

Psalms 119:28 My soul is weary with sorrow; strengthen me according to your word.

Isaiah 41:10 “So 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.”