tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-41988840698231756122024-03-25T08:09:09.359-07:00Beautifies The MeekFaith. Style. Beauty.Beautifies The Meekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14201482886768010937noreply@blogger.comBlogger166125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4198884069823175612.post-54671473707328066852024-01-24T07:24:00.000-08:002024-01-24T07:24:29.942-08:002023 Reflection<p><span> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8chF6qclquaqfKraehBeha7tyb3Fjk9slZRU4izc1qZq6ac_9kf-Xe_aTblV2P4gafIRmjB8y6c7dW2BrzE4_kI4WZ5Hc3bzsD4vsnkEQIVh0-DNaRdmFgDth5qlRSek_BSrkKKTt2No6oviALONTOPTYJISjevMrRKhkh2lu2ks7nxxdkDlCTUjv/s1338/IMG_8890.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1338" data-original-width="1004" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8chF6qclquaqfKraehBeha7tyb3Fjk9slZRU4izc1qZq6ac_9kf-Xe_aTblV2P4gafIRmjB8y6c7dW2BrzE4_kI4WZ5Hc3bzsD4vsnkEQIVh0-DNaRdmFgDth5qlRSek_BSrkKKTt2No6oviALONTOPTYJISjevMrRKhkh2lu2ks7nxxdkDlCTUjv/w480-h640/IMG_8890.jpg" width="480" /></a></span></div><span><br /></span><p></p><p><span> </span>I can't let the new year continue without reflecting on what the previous year has taught me. Last year was challenging but so necessary for what is ahead. My words or theme last year was "presence" and God took me on this journey where I saw the many facets of the term presence. I wasn't just challenged to be in the presence of God but I was also challenged to BE present. I didn't realize just how much disassociating was affecting me and how often I was doing it. This trauma response caused me to be in a place physically but not really present in the moment. I really had to figure out why it was happening and why I would default to that response in certain settings or situations. I did a lot of root work last year (I'm still doing this) and I have been on this messy but amazing healing journey. </p><span><a name='more'></a></span><p><br /></p><p><span> I can sit here and write about how hard last year was (it was) but I would rather focus on the lessons and blessings I encountered. At the moment I did not realize how beautiful unraveling and undoing could be. God had me in spaces where I needed to be present with myself in more intentional ways. It was a bit shocking to me that I was so disconnected from myself. It was as if I was unfamiliar with who I was presently and completely intimidated by the woman I was becoming. Last year felt like a pivotal year of healing and deeper connection.</span><br /></p><p><span><span> One posture that I always found myself in was this posture of performance. When I entered the presence of God I was in performance mode. I was a lowkey perfectionist. I felt like I needed to come to God perfectly. The version of me I presented was the woman who had it all together, barely asked for anything, prayed for everyone else, and could figure out my issues on my own. Why bore God with the minor details of my life? I went to God for the big stuff! Like a cease-fire in Palestine, or ending human trafficking just to name a few. I barely talked to God about my stuff and sooner or later I started to FEEL like I was the only one showing up to my quiet time with the Lord. My conversations with God turned into monologues.</span><br /></span></p><p><span><span><span> I will never forget that day he confronted me in prayers. It was warm and assertive. He didn't judge me or accuse me of anything he simply asked me a question. "What are you trying to prove?" I was stumped and honestly did not have an answer. "It's like you are trying to prove something to me. What are you trying to prove?" The answer was simply there is nothing to prove! He then said, "Please don't come back here with this posture." I don't hear the Lord's voice audibly. It's more like deep impressions in my spirit that do not feel like my own. Those impressions come with words and that is how I hear God. It's mostly in my head but it feels like he is right next to me talking in my ear. It's wild! How do I know it is the Lord? I use the Bible to confirm because he will not contradict his word. Knowing God's character and that he doesn't change helps to know it is Him speaking.</span><br /></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span> That moment in prayer WRECKED ME!! I didn't know what to do. I should've seen that moment as an invitation to deeper intimacy but I saw it as wow I just got in trouble now I need to go hide. I wasn't even in trouble but I felt so guilty. The perfectionist in me refused to return to the presence of God unless I fixed it. I did not fix it. I couldn't fix myself without him. Took me months to pray again. I felt unworthy and so disconnected. After many many crying sessions and attacks on my mental health, I knew if I didn't return I would try and walk away.</span><br /></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span><span> The beautiful thing is God was so patient and slow to anger the entire time. Although I felt so far from Him, he was so near in that season. My broken spirit and contrite heart drew him closer to me and for that, I am eternally grateful. When people give up on us God proves himself to be faithful. God spoke to me through books, songs, friends, sermons, etc. I heard him loud and clear and I missed him so much. I decided to plan a time to meet with the Lord in the morning before work. It has been such a blessing. Every day I would go to spend time I would feel perfectionism try to hijack the moment. It's like I felt God say "There it is." When this happened I just sat there in silence and waited for the urge to pass. </span><br /></span></span></span></span></p><p><span> God could not heal who I pretended to be. He wanted no parts in the version of me I tried to present. In hindsight, I am glad God loved me enough to bring my habit of performance to the surface. Now I am way more intentional and I'm way more present. My time with God has been more consistent and it's been a blessing reading the word and praying in the morning before work. 2023 was the launching pad so I can soar in 2024. Priorities have shifted and I feel more present than I have ever been and it's only the beginning! Thanks to Jesus and Therapy. 😄</span><br /></p>Beautifies The Meekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14201482886768010937noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4198884069823175612.post-75780939135185486022023-08-09T09:37:00.003-07:002023-08-09T09:37:48.649-07:00Spiritual Slumps: How I got out of one so you can too!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw8iIVCnj8Y1dbAImFY0wtt-6RsO5V1HNEgEqg1tczGJsmYpzTc2BEtYsvqTliZ0Byi6Za9__vZXyj1_LZOyJwiFeRsmwtAVGi356f13VJtscKi4PE5JY4xn0y37GmdZBNfR9bX_amtMFUKgmdQ7pTeDQ1PmLmTWz9Lks_6tn9rQ8dXQsVAD1zxKVD/s1654/architecture%20is%20a%20visual%20art,%20and%20the%20buildings%20speak%20for%20themselves..png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1654" data-original-width="1654" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw8iIVCnj8Y1dbAImFY0wtt-6RsO5V1HNEgEqg1tczGJsmYpzTc2BEtYsvqTliZ0Byi6Za9__vZXyj1_LZOyJwiFeRsmwtAVGi356f13VJtscKi4PE5JY4xn0y37GmdZBNfR9bX_amtMFUKgmdQ7pTeDQ1PmLmTWz9Lks_6tn9rQ8dXQsVAD1zxKVD/w640-h640/architecture%20is%20a%20visual%20art,%20and%20the%20buildings%20speak%20for%20themselves..png" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>I watch a lot of youtube and have never heard of book slumps! This is when you lose motivation to finish that To Be Read List so you just do everything else but read. What if there were spiritual slumps?<span><a name='more'></a></span><div><br /></div><div>Hold on, hear me out.</div><div><br /></div><div>Sometimes praying, reading the Bible, meditating on God's word, worshiping, and any other spiritual discipline gets hard. In one season they are the easiest and such a joy and then on another hand, they can become the last thing we want to do. That is what I would like to call a spiritual slump. The reasons behind these moments in our walk can vary from spiritual warfare to maybe we need to check where our hearts are. In order for it to qualify as a slump it should last a week or more. This is the rule I made up.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>SLUMP. </b>verb.</div><div>1. To fall, sink, drop, or slide down suddenly.</div><div>2. To assume a drooping posture</div><div><br /></div><div>Judging by the definition of this word anyone can go into a slump suddenly. It's a gradual decline over time and does not happen overnight. It is also said to be a type of posture. A drooping posture. Slumps can feel like depression and if not realized you can get in there deep. the deeper you go the harder it is to come out of. Thank the Lord we serve a God who can access us no matter how deep we go.</div><div><br /></div><div>Mine was a mixture of spiritual warfare and not wanting to do anything, it lasted a little while. The longer I stayed in that space, the more comfortable I became. YIKES! I needed God to pull me out. Instead of waiting for what I felt was the best time I began to call on Jesus and just share my heart with him. very unconventional, but it broke the ice. Once I laid it all down as well as journaled my thoughts the next day was easier for me to pray. Just by simply laying my cares on Him because He cares for me (1 Peter 5:7) sets the tone for me to come with expectation. Our conversations don't have to be polished and churchy, we can talk to God like a close friend.</div><div><br /></div><div>Within moments of doing this, I checked in with a friend and she encouraged me so much. There is something so special about sisterhood and how these God-ordained friendships bring healing and comfort. Not only was I reminded of who God is but she reminded me of what God thinks about me. Spiritual slumps have a way of cultivating this environment of condemnation. We feel like we are doing all the wrong things and that God is angry with us. The Bible beautifully reminds us that we are no longer living in condemnation (Romans 8:1). Life's ups and downs sometimes cause us to forget who God said we are. Especially when our focus is more on life and the circumstances around us, than on God and the world within us. Talking to the right friends helps us to remember again.</div><div><br /></div><div>Once I was reminded I listened to sermons or podcasts that fed my Spirit. Some of them hurt to hear but it was so necessary! To get out of this slump I had to hear what I didn't want to hear. The hard truth was that my affection was elsewhere. Of course, a slump is destined to happen if my affection is not towards God first. My relationship with Jesus should always come first. Even when I don't feel like it, that is when I need to pursue God the most. </div><div><br /></div><div>The same disciplines I failed to pursue before I slumped should be the same ones I pursue to get out. Barely praying? I needed to pray more.</div><div>Choosing to overthink instead of worship? I needed to worship more.</div><div>Haven't touched my Bible in a few days? I needed to open my Bible and read it. </div><div>The more I stayed away from what kept me close to God the more desensitized I became.</div><div><br /></div><div>Slumps happen, but just don't stay there. Cast your cares, Talk to a wise friend, engage in content that pushes you closer to God, and practice those spiritual disciplines (Bible reading, spending time with God, and praying). God is not mad at you he sees this happening before you do and he extends His Grace every time. Just please don't stay there. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAeIc_kh9zQoeKxkoi-4tHJP_WFX8iiFydFDiOX5yehJKgtkgjciTeXBZaz38rblc8SvcOCs1yl-6M3ECxUXcY1Hw19Hhi_xO3wes_SjonQyZLpdKh90S4CfiZ3XqVmTmCWJe3_T27zuS_ki1lCVr0xEW_7J5gZPgVKeJydqcTu0QDxKj1O0eulZp8/s200/Screen%20Shot%202016-06-08%20at%2012.59.46%20AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="65" data-original-width="200" height="50" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAeIc_kh9zQoeKxkoi-4tHJP_WFX8iiFydFDiOX5yehJKgtkgjciTeXBZaz38rblc8SvcOCs1yl-6M3ECxUXcY1Hw19Hhi_xO3wes_SjonQyZLpdKh90S4CfiZ3XqVmTmCWJe3_T27zuS_ki1lCVr0xEW_7J5gZPgVKeJydqcTu0QDxKj1O0eulZp8/w155-h50/Screen%20Shot%202016-06-08%20at%2012.59.46%20AM.png" width="155" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Beautifies The Meekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14201482886768010937noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4198884069823175612.post-40850547628812306912023-07-14T08:44:00.002-07:002023-07-14T08:45:46.265-07:00Canvas Rebel Interview!!<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMzD0UN6sz5J38j7zbpvV9gOFto8_1Bp_eHmGJbdig41z76wW9DUwm6kfELBpGId8RcNE6Wg0Qf6LfUXTGa52n-O5rIEWjw6LgIzqel4IMyHjpqCkr0TzMQDhwqHimny8Ba6_3btFYEr1Tmku_szY3kz_pfMMt41QTDsSSJ9lvX7fDeKhEitFhNofS/s2000/358CB71C-73FD-4778-9EFB-7DB237E0ABB0%20(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="1125" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMzD0UN6sz5J38j7zbpvV9gOFto8_1Bp_eHmGJbdig41z76wW9DUwm6kfELBpGId8RcNE6Wg0Qf6LfUXTGa52n-O5rIEWjw6LgIzqel4IMyHjpqCkr0TzMQDhwqHimny8Ba6_3btFYEr1Tmku_szY3kz_pfMMt41QTDsSSJ9lvX7fDeKhEitFhNofS/s320/358CB71C-73FD-4778-9EFB-7DB237E0ABB0%20(1).jpg" width="180" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>YAY! I got another feature in an online magazine. It's always a pleasure to share my story with others. I am understanding the power that resides in sharing our stories. You never know how your story can impact someone else. My story is one of risk and Pivots and how those decisions changed the course of my life. click the link below to Read!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://canvasrebel.com/meet-zainab-sesay/?fbclid=IwAR2hSmrKnIsNKaUSZid9-M9L1VZvbKM0pkuYhuQO5bSpjS0kiMy6M4JnR_g" target="_blank">Canvas Rebel: Meet Zainab</a></div><p><br /></p>Beautifies The Meekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14201482886768010937noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4198884069823175612.post-16651211491489121462023-02-21T14:36:00.000-08:002023-02-21T14:36:32.005-08:00Stop Micromanaging God!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhClSvyGjpEV5uYCzoCiQJCQtN9oMVHALwoPeNYvIlYEbB7HaVqJzTDAw-fo-aDHapckkUhEgqslzLPPQ3fiPhJ1kZUyCpADZN1Y96NtoGhLAg_FESLyccsBLbSHzwvzU5lWo1hxTTm06wr6DkIejhTlq4PPqpqXRqaVdx5d_ZUTpCYXjMFAXKjdQ/s2000/Stop%20Micromanaging%20God!.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1429" data-original-width="2000" height="458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhClSvyGjpEV5uYCzoCiQJCQtN9oMVHALwoPeNYvIlYEbB7HaVqJzTDAw-fo-aDHapckkUhEgqslzLPPQ3fiPhJ1kZUyCpADZN1Y96NtoGhLAg_FESLyccsBLbSHzwvzU5lWo1hxTTm06wr6DkIejhTlq4PPqpqXRqaVdx5d_ZUTpCYXjMFAXKjdQ/w640-h458/Stop%20Micromanaging%20God!.png" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;">What does it mean to micromanage something?</p><p style="text-align: left;">to control every part, however small, of an enterprise or activity.</p><p style="text-align: left;">To try to oversee all the small parts of something such as an activity in a way that is usually not wanted or that causes problems.</p><p style="text-align: left;">Synonyms of micromanage - control, manipulate, supervise, dominate, finesse.</p><p style="text-align: left;">I read somewhere that Micromanagement stifles growth, creativity, and innovation. This form of control makes people feel like they're suffocating. Micromanaging squeezes the life out of people and turns them into robots or puppets. Puppets have no life in them. They are only able to move when the puppeteer moves them and speaks for them.</p><p style="text-align: left;">We are not puppets. God is not a puppeteer. We are willing vessels of God. He chose us and then we chose him back. There is a choice here.<span></span></p><a name='more'></a><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">I was in prayer and God said to me "Stop Micromanaging me." </p><p style="text-align: left;">Now. I don't micromanage God he wasn't referring to me. I was thinking of something else and he said that. But I won't share what I was thinking of because that's not necessary. But I feel like this word can be for you too.</p><p style="text-align: left;">Are there areas of your life where you Micromanage God? Take an honest look at yourself and your life. Do you find yourself micromanaging God?</p><p style="text-align: center;">Micromanage = NO TRUST.</p><p style="text-align: left;">When leadership micromanages this sends the message to whoever is under them that they are not trusted.</p><p style="text-align: left;">When we micromanage God we are telling him I DO NOT TRUST YOU. </p><p style="text-align: left;">We need to stop micromanaging God. We need to stop praying manipulative prayers (check motives) so we can get the desired outcome. When was the last time you prayed for what was on God's heart instead of yours?</p><p style="text-align: left;">If all of your prayers were answered, would they only affect your world? Do your prayers change the world around you?</p><p style="text-align: left;">I have been pondering the revival that is breaking out in different parts of the world. Somebody's prayers did this. Somebody prayed and God is answering. Folks are desperate for God and it's evident.</p><p style="text-align: left;">The tricky thing about revival is that it is not man-made. Revival can not be controlled by man nor can it be sustained by man alone. Revival is dependent on the Spirit of God. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px;">The Messenger-Angel said, “Can’t you tell?” “No, sir,” I said. Then he said, “This is </span><span class="small-caps" style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">God</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px;">’s Message to Zerubbabel: ‘You can’t force these things. They only come about through my Spirit,’ says </span><span class="small-caps" style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">God</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px;">-of-the-Angel-Armies. - Zechariah 4:6 MSG</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px;">Then he said to me, “This is the word of the </span><span class="small-caps" style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">Lord</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px;"> to Zerubbabel: Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the </span><span class="small-caps" style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">Lord</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px;"> of hosts. - Zechariah 4:6 ESV</span></p><p style="text-align: center;">It's ONLY by the Spirit of God.</p><p style="text-align: left;">Micromanaging God keeps him from flowing in your life. You must trust him to execute! He is capable of executing what he promised you! It may not happen in your timeline but God doesn't work on a timeline. He is the timeline. Stop micromanaging God.</p><p style="text-align: left;">Revival will not be released under a Micromanager. Personal revival will not happen if you continue to micromanage Him. It will be sad for you to watch everybody else experiencing revival and it passes you by. Don't let that be you.</p><p style="text-align: left;">This can even be directed to churches. Revival will pass you by if you desire to micromanage the presence of God. God's presence can not be contained and manipulated. Revival is a release of control so the Spirit can dwell and come how HE wants to come.</p><p style="text-align: center;">Ask Him.</p><p style="text-align: center;">Tell Him! Come how YOU want to come. Heal how YOU want to heal. Deliver how YOU want to deliver. I trust you to do what YOU want to do.