I love this top! It's feminine and modest, nice but not too showy, simple and elegant. I could wear this to a casual or a formal event. What about you?
Sunday, June 27, 2010
A cute JCP top
I love this top! It's feminine and modest, nice but not too showy, simple and elegant. I could wear this to a casual or a formal event. What about you?
Shawn McDonald "Captivated" lyrics
Another great song. Shawn McDonald's "Captivated" from his CD "Roots":
When I look into the night sky it sparkles Your name
The wind and the clouds and the blue in the sky
The sun and the moon and the stars so high
That's what draws me to You
Chorus:
I am
I'm captivated by You
(In all that You do)
I am
I'm captivated
When I wake unto the morning it gives me your sight
When I look across the ocean it echoes Your might
The sand on the shore and the waves in the sea
The air in my lungs and the way You made me
That's what draws me to You
Chorus x2
The wind and the clouds and the blue in the sky
The sun and the moon and the stars so high
The sand on the shore and the waves in the sea
The air in my lungs and the way You made me
The blood in my veins and my heart You invade
The plants how they grow and the trees and their shade
The way that I feel and the Love in my soul
I thank you, my God for letting me know
Chorus x2
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Encouraging quotes
Here are some of my favorite Bible (and non-Bible) quotes:
"Think of the past only as its remembrance gives you pleasure." Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice
"Delight yourself in the LORD and He will give you the desires of your heart." Psalm 37:4, NIV
"Watch your thoughts, they become words.
Watch your words, they become actions.
Watch your actions, they become habits.
Watch your habits, they become your character." Unknown
"He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose." Jim Elliot.
"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things." Philippians 4:8.
"For attractive lips, speak words of kindness.
For lovely eyes, seek out the good in people.
For a slim figure, share your food with the hungry.
For poise, walk with the knowledge that you'll never walk alone." Audrey Hepburn
"'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'" Jeremiah 29:11, NIV
"Dance with God. He'll let the perfect man step in." Unknown
"In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps." Proverbs 16:9, NIV
"Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall." Proverbs 16:8, NIV
"I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your impurities and from all your idols. I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and keep my laws. You will live in the land I gave your forefathers; you will be my people, and I will be your God. I will save you from all your uncleanliness." Ezekiel 36:25-29a, NCV
"I am the one who made the beaches to be a border for the sea, a border the water can never go past. The waves may pound the beach, but they can't win over it. They may roar, but they cannot go beyond it." Jeremiah 5:22, NCV
"Whoever is not willing to carry his cross and follow me cannot be my follower." Luke 14:27
"Those who try to keep their lives will lose them. But those who give up their lives will save them." Luke 17:33, NCV.
"You will keep in perfect peace all those who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on You!" Isaiah 26:3, NLT
"My heart says of You, 'Seek His face!' Your face, LORD, I will seek." Psalm 27:8
"Then will the eyes of the blind be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped. Then will the lame leap like a deer and the mute tongue shout for joy. Water will gush forth in the wilderness and streams in the desert. The burning sand will become a pool, the thirsty ground bubbling springs. In haunts where jackals once lay, grass and reeds and papyrus will grow. And a highway will be there; it will be called the Way of Holiness. The unclean will not journey on it; it will be for those who walk in that Way; wicked fools will not go about on it. No lion will be there, nor will any ferocious beast get up on it; they will not be found there. But only the redeemed will walk there, and the ransomed of the LORD will return. They will enter Zion with singing; everlasting joy will crown their headsd. Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away." Isaiah 35:5-10, NIV
"God's law was given so that all people could see how sinful they were. But as people sinned more and more, God's wonderful grace became more abundant." Romans 5:20, NLT
"The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn His face toward you and give you peace." Levitical blessing (Numbers 6:24-26, NIV)
"Only in returning to Me and resting in Me will you be saved. In quietness and confidence is your strength." Isaiah 30:15, NLT
"Though a sinner might do a hundred evil things and might live a long time, I know it will be better for those who honor God." Ecclesiastes 8:12, NCV
"In order to lead the orchestra, you must turn your back on the crowd." Unknown
"Be the kind of girl that when your feet touch the floor in the morning the devil says, 'oh cr*p; she's up." Unknown
"When the enemy comes knocking at a door you closed long ago, you just call out, "Jesus, it's for you!" Unknown
"The truth is the truth even if no one believes it.
