Words of the World Versus Words of the Father...

By Raquel Rodriguez

1.cut out words and phrases that represent the life that the world offers. 2. go through the Bible and wrote down scriptures that represent the abundant life God promises. 
It is increadible how much garbage is out there.

Here are the two lists: Cut outs from Magazines

• Perfection Perfect
• Fashion
• Men, Men, Men
• Go Shopping
• Smooth legs
• Beauty
• Independent
• Real Remedies
• Upgrade
• Love in this Club
• SHOW YOUR SKIN
• Weight Loss Supplement!
• Experience what Paradise feels like
• Relationships
• Tough Bisexual
• BAD GIRL
• STD
• Budweiser
• LOVE
• "I need some cleavage"
• Secrets
• Juicy Goodness
• Catch up with the latest chisme (gossip)
• What makes you kissable?
• Flirty
• "I don't see the point of marriage. But when I need love, I get my love."
• DIY Abortions (Do It Yourself) <--freaked me out
• You want a prettier what? Belly button? Toes? Va-jay-jay? You won't believe the parts some women are tinkering with in their quest for so-called perfection.
• Women abusing prescription drugs
• Sleeping Pill Junkie
• Men, Sex & Love
• "We had sex in an airport bathroom."
• ACNE
• Need ade prevention?

Bible promises

• Psalm 37:4 // Delight yourself also in the LORD, and He shall give you the desires of your heart.
• 1 Timothy 4:7-8 // But reject profane and old wives’ tales, and exercise yourself toward godliness. For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come.
• Proverbs 31:30 // Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, but a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised.
• John 10:10 // I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.
• John 10:28 // And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand.
• John 12:25 // He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.
• 1 Peter 3:3-4 // Do not let your adornment be merely outward—arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel— 4 rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God.

This was an awesome activity, a real eye opener. What are you exposing yourself to? Examine your life. It's crazy the things that we read in magazines, the lyrics to the music we hear and the shows that we watch. The empty promises of this world are everywhere and rather than making us "beautiful" they contaminate us. I encourage you to remove yourself from them and open God's Word. In it you will find an endless list of promises that will wash away the lies we have believed. The abundant life found in Jesus will produce in us an incorruptible beauty. I leave you with this amazing verse:

You will be a crown of splendor in the LORD's hand, a royal diadem in the hand of your God. Isaiah 62:3

where does our worth come from?

By Arielle Royer

A few years ago, I was really into fashion & style. I mean really. I bought all kinds of style magazines, went onto tons of fashion blogs, and went shopping all the time. I constantly checked to see what all of the celebrities were wearing and what brands were the best. I'm talking about two hundred-dollar jeans and a dress in every color. It really became such a distraction in my life. I felt like I was wasting so much time on something that really didn't mean much of anything.

Fashion and shopping are not bad within themselves, they really aren't. However, so much of my time was focused on what I wore and how I looked rather than one: being content with what I had and two: focusing my attention on the eternal rather than temporary things. My desire to look and dress nice was not bad, but my motivation was. I was motivated to focus my attention on my looks so that I could gain approval from others. I was unhappy with what I had and how I looked rather than finding my value in Christ.

"If I need jewelry, makeup, or fashionable clothing to feel valuable, I have transformed those objects into idols because I expect from them what I can receive only from the One I claim to worship." -regina franklin

We live in America where we are constantly bombarded with materialism and tips on how we can look more beautiful. Our worth is found by the way we look, the clothes we wear, and from physical beauty. This is a lie has taken over so much of our generation. My heart breaks for young women, who are constantly chasing after this false beauty and materialism which will never satisfy. No matter how many pairs of shoes you have, no matter if you have the right brand of makeup- you will still want more. Sure, the little indulgences will make you happy, but only for a short time. A real and lasting joy can only come from Him. You are made beautiful in His eyes regardless of the clothes you wear and your appearance.

"In other words, I must choose to see myself as God sees me. I must choose to consider all things in my life in light of their spiritual importance. I must choose to set aside the world's definitely of beauty.....rather than making sure that my hair is in the right place, I ensure that my heart is in the right place. Rather than worrying that my jewelry doesn't match my outfit, I contemplate whether my attitude matches what i profess to believe. Rather than wondering if others see me physically beautiful, I focus on whether others see Christ's spitirual beauty in me. But the process is not without struggle." -regina franklin

Can you relate? What's your relationship with fashion and shopping?

Without God...

Today, in the middle of a Bible Study, God so convicted me...I am not putting Him first...I am putting so many other things in front of her...the tasks and things I have to do for the day week, etc.  I need to make Him apart of everything, and give him my first and best.  I am nothing apart from him.  I can't do anything without him.  He is in control and needs to come first above my friends, my family, my work...I am trying to do everything in my own strength, and I can't.  I need Him...He is my strength.

Family::Hill City Adventure

My Grandparents stop by on their way home from Arizona, so we decided to go to Hill City for the afternoon/evening.  We stopped in Rapid City at the new Sam's Club that just opened, and then headed onto Hill City, stopping at Prairie Berry Winery, and then going to Alpine Inn for dinner.  Here are some photos...

Luke and Grandma wine tasting...notice the empty wine glass...Luke said it characterized them more to have empty glasses then full

Grandma and I

Grandkids with Grandma...

With Dad...

Whitney's "comfy" seat...

Alpine Inn

Take Heart...

"Life is full of challenges.  It is not an easy ride for anybody, and we all face different circumstances, and confront pain in our lives.  

John 16:33 In this life you will have trouble, but take heart for I have overcome the world.  

