Style Ideas

I love the colors...I love the thought of wearing bright neon...

Spring 2012 trend: Neon

I repined this via Nina Garcia on Pintrest. 

The Gift of Love

All of us need to do a job on our thoughts. If the mind is filled with grudges, if it's bogged down with hate or selfishness or impurity or dishonesty, the clean light of joy cannot filter through.  Fill your heart and mind instead with God's words, search for the good in those you meet, get rid of impurity and negativity.  Ask forgiveness for your wrongs and replace them with the great truths of the Bible, the words of Jesus, and the great affirmations in the Psalms, Proverbs, and the Epistles. Simply accept God's gift of joy as you would accept a present from a friend.  Take joy, believe joy, live joy, and you will become happy. 

  

One thing you notice about happy people is this: it isn't how much they have or who they are that makes them joyful.  What determines their happiness is the state of their mind. Remember, the greatest way to live that will produce the best possible state of mind is found in the following words from the writer James Barric, "Those who bring sunshine to the lives of others, cannot keep it from themselves

                          Action steps

  

1). Accept God's gift of joy by bringing happiness to others. 

2). Your life serves a great purpose. Believe it and live with that purpose always in view. 

3). Refuse to say anything that is mean, dishonest or depressing, no matter what thoughts enter your head.  

 

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The Donut Man

I introduced the Donut Man to the kids this week....this brought sweet memories of my last couple of years living with all my siblings.  My mom would always have the Donut Man tapes, yes I said tapes, playing in the mini-van for my younger siblings to enjoy.  Driving the family with the Donut Man as our soundtrack for the afternoon I found myself singing to the songs just like my mom did! ( the words 'I have become my mother' flashed through my mind)

In that moment I was touched with the simple yet truthful lyrics....lyrics that I believe my mom understood so many years ago with hope that it would sink into her kids heart too.

chorus
Life without Jesus,
Is like a donut,
Like a donut,
Like a donut.
Life without Jesus is like a donut,
Coz there's a hole in the middle of my heart!

Pistachios

 My husband is fortunate to be able to work from home twice a week....he gets to hang out with us!  I am really the one that enjoys having him home twice a week the most! Yesterday without planning it there was this special moment he had with the kids.

 It was heart warming to see them try pistachios for the first time, to see my husband take time to teach them how to split apart the shell while working. Many times I pray that I can  give the kids a memorable, special childhood.  A childhood that they will look back on with fondness. 

  It is the small things that can make some great memories like pistachios. 

Blossoms of my heart

It has been awhile since I posted....as always though I have posts running around in my mind with not enough time to sit down.  I could sit here and tell you how busy we have been or what not but I am not.  Simply put, I have been finding myself doing some house cleaning in my heart.

You know how you start to clean your closet for Spring getting out cooler clothes and putting away Winter items away.  There are times though that you have to go through Winter items or Spring and know that you no longer need that item.  Very similar to that is what I was doing in my heart. As my husband and I are entering into new areas I knew I needed to make room for what God has in store. It became a bit emotional when I had to just release those things I was holding closely.  However even in those moments I was never alone as God's embrace comforted me.

The timing of this as we are in Spring reminded me of how God brings growth into our life allowing us to see  blossoms that are in us.  So as I enjoy all my Easter/Spring decorations I am enjoying knowing that in my heart I am ready for new blossoms that I am seeing emerge in my heart.

Fashion 'wants' detox

I have had the following two thouhgts roll around my thoughts lately:

• Stop signing up for store emails with sales or discounts.  Having those in your inbox will only give you the sense of want for things. If you did not see the emails then you avoid the trap of over spending on unnecessary wants. - Wendy Treat 

• It is only when I go to the mall that I feel like a need a particular shirt but if I stay away then I am content with what I have in my closet. - lady from church

 I find these two comments really valuable.  Many times after opening my inbox I feel like somehow I must go buy the item that is such a good deal.  In reality I would not even think of 'purple pants' from a hip store as a want until it is sitting in my inbox.  I am reminded and encouraged today to continue with the detoxing of stuff so that I can live clean in what God has for me.  Not loosing sight in the sea of ads telling me what to wear but keeping my eyes on Jesus.

Please know that I like to shop for trendy pieces and keep somewhat update but there is balance.  As of now I am finding balance and attempting to look fashionable by a fashion recommendation from Nina Garcia, Fashion Editor - Stick with classic shapes and reuse with accessories to keep updated. I have begun to  do this and I can see that I will save money in the long run.  It is a process to narrow our wants down to our needs, to the desires of our heart.

Many times we think that there is a delay in seeing our dreams fufilled even knowing that God will bring it to pass.  We, I can get lost with all the noise that comes at us distracting me from the real desire in my heart. Let's keep our eyes focused on Jesus....may seem 'out of context' but a good start in focusing our vision is detoxing from the emails or going stores. Simple. Practical.

Thought Transformer - The Biology of Hope

Norman Cousins did considerable research on the power of positive emotions such as joy, laughter, and hope. His book, Head First: The Biology of Hope, relates his ten years in the medical community, particularly on the faculty of the School of Medicine of the University of California.  Cousins held the only honorary degree in medicine awarded at Yale University School of Medicine. In his book, he presents massive scientific evidence of the harmful effects of negative emotions and emphasizes the power of hope, faith, and love to enhance healing. 

A study was done by Dr. Joel Dimsdale on those that survived the Nazi death camps during WWII.  Interviewing a number of survivors, Dr. Dimsdale found one element that towered above everything else.  It was hope.  Each survivor had a picture of the future. One saw himself with his family, another was to enjoy Hanukkah again.  Almost every survivor held to one form or another a blind, naked hope,throwing their thoughts into the future, they used hope like a magnet to draw them to safety.

 Action Steps

1). What does your future look like?  Study your thoughts and remove all the ones that bring you down. 

2). Fill your heart and mind with the promises of God.  Allow them to paint a picture of your future. 

3). During the day relive that picture over and over.  You will find strength and energy emerging inside of you.   

Remember you are God's Best, 

Dr. Rob Carman
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