A lie is a lie even if everyone believes it." Unknown
"Look around you and be distressed,
Look within you and be depressed,
Look to Jesus and be at rest." Unknown
"Be like a postage stamp- stick to one thing until you get there." Josh Billings
"Give your worries to the LORD, and He will take care of you." Psalm 55:22, NCV
"As God's child, you have it all. If you're living for Him and getting into His plans for your life, the only thing you're missing out on is the stuff that makes you miserable and empty." Revolve Study Bible 2006 study note, page 811
"Moral character is not assessed by what a man knows by by what he loves." St. Augustine
"If the LORD doesn't build the house, the builders are working for nothing. If the LORD doesn't guard the city, the guards are watching for nothing." Psalm 127:1, NCV
"For God is working in you, giving you the desire and power to do what pleases Him." Philippians 2:13, NLT
"Think of the past only as its remembrance gives you pleasure." Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice
"Delight yourself in the LORD and He will give you the desires of your heart." Psalm 37:4, NIV
"Watch your thoughts, they become words.
Watch your words, they become actions.
Watch your actions, they become habits.
Watch your habits, they become your character." Unknown
"He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose." Jim Elliot.
"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things." Philippians 4:8.
"For attractive lips, speak words of kindness.
For lovely eyes, seek out the good in people.
For a slim figure, share your food with the hungry.
For poise, walk with the knowledge that you'll never walk alone." Audrey Hepburn
"'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'" Jeremiah 29:11, NIV
"Dance with God. He'll let the perfect man step in." Unknown
"In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps." Proverbs 16:9, NIV
"Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall." Proverbs 16:8, NIV
"I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your impurities and from all your idols. I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and keep my laws. You will live in the land I gave your forefathers; you will be my people, and I will be your God. I will save you from all your uncleanliness." Ezekiel 36:25-29a, NCV
"I am the one who made the beaches to be a border for the sea, a border the water can never go past. The waves may pound the beach, but they can't win over it. They may roar, but they cannot go beyond it." Jeremiah 5:22, NCV
"Whoever is not willing to carry his cross and follow me cannot be my follower." Luke 14:27
"Those who try to keep their lives will lose them. But those who give up their lives will save them." Luke 17:33, NCV.
"You will keep in perfect peace all those who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on You!" Isaiah 26:3, NLT
"My heart says of You, 'Seek His face!' Your face, LORD, I will seek." Psalm 27:8
"Then will the eyes of the blind be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped. Then will the lame leap like a deer and the mute tongue shout for joy. Water will gush forth in the wilderness and streams in the desert. The burning sand will become a pool, the thirsty ground bubbling springs. In haunts where jackals once lay, grass and reeds and papyrus will grow. And a highway will be there; it will be called the Way of Holiness. The unclean will not journey on it; it will be for those who walk in that Way; wicked fools will not go about on it. No lion will be there, nor will any ferocious beast get up on it; they will not be found there. But only the redeemed will walk there, and the ransomed of the LORD will return. They will enter Zion with singing; everlasting joy will crown their headsd. Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away." Isaiah 35:5-10, NIV
"God's law was given so that all people could see how sinful they were. But as people sinned more and more, God's wonderful grace became more abundant." Romans 5:20, NLT
"The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn His face toward you and give you peace." Levitical blessing (Numbers 6:24-26, NIV)
"Only in returning to Me and resting in Me will you be saved. In quietness and confidence is your strength." Isaiah 30:15, NLT
"Though a sinner might do a hundred evil things and might live a long time, I know it will be better for those who honor God." Ecclesiastes 8:12, NCV
"In order to lead the orchestra, you must turn your back on the crowd." Unknown
"Be the kind of girl that when your feet touch the floor in the morning the devil says, 'oh cr*p; she's up." Unknown
"When the enemy comes knocking at a door you closed long ago, you just call out, "Jesus, it's for you!" Unknown
"The truth is the truth even if no one believes it.
