Thank God It’s Friday

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Today I thank God for the leaves that are so beautiful in their transition this time of year. As I was driving into work this morning, my mind always weighted with my own troubles, I looked up and noticed the arch of fall leaves that surrounded my car. It’s just there for me, for beauty, to acknowledge and be thankful for.

I thank God for my gift to hear and to listen….to observe and to discern.

I thank God for seeking me out of the muck. I thank God for second chances, for grace. I thank Him for the opportunity and the real will to change. I don’t want to be like this for ever. Thank you God, for showing me how to be better.

I thank God for my real, true, loyal friends. The ones who stand up for me, make room for me. I am grateful that we can sharpen one another. I don’t need anyone else in my life who will not rebuke me.

I thank God for change. Scary, surprising change. Adventure. Newness. Growth. Mental prosperity. I know that I am finally about to receive something that I really deserve, really worked hard for, and truly made a big sacrifice to get. I thank God that all of us who are listening are finally getting our shiny new voices.

I thank Him for being in love with me today….the everyday in the trenches love. I am in love with Him too.

What are you thankful for today?

Simple Ways To Look Different in 2011

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Natural Hair Bangs

Me

Andrea of flygirls.typepad.com

Straight Hair Bangs

Via ClutchMagazine.com

Oval Nails (instead of square nails)

Both nail designs via Raven Cousar at The Strand Cafe

 

Add One Bold Color To Your Makeup Look

If you are a girl who loves browns, golds and neutrals, try adding greens to your eyes…

Christina from The Strand Cafe

…or purples…

via www.eyeshadowlipstick.com

If you only wear neutral and sheers glosses and lipsticks, try berries or reds…

TGIF-Thank God It’s Friday!

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I am thankful today, not for the things I have, but the things I don’t have. I am thankful for freedom, a free mind, a free will, a physical freedom. I am thankful that things aren’t more important to me than people. I know, this song isn’t gospel music, but the message is that one can surely be grateful and valuable without having “things.” Love it!

What are you thankful for today?

Thank God He Is In Charge & Lebron Isn’t

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Are you witnessing for Jesus or Lebron?

I was thinking the other day about how marvelous God is, as I sat in the audience at New Covenant and Dr. Jasmine Sculark preached about how to get God’s attention. She taught on Matthew 15, about the Canaanite woman who approached Jesus asking for mercy, and the process in which God operates. She said that God is not moved by desperation, he cannot be manipulated with worship, but responds to faith.

We have faith in so many thing. Cleveland Cavalier fans had faith in Lebron James, who disappointed them by moving to Miami. So many people are more interested in Lebron’s process and decisions than God’s. People are burning his jersey, damming him and hoping he is unsuccessful. One day, he is king in the world’s eyes and the next he is the devil. Americans had faith in BP, who were careless in managing oil rigs which have resulted in a horrific, continuous oil spill on the Gulf Coast. We have so much faith in presidents, congressman, athletes, actresses and other people who cannot supply us with any real satisfaction of joy. Sure, they can momentarily entertain us. But why do we value those moments of fun more than real contentment?

Growing our faith means that we seek answers from the Bible, we pray that God puts us in situations so that we learn and that we listen to people who are wise. I feel that God does so much to get our attention, and we just blow Him off to chase popularity, fun and to do our own thing. I mean, I’ve done it too, so I am not judging. But the more I understand the process of how God operates, the more I see how deceived we are as a people, and how we don’t try hard enough to do and be better.

Thank God that He is in charge and people like politicians, celebrities and athletes are not. Thank God that he is Lord and our real treasures are not in the hands of Lebron James, Barack Obama or Lindsey Lohan. We just throw our money, time, talents and emotions into people and things that really can do nothing to change our lives. Imagine how life would be if those were the people who were really in control. I would just ask that people are careful that they aren’t putting their faith and worship in things that cannot save them. The more your faith in God grows, the more you understand where the real power lies.

At that time if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or, ‘Look, there he is!’ do not believe it. For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform signs and miracles to deceive the elect—if that were possible. So be on your guard; I have told you everything ahead of time.

