Spirit Lifter

This post is going to be simple, but still enjoyable. These are a few songs that I love to listen to, that always lifts up my spirit, and can change a bad mood into a good one. Songs can be so powerful and reassuring that God is always by our side and he loves us unconditionly.

(FIY: the videos only show up on a computer not a cell phone, I'm not sure why)

 

Jamie Grace - Beautiful Day

 

Sister - I'm Gonna Make It

 

The Crabb Family - Through the Fire

 

 

I hope you enjoy these as much as I do. What are some of your favorite songs?

P31W Wednesday #7

Sara talks about the softness factor--when she's kind to her husband, he seems to return that kindness to her. 

Has that been your experience? Why or why not? 

I would say yes, and it also goes both ways. If I cook a meal, my husband will always give me compliments about it, he will usually help me cook as well. If I clean the house he'll tell me that I have done a great job. He as always been good with compliments and saying sweet things. When it's hot out and my husband is out mowing the yard I try to have a cold drink ready for him when he comes in and dinner ready or almost ready. It's the least I can do really, I don't want to mow the yard in the summer heat. I would have to say we have the kindness thing done pat, we can always show each other more kindness but never any less. 

Husbands are our soul mate, our best friend, the person we live and share our lives with. Why make things difficult by being mean to each other and arguing?! I hate the little stupid arguments we do have, and I don't want to have anymore. So, I am kind to my husband and he is kind back, we are happy, happy, happy!!

Don't Be A Brat

Things don't always go our way, and then we whine and complain to people we know, we make a Facebook status for the world to see so people will feel sorry for us...and it goes on and on. I think this is something I see and hear everyday, I am guilty of complaining sometimes, I try not to and if I do, I don't tell the whole world. Why can't we all just be happy and be content with our life?! Yes, life does get tough sometimes, but it makes us stronger and we learn lessons from it. God puts us through hard times for a reason, so we will learn to depend and trust in Him more often, to put us in our place if we think we are too good for anything bad to happen. God knows what he is doing. 

Why is being content so hard? Why can't we be happy with what we have, we always want more, or the newest and nicest things. I am also guilty, I do love shopping, but I have to say I have been a good girl lately, only getting thing I need instead of want. We all are guilty of this, but it's something we should change.

Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he had said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you."

Hebrews 13:5

Many times we think of what we need and how we will obtain those things, instead of trusting in God that he will provide those things. I believe sometimes God wants us to work for what we need so we do not become lazy. I think he wants to see us tith and help others, practicing being a good servant. God will always provide for us, even if it's not brand name, or the newest, He will provide. So try to be content with the things you have and where your life is at as well. People that whine and complain, a word comes to mind to describe them, and that's a "brat". That's the last thing I want my Heavenly Father to think of me, I don't think he actually would, but he wouldn't be happy with me if I complained all the time. I have a roof over my head, a job, food to eat, clothes to wear, heat and air, running water, transpirtation, electricity, I could go on and on. I am thankful for all those things. What if you woke up and only had the things you thanked God for? Thats something to think about.  

Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me. 

Philippians 4:11-13

 

A Love Worth Dying For

Valentines Day, a day about your special someone, chocolates, flowers, gifts, dinner and a movie. Some people hate this day, and some people love it. I do have a Valentine, my husband who is also my best friend. But there is another man I love, more than my husband, my sweet loving savior, Jesus Christ. 

There is no amount of chocolates or flowers, no fancy dinner or piece jewelry that compares to the gift He gave me. Not only me, but everyone. He died for us, he was beaten, and attacked, whipped and called names. When Jesus was hanging on the cross he asked for forgiveness for His attackers, for they did not know what they had done. Jesus took all of that brutality just for us, He didn't fight back, he didn't even talk back. He died on the cross, and rose again to become our savior.

Even if you are single for Valentines day, the main man that should be in your heart is Jesus, if you are a man or woman. He loves you more than you will ever know. We fail him daily, but he forgives us daily. Just thinking about it gives me a mixture of emotions, it makes me happy, it makes me sad because I am so unworthy of His love. Jesus loves us unconditionally, he is with us where ever we go. 

So on this Valentines day I pray that your main Valentine is Jesus and you feel the amazing warmth of His love in your heart. 

P31W Wednesday #6

I'm sorry there was no post on Monday, I had a lot going on, and I didn't feel that God had given me a topic to write about. Today is Wednesday so its time to answer questions from P31W.