A lie is a lie even if everyone believes it." Unknown
"Look around you and be distressed,
Look within you and be depressed,
Look to Jesus and be at rest." Unknown
"Be like a postage stamp- stick to one thing until you get there." Josh Billings
"Give your worries to the LORD, and He will take care of you." Psalm 55:22, NCV
"As God's child, you have it all. If you're living for Him and getting into His plans for your life, the only thing you're missing out on is the stuff that makes you miserable and empty." Revolve Study Bible 2006 study note, page 811
"Moral character is not assessed by what a man knows by by what he loves." St. Augustine
"If the LORD doesn't build the house, the builders are working for nothing. If the LORD doesn't guard the city, the guards are watching for nothing." Psalm 127:1, NCV
"For God is working in you, giving you the desire and power to do what pleases Him." Philippians 2:13, NLT
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Miley Cyrus's "Can't Be Tamed"
The debut of Miley Cyrus's new music video "Can't be Tamed" is a blow to all who still considered her a sweet young role model.
The video begins at a museum, where an announcer stands in front of a giant birdcage covered with an elaborate curtain. The large, late-19th-century genteel crowd peers on as the announcer reveals "Avus Cyrus." The curtain rises. Miley Cyrus, in a very tight, revealing little black leather outfit, steps up to face the crowd. At the crowd's cheers, Miley covers her entire body with her giant black wings--then decides to pack the wings away and break out the dance moves. During the course of the video, many inappropriate shots are shown in rapid-fire order. So much for innocent little Miley.
I have to say, however, that I'm not surprised. In fact, when Miley announced she was quitting Hannah Montana, she also announced that she wanted to become more active as...well, let's just say, a symbol of something none of us want her to advocate. She stars in the next Sex and the City movie, she's endorsed the inappropriate pictures released during her Hannah Montana stardom, she's cheated on her boyfriend, and she seemed to have no qualms about filming the (in my opinion, equally-inappropriate) music video for "Party in the USA."
In short, don't expect too much from role-model Miley at this stage in her life. Actually, don't expect anything; just pray for her.
The video begins at a museum, where an announcer stands in front of a giant birdcage covered with an elaborate curtain. The large, late-19th-century genteel crowd peers on as the announcer reveals "Avus Cyrus." The curtain rises. Miley Cyrus, in a very tight, revealing little black leather outfit, steps up to face the crowd. At the crowd's cheers, Miley covers her entire body with her giant black wings--then decides to pack the wings away and break out the dance moves. During the course of the video, many inappropriate shots are shown in rapid-fire order. So much for innocent little Miley.
I have to say, however, that I'm not surprised. In fact, when Miley announced she was quitting Hannah Montana, she also announced that she wanted to become more active as...well, let's just say, a symbol of something none of us want her to advocate. She stars in the next Sex and the City movie, she's endorsed the inappropriate pictures released during her Hannah Montana stardom, she's cheated on her boyfriend, and she seemed to have no qualms about filming the (in my opinion, equally-inappropriate) music video for "Party in the USA."
In short, don't expect too much from role-model Miley at this stage in her life. Actually, don't expect anything; just pray for her.
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
What's important to you?
"Here's another way to put it: You're here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We're going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don't think I'm going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I'm putting you on a light stand. Now that I've put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you'll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven."Look at your life. Can people tell what's important to you? Have you posted about God in your Facebook status? Do you "keep open house" about your faith?
Matthew 5:14-16, The Message
I'm going to talk about bookshelves in this post (because I love books), but this applies to everything--your social network profiles, your blogs, your journals, everything.
Owning romance novels, "get-rich-quick" books, or other non-Bible books isn't bad by itself. My bookshelf reads like this: Girl to Grrrl Manga: How to Draw the Hottest Shoujo Manga, Country Gourmet, The One-Year Chronological Bible, In Search of Excellence, The Starbucks Experience, Succeed with Math, Learn French the BBC way, Pride and Prejudice. God wants us to explore and celebrate the world around us, and we can do that through secular books.