</p><p style="text-align: center;">Ask Him.</p><p style="text-align: left;">Release all control and watch how creative God gets with your life. God can't perform divine surprises in your life if you continue to desire control.</p><p style="text-align: center;">Release control. Trust Him for your now and your next.</p>Beautifies The Meekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14201482886768010937noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4198884069823175612.post-50008507772689512902023-02-20T13:05:00.001-08:002023-02-20T13:05:18.060-08:002023 Impressions<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-Pn5vb1p2iqAKzzIGyTDFtCLA3YdYIY40Z9zGTuLbcboh9mEa3AaN5LXzo6YQTAHr4GrK0jNrmVtWoX8foMK8cIuJoFa-HOlDxunwm6_I4HEI2WzzEUfu3jR4KkCm241EOL2umXL6bqNjf0UXEfKOjyI-eKapGJcko8Z9t1OPeHj6oeeO_uzUTA/s3000/lightstock_141284_download_medium_zainab_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="3000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-Pn5vb1p2iqAKzzIGyTDFtCLA3YdYIY40Z9zGTuLbcboh9mEa3AaN5LXzo6YQTAHr4GrK0jNrmVtWoX8foMK8cIuJoFa-HOlDxunwm6_I4HEI2WzzEUfu3jR4KkCm241EOL2umXL6bqNjf0UXEfKOjyI-eKapGJcko8Z9t1OPeHj6oeeO_uzUTA/w640-h426/lightstock_141284_download_medium_zainab_.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>Not too long ago after Church, I was alone at home and entirely overwhelmed by the presence of God. I thought about how we sometimes settle for just experiencing God at a Church service. How we sometimes do not desire to seek God further. It almost felt as though God was asking "Am I worth it to you, am I worth the search?" How far will we go in God until we decide it's not worth the effort?<span></span></p><a name='more'></a><p></p><p>High-value items typically take time and effort to attain. Most products of high value only advertise to certain kinds of people. When do we see commercials advertising a Ferrari on TV? Rarely if not ever! Ferrari knows its worth and understands that those who can and will are the ones who will find them. High-value items are sought after, they do not do the seeking. They don't advertise chasing our affection. They know they're of high value.</p><p>I'd like to think God knows his value. He knows he is of higher value and deserves to be sought after. </p><p>This new year I have been pondering in my heart the importance of the presence of God. For me, this year's focus is on His PRESENCE. I just want to be in His presence. I am in an exciting season we will call Hiding. It's a season of hiding deeper into God. It's become my only safe space. The only space where I am allowed to take up space and ask questions and leave heard and completely loved.</p><p>We should never lose our wonder, our curiosity, or our sense of adventure. I am processing what Jesus was saying when he said in order to receive the Kingdom you have to be like a child. Children are full of wonder and curiosity. They enjoy the journey without overthinking and they move with such faith. I'm reclaiming my sense of wonder again.</p><p>The best way to receive the Kingdom like a child is to engage and interact with my inner child. She needs healing, reassurance, and so much love. Soul work or inner work is so hard but it's so necessary for what's ahead. There is a version of me that needs to show up, I would like to meet and get acquainted with her before everybody else does. This year will be pivotal. There are things in the future that are attached to the sacrifices I will make now. </p><p>I pray we all do the soul work and stay planted in his presence. This year just feels like it will be a year where we will NEED the presence of God more than ever.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7mG_u32QtNHEn21smDm7pv3B258o0NB_6sRlcwxCFfaxGedaX9ryDOF4p3jipFDv7nkQ9o9d4N8Aa8K6QCnzdkp-KwCLKO9QurShZ4-o-s5NAqtWV5r_Gi1TbLWZPdP6QF3PcsWqbuUnOTgY3XOc6gfbKLKw9_zjzwjNNC35D5lP09WqvwjLQ8Q/s444/Screen%20Shot%202016-06-08%20at%2012.59.46%20AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="145" data-original-width="444" height="66" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7mG_u32QtNHEn21smDm7pv3B258o0NB_6sRlcwxCFfaxGedaX9ryDOF4p3jipFDv7nkQ9o9d4N8Aa8K6QCnzdkp-KwCLKO9QurShZ4-o-s5NAqtWV5r_Gi1TbLWZPdP6QF3PcsWqbuUnOTgY3XOc6gfbKLKw9_zjzwjNNC35D5lP09WqvwjLQ8Q/w200-h66/Screen%20Shot%202016-06-08%20at%2012.59.46%20AM.png" width="200" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Beautifies The Meekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14201482886768010937noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4198884069823175612.post-90739253243766786762022-12-27T19:53:00.002-08:002022-12-27T20:02:36.834-08:008 Lessons I Learned in 2022.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAf5DSeCRbwBBqQo9gkbs7ysXiJ6bJBNF1JNg9Xgq9NU1kHUsjjhvaalYPQwB0oOYdXpCJ0H1nAOLxDIaYg-FEmvHI1ap_AzULcyHKK_o6bD5xX9xHohSjbUp_LHxeezq9BxQKTaWmrcjsrjY3Pfpl_XzHWG9MMFocaimHSaweUUOVLxxq-ffeEA/s940/Untitled%20(Facebook%20Post%20(Landscape)).png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="788" data-original-width="940" height="335" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAf5DSeCRbwBBqQo9gkbs7ysXiJ6bJBNF1JNg9Xgq9NU1kHUsjjhvaalYPQwB0oOYdXpCJ0H1nAOLxDIaYg-FEmvHI1ap_AzULcyHKK_o6bD5xX9xHohSjbUp_LHxeezq9BxQKTaWmrcjsrjY3Pfpl_XzHWG9MMFocaimHSaweUUOVLxxq-ffeEA/w400-h335/Untitled%20(Facebook%20Post%20(Landscape)).png" width="400" /></a></div><p>This year is winding down and we are about to enter the new year. What better way to wind down 2022 than to reflect on lessons learned from this year. This year has been a decent year for me. There were many different shifts and changes but in its totality 2022 was a good year. It flew by so fast and I made amazing memories with some fantastic people. God has been so faithful in a plethora of ways and if I listed them all we would be here forever. We will just settle with the 8 valuable lessons learned.</p><span><a name='more'></a></span><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>1. </b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>DO SOMETHING.</b></p><p style="text-align: center;">You can desire a change in your life but if you don't do something different nothing will change. My therapist says to me all the time "Just do something!"</p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>2.</b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b> EVERYTHING I WANT IS ON THE OTHER SIDE OF FEAR.</b></p><p style="text-align: center;">This year I have pushed certain fears aside and I loved what I saw on the other side. Fears limit us from experiencing the things that God wants us to see and have. Fear isn't a factor much anymore but I am so glad I did the things anyway.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>3. </b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>IT'S OKAY IF YOUR FRIENDSHIPS CHANGE.</b></p><p style="text-align: center;">I experienced this on different levels. I learned to accept where they are now and appreciate what was at the same time. I can remember the beauty and fun I experienced with someone and still accept that it will never be that way again. That's okay. Friendships shift and change because people change. I'm at peace and that's valuable to me.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>4. </b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>THERAPY IS WORTHY WORK.</b></p><p style="text-align: center;">This year I started therapy. My therapist pushes me to see myself and the habits I constantly make excuses for. Everything my friends have been saying for years she is repeating and holds me accountable every week. Therapy was scary to start but exciting at the same time. I love it here.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>5. </b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>PEOPLE PLEASING IS NOT LIVING.</b></p><p style="text-align: center;">Y'all I was a people pleaser. I cared more about people and their perspective of me than I cared for myself. Who cared what I thought about myself, what do you think?! That was my mindset. This year God has taken me through multiple situations that challenged my people-pleasing tendencies. People-pleasing does not provide a life well lived. I was living for people. Sometimes people's opinions mattered more than what God said. 2022 was the year of releasing the people pleasing. AMEN.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>6. </b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>YOU WILL DISAPPOINT PEOPLE.</b></p><p style="text-align: center;">Listen. This one right here. Being a recovering people pleaser, I hated disappointing people. I disappointed some people this year. I disappointed some people that I love so much. I came to the realization that because I am imperfect I will disappoint people. I won't do everything people want me to do and that's okay. That does not make me a bad person. I just can't meet everyone's expectations of me. That's okay. People will be okay.<span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>7. </b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>SETTING BOUNDARIES IS SHOWING LOVE TO MYSELF.</b></p><p style="text-align: center;">I am still working on this. I have learned and am learning the many ways in which I can love myself a little better. I can love myself a little deeper when I set boundaries. Boundaries are a reminder that I am of value. That my voice matters and my desires matter. It's not too much to ask for people to respect me. I'm not being too much if I respectfully express my boundaries. It's also not too much to remove myself from interactions that do not value me. Boundaries teach people how to treat you.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>8. </b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>GOD CARES ABOUT HOW YOU SEE YOURSELF.</b></p><p style="text-align: center;">When you can't see what he sees, then you won't do what he is asking you to do. Most likely God will ask you to pursue the things that scare you the most. Even now God is presenting some things that are scary to me. These things require a different type of woman out of me. A woman that is clearly there because God is not foolish he knows what he is doing. I was challenged to SEE myself the way he sees me and it's been a journey. I am discovering myself in Him and it's been miraculous, messy, heavy yet light, and sometimes a pure struggle. I am enjoying the journey.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">There are so many lessons I can highlight but I will stop for now. I am curious...</p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><i>WHAT LESSONS DID YOU LEARN IN 2022?</i></b></p><p style="text-align: center;">SHARE IN THE COMMENTS BELOW!</p>Beautifies The Meekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14201482886768010937noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4198884069823175612.post-75307479866908614272022-12-12T06:45:00.005-08:002023-02-20T13:25:11.701-08:00LIVING UNFILTERED!<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiCyqS-qn5Wph6ZfWMdU5O8RpK-Q83EujyPVJP_Zn-w4gOH4eLNYBIxRkxI0yTIqE_DPFalMkP8A_H9I4WMt0r8iHvGSNYeyfqL5EbqDoP3XUP-Zsx6nvj0gFAwTchjAE0H0C9hmhcjRjQI58fdMNl31ciQ7yGL86f9S1RZTNePeMnv95YPSzYRw/s4032/IMG_6218.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiCyqS-qn5Wph6ZfWMdU5O8RpK-Q83EujyPVJP_Zn-w4gOH4eLNYBIxRkxI0yTIqE_DPFalMkP8A_H9I4WMt0r8iHvGSNYeyfqL5EbqDoP3XUP-Zsx6nvj0gFAwTchjAE0H0C9hmhcjRjQI58fdMNl31ciQ7yGL86f9S1RZTNePeMnv95YPSzYRw/s320/IMG_6218.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw9gTDxPH72Uvp2x0ioVqPvtlb3Jv0m03E1T-EsPqRP4q7XgY7umcr9eCa_S9ZNhHuZJ5UnWASnVMQVyHkuUKblqLyElaNpS1QpBB79BGW3Y7ltN8PwydAEoF3piqFCfgncmDeptuY3yB5c-Rl1ueq3kuCEoV0xo4R67uJilRF9YxGJTphGNhIHg/s4032/IMG_6216.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw9gTDxPH72Uvp2x0ioVqPvtlb3Jv0m03E1T-EsPqRP4q7XgY7umcr9eCa_S9ZNhHuZJ5UnWASnVMQVyHkuUKblqLyElaNpS1QpBB79BGW3Y7ltN8PwydAEoF3piqFCfgncmDeptuY3yB5c-Rl1ueq3kuCEoV0xo4R67uJilRF9YxGJTphGNhIHg/s320/IMG_6216.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"> </span><span style="text-align: left;">There is this awesome movement that is brewing called Living Unfiltered. This ministry started from a social media challenge that happens every December. The idea is to challenge women to take off the filters we use on our pictures. At the same time, we were pushed to also consider any filters we may have put on other areas of our lives. It has blessed so many women so much so that God instructed the woman behind it </span><a href="https://www.instagram.com/queengcreative/" style="text-align: left;">Queen G</a><span style="text-align: left;">, to plan a retreat. I thank God for her YES. Her YES gave the women a space to heal and draw near to the heart of God. It was incredible. I will never forget these moments.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span><a name='more'></a></span><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMqLkSub7bhaiQBJei77V3KN7tk9zNj7qhwdTVORqlFbA6FummBVtNxaqwlnUKqf21EK_mmNcEFGKQzirGf0c6PB2rUkcPoo0rF3icymKOm8LOa-PyuC7f_pOzmD3UvUSntxW6SJmO90FIhCSqNmE6u5jIaDE92BfGx_xwrAc0Wo_7x5PcOEzKsA/s4032/IMG_6215.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMqLkSub7bhaiQBJei77V3KN7tk9zNj7qhwdTVORqlFbA6FummBVtNxaqwlnUKqf21EK_mmNcEFGKQzirGf0c6PB2rUkcPoo0rF3icymKOm8LOa-PyuC7f_pOzmD3UvUSntxW6SJmO90FIhCSqNmE6u5jIaDE92BfGx_xwrAc0Wo_7x5PcOEzKsA/s320/IMG_6215.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaF7OH1ix0hU3RNG51C2UpDrwOR_rkFcwAVYMPrbuSTIR0uFofV861tRHVpldxCZKKg9rP_5Qz2-2Ve8xnsGA8d5Y0VGzPXJWwuk8rBKCrileyscZnlV_xFZaqz8-xRJ-WzZ8t5p0RWynSKKj6eHtSnocbz8Su3zevqrGLRad0O1AI7Wvij2xEZw/s4032/IMG_6213.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaF7OH1ix0hU3RNG51C2UpDrwOR_rkFcwAVYMPrbuSTIR0uFofV861tRHVpldxCZKKg9rP_5Qz2-2Ve8xnsGA8d5Y0VGzPXJWwuk8rBKCrileyscZnlV_xFZaqz8-xRJ-WzZ8t5p0RWynSKKj6eHtSnocbz8Su3zevqrGLRad0O1AI7Wvij2xEZw/s320/IMG_6213.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"> Living Unfiltered to me means first realizing that I have many filters that limit me in different ways. Then choosing to no longer subscribe to those filters and see my life the way God sees it. This can also apply to how I see myself. This experience was so affirming and edifying for me. It was like a launching pad for me in certain areas where I felt a bit stuck and bound by fear. I needed many reminders concerning my identity in Christ and what he wants me to do. One of them is this blog 🤪! I have moments where I am writing then I stop. </span><span style="text-align: left;">I stop because I get nervous about writing.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK5iiP0U5jFHOIZ5j8wiiWsvft0DWk51ibzXuefuNL_vLbQXmGQGPaiBuMYEGvm4KBqf8Lppfe6OWYlkbCqC5E2gdfI3Vnz-SW5rQ2v69GZPPP9wEbi3NMXDG5p-bTyzShCwlGTfqgkEQeZEwCj6RHrT6iDnlo3QX0FiGaVb0sYeoty84fvZV1mQ/s4032/IMG_6247.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK5iiP0U5jFHOIZ5j8wiiWsvft0DWk51ibzXuefuNL_vLbQXmGQGPaiBuMYEGvm4KBqf8Lppfe6OWYlkbCqC5E2gdfI3Vnz-SW5rQ2v69GZPPP9wEbi3NMXDG5p-bTyzShCwlGTfqgkEQeZEwCj6RHrT6iDnlo3QX0FiGaVb0sYeoty84fvZV1mQ/s320/IMG_6247.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span> </span>The issue is not writing in particular but it is WHAT I am writing about. I tend to put a filter on what I write about. I don't want no smoke from folks. You know those types of people who only focus on the wrong thing and miss the whole point. *major eye roll* So to avoid that I just don't write but that is not a fruitful solution. The solution is to do what God wants me to do no matter who agrees with it or not. Is it hard? Yes, very, but I am reminded that I can do hard things.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi83q7Veajto9ME-d4O0jz-3p9gkZlZQbSjcss-voEDYje0Fg_2Q4IW-T6d6-bui2T7-Q5ahhY482cAd_Wbgz31VGJc7xKJwJyKs98KjWfa-xf0hCkPIKeoS6iieRkt37O3f5MPi7V5a4RoKEY8XacXiqCvYh6519D-baA0-_WI1G7wcLF1EL6AEg/s4898/_MG_4098.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3265" data-original-width="4898" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi83q7Veajto9ME-d4O0jz-3p9gkZlZQbSjcss-voEDYje0Fg_2Q4IW-T6d6-bui2T7-Q5ahhY482cAd_Wbgz31VGJc7xKJwJyKs98KjWfa-xf0hCkPIKeoS6iieRkt37O3f5MPi7V5a4RoKEY8XacXiqCvYh6519D-baA0-_WI1G7wcLF1EL6AEg/s320/_MG_4098.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><p>If you need community and sisterhood the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/319055746730818" target="_blank">Living Unfiltered group</a> is open for anyone to join! We are all about what is on the heart and mind of God concerning his daughters. This group allows women to gather and unfilter together. God is in the midst of this process of unfiltering our perspectives on our identities and lives. It is messy work but it is WORTHY work! It can get so hard facing the parts of you that don't please God but it is necessary! I am being stretched and challenged so bad but I can't become who God designed me to be if I don't. I realized that I just need to agree with what God is doing and saying concerning my life.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHvvTp4YvmzBkpzCsfbkZ-dOJ2meDQpQbqvWu_rwroRkXT35mJTToKG6IsM86kOMFmQWwC-OUCWnoo5aPuR0pHukcGmXLF9EQtbT9bsaTLfjhJ-CPrKlTAvegbsSfK7TnOA5iSwt0WDN6dAfM7lUpUmv-rmMKSzKFF4DHIkuGf4CVFtaIDSibqrg/s444/Screen%20Shot%202016-06-08%20at%2012.59.46%20AM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="145" data-original-width="444" height="41" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHvvTp4YvmzBkpzCsfbkZ-dOJ2meDQpQbqvWu_rwroRkXT35mJTToKG6IsM86kOMFmQWwC-OUCWnoo5aPuR0pHukcGmXLF9EQtbT9bsaTLfjhJ-CPrKlTAvegbsSfK7TnOA5iSwt0WDN6dAfM7lUpUmv-rmMKSzKFF4DHIkuGf4CVFtaIDSibqrg/w125-h41/Screen%20Shot%202016-06-08%20at%2012.59.46%20AM.png" width="125" /></a></div>Beautifies The Meekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14201482886768010937noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4198884069823175612.post-25171827384181953662022-09-14T21:59:00.000-07:002022-09-14T21:59:03.832-07:00Afraid to See<p style="text-align: center;"> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3mvB_iktbzY19J0pUzXA3V8VIQYnM8ByvTAdyald3JQSFdWEv1Q_MgO0pKweCuUHNgtS6prX62H6CGVsjZpn_rffIMY-bG7bqTDKqzpqg9WZfYG4lxSuojk5RnYmafO0TbdpaLKxS8iecab8a7q-gmUGapGDbfL5chp8buWhCujiwlMEA0YqtLw/s1351/Screen%20Shot%202022-09-15%20at%2012.56.10%20AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="898" data-original-width="1351" height="418" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3mvB_iktbzY19J0pUzXA3V8VIQYnM8ByvTAdyald3JQSFdWEv1Q_MgO0pKweCuUHNgtS6prX62H6CGVsjZpn_rffIMY-bG7bqTDKqzpqg9WZfYG4lxSuojk5RnYmafO0TbdpaLKxS8iecab8a7q-gmUGapGDbfL5chp8buWhCujiwlMEA0YqtLw/w629-h418/Screen%20Shot%202022-09-15%20at%2012.56.10%20AM.png" width="629" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>I have been going to therapy and it has been eye-opening and challenging. In one of my sessions, I said that I was "afraid to see myself as the woman that God is calling me to be." This was brought up in the topic of my future and being able to dream. Since my therapist read the statement back to me "afraid to see" it has stuck with me. I have a hard time dreaming again and or seeing again. I admire people who can dream about their futures authentically and communicate those dreams to others. There is so much resistance when I try to see, that I just don't see or dream.