The beauty of the aftermath of the cross is that Jesus is with us, God Emmanuel.  He has overcome.  The fight that we’re in, He has already won."

quote from Joel Houston (Hillsong United)

Japan::Praying

"The mountains may move, and the hills 

disappear, but even 

then my faithful love for you will remain." 

 Isaiah 54:10

When I look at images like this, my troubles and worries don't seem so big anymore, they seem insignificant compared to the destruction that is happening in another part of our world.  I cannot fathom what is going on in the lives and hearts of the people in Japan.   It is almost too much to take in...May our thoughts and prayers go to the people of Japan, and all the relief efforts to help those in distress.

Our God is mighty to save and rescue.  His hand is not far.  He will deliver, heal, mend, protect.  Let's fix our eyes on him, and look to him in the midst of destruction.  Praise you God for all you do and all you are going to do.  Even if we don't understand.  You are sovereign and will praise your name!! Our HOPE is in You, and you alone!

S p r i n g . . .

S P R I N G   is  I N  the  A I R

Inspiration::Turquoise

LOVE LOVE LOVE...Turquoise/light blue and these light colors excite me for spring, and the newness and freshness that comes with the season!

Which Mirror are you looking into?

I found this article on a website called Wonderfully Made and wanted to share it with you.  I found it so encouraging.

The world tells me who I am--and who I am not--every single day. Sometimes I find it difficult to navigate through the negative, and I get bogged down by expectations that have been established for me.

You're not as pretty as that girl over there. You're not as intelligent as that coworker over there. You'll never be able to run as fast as that girl who just passed by you on the trail. You don't know God as well as those other women at church.

These things are not true, of course. They are little lies that steep in my mind--getting stronger each day like a tea bag that has been left in the mug for too long--shaping my view of myself. Like a carnival mirror, they reflect a poor image of who I am, and easily leave me believing my eyes. But God's Word is true, and it shines back at me with a perfect reflection.

A few weeks ago while I was in Malibu launching our new chapter of Wonderfully Made at Pepperdine, I ran into a woman at Malibu Presbyterian Church who I adore and greatly admire and she gave me a copy of Nancy Stafford's "Beauty by the Book: Seeing Yourself as God Sees You." Today I want to share with you the truth that God shines back at you through the mirror of His Word, as taken from Nancy's book. I hope that it will be a firm reminder of your true identity, and how deeply loved and valued you are!

•                I am His own. (1 Samuel 12:22)

•                He sees my heart. (1 Samuel 16:7)

•                He heals me. (2 Kings 20:5)

•                He makes me glad with the joy of His presence. (Psalm 27:4)

•                I will gaze upon the beauty of the Lord forever. (Psalm 27:4)

•                He will never forsake me. (Psalm 27:10)

•                He is near me. (Psalm 34:18)

•                He is enthralled by my beauty. (Psalm 45:11)

•                He rescues me. (Psalm 91:14)

•                He crowns me with love and compassion. (Psalm 103:4)

•                He satisfies my hunger with good things. (Psalm 107:9)

•                I am wonderfully made. (Psalm 139:14)

•                I speak words of life to others. (Proverbs 15:4)

•                I belong to Him (Song of Songs 7:10)

•                He bears my pain. (Isaiah 53:4)

•                He gives me a crown of beauty instead of ashes. (Isaiah 61:3)

•                He wraps me in a robe of righteousness. (Isaiah 61:10)

•                He calls me by a new name. (Isaiah 62:2)

•                He crowns me with splendor. (Isaiah 62:3)

•                I am His workmanship. (Isaiah 64:8)

•                He knows me. (Jeremiah 1:5)

•                I bear His name. (Jeremiah 14:9)

•                He loves me with an everlasting love. (Jeremiah 31:3)

•                He speaks tenderly to me. (Hosea 2:14)

•                He dresses me in rich garments. (Zechariah 3:4)

•                He takes me to a quiet place and gives me rest. (Mark 6:31)

•                He gives me treasure in heaven. (Luke 12:33)

•                He does not judge me by appearances. (John 7:24)

•                He sets me free. (John 8:36)

•                I am chosen. (John 15:19)

•                I reap holiness and eternal life. (Romans 6:22)

•                I am accepted in the Beloved. (Romans 15:7)

•                He sees me as I am. (2 Corinthians 3:16)

•                He turns my hardship to glory. (2 Corinthians 4:17)

•                He clothes me with Himself. (Galatians 3:27)

•                He delivers me. (Galatians 5:1)

•                He gives me power. (Ephesians 1:19)

•                He redeems my past. (Philippians 3:13)

•                He gives me hope. (2 Thess. 2:16)

•                He encourages my heart. (2 Thess. 2:17)

•                He sympathizes with my weakness. (Hebrews 4:15)

•                He gives me everything I need. (2 Peter 1:3)

Does any of this resonate with you? Which mirror are you looking into?

Ponderings: Quote for Today

"The place God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world’s deep hunger meet."

-Frederick Buechner

Success...

Proverbs 31: a poem to enourage...

Proverbs 31 poem...A Woman of Strength

A strong woman works out every day

to keep her body in shape

but a woman of strength looks deep inside

to keep her soul in shape

A strong woman isn’t afraid

of anything

but a woman of strength shows courage

in the midst of her fear

A strong woman won’t let anyone

get the best of her

but a woman of strength gives the best

of her to everyone

A strong woman makes mistakes

and avoids the same in the future

but a woman of strength realizes life’s mistakes

can also be blessings and capitalizes on them

A strong woman walks

sure footedly

but a woman of strength knows

when to ask for help

A strong woman wears the look

of confidence on her face

but a woman of strength

wears grace

A strong woman has faith

that she is strong enough for the journey

but a woman of strength has faith

that it is in the journey that she will become strong

~unknown author