However, when you look at your bookshelf, you will see a reflection of yourself. Take a look at my above list. You can probably tell that I like to draw and cook, enjoy reading the Bible, study business techniques, work on math, learn French, and read Jane Austen books.
Now, let me give you a different list. Say you came to my house and saw that my bookshelf read like this: The Starbucks Experience, The Entrepreneur's Guide to Starting a Successful Business, How to Be a Teenage Millionare, Dave's Way--but there were no Bibles or devotionals that were easy to get to (pretend I had them all packed up in a box somewhere). Well, that says something else about my life, doesn't it? If that scenario were true, you could probably honestly say that my goal in life is financial success--it's what I worship.
You see, it's okay if you reflects your interests, but your life should always be centered around Jesus and reflect Him. I have an entire shelf-level of books dedicated to foreign language dictionaries, because I love to study foreign languages. That's an interest God gave me. Because it's important to me, I keep those books handy--right in my bedroom in a place where I can quickly get to them. However, my life goal isn't to learn the languages perfectly or fluently. That's a good goal, but it's not my #1 life goal.
Right next to my shelf of foreign language books I have a bookshelf I've dedicated to Bibles, devotionals, and Christian books. God is also important to me--much more important than foreign languages--so I make sure that those books that help me grow in my knowledge of Him are also readily available for consultation.
Like I said above, this concept doesn't just apply to bookshelves. The girls I know who shine brightly for Jesus are obvious Christians in every area of their lives. Those who are on Facebook just can't keep Him inside--they're so excited that they have to share Him in their statuses and posts! Those who blog, even just as personal blogs, write about His work in their lives. I know a girl who runs her own business. Almost every time I ask how her business is doing, she replies "It's going really well--God has really been blessing it!" Sometimes she tells me about what God is telling her about the business: things to change, areas to expand to, etc. Every time, though, it's about God.
Let me make one more comment: all of this should come naturally. When I think about how much God loves us, I can't help but want to share it with everyone I know. The girls I mentioned above would say the same thing.
I'm going to close by re-stating the Bible passage I started with. As you read it, ask God if there's any area of your life in which He'd like you to shine brighter or more obviously.
"Here's another way to put it: You're here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We're going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don't think I'm going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I'm putting you on a light stand. Now that I've put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you'll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven."
Matthew 5:14-16, The Message
Monday, May 24, 2010
Don't judge a girl by what she wears
I'd like to follow up yesterday's post on clothing with another (short) clothing post, this time on judgment.
Because girls dress to communicate, it's easy to assume that we know what a person is like just because we've seen the way they dress. That's not true, and it's a dangerous trap to fall into.
Even if someone is dressing in a way that we might not consider godly, God is working in that person. He is still teaching them, and they may be a Christian who's more on-fire for Jesus than the girls you know who dress conservatively. It's true! I've learned things about God from people who wear things I wouldn't wear. I'm okay with that. And there's girls I've met whose closets might as well be my closet, but they didn't really know Jesus.
That doesn't mean that clothing doesn't communicate, of course. Clothing still does communicate, but God's the One responsible for dealing with any underlying "problems" communicated by clothing.
We all have weak areas. God is teaching me how to honor Him in one way. He'll teach others how to honor Him in other areas of their life.
Okay, that's all! :) Thanks for reading!
God bless!
Ruth
Because girls dress to communicate, it's easy to assume that we know what a person is like just because we've seen the way they dress. That's not true, and it's a dangerous trap to fall into.
Even if someone is dressing in a way that we might not consider godly, God is working in that person. He is still teaching them, and they may be a Christian who's more on-fire for Jesus than the girls you know who dress conservatively. It's true! I've learned things about God from people who wear things I wouldn't wear. I'm okay with that. And there's girls I've met whose closets might as well be my closet, but they didn't really know Jesus.
That doesn't mean that clothing doesn't communicate, of course. Clothing still does communicate, but God's the One responsible for dealing with any underlying "problems" communicated by clothing.
