Bad Hair Day?

Today I got my hair cut and I was wondering why do women make so much of a fuss about what they look like. I wasn't entirely happy with the weather's effect on my new hair cut so I went to the store to buy some hair products. While I was their I went from buying hair products to glancing at lotions. They have something for everyone who is unhappy with the way they look... if they want to pay. Then I realized how great it feels to have a God who can put up with your bad hair days and your self esteem issues. He created you in His image and He said it was good. You are already approved by Him. So why do we still look in the mirror and judge our appearances? Maybe it's time we focus on inner beauty a bit more. I love to read my bible because it makes me not go crazy when stuff starts stressing me out. When we get real with God we feel awesome. Don't forget He can take our bad hair days and turn them into something for His glory also.

1 Peter 3:3-4 (New International Version)

³Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. ⁴Instead, 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.

You Grow Girl

In a society that encourages tot's in tiaras and eleven year old beauty pageant contestants there is a very cloudy view on what it means to be grown up. I have a problem where I look in the mirror and I see a little girl. Ever have that problem? I felt if I don't look grown up then how will I ever act grown up? Have you ever had your parents say that the behavior that you are displaying is ridiculous and you should just grow up? In all my years of reading self help books (mostly all biblically based) I have never found a successful book that explains how to grow up. As a teacher I can tell you that everyone matures in different stages at different times. I believe God knows this also. He wont ask you to look grown up but He does ask us to act grown up. Think about it Jesus, took on His Father's work at what age? Growing up doesn't have a specific age to it. It's a matter of your heart. How will I maturely use the God given gifts to help society and glorify my Father? What actions will we take to grow up? Will we use words differently and treat people with more respect? Is there a specific thing that we need to release before we mature? It is necessary for our spiritual growth to remain in God's word. So let's stay in God's word and encourage one another to grow. It may be painful but I'm here to hold your hand and pray with you.

1 Corinthians 13:11
When I was a child, I made use of a child's language, I had a child's feelings and a child's thoughts: now that I am a man, I have put away the things of a child.

Go Away! I'm out of bandaids...

I was looking for a picture of a broken heart for this blog when I saw a bumper sticker that said "Go away I'm out of bandaids". Wouldn't it be great if we could tell people never to hurt us? However, we can't but what we can remember is that God heals us. He takes our broken hearts and turns them into something beautiful. The longer you hold onto unforgiveness the longer it's going to take to feel better, I'm learning this myself. Instead of dwelling on the people who hurt you, you could be helping people who have been hurt also. So what do you say? Will you give it a chance and let God heal your heart? I know He can because that's what God's word says. Let's do it together :) I will encourage you and you can encourage me!



Psalms 147:3 God heals the broken hearted and binds their wounds.

Idol or Instrument?

A while ago I was sitting in a sermon when the pastor started talking about this man who was very wealthy. Unlike most stereotypical rich people this man was very kind and well mannered. When a pastor asked this man what made his attitude toward his wealth so different he said, "I was always taught that either something can be an idol or an instrument". Recently I tried fooling myself into thinking that I was using a computer game that I was addicted to as an instrument to witness to people. Yes I was witnessing to people but it had become an idol in my life and made me completely unhappy with myself and my walk with God. I realized this and now I'm happy and back on the right path with God in my life. Are there things in your life that you "think" you are using as instruments, yet they are really idols? Remember that we have to keep focused on God's purpose for our lives. Without HIM we are nothing and we would have nothing. Everything we have or any gift we possess should be used for His glory. I pray today that we will be released from anything that will take over our passion for God and the real life that He gave us.

1 Cor. 10:31
³¹So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.

Crosswalk

Ever been to a crosswalk? You have a certain amount of time where it is safe to "cross the street", but you are motivated you "need" to get to what is on the other side. Sometimes in life we come to crosswalks and we feel it is never safe to cross. That's where I was at... what does God want me to do, where does God want me to go? I'm afraid I'm terrified but all I can do is put one foot in front of the other and trust that
God will keep me safe.

2 Timothy 1:7 (Amplified Bible) ⁷For God did not give us a spirit of timidity (of cowardice, of craven and cringing and fawning fear), but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of calm and well-balanced mind and discipline and self-control.