</p><span><a name='more'></a></span><p><br /></p><p>The fact that there is resistance tells me something. Someone or something does not want us to SEE. This reminds us that sight is an important element when living your life for Christ. We can look at Samson and how Delilah did him dirty by cutting his hair (Judges 16). The next thing they went for was his sight. His blindness made him even more vulnerable and almost guaranteed that he would not be able to defeat them. They were wrong. Sight can also be attacked from our perspective. The Israelites were promised land flowing with milk and honey. The problem is people have already occupied the land that was theirs. Some of The Israelites went to scout the land and only 2 came back with positive reports (Numbers 13:25-33). The rest allowed what they saw with their eyes to override what God said. Their perspective was warped by the fact that there were giants in the land and the odds of them being defeated were high. The truth was God, PROMISED they would inherit that land. The facts didn't matter. The truth still stands, God promised them that specific land.</p><p style="text-align: center;">(You know I love this. word study!)</p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>SEE - Webster's Definition</b></p><p style="text-align: center;">to perceive or detect by the eye<br />to be aware of<br />imagine as a possibility<br />form a mental picture<br />to come to know<br />to understand</p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>SEE - Hebrew definition - how it is used in the Bible</b></p><p style="text-align: center;">to have vision<br />to watch<br />give attention to<br />discern<br />to be visible, present oneself<br />take heed</p><p>I could list so many definitions of the word but I know you get the idea. Seeing is not just with our physical eyes but also with our minds and our hearts. Sometimes what you see physically will not match the visions living in your heart and mind. The visions God gave you in a dream or even daydreams are God's way of speaking to us and helping us see what is not seen at the moment. The enemy attacks our communication with God. He tries to distort how we perceive things so that we don't understand what God is saying. Then we turn around and say God doesn't speak to us (I used to do this a lot). I was not realizing that there was an attack on my sight and how I understood my surroundings. We should definitely pay attention to the areas the enemy attacks us with the most.</p><p>The hearing ear and the seeing eye, the Lord made both of them. - proverbs 20:12</p><p>God made our ears and eyes (physically and spiritually) to operate in their intended functions. We were designed to SEE what God is doing in our lives and the lives of others. The enemy wants to disable that function so that we stay stagnant and never grow into who God is calling us to be. When we are struggling to SEE, the will of God will be hard to fulfill. In order to be obedient, our sight has to be adjusted and healed. We must yield our sight to God.</p><p>I am encouraged to ask more questions like, WHAT DO YOU SEE? WHAT DID GOD SHOW YOU? WHAT DO YOU NEED TO DO NEXT? I don't know about you but I need more clarity and answers in this season of my life.</p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">Let's Pray,</p><p style="text-align: center;">Heavenly Father I thank you for this revelation of sight and how important it is to our lives. I pray that whoever reads these words will grasp what you are saying to them at this moment. I pray you will open blind eyes to see you clearly and to see themselves clearly. Open our eyes to see your hand and heart working for us and not against us. We thank you for clarity and we receive the gift of renewed sight in the spirit and in the natural.</p><p style="text-align: center;">In Jesus' Name, we pray, AMEN. (IT IS SO, IT IS DONE.)</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-Qey7A0ka-hmSbQ2fimjHPW5ObhuvJM1lZZdAs_T5QsqcYg0O3cOkfkhvLq0Rgd0Uuwwuc9mcllCFbe6HnbqEIA0Ien7GyYi5T9KhjK_lL2vAVDPVdd6iFsxyVfZruSHobzVs6ruItWPGlvzxJeQicSpugfHgPplnWMvKMt_bLv2OiJsST8vLug/s444/Screen%20Shot%202016-06-08%20at%2012.59.46%20AM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="145" data-original-width="444" height="44" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-Qey7A0ka-hmSbQ2fimjHPW5ObhuvJM1lZZdAs_T5QsqcYg0O3cOkfkhvLq0Rgd0Uuwwuc9mcllCFbe6HnbqEIA0Ien7GyYi5T9KhjK_lL2vAVDPVdd6iFsxyVfZruSHobzVs6ruItWPGlvzxJeQicSpugfHgPplnWMvKMt_bLv2OiJsST8vLug/w135-h44/Screen%20Shot%202016-06-08%20at%2012.59.46%20AM.png" width="135" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p>Beautifies The Meekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14201482886768010937noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4198884069823175612.post-80617144540863560912022-08-08T14:35:00.003-07:002022-08-08T14:36:13.695-07:00Calling all Intercessors!!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsSLOzp4TNteHNyHk0jVhaXXhSR4N_2fV1M4LcdYlH8XktuzBeKUid3-P__TETadHPwTJ5fZ7dGPGgStBVYUfEF_u7AeJSVbdqUjPyFhkQgsus9oNaDRuY6HSrbu00_JZdhGc_iB6U3pQih-QXB1mdP-FWhXrLcjJ3g8tX4CGaeynhAbIvvsdXPA/s2800/lightstock_60889_download_medium_zainab_.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1867" data-original-width="2800" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsSLOzp4TNteHNyHk0jVhaXXhSR4N_2fV1M4LcdYlH8XktuzBeKUid3-P__TETadHPwTJ5fZ7dGPGgStBVYUfEF_u7AeJSVbdqUjPyFhkQgsus9oNaDRuY6HSrbu00_JZdhGc_iB6U3pQih-QXB1mdP-FWhXrLcjJ3g8tX4CGaeynhAbIvvsdXPA/w432-h288/lightstock_60889_download_medium_zainab_.jpg" width="432" /></a></div><p>I had a thought pop into my mind. What happens when the intercessor is hurting? What happens if they are bleeding while serving? Who is covering the one who feels burdened to pray for everyone else? When they need to be covered, who is covering them?</p><span></span><span><a name='more'></a></span><p><br /></p><p>I had this thought because lowkey I ain't asking for a friend. I'm asking for me.</p><p>Answering the burden and calling to pray can be isolating and hard to do sometimes. I was hurting and heavy and I felt isolated and left out honestly. I did acknowledge that feelings are not always facts. I know I have people covering me in prayer. It is just sometimes I feel like I am out here overlooked, unprotected, and forgotten. I know this isn't true but I explored this feeling and found that I am definitely not the only one who thinks this way!</p><p>So I want to encourage every intercessor who is assigned to cover something.</p><p>I prayed for you. I thought of you and covered you in prayer. The late nights are covered. The early early mornings are covered. YOU, my friend, are covered by God. The one who is gently pulled from their sleep to pray for people who don't like them or don't care about them. I see you! Keep praying! Even when you do not see anything shifting, keep praying!</p><p>Your private prayers matter! The seeds you have sown and watered in secret matter! Your prayers work! Do not underestimate the power of the secret place. Keep praying.</p><p>I was reminded in my own time with God the moment you release a prayer request to God he heard it. Every prayer has opposition attached to it. The enemy will also release demonic strongholds or extra reinforcements to keep that prayer bound. The enemy also does this with prophetic words. He will send opposing systems or spirits to keep the word from coming to pass. This is why we contend (fight) for the word spoken or written.</p><p>Intercessors contend for people and systems. We pray and pray and sometimes nothing seems to be moving. Our faith in God's character helps us to keep praying. Do not stop praying because you don't see anything. This is when we ask God to help us see in the spirit so we can understand what is blocking the manifestation. What is the stronghold? </p><p>Intercessor you are graced to cover what you are assigned to in this season. We need you praying. We need you at your posts, keep praying. God is backing you up! No weapon formed can prosper, keep praying. Even when you can't receive any thank you's because it's all done in private. Be encouraged that God will reward you openly! It will happen suddenly and in the most extravagant way. It will testify to the faithfulness of God. The harvest will testify to the goodness of God.</p><p>Your life will have spectators looking at you and saying "Surely the Lord is WITH them wherever they go!"</p><p>Keep praying!</p><p>Let's keep each other covered in this crucial season.</p>Beautifies The Meekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14201482886768010937noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4198884069823175612.post-65556056572156859022022-04-25T09:51:00.016-07:002022-04-25T10:01:12.916-07:00God's Peace over Worry<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix1fiyrDB-5gzI9eZlIUbXBRHTn33g3TLqPPNmHX4sp_Fiu1qvWKFHO4Rv0MnR3NAKJV5XsCp-RVPDGaK8d_J1wRN9oZL41N-1-Pez2CrGYYZK6qsdVjtVjoKSmnyU-jRxJcfJXFA0ibPNWRdTV5XG-FxX-knQg8xUk7r4_TiuaLALMYMp9w8dlw/s3840/colton-duke-QRU0i5AqEJA-unsplash.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="2160" data-original-width="3840" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix1fiyrDB-5gzI9eZlIUbXBRHTn33g3TLqPPNmHX4sp_Fiu1qvWKFHO4Rv0MnR3NAKJV5XsCp-RVPDGaK8d_J1wRN9oZL41N-1-Pez2CrGYYZK6qsdVjtVjoKSmnyU-jRxJcfJXFA0ibPNWRdTV5XG-FxX-knQg8xUk7r4_TiuaLALMYMp9w8dlw/w419-h236/colton-duke-QRU0i5AqEJA-unsplash.jpg" width="419" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://unsplash.com/photos/QRU0i5AqEJA?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditShareLink" target="_blank">photo credit</a><br /></div><p>In my devotion time, I was encouraged by some scriptures that I want to dive into! Lately, God has been reconnecting me to his word. Sometimes it gets hard to read and study the word daily. No lie it gets tough to be consistent but once I realized that God is not looking for perfection but dedication and connection I have been focusing on that more.</p><span><a name='more'></a></span><p><br /></p><p>Today's devotion focused on the peace of God. Philippians 4:6-7,19 really blessed me and had the wheels in my mind turning.</p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><blockquote><p style="text-align: center;"><b>Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance and in everything, by prayer and petition (definite requests), with thanksgiving, continue to make your wants known to God. And God’s peace [shall be yours, that tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and being content with its earthly lot of whatever sort that is, that peace] which transcends all understanding shall garrison and mount guard over your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.</b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>Phil 4:6-7 AMPC</b></p></blockquote><p style="text-align: center;"></p><p style="text-align: left;">I have read this scripture before and I have never really looked deeply into it. Simply because not worrying about anything is pretty difficult. Life can come at us so fast and sometimes worry is the first thing we take on. I looked up how worry affects the body and I can see why God asks us in this scripture not to worry ourselves.</p><p style="text-align: left;">Worry affects The body in several ways.</p><p style="text-align: left;">1. Worrying too much affects your nervous system by releasing stress hormones.</p><p style="text-align: left;">2. Muscles can get tense and cause discomfort.</p><p style="text-align: left;">3. Breathing can be affected by worrying too much. Breathing more deeply and more often can happen without you even realizing it.</p><p style="text-align: left;">4. Worrying affects your heart! putting stress on the heart can cause high blood pressure and other heart issues.</p><p style="text-align: left;">5. Stressing out about things can also take a toll on your immune system. Stress makes it harder for your body to fight off any infections.</p><p style="text-align: left;">source: <a href="https://www.webmd.com/anxiety-panic/ss/slideshow-worry-body-effects" target="_blank">How Worry Affects Your Body</a></p><p style="text-align: left;">There are many more where that came from but I am sure we understand by now how stress breaks us down. God designed our bodies so he knew just how our bodies would respond to worry. He offers us an opportunity to take everything we are concerned about and give it to him. I know, I can hear it now "I already asked, I already prayed, I am still worried." Later in verse 6, he says to continue to make our requests known to God. We should be persistent when it comes to what we need. I think a cure to worry is worship. Choose to worship instead of worry.</p><p style="text-align: left;">We are not designed to carry worry for long periods of time. Our bodies can't handle it. I love verse 7 because not only does God offer opportunities for us to release worry to him but in exchange, we can be given God's peace. His peace is nothing like our own or what we get from the world. His peace is promised to us. It's a state of tranquility where we are confident of the salvation we have in Christ. This peace removes any fear of what is to come because it causes us to be content with whatever life brings. This type of peace surpasses all understanding and guards our minds from getting lost in anxious thoughts. Guards our hearts from being consumed by worry.</p><blockquote><p style="text-align: center;"><b>And my God will liberally supply (fill to the full) your every need according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. </b></p></blockquote><p style="text-align: center;"><b>Philippians 4:19</b></p><p style="text-align: left;">We worry because there is a fear that a need or situation won't get resolved. Can we agree that Fear is the root of worry? Maybe? Verse 19 of this chapter reminds us of a PROMISE God has made to us. That he will liberally (no cap, generous, large amounts, etc.) supply <i>every need. </i>Not just for some needs but for every single need, situation, there is always enough supply to go around. It just doesn't stop there but he will supply according to His riches in Glory in Christ Jesus. That means he is setting the bar extremely high! God will always provide the best for us. It doesn't get any better than that.</p><p style="text-align: left;">Although this is all encouraging, life happens and worrying sometimes happens too. I am learning that a big part of life is about choices, not our feelings. We have to choose to deny worry from consuming our thoughts and hearts. Worry will knock on the door, it might even come in. We have to treat worry like a stranger, it can't stay and take residence. So today as you go about your day remember that you can't carry worry and God's peace in your heart. Choose one. Choose wisely.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrjeLjJeFCG75lwzlKwSh-njqKzueylm7pYhKJbDRoga-ai8xk1oakVOX7cFo7Hqr6MdDYz-aB7jlIo4GuBjccDpdbQt3xECZkvVHOpsICmGSx9yTPEc2J18VgSA2achRGJ8_Mrv9tqmzAi1VUqkfD9kzfj5WCVvLfu3nXUVnRn9kvt0hfdbWOXQ/s200/Screen%20Shot%202016-06-08%20at%2012.59.46%20AM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="65" data-original-width="200" height="65" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrjeLjJeFCG75lwzlKwSh-njqKzueylm7pYhKJbDRoga-ai8xk1oakVOX7cFo7Hqr6MdDYz-aB7jlIo4GuBjccDpdbQt3xECZkvVHOpsICmGSx9yTPEc2J18VgSA2achRGJ8_Mrv9tqmzAi1VUqkfD9kzfj5WCVvLfu3nXUVnRn9kvt0hfdbWOXQ/s1600/Screen%20Shot%202016-06-08%20at%2012.59.46%20AM.png" width="200" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p>Beautifies The Meekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14201482886768010937noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4198884069823175612.post-83271940015955019492022-01-18T07:18:00.005-08:002022-01-18T10:45:32.784-08:00New Year Reflections 2022!<br /><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgG7MoCdr0P8tsd_xzQnZN-N8Dukk19KwZcEMZ5P3u1PJVy2l29CTKXtZLQHLRFleVKqL5iBRshK75QBeYVv70mi9wFsx_PoQeFtSxE012CUoVdsvhRXkmUw8BE04zmQR6us07DwytqGg-qgw9ZtDXupOPgtG35Ma4dCjfzWMsjaJGII9iCRqWtuw=s2550" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2550" data-original-width="2550" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgG7MoCdr0P8tsd_xzQnZN-N8Dukk19KwZcEMZ5P3u1PJVy2l29CTKXtZLQHLRFleVKqL5iBRshK75QBeYVv70mi9wFsx_PoQeFtSxE012CUoVdsvhRXkmUw8BE04zmQR6us07DwytqGg-qgw9ZtDXupOPgtG35Ma4dCjfzWMsjaJGII9iCRqWtuw=s320" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p>Heeeyyy!!</p><p>First off,</p><p>My bad. My fault. Sorry. I neglected this blog hard. I can get into why later but for now I want to wish yall a HAPPY NEW YEAR!! *crickets...side eye* Better late than never right?</p><p>This time of year is filled with so much reflection and this desire to set up some goals. I have been in this space since December which is new for me honestly. Usually, I just end the year and go into the new year with zero goals or reflection. I hated facing the fact that I barely did anything all year. I felt like I wasted the year so why reflect then feel like trash. Well, this year God had other plans! I thank God he nudged on my heart early in December and postured my heart in prayer. I entered 2022 differently and I am unable to shake what God is doing in this season. So grateful.</p><span><a name='more'></a></span><p><br /></p><p>Reflecting on the New Year I am anticipating the power of God to truly manifest and make dry bones live again. I got some things in my life that have been dry for a while. Looking forward to seeing God be God for real in my life. I have been really reflecting on the importance of prayer and the word. God has been changing how I see and approach these disciplines. Instead of just seeing them as things I need to do, I see them as ways God wants to commune with me. Prayer serves as not just an asking session but a time to draw us closer to the heart of God. Prayer is not just a part of your to-do list but it's an invitation into the deep things of God. It's a sweet conversation we can have with God. I just want your presence, the answers and other things I get are all icings on the cake.</p><p>This year I do hope to dive into various topics on the blog. I have been more active on other platforms so follow me there as well all links are somewhere on the blog. I do want to thank all of you for reading the words I pour out on this blog. That means so much to me because my blogs aren't short. haha. I invite you to join me on this journey of learning and growing in the Lord!</p><p>What are you most excited about for 2022? </p>Beautifies The Meekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14201482886768010937noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4198884069823175612.post-44219934122017494722021-07-27T09:07:00.005-07:002021-07-28T06:24:34.666-07:00Help! I Internalize Everything!!<p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhStyNS-BfttJpH6qUunEh6jkDXueGSIJBHaKUDVnR7Arg3CrY1UpsXv1jMt9TnhmUKLHlE2OiAahJtLc6P5FcrlSgjDga7EwnIIdZuclexx1Ac1R_6CWbQjOpzMDcCkF4uLfUtiGajYA/s2048/tony-lam-hoang-156669.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhStyNS-BfttJpH6qUunEh6jkDXueGSIJBHaKUDVnR7Arg3CrY1UpsXv1jMt9TnhmUKLHlE2OiAahJtLc6P5FcrlSgjDga7EwnIIdZuclexx1Ac1R_6CWbQjOpzMDcCkF4uLfUtiGajYA/w640-h360/tony-lam-hoang-156669.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lately, I have been more aware of how I internalize my emotions. I have always internalized things as a child and it’s still an issue today. In my time of prayer and fasting, I felt the Lord present a question to me. “Why do other people’s behaviors get to you so deeply?” Then I thought, “Why do you internalize so much?” Sometimes it gets to a point where I literally feel sick in my body. I realized I really take how people feel about me to heart.