We all have weak areas. God is teaching me how to honor Him in one way. He'll teach others how to honor Him in other areas of their life.
Okay, that's all! :) Thanks for reading!
God bless!
Ruth
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Dress to Communicate
The way we dress communicates a lot about what we think. Different people dress different ways for different reasons. Sometimes, we dress a certain way to fit in. Sometimes, we dress a certain way to stand out. Sometimes we dress a certain way because we don't know how else to handle something in our life. But we usually dress to communicate. "Accept me." "Love me." "Look at me." "Admire me." "Envy me." Help me."
Maybe you're one of those people who are looking for help, but you're confused. You try to communicate "help me" through the way you dress. Or maybe you're trying to tell people about something that's going on inside of you, like "I'm depressed" or "I'm upset." If you are one of those people, it's okay--everyone needs help sometimes.
I've put the following in prayer-format for you, but you don't have to pray it if you don't want to. Maybe not everything below applies to you; that's okay. Like I said above, different people dress differently for different reasons. I'm posting the prayer below for those who need it.
And please know that you're not judged. I know that life is tough. Maybe you're not ready for the prayer below, and that's okay too. As long as you're following God, He'll lead you to His heart in His timing--and that's where you want to be.
"Dear God,
I've been wanting help. I've been crying for help, wanting to tell people that something is wrong. Wanting to tell people that I don't have all the answers, and that I'm looking for someone to help me learn them. Wanting to let people know that I don't always make the right choices, and that I need someone to rescue me.
Thank You so much for loving me, for knowing me intimately, and for dying on the cross for me. I love You and I want to follow Your ways.
If anything, I can communicate that I don't have all the answers, but that I have some--and that I'm willing to follow what I've learned right now, not at some future date when I have life all figured out. After all, I won't have all the answers until I die and go to heaven. So, since I'm following You, even though I don't have all the answers in my life, I'll follow what You've told me for now and learn more every day. You know that I sometimes head down the wrong path in life. You know that everyone sometimes chooses the wrong things. That's why You died for everyone. In fact, everyone already knows I'm not perfect. But what You want me to tell people is not that I make some wrong choices every day, but that You have rescued me from my sin. Help me communicate that.
Thank You so much for loving me and caring about me, and please help me to follow You every moment of my life. I love you.
In Jesus' name, Amen."
Maybe you're one of those people who are looking for help, but you're confused. You try to communicate "help me" through the way you dress. Or maybe you're trying to tell people about something that's going on inside of you, like "I'm depressed" or "I'm upset." If you are one of those people, it's okay--everyone needs help sometimes.
I've put the following in prayer-format for you, but you don't have to pray it if you don't want to. Maybe not everything below applies to you; that's okay. Like I said above, different people dress differently for different reasons. I'm posting the prayer below for those who need it.
And please know that you're not judged. I know that life is tough. Maybe you're not ready for the prayer below, and that's okay too. As long as you're following God, He'll lead you to His heart in His timing--and that's where you want to be.
"Dear God,
I've been wanting help. I've been crying for help, wanting to tell people that something is wrong. Wanting to tell people that I don't have all the answers, and that I'm looking for someone to help me learn them. Wanting to let people know that I don't always make the right choices, and that I need someone to rescue me.
Thank You so much for loving me, for knowing me intimately, and for dying on the cross for me. I love You and I want to follow Your ways.
If anything, I can communicate that I don't have all the answers, but that I have some--and that I'm willing to follow what I've learned right now, not at some future date when I have life all figured out. After all, I won't have all the answers until I die and go to heaven. So, since I'm following You, even though I don't have all the answers in my life, I'll follow what You've told me for now and learn more every day. You know that I sometimes head down the wrong path in life. You know that everyone sometimes chooses the wrong things. That's why You died for everyone. In fact, everyone already knows I'm not perfect. But what You want me to tell people is not that I make some wrong choices every day, but that You have rescued me from my sin. Help me communicate that.
Thank You so much for loving me and caring about me, and please help me to follow You every moment of my life. I love you.
In Jesus' name, Amen."
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