beautiful you

Did you know, that what we allow into our mind directly impacts our spiritual health? Much like the food we put into our mouth directly impacts our physical health? There are many times throughout our day, that we do not have control over the things we hear (people swearing, mean comments made, negative attitudes expressed, etc…) or the things we see (questionable adds on billboards, commercials, etc…).   This is not what we are focusing on today. Here, in this simple blog, we are focusing on the many, many times where we have complete control over what we allow into your mind.   Times while watching TV, surfing the internet/social media, or listening to radio/podcasts/etc.   These are times we get to choose to participate, to receive, to follow.   We choose to remain in the audience, or we choose to change channels/programming, etc. Heck, we could even turn those things off.   Just like in your physical diet, where you have a choice either to make/order a...

What a difference a Smile makes!   So often we hear of how a simple smile “made” someone’s day.   Our smiles can reflect happiness in a moment, or true joy coming from within our hearts. The question here is not whether you have that perfect smile - rather - is your smile reflecting momentarily happiness or a heart full of joy?   So, what is the difference between Happiness and Joy?   Here are some really great verses about true joy:    [Psa 32:1-11 NLT] 1 A psalm of David. Oh, what joy for those whose disobedience is forgiven, whose sin is put out of sight! 2 Yes, what joy for those whose record the LORD has cleared of guilt, whose lives are lived in complete honesty! 3 When I refused to confess my sin, my body wasted away, and I groaned all day long. 4 Day and night your hand of discipline was heavy on me. My strength evaporated like water in the summer heat. Interlude 5 Finally, I confessed all my sins to you and stopped trying to hide my guilt...

https://www.freepik.com/ What do People see when they see us? We present ourselves through actions and attitude, or our presentation can be merely through our looks.  How important is appearances?  Question:  Are people so distracted by how we look, that they miss who we are? What is “Outward appearance”? According to definition:  Appearance is the look or outward aspect of a person or thing, an outward show; pretense to maintain an outward show of being proper, prosperous, etc… [1Peter 3:3-4 NIV] 3 Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. 4 Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight. According to this verse we are to be known for what?  The Spirit within . There is nothing wrong with hairdos, nice jewelry, trendy clothing. But our sty...

Temples...   A temple is a house for a god, a place where the god dwelt and was worshiped. Often enormous and elaborate, excessively adorned. Breathtaking works of art, a dedication from man to their god Do you know that your body is a temple? The Bible tells us in 1 Corinthians: (1Co 3:16-17 NIV) Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in your midst? If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy that person; for God's temple is sacred, and you together are that temple. You are a temple of God and the Spirit of God lives in you!  God values you so much that he will bring ruin on anyone who ruins this temple.  God’s temple is holy, and you – Christ follower - are His temple. Read 1 Corinthians 6:12-20 (1Co 6:12-20 NIV) "I have the right to do anything," you say--but not everything is beneficial. "I have the right to do anything"--but I will not be mastered by anything.  You say, "Food for th...

  Beauty and the Bubble Bath What is Beauty?  Where does it come from?  What makes a person beautiful?  Is it their appearance, their attitude, or both?  Think of someone that you think is truly beautiful.  What makes them beautiful?  Is it their hair, their skin, their perfect figure?  Or is it their heart, their caring and compassionate nature, their gentle and quiet spirit?  Man vs. God:   We are bombarded by voices everywhere, each one expressing an opinion about our worth or what we must do to be beautiful, to be accepted and to be loved.  (like the latest fashion magazines & beauty tends) Where else do some of these “voices” come from? How many of us are honest enough to say that we sometimes believe the lies that the voice of “man” tells us?  I know I have struggled with this! In Matthew 23:25 Jesus exchanged conversation with the Pharisees, the religious rulers of His time.  He accused them of shining the...

~by Lynne Rienstra (used with permission)   Imagine a girl, a precious member of the body of Christ.  She possesses a saving knowledge of Christ and His work for her and a growing dependence on the Holy Spirit.    Imagine that this girl is able to study the Bible for herself, and therefore has a deepening relationship with her heavenly Father (regardless of what kind of earthly parenting she is receiving). Constantly in God’s word, she is learning, memorizing, and applying the promises He has made to her.  Like footsteps, those promises guide her faith walk each day.    Imagine that as others struggle to answer the question, “Who am I?” this girl already knows the true question is “Whose am I?”    Imagine this girl is sure of her value as an image-bearer of God and recipient of His grace, she is shielded from the self-destructive behaviors of her peers.    Imagine her more and more able to hear God’s voice. She is less...