</span></p><span id="docs-internal-guid-b7a27e01-7fff-6e58-cd13-9f094a32a007"><div style="text-align: left;"><span><a name='more'></a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><p style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The fact that God asked me “why” had me thinking. Is the practice of internalizing a bad thing? Does it do more harm than good? </span></p><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><p style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I did (very minimal) research on what internalizing does to a person psychologically. I was surprised but also it made so much sense. <a href="https://www.betterhelp.com/advice/behavior/what-are-internalizing-behaviors/" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: black;">Better Help</span></b></a> and <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/your-emotional-meter/201802/how-stop-taking-things-personally" target="_blank"><span style="color: black;"><b>Psychology Today</b></span></a> do a great job of breaking down what it means to internalize and how it develops into other mental illnesses if not addressed.</span></p><p style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><div style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-56c9d9ad-7fff-4373-c731-392cad26639e"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I love my relationship with God because when he brings something to my attention, that thing has been on his heart. God cares about the unnecessary load we carry around with us sometimes. He can see the weight we either choose to carry or we decide that God doesn’t care about this part of me so I’ll carry it. The word instructs us to cast all our care on him because he CARES (1 Peter 5:7). God cares about the mundane parts of our lives. God cares about the anxiety that plagues us. How burdened we feel is in direct correlation to how we show up in our relationship with God. When we feel weighed down by internalized behaviors it’s so much harder to hear God in those times. It’s so much harder to be obedient. We can’t obey what we are not hearing.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Constantly internalizing moments and mistakes puts us in this position where we give our feelings and issues center stage. Those things we are internalizing become more important than what God is saying about us and our situation. I know that when I am internalizing a lot, I am not focusing on God. In those moments (normally lasts days for me) I am magnifying a problem that usually does not belong to me. In this place, God is not glorified. So HOW do we combat internalized behavior? How do we fight the urge to internalize what sometimes doesn't belong to us? I love the tips Psychology Today offers us on how to overcome internalized behavior. Those practical tips are a great way to start breaking this habit.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In the next post, we will dive into how this habit affects our relationship with God. In the meantime, reflect on if you internalize a lot and how it affects the way you show up in life.</span></p><div><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div></span></div><p style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhERDq09Hmwx93xDuJQGTSEmSu_jRgULV-qFl-K90SeBIoInm5UT0ByeiDDnibZb2CZ3rL95FOjwYVpsYBNd5MNT25-DS2LxgKX4hZl9yemCgFh7swV9InvaJ9Fy3tB4-_uRgNwuuRosQ/s200/Screen+Shot+2016-06-08+at+12.59.46+AM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="65" data-original-width="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhERDq09Hmwx93xDuJQGTSEmSu_jRgULV-qFl-K90SeBIoInm5UT0ByeiDDnibZb2CZ3rL95FOjwYVpsYBNd5MNT25-DS2LxgKX4hZl9yemCgFh7swV9InvaJ9Fy3tB4-_uRgNwuuRosQ/s0/Screen+Shot+2016-06-08+at+12.59.46+AM.png" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><br /></span></div><p style="text-align: left;"></p></span>Beautifies The Meekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14201482886768010937noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4198884069823175612.post-75044457376284234342021-05-11T12:14:00.005-07:002021-05-11T12:15:54.301-07:00Christian Ethics: How we Live. Part 2<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEEI0RoDsG6iPDTvRi-kV4vMkfzm3_12yJa62v0keX_2kGFf35xUwgXRIELmT9LLcx9gonI80mVMqWWTLlI5IlMx82iFhjklquOUyB5sxE0pc7ZV3nDF_EoZtKLDiaRGR7AYHO8E0YMw/s2048/lightstock_645483_download_medium_zainab_.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1366" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEEI0RoDsG6iPDTvRi-kV4vMkfzm3_12yJa62v0keX_2kGFf35xUwgXRIELmT9LLcx9gonI80mVMqWWTLlI5IlMx82iFhjklquOUyB5sxE0pc7ZV3nDF_EoZtKLDiaRGR7AYHO8E0YMw/w640-h426/lightstock_645483_download_medium_zainab_.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p>The word of God illustrates the type of life that Glorifies God. Welcome to Part 2 of breaking down Romans 12:9-21 where we can see practical ways we can live to honor God and bear much fruit. I will say this has me looking at the condition of my heart with these scriptures.</p><span><a name='more'></a></span><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>1. Live in Humility. </b></p><p style="text-align: center;">The Bible mentions Humility throughout scripture and this reveals how important humility is to God. The Bible speaks of humility in the context of character. Our approach in life should be to put others before ourselves. Of course find the balance but this is more than nice acts. We should possess a kind and meek spirit. The bible says that God resists the proud and gives grace to the humble (<b>1 Peter 5:5</b>). He favors the humble because humble people are willing to submit to Him. Humble people are not always fighting to be right or to be on top because God provides the elevation (<b>James 4:10</b>). The word instructs us to put on humility (<b>Colossians 3:12</b>). It's WHO we are not WHAT we do.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>2. Revenge is for the birds.</b></p><p style="text-align: center;">As a child I used to seek after revenge. It was a way for people to feel the pain they have caused me. the problem with revenge is that it solves nothing. Revenge doesn't change what has happened neither does it completely remove the pain. It does satisfy the flesh for a moment and boy is that moment sweet. But like any moment it doesn't last. God said that revenge is HIS (<b>Romans 12:19</b>). He will take care of any issue better than I ever could. I had to mature into that mindset, it didn't just happen. Living life to seek revenge on others is not a life well lived and it is certainly not a life that glorifies God. Revenge isn't even an option anymore because I am confident that my Father will defend me. Also pro tip: The expectation to love people doesn't go away when you're hurt.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>3. Live in peace.</b></p><p style="text-align: center;">Peace is one manifestation of a Christian life that still intrigues me. My High School mentor had enough peace for all of us. I watched as circumstances tried his patience and not once did he break under pressure. I was shook because I hadn't seen such self control in an adult before. Especially an adult around High School kids. the peaceful life he led began to draw me to asking questions which revealed his source. Jesus. Now here I am today pursuing a peaceful lifestyle. Peace is one of the fruit of the Spirit and it is truly a great testimony to our faith. Who would want to emulate a lifestyle that is full of drama and pettiness? The Bible instructs us to live peaceably with ALL men (<b>Romans 12:18</b>). Not just the people we love or can tolerate but with everyone.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>4. love your enemies.</b></p><p style="text-align: center;">This expectation is by far one of the hardest things God could ask of us. We tend to greatly dislike our enemies and some would use the word hate. They are our "enemies" for a reason right? I don't think that God is asking us to be fake or to ignore the fact that we don't like them. I think he wants us to understand that Love is not based on emotion or experience. It is based on God's truth. He is the source and inventor of love, we love because he FIRST loved us (<b>1 John 4:19</b>). If we never experience God's love, which is the purest form of love ever, how would we know what it takes to love anything? God's love for us gives us the capacity to love those we don't like and those who don't like us. The moment we think about the undying love God has for us even when we were enemies to him, it increases our capacity to love others. How could I not love my brother/sister when God loves me flaws and all? it's not easy but it is necessary.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>5. Overcome Evil With Good.</b></p><p style="text-align: center;">What is the remedy for evil? The goodness of God. When we are tapped in and linked to Jesus we are in direct contact with the goodness of God. His goodness then flows into our lives so that we may share it with others. Evil or the effects of sin will always be with us, but so is his goodness. So, I mention Goodness as His because our definition of good is blurred. It's also conditional if I may be honest. What is good to me may not be good to God. We must understand that His ways are not ours and His thoughts are not like ours (<b>Isaiah 55:8-9)</b>. If I see a person getting bullied, in my mind the bully getting a beat down seems good to me. I can't live off of my definitions because they are flawed and so limited. Living a life that demonstrates God's goodness in evil times glorifies God and is a great witness. How do we prove this Gospel works and is still relevant today? By living holy ethical lives fueled by the Holy Spirit.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">What I really want all of us to take from these scriptures is that this is a lifestyle. Not a set of rules or things based on works but it ought to be who we are. Our character should be built from the scriptures. It's going to take much more than actions but it's going to take our hearts. This Christian life can hang off of the first two commandments alone.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: times;"><span class="text Matt-22-37" id="en-NKJV-23910" style="background-color: white; text-align: start;">Jesus said to him, <span class="woj">“‘You shall love the <span class="small-caps divine-name" style="font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">Lord</span> your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’</span> </span><span class="text Matt-22-38" id="en-NKJV-23911" style="background-color: white; text-align: start;"><span class="woj">This is <i>the</i> first and great commandment.</span> </span><span class="text Matt-22-39" id="en-NKJV-23912" style="background-color: white; text-align: start;"><span class="woj">And <i>the</i> second <i>is</i> like it:</span> <span class="woj">‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ </span></span><span class="text Matt-22-40" id="en-NKJV-23913" style="background-color: white; text-align: start;"><span class="woj">On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.” </span></span></span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span class="text Matt-22-40" style="background-color: white; text-align: start;"><span class="woj"><b><span style="font-family: times;">- Matthew 12:30-31</span></b></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span class="text Matt-22-40" style="background-color: white; text-align: start;"><span class="woj"><b><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></b></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span class="text Matt-22-40" style="background-color: white; text-align: start;"><span class="woj"><b></b></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOKBbbT6c9PEn1mYXp0vAvcemVwUcHvbHp01FPSTQr1dWZVgPffY1roWNzRiF-Mn9vqifTg8FS0d0VwEqp2YZljdSA4mfIZ1j-ZuITAhz4mYrXGYySD3txa2K2QH_G0bIJgJ6rY62JJA/s200/Screen+Shot+2016-06-08+at+12.59.46+AM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="65" data-original-width="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOKBbbT6c9PEn1mYXp0vAvcemVwUcHvbHp01FPSTQr1dWZVgPffY1roWNzRiF-Mn9vqifTg8FS0d0VwEqp2YZljdSA4mfIZ1j-ZuITAhz4mYrXGYySD3txa2K2QH_G0bIJgJ6rY62JJA/s0/Screen+Shot+2016-06-08+at+12.59.46+AM.png" /></a></b></div><b><br /><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></b><p></p>Beautifies The Meekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14201482886768010937noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4198884069823175612.post-71487356345554345842021-03-29T18:24:00.004-07:002021-03-29T19:26:48.513-07:00Christian Ethics: How we live. Part 1<p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyqJFzTaWthWDETu9axenBL5y_oq7RU8g8fkaw8s7cilRRGHs02pNi1nmu0jGk01e37RPxzUvXMq6vylTCqyQ6o0JEm29rFD_A0DnWUJ1mZ3Ep8Aqo-re_xlKQ5hpkcGsNohjwxzi5ug/s2048/jamie-street-94242.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1251" data-original-width="2048" height="390" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyqJFzTaWthWDETu9axenBL5y_oq7RU8g8fkaw8s7cilRRGHs02pNi1nmu0jGk01e37RPxzUvXMq6vylTCqyQ6o0JEm29rFD_A0DnWUJ1mZ3Ep8Aqo-re_xlKQ5hpkcGsNohjwxzi5ug/w640-h390/jamie-street-94242.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><p>Romans 12:9-21 is jam-packed with expectations of how a Christian should live. This is the fruit of an abiding, planted, faith-filled believer in Jesus Christ. Reading these scriptures has me wondering if my life looked anything like the pages of my Bible.</p><span><a name='more'></a></span><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>1. Love sincerely</b></p><p style="text-align: center;">Is your love towards others coming from a sincere place or does it feel forced? When we love God first with sincere intention, loving people will feel easier. Sometimes it's not easy to do but when we see people the way God sees them, all we can do and feel is his love for them. This enables us to love them sincerely and intentionally.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>2. Hate what is evil, Hold onto what is good.</b></p><p style="text-align: center;">This is all based on God's definition of what is evil and good. We can't possibly assume this is based on our own interpretations. Sin is evil and anything that denounces the sovereignty of God is evil. Let go of what is evil. God is good. Hold onto Him.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>3. Love and Honor one another.</b></p><p style="text-align: center;">How we treat one another whether they be believers or not, matter to God. We can't hate our brother and sister and say we love God (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+john+4%3A20&version=AMPC" target="_blank">1 John 4:20</a>). How we treat one another is a direct correlation to who we are connected to. When we love and honor each other this pleases God and it is a viable witness to who God is.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>4. Never lose your passion for God.</b></p><p style="text-align: center;">Why do you assume Paul wrote this to the churches in Rome? No matter the age or generation, there is a possible chance for believers to feel disconnected and lose their passion for God. It's common for people to get tired and weary. Paul admonishes us in this part of scripture to always have a burning passion for serving God. We must protect the flame flickering on the inside of us. It is too valuable to allow disappointment, fear, unforgiveness to snuff the Holy Spirit. One version says for us to GLOW in the spirit. We all want to glow in one way or another, let's pursue the glow of the Holy Spirit.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>5. Rejoice in your hope, be steadfast, and always praying.</b></p><p style="text-align: center;">I have to ask myself, what is the source of my hope? No matter what is before us we can always rejoice. Why? Because Jesus is our hope. He defeated death, hell, and the grave this is the solid victory we can constantly rejoice in! We can be steadfast in trials and hard seasons because the victory belongs to Jesus. We inherit this victory as sons and daughters. Our secret sauce is in our continual posture of prayer. We remember where our help comes from. Prayer is not a plan B it is THE PLAN. The only one we have that guarantees results.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>6. Commitment to Hospitality</b></p><p style="text-align: center;">Serving others and meeting the needs of those around us is hospitality. This pleases God and honors him when we take care of one another. Jesus is the King of hospitality. Not only did he meet the needs of so many people, but he also made sure people left his presence seen and loved. When people leave your presence, do they leave better? I think hospitality is more than just hosting people in your home. It is creating moments where people feel safe and loved by you. You become a safe space for people to come broken then leave with the hope of becoming whole again.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">These scriptures are so rich! I had to separate them into parts. I am aware of attention spans these days haha! Mine included. Look out for part 2!</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">Let's chat below!</p><p style="text-align: center;">Which expectation resonated with you the most?</p><p style="text-align: center;">Reflecting on your life, which expectation do you need to improve on?</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcb7LRFfX_W6_GxR8p66twCTX94LaPwSlzqULk91MlceBOg2ylAfxtyU3Fa8xKB1t5MIUEBe9_URSyJxnt_42QC76hMyeWKO_P7If4wF7pJw4TdGkCqafiqvmDH8FfVZMmYVxGEK07Qg/s200/Screen+Shot+2016-06-08+at+12.59.46+AM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="65" data-original-width="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcb7LRFfX_W6_GxR8p66twCTX94LaPwSlzqULk91MlceBOg2ylAfxtyU3Fa8xKB1t5MIUEBe9_URSyJxnt_42QC76hMyeWKO_P7If4wF7pJw4TdGkCqafiqvmDH8FfVZMmYVxGEK07Qg/s0/Screen+Shot+2016-06-08+at+12.59.46+AM.png" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p>Beautifies The Meekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14201482886768010937noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4198884069823175612.post-55947009443383786062020-12-16T07:15:00.003-08:002020-12-16T07:16:23.282-08:00Thoughtful Gift Ideas 2020<p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCeVre7PyXF_fiIpFltQKUb7l3DHNKau8yqZUYuvPq62uITXG9C2OsCfR_kWsg7pHwB3UCb85MFwzhQ0TIWvKsD-t1ExfIL1Jg2u0WR5h5IjmbRTJSoJ5wG4u2a_mXjfzqSwmb-WOWyw/s2048/Christmas+on+white+%25281%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCeVre7PyXF_fiIpFltQKUb7l3DHNKau8yqZUYuvPq62uITXG9C2OsCfR_kWsg7pHwB3UCb85MFwzhQ0TIWvKsD-t1ExfIL1Jg2u0WR5h5IjmbRTJSoJ5wG4u2a_mXjfzqSwmb-WOWyw/w640-h426/Christmas+on+white+%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <p></p><p>Hey, Beauties! I know it's been so long since I popped up on here and said hello! Consistency is not my strongest skill but one day it will be. This is my favorite time of year where suddenly I feel cheerful and in a giving mood. Speaking of the giving mood, this year has been tough on all of us. In one way, shape, or form we have been directly or indirectly impacted by this year's events. This Christmas season people are grappling around for some hope and cheer. Whether it's through decking the halls or buying gifts for loved ones. This year everyone could use some Christmas cheer through sweet gestures. Here are some ideas I am doing this year for those around me. Pick one and bless someone this holiday season.