Mark 13:21-23

TGIF-Thank God It’s Friday!

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It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. Galatians 5:1

This weekend we are celebrating the 4th of July and freedom. What is freedom to you? I feel free from the chains of sin and confusion, having no answers and no practical solutions for what troubles me. My relationship with God is my freedom! I know that sounds cheesy and corny. But when I look back on my life, the things that kept me bounded and held back was my inability to make good decisions and being a slave to my desires. Now, I am free!

Today I thank God for:

Mental, spiritual and physical freedom

Life

Hope

Practical, biblical advice

Real love

What are you thankful for?

TGIF-Thank God It’s Friday!

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So I’ve been acquiring new habits and working hard over the past few weeks. My new job has kept me busy and has been making me mentally fatigued. I’ve also started a workout regiment this week that has me physically exhausted. In all this newness, I’ve been slacking on my relationship with God. I know that I have to stay diligent in pursuing Him along with all the other things I am doing. I may be better than who I was six months ago, but I still have a long way to go!

Today I am grateful for:

Being able to bless others with my gifts and talents

God’s and people’s forgiveness

Wanting to do better

Wisdom and understanding of His word

His patience with me

What are you grateful for today?

TGIF-Thank God It’s Friday!!

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My electricity has been out since Wednesday evening. I have been lighting every candle in my house, and bumping into furniture trying to feel my way around. It made me think about a few things. First how grateful I am to God, even though I am temporarily inconvenienced, at least I know the lights will be back on evenutally.

But the whole experience of darkness reminds me of how it feel to be unsaved. It is like wandering around in darkness, groping at answers and solutions. Eventually, you get used to the inconvienence of darkness and you manage. But once the lights come on…life is soo much more fullfilled!! Christians must remember how it feels to be in the darkness in order to turn the lights on in people’s lives. And those who are managing without the truth, have to recognize that there is an easier way to live!

Today, I am grateful for:

Being saved

Physical alternatives to being in the dark (like going our to eat, visiting people, being at work)

Spiritual alternatives to being in the dark (like the truth in Jesus Christ!)

Smart people

A job where I get to use my brain

Expanded influence and opportunities

What are you grate for today?

TGIF-Thank God It’s Friday!!

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Via John Stanko:

“Let another praise you, and not your own mouth;
someone else, and not your own lips” – Proverbs 27:2.

God can do great things through people who don’t mind if others get the credit. Are you willing to see your ideas and work used for the good of others without them knowing you were the source of the blessing? At the same time, the verse says to allow someone else to praise you.  How easy is it for you to receive a compliment or honor? To see how someone answered both those questions posed, check out the story of Haman in Esther 2:19-23 and then Esther 6.

I thank God today for opportunities. Not because I am better than anybody or have more skills. But hopefully because God knows I will be a diligent worker and a light to others who need to know Him!

Today I am grateful for:

My new job

Increased opportunities for me and my boyfriend

New beginnings

Art and creativity

Patience and understanding

My parents

What are you grateful for?

TGIF-Thank God It’s Friday

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I haven’t spent a lot of time writing this week, and I feel kind of bad about it. I have been writing music and busy working, so it’s not all in vain. I thank God today for activity!

I thank God for second chances

I thank God for gentle correction

I thank God for wisdom and the opportunity to enlighten others

I thank God for truth

I thank God today for my friend who support me

I thank God for knowing what real love is

What are you thankful for today?

TGIF-Thank God It’s Friday!

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Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own

Matthew 6:34

I am amazed and humbled at what God is doing for me and the people I love! When we worry about things, we are showing God that we don’t trust Him. People like to say, the opposite of worrying is prayer. So every time you begin to worry about something, try thanking God for being a provider and a comforter. God cares and knows about your problems and wants you to live happy!

Today I am grateful for:

Expanded influence and opportunity

Meeting and reacquainting myself with people who love God

Financial blessings

Friends who aren’t scared to tell me when I’m wrong

My family and their uniqueness

What are you thankful for?