In this chapter Sara's task is to be kind as well as patient from the last chapter. She had a hard time with this, especially since her husband started things and didn't finish them. She would usually get mad and tell him to finish what he started, but she stayed calm, she did what she needed and no harm was done. Sara works from home, and has made a promise not to work after her son has come home from school. She had deadlines coming up, so balancing work and family was becoming harder than expected. But she figured if she is patient and kind to her husband, then he will be patient and kind to her, and that is worth missing a deadline.

The questions for this week:

How do you balance work and family? Share some tips that worked for you.

I work 8 to 5, when I get off, I go home, and work stays at work. When I am home it is family time, cooking cleaning, watching movies, and just being with each other. I love spending time with my husband, we usually cook together and we sometimes play games to do something different. The only tip I do have, is to leave work at work, don't go home mad or bring home problems that don't need to be there.

Have you ever put your own desires on hold for your family? How has this made you feel?

I don't really think that I have. I went to college and got a degree, I'm married, we own our first house, I have a good job, everything is great. The only thing I would like to do more is travel, but that's not really sacrificing anything, and those places will hopefully always be there that I can visit one day. The main place I want to go is Disney World......one day.....one day!!


 

I am still working on my patience and now it will be kindness. With {Valentines Day} coming up, do something nice for your significant other, be patient, be kind, just like love is.

Homemade Cinnamon Rolls

 

 

Last Sunday we had to bring breakfast for our small group class. I decided to make homemade cinnamon rolls and they were a hit, and my pan was empty by the end of class. 

 

I got the recipe from another blog, there are more pictures there. The recipe was super easy and yummy!

 

I hope everyone has a great weekend!!

P31W Wednesday #5

Sara is ready to start the process of becoming Martha31. She knows she can't take on all 21 verses at one time, so she gives herself a year, which is why the book is a year long project.

A good woman is hard to find,

and worth far more than diamonds.

Her husband trusts her without reserve,

and never has reason to regret it.

Never spiteful, she treats him generously

all her life long. 

Proverbs 31:10-12 (The Message Version)

Sara also uses the book The Love Dare, the book used in the movie Fireproof. The first step in this book is patience. She knows she can be impatient, so she tries in certain situations to stay calm before over reacting. 

The questions for this week are:

What tries your patience? 

A lot of things, I guess. My house has to be in some kind of order before I go to bed each night. People saying they'll do something and then they don't. Being unorganized, traffic, waiting and more. Those are the main problems, that can lead into bigger problems. 

How do you typically react to things that don't go your way? 

Not necessarily "my way" but I usually get a look on my face like what in the world, or why are you doing that. I'm not the type of person that will say my thoughts out loud, I'll just tell my husband when I get home, bless him. 

Everyone deals with their patience everyday, some deal with it differently than others. I'm sure Martha31 stayed cool, calm and collected. I am going to work on my patience more, not let little things bother me. Everything isn't going to be done the way I would do it, some patience issues can lead to stress, so I just need to tell myself I'm too blessed to be stressed. 

How do you deal with your pateince? Are you calm or do you over react? 

Talent Show

God has blessed everyone with some kind of talent. Whether is be singing, speaking, leading, a form of art, serving, and so much more. We are to use these talents to glorify God, because he blessed us with the talent.

As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies-in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. 

1 Peter 4:10-11

These verses say just that. If you have a beautiful voice to sing with, thank God. Don't take credit for it, or be cocky. God can easily take that beautiful voice away. I think there are many people that want the credit and the applause for what they do when really God should be the one get a standing ovation. We are to glorify Him, as 1 Peter 4:10 said "EACH has received a gift" that means everyone. I just realized what my gift was not too long ago, I knew God had a spot for me in the talent show, and I knew it wasn't to sing or speak, it was to write and create a blog, to help and encourage others. Each post that I post comes from Him, He narrows down the topics in my head, He gives me the words to write, and He gives me the confidence to do it.

If you haven't found your spot in the talent show, don't worry, God had a plan for you, he already knows your talent he's just making sure it's the right time before He tells you, just pray His Will be done. Here is a list I came up with of talents you could do: singing, speaking, forming a group at church or home, being a prayer warrior, teaching children, serving at local shelters, writing, sending cards, calling people to encourage them, cooking, art, cleaning, and so much more! Whatever your talent is, give thanks to God because he blessed you with it, and he chose it perfect for you! Be confident and know that the talent you are doing is glorifying God, He is proud of you, don't let others get you down. 

Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does act of mercy, with cheerfulness. 

Roman 12:6-8