</p><span><a name='more'></a></span><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><i>1. BOX OF CHRISTMAS CHEER</i></b></p><p style="text-align: center;">I loved this idea so much I had to try it. The idea of putting some of the best things about Christmas in a box was fun for me. I think that putting together something small to show how appreciative I am of their presence in my life is special. They don't have to be fancy or huge, do what you can afford. Dollar Tree is a great place to start for this fun gift. I could get gift cards but I think taking time to put something together makes the gift more meaningful.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><i>2. MAMA RELAX CARE PACKAGE</i></b></p><p style="text-align: center;">I am surrounded by some amazing mamas that are killing the game in many ways. Raising little humans, running a business, running a household, and doing ministry is a lot! Mamas need moments of retreat where they can enjoy a candle or a cup of tea. Mamas need moments to themselves so I like to make cute care packages for the moms in my life. Also babysitting once in a while also helps these mamas out as well.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><i>3. CHRISTMAS CARD/GIFT CARD</i></b></p><p style="text-align: center;">I love to write thank you notes or "just because" notes for people. Words of Affirmation is my primary love language and it is also how I show love. I think putting your appreciation for someone in writing is so meaningful and a great way to love on people. Adding a gift card to Starbucks or Dunkin takes it to another level.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><i>4. BAKED GOODS</i></b></p><p style="text-align: center;">Now I would love a good brownie or cookie paired with my gift! I usually bake brownies because I don't have money like that to get EVERYONE something. I hate to leave people out so I try to make sure that I have something for most of the people in my life. I love everything about this season so gift-giving and making people feel special is important to me. Baking something not only makes people feel special (because they are) it also makes the tummy feel valued as well. lol.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">Whether you are buying or it's homemade, it can always be meaningful! What gift ideas are you thinking of trying? How do you plan to make them meaningful?</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG5pswLL86m1yOWnnTBANbmNByZqgi5LTwHvvsyjPsylwmQm1AmBMzkPqjJD3tuttWFdvxD8TIRo5byIQBavxNs5j8anZT0TculRK2Zk8SDWDiA76_VfiWz73sS7V4JB_QivG_YcszIA/s200/Screen+Shot+2016-06-08+at+12.59.46+AM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="65" data-original-width="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG5pswLL86m1yOWnnTBANbmNByZqgi5LTwHvvsyjPsylwmQm1AmBMzkPqjJD3tuttWFdvxD8TIRo5byIQBavxNs5j8anZT0TculRK2Zk8SDWDiA76_VfiWz73sS7V4JB_QivG_YcszIA/s0/Screen+Shot+2016-06-08+at+12.59.46+AM.png" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p>Beautifies The Meekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14201482886768010937noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4198884069823175612.post-18555274964594940122020-09-29T20:22:00.001-07:002020-09-29T20:22:09.003-07:00Fall Kimono<p></p><div style="text-align: center;">Hey! Fall is here and it is one of my favorite seasons! I hate the heat so this switch of seasons is what I need. One thing I love about this season is the cozy style and warm colors. I love this new addition to my closet, the colors are so pretty together and very Fall.</div><span><a name='more'></a></span><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhInU_LzcCNsy5Kf7f5hHKtzwmu0s9O_eTFeuvntNVMT0GPSFzLNX0NcsvJq0lh65rTs8vJbwudJNfU0ee5I__b2VJ82lSAG-iz4ugubYWCbFyOeigpc8eLdZDqk1WmdHbMb89M6XuwOA/s4032/IMG_0202.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhInU_LzcCNsy5Kf7f5hHKtzwmu0s9O_eTFeuvntNVMT0GPSFzLNX0NcsvJq0lh65rTs8vJbwudJNfU0ee5I__b2VJ82lSAG-iz4ugubYWCbFyOeigpc8eLdZDqk1WmdHbMb89M6XuwOA/w480-h640/IMG_0202.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiYk9lQFtUFcCOHl-DCfHYjKK3K1cqFjXNMzcPPPCNRsxo5r8TPFKnYpsKgCQxRC3gEwX48B1kVrq-HZ3UHqV6jK_-w03q4LH1z8r4ByHfHHd7uUNHbPTJnVmLXxB6DHx5MwevogHkcw/s4032/IMG_0212.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiYk9lQFtUFcCOHl-DCfHYjKK3K1cqFjXNMzcPPPCNRsxo5r8TPFKnYpsKgCQxRC3gEwX48B1kVrq-HZ3UHqV6jK_-w03q4LH1z8r4ByHfHHd7uUNHbPTJnVmLXxB6DHx5MwevogHkcw/w480-h640/IMG_0212.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjl6fcc2_B39HVzSG_0Kp6nGVrEoRAqGloKuAQr0XhL1J210tQdjF4oA74rsAuL688DhAfEzzCCQfkMAwnIWt2kmPxaVhA6PPO7r1dMml1SwlTlSRptS2Oxc5XqQw2HxEMPkqsKS5kMw/s4032/IMG_0216.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjl6fcc2_B39HVzSG_0Kp6nGVrEoRAqGloKuAQr0XhL1J210tQdjF4oA74rsAuL688DhAfEzzCCQfkMAwnIWt2kmPxaVhA6PPO7r1dMml1SwlTlSRptS2Oxc5XqQw2HxEMPkqsKS5kMw/w480-h640/IMG_0216.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> I have been trying to spice up my closet just a little bit and Torrid is the best place to shop for plus sizes. So many options and styles to choose from, I am obsessed. I am also on this "self-love" journey where I am learning to love the body I am currently in. I am curvy and sometimes it gets discouraging especially in this modest church culture. Most of the clothes are made for slimmer body types. What would be modest on a slimmer woman would be considered inappropriate for me. No matter how many sizes I go up my hips and butt make an appearance. I like Kimonos like this because it hides a lot and I can pull off a straight cut in my dresses and skirts.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I have become a firm believer in the idea that if you can't love the body you are currently in, you won't love it when it changes. Body positivity is deeper than what is seen on the outside. you can add weight or lose weight all you want but if you haven't dealt with YOU, you may discover that those intense feelings will still be there. That low self-esteem mostly affects your inner man, your core. How you see yourself will directly affect how you move within your purpose. I am working simultaneously on the inside and outside but mostly the inside first. Finding joy in dressing these curves is all a part of the process for me.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Your process could look different and that's ok! We are learning to see ourselves the way God sees us. Fearfully and wonderfully made on purpose for a specific purpose.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">*Psalm 139 is a great place to start! study each verse every day!*</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6RAq7V7LeSqMQiZJOY7cS_DLvB1lCQQRjC1nPVaYvyhtPhpxo9vdVIe1KBZjgAymY0gKICDlJsREE5-zlEgiEDYY0rtDayfP3rfoPYvE9el91uoQEaImDRCj5gSCsHWsfrRx0dw9LWw/s200/Screen+Shot+2016-06-08+at+12.59.46+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="65" data-original-width="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6RAq7V7LeSqMQiZJOY7cS_DLvB1lCQQRjC1nPVaYvyhtPhpxo9vdVIe1KBZjgAymY0gKICDlJsREE5-zlEgiEDYY0rtDayfP3rfoPYvE9el91uoQEaImDRCj5gSCsHWsfrRx0dw9LWw/s0/Screen+Shot+2016-06-08+at+12.59.46+AM.png" /></a></div><p></p>Beautifies The Meekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14201482886768010937noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4198884069823175612.post-43991306016076740502020-09-11T19:42:00.007-07:002020-09-11T19:47:14.811-07:00My LBD.<p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw446hfmI8RfkM4HaRUsQRzAjQ3iiK6zErO8TCrFFCuocyWj5J_uq9-nJNXfb45xtmC6YyKzdEHOYnBRiUaSSoD_0meq2Vhl1ZSkvCkuBmGLcB-wUMKq4HQxoIHzXEvXdB5u7u-C7Fjw/s4032/IMG_0155.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="781" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw446hfmI8RfkM4HaRUsQRzAjQ3iiK6zErO8TCrFFCuocyWj5J_uq9-nJNXfb45xtmC6YyKzdEHOYnBRiUaSSoD_0meq2Vhl1ZSkvCkuBmGLcB-wUMKq4HQxoIHzXEvXdB5u7u-C7Fjw/w586-h781/IMG_0155.HEIC" width="586" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">Hey Yall! It has been ages since I made a style post! I think I want to get back to doing this more. I wasn't feeling like myself so I wasn't going to front like I was ok. Because I wasn't and that's ok! Am I better now? sure! I feel more myself and I am doing better at mental health checks and self-care! AMEN.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span><a name='more'></a></span><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0JAnHn91PjsNbaTk6QKpZRyUR9V7e1Pk_AmHhS7TPSGX24IRhMzTsSh_ee8vZvXiHhP75Lzjb6YBK_xCGAYDiqqTfoOTRZCTX3Mt26zg9iNYPfgCpI-15XX31qblYsiUKAOuEUPchrA/s4032/IMG_0153.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="781" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0JAnHn91PjsNbaTk6QKpZRyUR9V7e1Pk_AmHhS7TPSGX24IRhMzTsSh_ee8vZvXiHhP75Lzjb6YBK_xCGAYDiqqTfoOTRZCTX3Mt26zg9iNYPfgCpI-15XX31qblYsiUKAOuEUPchrA/w586-h781/IMG_0153.HEIC" width="586" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIKh5qr-b5L_Wi3IPUVsZTUEPx-eZkr5vMKN6odJBm8Dj0aqgUeoSGy8jAz9TMgJPeQXlWcENSTvGhf9tK9x_a7A-aZbrnih74EINzqBwuaIA9RPJnlmWqCJJDF49mdLeF9Q1osFbCPA/s4032/IMG_0152.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="781" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIKh5qr-b5L_Wi3IPUVsZTUEPx-eZkr5vMKN6odJBm8Dj0aqgUeoSGy8jAz9TMgJPeQXlWcENSTvGhf9tK9x_a7A-aZbrnih74EINzqBwuaIA9RPJnlmWqCJJDF49mdLeF9Q1osFbCPA/w586-h781/IMG_0152.HEIC" width="586" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQj5INCrIn4vyS-pHdZ_FWc_wahyIqLKw2nQ-eHnTEmi0gi2itLE3JenVIcuUTJEfBxJ0PDEYrdKzh4iQRPOtJAszQjuk9nYbK_8N4otafaY3StIRblmUNoCPpbH5VxHU5JVAEEdaj_A/s4032/IMG_0149.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="781" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQj5INCrIn4vyS-pHdZ_FWc_wahyIqLKw2nQ-eHnTEmi0gi2itLE3JenVIcuUTJEfBxJ0PDEYrdKzh4iQRPOtJAszQjuk9nYbK_8N4otafaY3StIRblmUNoCPpbH5VxHU5JVAEEdaj_A/w586-h781/IMG_0149.HEIC" width="586" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMiiVCQClVQ8HbF_nBNF1tRB8wCXuI5kg5FU5Hym_heZ3kqNI7h5R4fnm2vm1jWBkMCK8k9FrhOHdQ68karJ4gPEewVLN60fCckTkcA6qy-OQGQxAibJQJTA_SPHC20tnUAfxc6vXSJQ/s4032/IMG_0147.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="781" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMiiVCQClVQ8HbF_nBNF1tRB8wCXuI5kg5FU5Hym_heZ3kqNI7h5R4fnm2vm1jWBkMCK8k9FrhOHdQ68karJ4gPEewVLN60fCckTkcA6qy-OQGQxAibJQJTA_SPHC20tnUAfxc6vXSJQ/w586-h781/IMG_0147.HEIC" width="586" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha8n5Ea0Cj4wIdFqeL3GHUzqXnp3jkkcgqLBDNSZDq81owD6X6ZMK2-mVIIFUPu2wYCbf2ceyrjrCKntUrLw4Yf5iXFC3CGWjorleDSwb3B0oomBOYDfOr9ZOAIoiFhjsJPXxfSS8y_A/s4032/IMG_0145.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="781" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha8n5Ea0Cj4wIdFqeL3GHUzqXnp3jkkcgqLBDNSZDq81owD6X6ZMK2-mVIIFUPu2wYCbf2ceyrjrCKntUrLw4Yf5iXFC3CGWjorleDSwb3B0oomBOYDfOr9ZOAIoiFhjsJPXxfSS8y_A/w586-h781/IMG_0145.HEIC" width="586" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoL5g4uZPOgbU2S9vRMSLMvroW2UgkPp3TZcYsgZibh4AS-Iro7kXosZAjBKeIOraGkKbRj2KyvFK8vUqWcJ0lvkjuysCbk8lCYaAnOF9LFW8-RxXoy5rgbneqInb4PnmvKwy86f56iQ/s4032/IMG_0144.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="781" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoL5g4uZPOgbU2S9vRMSLMvroW2UgkPp3TZcYsgZibh4AS-Iro7kXosZAjBKeIOraGkKbRj2KyvFK8vUqWcJ0lvkjuysCbk8lCYaAnOF9LFW8-RxXoy5rgbneqInb4PnmvKwy86f56iQ/w586-h781/IMG_0144.HEIC" width="586" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgboMzhwSn5MHybBDqTaBZyfhP1QMF-p6mLctGDIVdObO9te8yC_TcXOW4O_n3mFMEPdtY3dNhx76x5Ehz6dG18FxFjOSAkjeAp8EbP5-iTzMyMEtXqBbRfh1gTv3wj1eLo3044Cn6Eaw/s4032/IMG_0143.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="781" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgboMzhwSn5MHybBDqTaBZyfhP1QMF-p6mLctGDIVdObO9te8yC_TcXOW4O_n3mFMEPdtY3dNhx76x5Ehz6dG18FxFjOSAkjeAp8EbP5-iTzMyMEtXqBbRfh1gTv3wj1eLo3044Cn6Eaw/w586-h781/IMG_0143.HEIC" width="586" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.target.com/p/women-s-plus-size-floral-print-short-sleeve-knit-tiered-dress-ava-viv/-/A-79801274?preselect=79726830#lnk=sametab" target="_blank">Black knit tiered dress</a> <a href="https://www.prettylittlething.us/gold-metal-plated-waist-belt.html?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=google_shopping_usa&utm_content=usa&utm_term=product_target&sv_campaign_id=2060974690&istCompanyId=b972e4de-de58-4ac9-9a3c-d255a815fef9&istFeedId=48a9adb1-6dc5-403b-88e6-f2c612356ac6&istItemId=wmplqxaqq&istBid=tzww&gclid=Cj0KCQjwwOz6BRCgARIsAKEG4FV2VwY-ZT9wAZ3SltbZVvdLp38KSAL5d_xcXJvVrH7629x2KwA_KMcaAqy3EALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds" target="_blank">Similar Gold Belt.</a> <br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div>I really needed some retail therapy. I finally got up the courage to hit up Target for some dresses I had been eyeing. Yes, I was nervous about buying clothes in this pandemic. Plus, who needed new clothes we are low key in quarantine! Church opened back up a few months ago and I needed some new dresses. Target has some great modest selections from skirts to dresses! I love the fall styles that are coming out now and couldn't resist! </div><div><br /></div><div>This dress is light and can be styled up or down. I added this gold belt for some glam. I think it did the job and I added purple heels to finish up the look. I always think I shouldn't have to compromise style for modesty and vice versa. You can be stylish and modest at the same time.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZOtos2yiLY1esZazK6kgKxNm7QJFQalZYTjtdakb29heclKB-PASkkOWxVfeP3GTWUW49yxI3hXHgU3inbTaRDqrSp6IKRi9DW3xU1ohKniSZGBFOxNgMmT20GIE5LO6wTWdDCVai4Q/s200/Screen+Shot+2016-06-08+at+12.59.46+AM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="65" data-original-width="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZOtos2yiLY1esZazK6kgKxNm7QJFQalZYTjtdakb29heclKB-PASkkOWxVfeP3GTWUW49yxI3hXHgU3inbTaRDqrSp6IKRi9DW3xU1ohKniSZGBFOxNgMmT20GIE5LO6wTWdDCVai4Q/s0/Screen+Shot+2016-06-08+at+12.59.46+AM.png" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><p></p></div></div>Beautifies The Meekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14201482886768010937noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4198884069823175612.post-47466617356435348362020-09-01T21:32:00.000-07:002020-09-01T21:32:24.431-07:00Dear Universe...<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEralD1pbDYLJSRm8fdpsX_d36SO89Lf_PgBlPU5EFhdUVLOXGogDx4cHRySDZOuX62sluD7IKjuZmilK6nV8VSqV6HPjuJYRoc1zgkWGBVR-OT3DKOR8spBquYyaLOL7grx0v6_TkKw/s918/Screen+Shot+2020-09-02+at+12.16.27+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="918" data-original-width="918" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEralD1pbDYLJSRm8fdpsX_d36SO89Lf_PgBlPU5EFhdUVLOXGogDx4cHRySDZOuX62sluD7IKjuZmilK6nV8VSqV6HPjuJYRoc1zgkWGBVR-OT3DKOR8spBquYyaLOL7grx0v6_TkKw/s640/Screen+Shot+2020-09-02+at+12.16.27+AM.png" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">These past few months have been an emotional one for some of us. Some would even say draining. It has caused many of us to search outside of ourselves for answers, for hope. Tragedy and trauma have a way of putting us in the position of searching for relief. What is going to release us from this despair and hopelessness? Most of us have reached the end of ourselves and we are looking for something to make up for what is missing. When we reach this place we tend to turn to many things for comfort and clarity. The concept of looking to the universe has been a popular one for centuries.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span></span></p><a name='more'></a><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span><p></p><p>Our ancestors have worshipped the sun, the moon, the stars. Going back further man has always found someone or something to worship when we can't find the answers within ourselves. We either make ourselves god or we make any creation a god. The Israelites worshipped a golden calf, they invited other gods into their collection. It's in us to seek and worship. Everyone is doing what they are designed to do, seek, and worship. Is it fair to say that our seeking and worship today is directed to the wrong things? Yes.</p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><blockquote><b>You shall not go after other gods, any of the gods of the peoples who are round about you; for the Lord your God in the midst of you is a jealous God... - Deuteronomy 6:14-15</b></blockquote><p></p><p>The Israelites had to be reminded of who their worship belonged to. In this scripture to give context, a new generation was possessing the promised land and they were not taught to ONLY worship the one true living God. They repeated what they saw their parents did. God used Moses and Joshua to teach this new generation who their God is.</p><p>The universe is not God and when we pray to it and worship it, we make an idol out of the universe. Why not pray to the God who created the universe? He orchestrated the planets and the stars to move for his Glory. He mandated the galaxy to expand itself and reflect his Glory. Praying and trusting in the universe is equivalent to having an issue at a store and instead of asking for the manager, you speak with the employee. The employee doesn't have enough power to help you. The same goes for the universe.</p><p>On the bright side, if people can believe in the universe and pray to it then they have the capacity to believe and pray to God. They believe in something bigger than them, which takes a good amount of humility to admit you are not in control. They just have to realize who God is and channel their worship to Him! This is easier said than done but I say these types of people are a little easier to witness to than someone who doesn't believe in anything.</p><p>Anyways, I had thoughts on this universe thing for a few days now. God is the one who can fix your situation, he is the one who has the power. The universe works for God! God is the CEO of this world! When you need something done or you are in need of hope God is the one to speak to. He has a phenomenal track record of answering prayer and showing up in mighty ways.</p><p>Our worship should only be reserved for God and God only. Deuteronomy says that God is a jealous God and he will not compete with other things for first place in your life. He will not compete for your heart because God understands his value and what he brings to the table. What the world offers us can not compare to what God offers. The universe is not God!</p><p style="text-align: center;"><b></b></p><blockquote><b>They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshipped and served what has been created instead of the Creator, who is praised forever. Amen. - Romans 1:25</b></blockquote><p></p><p>We have exchanged God's truth for the lies and that is a dangerous exchange. God's truth shapes our worldviews and keeps us in line with him. For a lot of us, the lies have shaped our perceptions and have shifted us in a different direction. The lie that the universe is responsible for life shapes how we view God and where we put him. We know the agenda of the enemy is to erase God from our hearts completely. Knowing this we should be sober and watchful for the subtle ways he will try us.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><b></b></p><blockquote><b>Be sober (well balanced and self-disciplined), be alert and cautious at all times. That enemy of yours, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion (fiercely hungry), seeking someone to devour. - 1 Peter 5:8</b></blockquote><p></p><p>Listen the universe is somewhat of a start, but go deeper! We have the ability to grab the attention of God, he granted us access so why not use it? Why not speak with the God in charge of it all? I don't know about everyone else but I would rather anchor myself in Jesus who is unchanging and never failing. The universe is not equipped to sustain me and my needs but God is! Trust Him. Worship Him and Him alone.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguOTTws_-8ikVsRPtE8FGV87pKoP_zW6GSWCPEOmNQc3F0GmQV8Snrqqm0JLRH8FVTqF0zdyysd-K6MFi0LD00lvB8EJlWbWUSO-HcFas4yWHS-Laa80vlkj0XcvZrkVkYUExkPN3fuw/s200/Screen+Shot+2016-06-08+at+12.59.46+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="65" data-original-width="200" height="52" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguOTTws_-8ikVsRPtE8FGV87pKoP_zW6GSWCPEOmNQc3F0GmQV8Snrqqm0JLRH8FVTqF0zdyysd-K6MFi0LD00lvB8EJlWbWUSO-HcFas4yWHS-Laa80vlkj0XcvZrkVkYUExkPN3fuw/w160-h52/Screen+Shot+2016-06-08+at+12.59.46+AM.png" width="160" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px;"></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><blockquote><blockquote><span style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px;"></span></blockquote></blockquote><p></p>Beautifies The Meekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14201482886768010937noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4198884069823175612.post-86498174806046952152020-06-19T10:06:00.006-07:002020-06-19T10:11:27.902-07:00Brain Dump....Honest thoughts.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDpsswxiLwRSz-L_yqJgmOfeVPz-ExkIk50v3tS_ht4TFe5ZQmvbjfsWrR0qtc0UcrlbUmW29BUrVVxZCetrSN-vrlc8IhhAtjb-e8_XL5CeEE3pUWb9veYBf9sBEYdygRBmZRYo2iIA/s960/104359887_10100428839529625_1891409850036452597_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="625" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDpsswxiLwRSz-L_yqJgmOfeVPz-ExkIk50v3tS_ht4TFe5ZQmvbjfsWrR0qtc0UcrlbUmW29BUrVVxZCetrSN-vrlc8IhhAtjb-e8_XL5CeEE3pUWb9veYBf9sBEYdygRBmZRYo2iIA/w625-h625/104359887_10100428839529625_1891409850036452597_n.jpg" width="625" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Hey yall!<div><br /></div><div>How are you doing?</div><div><br /></div><div>Like, no for real, How are you doing?</div><span><a name='more'></a></span><div><br /></div><div>So much is unfolding around us so I thought I would FINALLY check-in. Listen, I was struggling with all of this too. Never thought to come on here and share thoughts on current events. I will soon in-depth but it will be thoughts that have been filtered through prayer. I also do not want to come on here and regurgitate all that you have heard. I also want to provide solutions. Solutions for the woman of God who is trying to find her stance in all of this. The church is getting vocal about it all and it is nice. The thought that the church has looked over the sin of racism is disturbing. It shows just how segregated we are. From the music industry to local churches, segregated. Of course, there are churches that are diverse and have all kinds of people in them but it isn't very common. When it is diverse the leadership is often white. Very seldom we see a diverse church under the leadership of a black person (Transformation Church is actually one of those seldom moments, diverse in race and age).</div><div><br /></div><div>I am not saying it is not possible, I'm just saying it isn't common. Churches are either predominantly white or black. Which isn't wrong but it does make us question why is it like that? MLK stated, (<i>paraphrased</i>) "the most segregated time in America is on a Sunday morning." He said that in HIS time which is not too long ago. Racism in the church runs deep and I am super interested in how we confront this sin. We love to call out every other sin but that one. I think we all just accepted it for what it is. Racism is what it is, it's normal. So, we leave it alone and don't address it. It's the type of spirit that is very stubborn and here to stay essentially. We will be fighting this race demon until Jesus comes back. We will also be fighting the spirits of perversion, greed, lying, and others as well. We just have been so quiet about racism that it ingrained itself into our systems, bloodlines, mindsets, generations.</div><div><br /></div><div>Let this be a lesson learned by the church. When any particular sin goes unaddressed and we allow it to sit and eat at the same table we eat from every Sunday, it turns into a beast of an animal that is almost untamable. Since so many of us were quiet for so long, it's going to take so many of us to call it out in the name of Jesus. I see how the world is tackling racism and I think the church has to go after this thing 10x harder because we know and understand its origin. We can't live in denial anymore or turn a blind eye. The world needs our prayers, strategy, and our connection to the one who holds ALL power in his hands.</div><div><br /></div><div>We were called for such a time as this. </div><div><br /></div><div>To be salt and light.</div><div><br /></div><div>To be the voice for the oppressed and voiceless.</div><div><br /></div><div>To bring Justice through the mighty name of Jesus Christ.</div><div><br /></div><div>2020 has been the worst rollercoaster ride ever, but it sure has given us a clear vision of what grieves the heart of God. I hope we are listening and asking God for the next steps.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><font size="4"><b><font color="#d52c1f">HAPPY</font> <font color="#0f9d58">JUNET</font>EEN<font color="#f7cb4d">TH!!!</font></b></font></div><div><br /></div>Beautifies The Meekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14201482886768010937noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4198884069823175612.post-42613202204739305732020-05-25T21:05:00.000-07:002020-05-25T21:05:46.714-07:00Finding Your Rhythm During Seasons of Uncertainty.<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoUPArSOjdCvfhTA1xMNCp7gOkyD8s667GsW71fErunrnrD3zPVKgmIzCzm2mQG3CEAmSHsFWf_mLdUro8PBP4NPHMqZ2dUyjSvS2G2Dpyuz20oXyNuxWQyJOAB11Hx8aeYIlr9r5t2Q/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4496" height="429" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoUPArSOjdCvfhTA1xMNCp7gOkyD8s667GsW71fErunrnrD3zPVKgmIzCzm2mQG3CEAmSHsFWf_mLdUro8PBP4NPHMqZ2dUyjSvS2G2Dpyuz20oXyNuxWQyJOAB11Hx8aeYIlr9r5t2Q/w640-h429/Hudson+Farmhouse+Stock+Photos+5.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><font face="georgia"><br /></font></div><font face="georgia">Anybody still trying to find balance while working from home or distance learning? Good. Me neither because I am realizing more and more that balance is almost unrealistic. I would like to think that I am trying to find my rhythm in this season. Here is why I threw away the concept of balance and adapted the idea of rhythm.</font><div><span><a name='more'></a></span><font face="georgia"><br /></font><div style="text-align: center;"><font face="georgia"><i>Balance is defined as a condition in which different elements are equal or in the correct proportions.</i></font></div><div style="text-align: center;"><font face="georgia"><br /></font></div><div style="text-align: left;"><font face="georgia">Based on this definition it is so hard for all of the elements of my life to be equal or in the right "proportions" at the same time. One minute my work tasks are going well then suddenly ministry stuff starts falling apart. Vice versa. Life is full of uncertain moments and I am convinced that the only thing that is consistent is change. Something is always shifting and changing no matter the season. Sometimes it feels like everything is changing at the same time. What do you do then? Try to find balance in the chaos? Just one tiny shift and boom, the balance is off again.</font></div><div style="text-align: left;"><font face="georgia"><br /></font></div><div style="text-align: left;"><font face="georgia">It almost drove me crazy to put all this effort in finding balance in my life. Something always took a different turn than what I planned. I found myself depending on my own strength and logic just to find and keep the balance between ministry and everything else. God had to remind me that he is God and that he is sovereign. I may not know what is coming next but he does. If balance can be mastered, the only one who can do it is Jesus. lol.</font></div><div style="text-align: left;"><font face="georgia"><br /></font></div><div style="text-align: center;"><font face="georgia"><i>Rhythm is movement, fluctuation, or variation marked by the regular recurrence or natural flow of related elements.</i></font></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><font face="georgia"><br /></font></div><div style="text-align: left;"><font face="georgia">I like to think of my life as an orchestra with different sections full of different instruments. The woodwinds, brass, percussion, and strings all make up a complete 4 part symphony orchestra. All of these instruments have different sounds and shapes and they sing on their own rhythm. Even though they have their own rhythm, each part's rhythm has to compliment the sound of the entire group. There is more of a flow when it comes to rhythm and it changes depending on the composition or mood.</font></div><div style="text-align: left;"><font face="georgia"><br /></font></div><div style="text-align: left;"><font face="georgia">The seasons of our lives are constantly changing. There are so many moving parts within each season that as time evolves you just have to adapt to it. Nobody saw quarantine coming so soon, so fast. Our lives were changed in a literal blink of an eye. Schools closed, working from home, malls closed, churches closed. No one saw this coming but God. We just have to flow with it and govern ourselves accordingly. I feel like the days on this quarantine are all mashed up together. Friday has lost its juice and holidays are just another day. </font></div><div style="text-align: left;"><font face="georgia"><br /></font></div><div style="text-align: left;"><font face="georgia">I began to just go with the flow of my days. If all I felt like doing was lying around on social media, I did that. If I wanted to be productive and get stuff done, I did that. I made sure I did not put pressure on myself to be something I could not be at that moment. There are a lot of people saying a lot of things, telling you how to be and what you should be when we emerge from isolation. I suggest you silence those voices and listen to the only voice that matters. God has already set a pace, a rhythm. We just have to find it and follow along.</font></div><div style="text-align: left;"><font face="georgia"><br /></font></div><div style="text-align: center;"><font face="georgia">Here are some quick tips to finding your rhythm while in self-quarantine:</font></div><div style="text-align: center;"><font face="georgia"><br /></font></div><div style="text-align: center;"><font face="georgia">1. <b>Go with the flow.</b> So you plan out your day. Nothing seems to be working together for your good. Nothing. It's ok, expect things to change. You may not get to that to-do list and that is still ok. You are still doing a phenomenal job. Where you are weak God is strong!</font></div><div style="text-align: center;"><font face="georgia"><br /></font></div><div style="text-align: center;"><font face="georgia">2. <b>Keep the main things, the main things.</b> Prayer and reading the word are the main things. do that first and then proceed with your workday. It makes a difference.</font></div><div style="text-align: center;"><font face="georgia"><br /></font></div><div style="text-align: center;"><font face="georgia">3. <b>Create a loose schedule.</b> So that can look like however you need it to look like. I do suggest that you stick to a bedtime and wake up time. Also, I would schedule a prayer time and stick to it as much as you can.</font></div><div style="text-align: center;"><font face="georgia"><br /></font></div><div style="text-align: center;"><font face="georgia">4. <b>Get in tune with yourself.</b> When you feel anxious about something, instead of continuing with the workload take a brain break. Find the root of your anxiety or whatever you are feeling. journal it out, paint it out, find an outlet. Then you can go back to your work with a refreshed mind.</font></div><div style="text-align: center;"><font face="georgia"><br /></font></div><div style="text-align: center;"><font face="georgia">5.<b> Don't beat yourself up!</b> D</font><span style="font-family: georgia;">on't feel bad if you don't get the house in order in a week. Don't condemn yourself if you spent the day doing nothing. You don't always have to be busy.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><font face="georgia">while still adjusting to this rhythm, I am consulting the one who conducts my life and makes things make sense. The conductor keeps everyone on beat. When God is not the center or he is not sitting on the throne of the heart, who is? Who is making the parts you can't control come together? Maybe balance is a nice goal but just not attainable. Maybe balance is not what we are looking for, maybe it is finding the rhythm of the season. Sometimes it's a bop and sometimes it's not what we want to hear right now. We listen to the Holy Spirit anyway and follow His rhythm.</font></div><div style="text-align: left;"><font face="georgia"><br /></font></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcjJUIsA6x7mYAnz-d1DjWrTGdV3jgFtjnY8V4Q6i9JJnlV5z1OY2qsosnLcZEvJyrlssTvVhP6yChQkV7KoNMnEl7CnKdo67mSQjXYK5eA9Z_azFSkHFvVgdmVInQdgvamhcRYwsu0Q/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="145" data-original-width="444" height="66" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcjJUIsA6x7mYAnz-d1DjWrTGdV3jgFtjnY8V4Q6i9JJnlV5z1OY2qsosnLcZEvJyrlssTvVhP6yChQkV7KoNMnEl7CnKdo67mSQjXYK5eA9Z_azFSkHFvVgdmVInQdgvamhcRYwsu0Q/w200-h66/Screen+Shot+2016-06-08+at+12.59.46+AM.png" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><font face="georgia"><br /></font></div>Beautifies The Meekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14201482886768010937noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4198884069823175612.post-69200839927433560172020-04-24T13:42:00.000-07:002020-04-24T13:42:55.752-07:00Thoughts: Resting in Who He is.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmMaDHNFuCe0Wctp8HQn60zscFcBqEYz1fvBZHEma09jVUTI7FkpYGe1L3j51QEPTN_7qAAezmReH9PjFl5iVY2oxjbEKvBEnZTzjKAqGPn0CITKpIL_xDhihD0BXGscKWYCg49ZT6Zg/s1600/lightstock_555080_download_medium_zainab_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmMaDHNFuCe0Wctp8HQn60zscFcBqEYz1fvBZHEma09jVUTI7FkpYGe1L3j51QEPTN_7qAAezmReH9PjFl5iVY2oxjbEKvBEnZTzjKAqGPn0CITKpIL_xDhihD0BXGscKWYCg49ZT6Zg/s640/lightstock_555080_download_medium_zainab_.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Have you ever experienced a time where you heard more bad news than good news? Like, it feels as though death is looming over everything and snatching everything you love and hold dear. This time in self-isolation has me feeling like this at times. I try to avoid hearing any more bad news but it finds its way to me. Do you ever wonder where God is in the middle of what seems like pure darkness? Wondering if he cares or if he is even aware of where you are.<div>
<a name='more'></a><br /></div>
<div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Sometimes I look up and say "I'm still here, please don't forget me."</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I felt super overwhelmingly sad during my prayer time with God. I thought and prayed about all the people I know that have lost loved ones to COVID-19 and all those who have been diagnosed with COVID. My heart goes out to you. I read Psalm 34 and I recommend that psalm in times of grief and loss. It reminds me of where my focus should be in the middle of it all.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
You may be wondering where God is located in your situation but that is not the focus. Where he is located is not important. But it is who he is. God is always where he needs to be because of his flawless character. It's hard to locate Him sometimes but in those dark moments where it feels as though he is distant and unaware. Remember who he is.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Psalm 34 declares that he is:</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">CONSISTENT, RELIABLE, PROTECTOR, SAVIOR, GOOD, FATHER, GENEROUS, KIND, PEACE, GREAT, SOVEREIGN, TEACHER, HOLY, RIGHTEOUS, etc.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Never forget that. The state of where you are will always change, but he never will. His character is one we can depend on and fully trust. Rest in who he is and not where we think he should be.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
He is near to the brokenhearted and crushed in spirit (psalm 34:18).</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
He hears our cries in prayer and sees our tears (Psalm 34:15).</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
He hears and he responds accordingly. (Psalm 34:19).</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Knowing his character, shouldn't just be head knowledge but this revelation fuels our response.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I will bless the Lord at all times</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
His praise will always be on my lips</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I will boast in the lord</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
the humble will hear and be glad</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Proclaim the Lord's greatness with me</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
let us exalt his name together.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
- Psalm 34:1-3</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
It's no coincidence that this is placed first in the chapter. Our first response in every situation should be to bless the Lord and praise him with our mouths. With praise comes a deeper understanding of who he is in our darkest hour. This is hard. It sucks, but God is near. Cast every care, concern, anxiety on him. He really does care for you. Don't grieve without him, don't mourn without him. Take it to him he'll trade your heaviness for joy and peace.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHeqNeCk0bdtcNWPdwacoip4j_HQCuE_pdos0kI1rXaLENct6yxlQMEQs4VmrS6lJQVrb5BsHI-HcY9QJBT4iuI8s4ix2VcEYeydVHaCTwycFN0PcbMhV_QaHgDwbxjmbHch1CcC8D4Q/s1600/Screen+Shot+2016-06-08+at+12.59.46+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="145" data-original-width="444" height="65" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHeqNeCk0bdtcNWPdwacoip4j_HQCuE_pdos0kI1rXaLENct6yxlQMEQs4VmrS6lJQVrb5BsHI-HcY9QJBT4iuI8s4ix2VcEYeydVHaCTwycFN0PcbMhV_QaHgDwbxjmbHch1CcC8D4Q/s200/Screen+Shot+2016-06-08+at+12.59.46+AM.png" width="200" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
Beautifies The Meekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14201482886768010937noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4198884069823175612.post-88181669269612088822020-04-21T13:24:00.000-07:002020-04-21T13:24:23.858-07:005 Ways You Can Serve Your Church While at Home.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimJeHK71Am2jREIHNxk-_NVwnJHDd-1-QttdQL4Q8XfSBocySBBwT9Rf3BS2bo9Wh8pFuoWiZpW5X_kG1SWYDZZ_aalC2EgSrvi3nqOhQ-XdBOphyphenhypheno0-mfsdkOswpQ1waNHf7oV5tEZg/s1600/White+Photo+International+Women%2527s+Day+Instagram+Post+%25281%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimJeHK71Am2jREIHNxk-_NVwnJHDd-1-QttdQL4Q8XfSBocySBBwT9Rf3BS2bo9Wh8pFuoWiZpW5X_kG1SWYDZZ_aalC2EgSrvi3nqOhQ-XdBOphyphenhypheno0-mfsdkOswpQ1waNHf7oV5tEZg/s640/White+Photo+International+Women%2527s+Day+Instagram+Post+%25281%2529.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Praise the Lord! It's been a while since I have used this greeting since we are not meeting in our physical churches. I miss it. I miss saying Praise the Lord 50 times when I greet someone and when I depart from fellowship. Ha Ha. We say it so much. But do you ever wonder how you can support and serve the church while staying home? There are many organizations and ways we can support first responders and essential workers, but we must not forget about the people that make up the body. This time of staying at home and self-isolation can really have us thinking well, no ministry stuff to do how can I serve my church from home?<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">1. Pray for your church.</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: #eeeeee; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="text-align: start;">Pray</span><span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-CSB-29338A" data-link="(<a href="#cen-CSB-29338A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; text-align: start; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span><span style="text-align: start;"> at all times in the Spirit</span><span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-CSB-29338B" data-link="(<a href="#cen-CSB-29338B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; text-align: start; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span><span style="text-align: start;"> with every prayer and request, and stay alert</span><span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-CSB-29338C" data-link="(<a href="#cen-CSB-29338C" title="See cross-reference C">C</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; text-align: start; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span><span style="text-align: start;"> with all perseverance and intercession for all the saints.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: #eeeeee; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Ephesians 6:18</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This is a simple yet effective way to serve the members of your church right from home. Prayer is always a wonderful way of covering your church family and keeping them before God. What a beautiful way to show that you care and that you are thinking of them. We are all going through various emotions and circumstances so the thought that someone is taking the time to pray is comforting.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">2. Give to your church.</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: #eeeeee; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="text-align: start;">Bring the full tenth into the storehouse</span><span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-CSB-23131A" data-link="(<a href="#cen-CSB-23131A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; text-align: start; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span><span style="text-align: start;"> so that there may be food in my house.</span><span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-CSB-23131B" data-link="(<a href="#cen-CSB-23131B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; text-align: start; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span><span style="text-align: start;"> Test me in this way,”</span><span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-CSB-23131C" data-link="(<a href="#cen-CSB-23131C" title="See cross-reference C">C</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; text-align: start; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span><span style="text-align: start;"> says the </span><span class="small-caps divine-name" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-align: start;">Lord</span><span style="text-align: start;"> of Armies. “See if I will not open the floodgates of heaven</span><span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-CSB-23131D" data-link="(<a href="#cen-CSB-23131D" title="See cross-reference D">D</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; text-align: start; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span><span style="text-align: start;"> and pour out a blessing for you without measure.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: #eeeeee; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="text-align: start;">Malachi 3:10</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Listen, just because we are not meeting together doesn't mean the giving stops. Bills still have to be paid and plans are still in motion. Staying faithful in your giving shows God how much you trust him. Especially in times of uncertainty! This is when your faith is tried and proven. Also giving doesn't always mean just tithe but also your offering as well. Ask God in what ways can you give of your time or resources through this pandemic. If God has blessed you, seek to bless others.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">3. Host a Bible study on Zoom or Facetime</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: #eeeeee; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">But as for you, continue in what you have learned and firmly believed...</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: #eeeeee; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">2 Timothy 3:14a</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This is a great way to stay connected with your church. Growing together spiritually doesn't have to end. We can still have fruitful discussions and get fed through the word. That is one thing I do miss is the opportunity to learn more about God together and hearing other people's perspectives on scripture. If your church isn't doing a Bible study at the moment host one with some friends!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">4. Offer any cool evangelism ideas</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="text Matt-9-37" id="en-CSB-23417" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; text-align: start;"><span class="versenum" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"> </span><span style="background-color: #eeeeee; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Then he said to his disciples,<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-CSB-23417A" data-link="(<a href="#cen-CSB-23417A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> <span class="woj" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">“The harvest is abundant, but the workers are few. </span></span></span><span class="text Matt-9-38" id="en-CSB-23418" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; text-align: start;"><span class="woj" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: #eeeeee; box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Therefore, pray to the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into his harvest.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="text Matt-9-38" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; text-align: start;"><span class="woj" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: #eeeeee; box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Matthew 9:37-38</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="text Matt-9-38" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span class="woj" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I hear about how this is a great time to witness and it is. Any time is a great time to witness really. If you have ideas on how your church can reach others online, pitch your ideas. Write them out and pray over them, make sure it's well thought out and present them to your pastor. I bet it is refreshing for a pastor to know that they are not the only ones thinking about spreading the Gospel. How can you help your church build its online presence?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">5. Meet a need / Check-in</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: #eeeeee; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span class="woj" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; text-align: start;">By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love</span><span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-CSB-26655A" data-link="(<a href="#cen-CSB-26655A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; text-align: start; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span><span style="text-align: start;"> </span><span class="woj" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; text-align: start;">one another.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: #eeeeee; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span class="woj" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; text-align: start;">John 13:35</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
God commanded us to love one another and essentially look after one another. You may not know what everyone in your church family is going through but you can always ask if someone needs anything. Check-in on the elderly at your church to make sure they have what they need for the week. Check-in on a single mother who is struggling with homeschooling and working from home. Just the fact that you check-in can deeply bless someone. You took time out of your day to reach out and check on their well being. That's all a part of loving your neighbor.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I pray these 5 ways will inspire you to serve your church right from home. I hope you are encouraged to not just think about yourself at this time but think about others as well. Of course, we are all at different stages and deal with traumatic events differently but, it may make things a little better when you take the focus off of what is going wrong and put it on blessing somebody else. Although we see this time as a time of rest, make sure you are also working on you! How can you better your skills so you can serve at a different level when this is all over? Seek God about how he wants to use you at your church and begin the work now.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Thanks for stopping by!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD7zpa9ezV8C4YEc2DwOMfzmV3hf4j1fVswfrt16Bx1qiRD7Id7x0viGyC4leXkdTkq57HPWKv9vClhMf5W748e9xx3NZbhtP-MYSrYcg63v5a3mimJnYxUYeobscc5BQXvH-jZXJHjQ/s1600/Screen+Shot+2016-06-08+at+12.59.46+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="145" data-original-width="444" height="65" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD7zpa9ezV8C4YEc2DwOMfzmV3hf4j1fVswfrt16Bx1qiRD7Id7x0viGyC4leXkdTkq57HPWKv9vClhMf5W748e9xx3NZbhtP-MYSrYcg63v5a3mimJnYxUYeobscc5BQXvH-jZXJHjQ/s200/Screen+Shot+2016-06-08+at+12.59.46+AM.png" width="200" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Beautifies The Meekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14201482886768010937noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4198884069823175612.post-1928152350765041992020-04-07T15:23:00.000-07:002020-04-07T15:23:42.481-07:00Relationship vs Ministryship<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQC-Q5X6EXqksTGRJwyY3SzrNpFN1BixsVc-Udl8bIJBKuUliQRfUWtXcwjD7eWKxGDjJjvQ852udQzq_Tgzrxb7zK43D-o9CYpULr1jM7yurnuy3SQAwKzWze5gC0KZJp7ljiwFls2w/s1600/daniel-hjalmarsson-269425.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQC-Q5X6EXqksTGRJwyY3SzrNpFN1BixsVc-Udl8bIJBKuUliQRfUWtXcwjD7eWKxGDjJjvQ852udQzq_Tgzrxb7zK43D-o9CYpULr1jM7yurnuy3SQAwKzWze5gC0KZJp7ljiwFls2w/s640/daniel-hjalmarsson-269425.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
Yes, I made up the word Ministryship.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
This is what happens when I am cooped up in my house for more than a day. I make up words.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
In all seriousness, I have been thinking of this thought while in self-quarantine and it has me reflecting on my relationship with God. I started to wonder how much of my relationship with God was based on the ministries I served on at my church. Is it possible to think that we have thriving relationships with God just because we serve on multiple ministries? Yes, yes it is. We replace our quiet times with God for revival services. We replace our personal reading time with our church Bible studies. We replace his voice with church programs and meetings. </div>
<div>
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Just because we are doing things <i>for </i>God,</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>doesn't mean we stop doing things <i>with</i> God.</b></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Similar to any relationship we have, it takes time and energy to build one with God. I remember when I realized that the relationship I thought I had was non-existent. I was present and faithful to my obligations but I was not actually connected. It was a hard reality to grasp because I thought I was doing the right things! I was, I just wasn't making time for the one I was doing the things for. My heart's posture was not right. It became real when my desire to serve and my why were misplaced. I wouldn't say they were gone, I misplaced them along the way. Reconnecting with God was the only way that I was going to find my why and desire again.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Some would say "I'M SAVED ALREADY! What you mean reconnect?"</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
It is possible to start off abiding and building a genuine relationship with God. When things get difficult it gets harder to truly abide and continue building. This is a common thing everyone goes through. We just have to recognize where we are and get back on track. All God is asking of us is to abide and he will do the rest. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i><span class="text John-15-1" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span class="woj" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser.</span> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"></span><span class="text John-15-2" id="en-NKJV-26702" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">2 </span><span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NKJV-26702A" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NKJV-26702A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span><span class="woj" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He </span><span class="woj" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">takes away; and every <span style="box-sizing: border-box;">branch</span> that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear</span> <span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NKJV-26702B" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NKJV-26702B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span><span class="woj" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">more fruit.</span> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"></span><span class="text John-15-3" id="en-NKJV-26703" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">3 </span><span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NKJV-26703C" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NKJV-26703C" title="See cross-reference C">C</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span><span class="woj" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you.</span> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"></span><span class="text John-15-4" id="en-NKJV-26704" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">4 </span><span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NKJV-26704D" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NKJV-26704D" title="See cross-reference D">D</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span><span class="woj" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. - John 15:1-4</span></span></i></blockquote>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">We see here in scripture that Jesus was speaking to his disciples but he was referring to the religious people. Those religious people who think they are abiding in God but they are really abiding in their religiosity. That's why Jesus said "I am the <i>true</i> vine" because he understood that there were many vines that replicated his likeness but was not him. Our ministries reflect his mission and his heart but they are not our source. The disciples (and us as well) needed to understand that just simply doing the things was not enough. Just participating in religion was not going to keep them or glorify God. He said "Abide in Me" and only in him is when we bear fruit and glorify God.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">Abiding is relationship. It is when we root ourselves in God through prayer and his word every day, not just on Sundays. Abiding in Him is hiding the word in our hearts so we might not sin against Him (<i>Psalm 119:11</i>). Abiding is knowing His voice (<i>John 10:27-30</i>), knowing His rhythm. Abiding in Him is keeping his commandments (John 15:10) and abiding in his love. As we abide in his love we show that love to others (John 15:12).</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">Abiding has a lot to do with dying to ourselves and allowing God to abide in us. It's a beautiful thing when God not only wants us to abide in Him but he wants to abide in us. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">That's precious.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">That's covenant.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">Let's abide in the true vine, Jesus.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkmAR_3cWLNE5nIlPIReP30w3Zfs0ps3tSZVzgNH9wflK7bR0s6ghNHg7XvehH1Snl2w1v3j8vB3xuV2FvVIeAGL9STnvWO9Ar1QXcy1DoUMPFu2sKtithx19iKIx4WAHBCJWjX0tdYA/s1600/Screen+Shot+2016-06-08+at+12.59.46+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="145" data-original-width="444" height="65" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkmAR_3cWLNE5nIlPIReP30w3Zfs0ps3tSZVzgNH9wflK7bR0s6ghNHg7XvehH1Snl2w1v3j8vB3xuV2FvVIeAGL9STnvWO9Ar1QXcy1DoUMPFu2sKtithx19iKIx4WAHBCJWjX0tdYA/s200/Screen+Shot+2016-06-08+at+12.59.46+AM.png" width="200" /></a></div>
</div>
Beautifies The Meekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14201482886768010937noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4198884069823175612.post-11157394551118649002020-04-05T14:55:00.001-07:002020-04-21T13:25:20.449-07:00Spring is Here!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5qK_qXmrWmfmUpn5oYbaWfjLzhIR1EFaAGc-VpQwNw7INnjfluyiTes__DF6DBqs0C8J5oEjvj3qOCAGKRW1fydFQ418pP1W8dSEFr0WEfhor1OtOaswip4niycGHrE7LwZh5VrVkUw/s1600/_MG_2636.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5qK_qXmrWmfmUpn5oYbaWfjLzhIR1EFaAGc-VpQwNw7INnjfluyiTes__DF6DBqs0C8J5oEjvj3qOCAGKRW1fydFQ418pP1W8dSEFr0WEfhor1OtOaswip4niycGHrE7LwZh5VrVkUw/s640/_MG_2636.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Hey beautiful people! The time is here, Spring is in our midst (even though we can't go nowhere) that means a new Fab Fit Fun Box! I love this box and I wanted to share what is in this season's box and if I liked any of the products. So FFF is a seasonal subscription box where you get to choose some products you want and others are randomly chosen. This box costs $50 every 3 months so it's not monthly and I love that. I personally love skincare and that's why I love this box because I can try products I normally won't buy because it cost too much. You get enough products and other cool things for the price of $50!</div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQiSClcid16edFV_-BRG6M6sXwPcgXaeJP6w_dmPgZIDYUkdhyc3o-85e4UoxS2YS6VK1dPMW7N7p63U3rfgf6kzI13Gn7bm9fuILlfxyQspH3mxE89EAKg9Je_W-ZuCT2QIV6imPOLg/s1600/_MG_2640.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQiSClcid16edFV_-BRG6M6sXwPcgXaeJP6w_dmPgZIDYUkdhyc3o-85e4UoxS2YS6VK1dPMW7N7p63U3rfgf6kzI13Gn7bm9fuILlfxyQspH3mxE89EAKg9Je_W-ZuCT2QIV6imPOLg/s640/_MG_2640.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>1. WEI Two-in-one Purify and Glow Mask Collection $45</b></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-8LPqwCzLyE06G63Zlgd1p3XO00Kluc7c4QAuou1LErXHXe0nJxW7PXAHzcZalzanJ_ALA7EehwcUD9tJjlMVfdvVEMrorNPMQduC16rKhppEDkJpmg537rcbMA2N6E9uCfxGaxHn0A/s1600/_MG_2643.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-8LPqwCzLyE06G63Zlgd1p3XO00Kluc7c4QAuou1LErXHXe0nJxW7PXAHzcZalzanJ_ALA7EehwcUD9tJjlMVfdvVEMrorNPMQduC16rKhppEDkJpmg537rcbMA2N6E9uCfxGaxHn0A/s640/_MG_2643.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh732cQjhU3nyQR4s10FUxB_lma-eaShJdk1eUWr4nKjIHyyIEmimm5fCFNoJdVS1uQUtpAZgsZCqhVnZ8q_CbZXMOuAjbZ2EnbSQPiX2kYmi80ipskDEz8TqiQUYSvmQlDpvncilWexw/s1600/_MG_2642.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh732cQjhU3nyQR4s10FUxB_lma-eaShJdk1eUWr4nKjIHyyIEmimm5fCFNoJdVS1uQUtpAZgsZCqhVnZ8q_CbZXMOuAjbZ2EnbSQPiX2kYmi80ipskDEz8TqiQUYSvmQlDpvncilWexw/s640/_MG_2642.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
I was excited to see this in the box. I love masks and it has 8 of two types of masks. One that exfoliates and brightens the complexion and one that deeply cleanses the skin. I have used the mud mask and I love the consistency. It applies smoothly on the skin and I really love the brush that comes with it. Very good. (insider haha).</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>2. Avene Thermal Spring Water $14</b></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5q1gMPqrH6y6eIkuGIULL6B7pCUlQVRir41evbYr7zKLKHEzjDcz-xL8HY0H4y8tgbwJybGeGBgY6c3sVglyYw5dAS8RP60PV9BFiIMF9fer73wESNqTDG0lKn2XX3C9LEyUBBEfN-Q/s1600/_MG_2644.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5q1gMPqrH6y6eIkuGIULL6B7pCUlQVRir41evbYr7zKLKHEzjDcz-xL8HY0H4y8tgbwJybGeGBgY6c3sVglyYw5dAS8RP60PV9BFiIMF9fer73wESNqTDG0lKn2XX3C9LEyUBBEfN-Q/s640/_MG_2644.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This is like a spray for your face where it calms and soothes the skin. To be honest, I don't understand this product. LOL. Springwater in a spray can? Yall that's all that it is. I don't know the science behind this method but hey, who am I? I have used it and it is very soothing I think during the summer this will come in handy.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>3. This Works Deep Sleep Body Cocoon $40</b></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGJEI0hnmfpEk2TxKDJ1ACOOr17HfQ-QHSkC7rlAbFCQmQv1uI0lhyphenhyphenluWWbvDhEZciL9Fihvgf3xrNIP_wnFlpitKNbJo8HnPEybekY1fxFyd25k6aQROUlDddu6HHqSH0VlM2qG4ifA/s1600/_MG_2645.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGJEI0hnmfpEk2TxKDJ1ACOOr17HfQ-QHSkC7rlAbFCQmQv1uI0lhyphenhyphenluWWbvDhEZciL9Fihvgf3xrNIP_wnFlpitKNbJo8HnPEybekY1fxFyd25k6aQROUlDddu6HHqSH0VlM2qG4ifA/s640/_MG_2645.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This has an amazing smell that I really enjoyed right before bed. The lavender aroma really is calming and it's a great step before bed. I tried it and honestly because I have dry skin it didn't deeply nourish my skin. I wasn't expecting this lotion to do that anyway. I was more intrigued by the smell and if I got a deeper sleep using it. did I? no. But it smells delicious.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>4. Revive Light Therapy Glo Wrinkle and Anti-aging Light Device $68</b></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh9NdT4t_cFO3n38uS1MePgzXQs0ZRhXKDSN05ezn9-6VPDtYoZI4K2zvWo7h313SLqfaDyGglaAHSy0FJbtm4T4evnJnEVoFMmkukVHTA_FdQ2YPcmrRc_I_F-xwzfm-YULw1aepXrw/s1600/_MG_2646.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh9NdT4t_cFO3n38uS1MePgzXQs0ZRhXKDSN05ezn9-6VPDtYoZI4K2zvWo7h313SLqfaDyGglaAHSy0FJbtm4T4evnJnEVoFMmkukVHTA_FdQ2YPcmrRc_I_F-xwzfm-YULw1aepXrw/s640/_MG_2646.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I am seeing a lot about different treatments that help with wrinkles and whatnot. Since I am now 30 years old I have to start thinking about my skin and caring for it as much as possible while I am 30 years young. I chose this one and I was interested in trying it to see if this treatment works. I only used it once so I don't know if it does but, I don't have many wrinkles right now so I think this is more so a preventative measure. Not saying I won't get wrinkles in the future. I will but this may slow down the process.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>5. Murad Rapid Collagen Infusion $78</b></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3sbM3AFDMCtZK3Maoo0j8I1dZDvnhJgXPNejzNICK2gXW9izNcwLvlYbYW2c8Tfn3keYkj_R6WFyOrKW9PrzvReNlnhAHeTlbw2OelD4_DKU_0ZbNTo74k4oLTwHtw7yOA17ejhqmUg/s1600/_MG_2647.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3sbM3AFDMCtZK3Maoo0j8I1dZDvnhJgXPNejzNICK2gXW9izNcwLvlYbYW2c8Tfn3keYkj_R6WFyOrKW9PrzvReNlnhAHeTlbw2OelD4_DKU_0ZbNTo74k4oLTwHtw7yOA17ejhqmUg/s640/_MG_2647.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
There are more products that are being infused with collagen to minimize the look of wrinkles. Places that wrinkles show up heavy on the face including around the eye, forehead, smile lines, etc. Have never used it yet but again this type of product for me is used to slow down the process of wrinkles. Now I am not against aging or anything I just want to age well.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>6. Skindinavia Makeup Setting Spray $29</b></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgluaG0J967QQCqgcjKOMcBDDSL5FwwyveEeh5j6SDvqjfl0t-ZqVDAkJ2S4nYKwdmkoN_HIVQF68BvrZU0FVBc_n5j35fJUZMi8rvdeBuArI4pdsfDedwNkDENEzY-fgf_tzPe54etCw/s1600/_MG_2648.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgluaG0J967QQCqgcjKOMcBDDSL5FwwyveEeh5j6SDvqjfl0t-ZqVDAkJ2S4nYKwdmkoN_HIVQF68BvrZU0FVBc_n5j35fJUZMi8rvdeBuArI4pdsfDedwNkDENEzY-fgf_tzPe54etCw/s640/_MG_2648.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This was a surprise because I didn't choose this one. I am running out of my current setting spray from NYX so this was fitting. Although I don't wear make up much, this is pretty cool to add to my routine. I haven't started this one but I am hoping it does a great job with setting my concealer and foundation. Can't wait to try this one!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>7. Spongelle Body Wash Infused Buffer in Black Orchid $16</b></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVCMdvnAVLiy9i22d2FJ7WejmDQ7wYs4C8tcW_QvH6f7CoqTqfA8zbkVT_96eQkv0qNTM23v125amPeHorDN5auo_BvXtnN1K9ISwOf0f3Nt_NUGnYem5cE1yHmWAjeuO7vqRqZnWC9A/s1600/_MG_2649.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVCMdvnAVLiy9i22d2FJ7WejmDQ7wYs4C8tcW_QvH6f7CoqTqfA8zbkVT_96eQkv0qNTM23v125amPeHorDN5auo_BvXtnN1K9ISwOf0f3Nt_NUGnYem5cE1yHmWAjeuO7vqRqZnWC9A/s640/_MG_2649.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This body wash infused buffer is amazing! I used it and the smell is crazy good and it exfoliates the skin very well. I think the fact that it is infused with body wash is dope. You can also use it more than once so it won't feel like a waste to use and then throw away. You just let it dry and when you want to use it just add water. So amazing. Love this thing!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>8. Aria Beauty Luxe Detangling Electroplated Brush $35</b></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpGFddf09DnUqJpIV3sMm0Dx0aN7vxhgofwfuAvhNr676Ws3f40KmVRRux_wqOWt06Eeuu82XzW90ejsKXanly-taZt2h0kfnCSMiS1x9YTml2lpcgA2Z2qpFc8A_Idb-EMWtiLopHOw/s1600/_MG_2650.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpGFddf09DnUqJpIV3sMm0Dx0aN7vxhgofwfuAvhNr676Ws3f40KmVRRux_wqOWt06Eeuu82XzW90ejsKXanly-taZt2h0kfnCSMiS1x9YTml2lpcgA2Z2qpFc8A_Idb-EMWtiLopHOw/s640/_MG_2650.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It did say that this brush is perfect for all hair types but I just don't know. My 4c hair will be struggling with this thing. I would use this brush for straight wigs and that's it. As you probably can tell I didn't pick this one LOL but it's cool to have for when I silk press my hair or blow it out.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So that's the rundown on the box and the products. Also, I failed to mention that you can also upgrade your box for a little more money. This upgrade allows you to have more picking power when it comes to your box. Is it worth the money? Not sure, to me no. The products they end up picking are always cool and I like the element of surprise. Basically, you are getting more than what you pay for. It's a great subscription and I recommend it if you love skincare, haircare, and makeup.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Thanks for chillin' with me!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Would you try this box? Why or Why not? </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
SHARE BELOW!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHeqNeCk0bdtcNWPdwacoip4j_HQCuE_pdos0kI1rXaLENct6yxlQMEQs4VmrS6lJQVrb5BsHI-HcY9QJBT4iuI8s4ix2VcEYeydVHaCTwycFN0PcbMhV_QaHgDwbxjmbHch1CcC8D4Q/s1600/Screen+Shot+2016-06-08+at+12.59.46+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="145" data-original-width="444" height="65" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHeqNeCk0bdtcNWPdwacoip4j_HQCuE_pdos0kI1rXaLENct6yxlQMEQs4VmrS6lJQVrb5BsHI-HcY9QJBT4iuI8s4ix2VcEYeydVHaCTwycFN0PcbMhV_QaHgDwbxjmbHch1CcC8D4Q/s200/Screen+Shot+2016-06-08+at+12.59.46+AM.png" width="200" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Beautifies The Meekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14201482886768010937noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4198884069823175612.post-5918962824256966822020-03-18T20:03:00.001-07:002020-03-18T20:03:31.640-07:00Where My People at?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ-nCgBHFZqObavBsD8IKRunz-v5wNa3IPWV8FSW5o_i7EKbYZGnHhDrDjQaYjUGJLRKvecB3f77qndlGyBzSeF-kKY08ieF8EIZ-xXVQngy9PHJY9XxzyCctUjzKEA4yHLxCxaz5sEg/s1600/lightstock_544518_download_medium_zainab_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ-nCgBHFZqObavBsD8IKRunz-v5wNa3IPWV8FSW5o_i7EKbYZGnHhDrDjQaYjUGJLRKvecB3f77qndlGyBzSeF-kKY08ieF8EIZ-xXVQngy9PHJY9XxzyCctUjzKEA4yHLxCxaz5sEg/s640/lightstock_544518_download_medium_zainab_.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Many emotions are felt at this moment. Feelings of fear, anxiety, uncertainty, and a plethora of other emotions. It just feels like we are all in a very scary movie. We're all waiting for the director to say CUT! THAT WAS GOOD! and we move on to some normalcy. Unfortunately, this crazy movie is our reality. God is not saying CUT, in fact, he is saying something else. When we wrap our selves in fear and anxiety we miss his still small voice in the chaos. We miss what he desires of us right now. I suggest that God has been talking, he has been knocking, he has been asking, and he has been seeking for his church to really listen and then go do the thing. Whatever that thing is for you.<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br /><br />
I must be honest and say that I am bottling up my anxiety every day. I wake up with uncertainty and anxiety in my face. I try to ignore but the bigger it gets the more I feel trapped. The more meetings I have to attend via ZOOM and the more Gchats I have to check for updates, the more I feel anxiety's grip on my mind.<br />
<br />
Trying not to go crazy here.<br />
<br />
Trying to stop the negative flow of thoughts.<br />
<br />
I'm trying...<br />
<br />
The problem is I am doing more trying than allowing God to be my peace. THAT PART.<br />
<br />
I started seeing this scripture everywhere. like EV-ER-Y- WH-E-R-EEEE.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, system-ui, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif;">“13. When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command locusts to devour the land or send a plague among my people, </span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, system-ui, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif;">14. if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then </span><span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; display: inline; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, system-ui, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif;">I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land. </span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; display: inline; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, system-ui, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif;">15. Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayers offered in this place. </span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; display: inline; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, system-ui, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif;">16. I have chosen and consecrated this temple so that my Name may be there forever. My eyes and my heart will always be there." </span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; display: inline; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, system-ui, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif;">- 2 Chronicles 7:13-16</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; display: inline; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, system-ui, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, system-ui, .SFNSText-Regular, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">I have read this before but seeing it at this time, man it hit different. Possibly because what has been happening and what is happening is all in this scripture. I can't help but to think that God is speaking this very scripture to his people. This is his cry for people to repent. Not just ANY people but his own people. The ones who call him Master, Saviour. The ones who pray every day for rain and relief. The ones he knows by name and they know him by name. Those people.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, system-ui, .SFNSText-Regular, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, system-ui, .SFNSText-Regular, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">It's as if he has been asking "where are my lights?"</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, system-ui, .SFNSText-Regular, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, system-ui, .SFNSText-Regular, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">It's as if he said, "it's time to shake things up."</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, system-ui, .SFNSText-Regular, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, system-ui, .SFNSText-Regular, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">All that is happening is very scary but when you really know the one who orchestrated the storm, you know that there is purpose to this. He is calling his people to repent and pray. There is a world that needs Jesus and we have been essentially wasting time worrying about ourselves. This outbreak literally unveiled the posture of our hearts as a human race. heartbreaking how selfish and arrogant we are. The beautiful thing is that Jesus specializes in heart transformations. So there is always hope.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, system-ui, .SFNSText-Regular, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, system-ui, .SFNSText-Regular, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">Let's not miss his voice worrying about tomorrow. God is faithful to do his part when we do our part!</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, system-ui, .SFNSText-Regular, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, system-ui, .SFNSText-Regular, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">HE SAID: </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21;">If my people (you and me) who are called by my name (JESUS) will</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #1c1e21;"><span style="background-color: white;">1. Humble themselves (This is your part)</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #1c1e21;"><span style="background-color: white;">2. pray (This is your part)</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #1c1e21;"><span style="background-color: white;">3. seek my face (This is your part)</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #1c1e21;"><span style="background-color: white;">4. turn from their wicked ways (REPENT, still your part)</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21;">(When you do your part)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #1c1e21;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #1c1e21;"><span style="background-color: white;">THEN HE WILL: hear from Heaven</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #1c1e21;"><span style="background-color: white;">1. He will forgive our sin (His part)</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #1c1e21;"><span style="background-color: white;">2. He will heal the land (His part)</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #1c1e21;"><span style="background-color: white;">His eyes will be open and his ears attentive to the prayers. (That means he will not only just hear our prayers but he is now listening with the intent to do something about what is troubling our hearts.) He has chosen and consecrated this temple (our homes, bodies, churches) so that his name (JESUS) may be there forever. (PHEW! That's favor! And this is all his part!)</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #1c1e21;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #1c1e21;"><span style="background-color: white;">His eyes and his heart will always be there. 💖</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #1c1e21;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #1c1e21;"><span style="background-color: white;">How special is that? When you have the Name, eyes, ears, and heart of the creator of the universe, you have everything you will ever need in this life and the next. What a privilege it is to have this much access to such a big GOD. W</span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21;">e call this KINGDOM CLOUT my friends. He wants us to use our connection to him to change the world. But if we never connect, his kingdom work won't get done! The people who don't know won't know!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21;">Suit up church, we got work to do. We got giants to slay. We got connections to make. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21;">We got work to do. So let's work! Use this quarantine to connect with God in a way that you have never done before. Then watch him do things you have never seen before. There is land that needs healing, there is hope in the midst and glory after all of this.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21;">Stay safe and stay connected.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHeqNeCk0bdtcNWPdwacoip4j_HQCuE_pdos0kI1rXaLENct6yxlQMEQs4VmrS6lJQVrb5BsHI-HcY9QJBT4iuI8s4ix2VcEYeydVHaCTwycFN0PcbMhV_QaHgDwbxjmbHch1CcC8D4Q/s1600/Screen+Shot+2016-06-08+at+12.59.46+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="145" data-original-width="444" height="65" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHeqNeCk0bdtcNWPdwacoip4j_HQCuE_pdos0kI1rXaLENct6yxlQMEQs4VmrS6lJQVrb5BsHI-HcY9QJBT4iuI8s4ix2VcEYeydVHaCTwycFN0PcbMhV_QaHgDwbxjmbHch1CcC8D4Q/s200/Screen+Shot+2016-06-08+at+12.59.46+AM.png" width="200" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Beautifies The Meekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14201482886768010937noreply@blogger.com0