I LOVE this song! Personally, I am a huge fan of Mandisa! What an awesome godly woman.
The lyrics in this song hit home for me. When we go through trials in life, they are for us to grow in Him and become "stronger" in our faith. We don't see what He has in store and what He is trying to teach us, but we can hold onto the promises He has for us in His Word. And let me tell you... I've held onto them so tightly in the middle of my storms. Here are a few of my favorites verses:
James 1:2- "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance."
Deuteronomy 31:8 - "The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged."
Friday - I got to meet up with one of my sweet ladies from Bible Study for breakfast and ran some errands. Later on, my man and I went and did a little shopping, ate some dinner, and ended up at my parents house to play Aggravation...which is like "the game" in our family that we play ALL the time, but I LOVE it sooo much.
Saturday - We did some cleaning out of my man's studio. I tell ya, it's amazing how stuff can clutter so quickly. I didn't do much on Saturday - if you know me I have had lower back issues for over 10 years. It's one of those things that pops out of alignment once a year and I have to get adjusted by the chiropractor. But in the process of my chiropractic appointments I can't do much. Thankfully, I'm getting much better.
Sunday - My man had rehearsal for Easter Sunday's worship service which gave me time to do some catching up on things I wasn't able to do over the weekend.
I'm so thankful for weekends. Being down some this weekend, it gave me time to study my new memory verse:
"Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us." Ephesians 3:20 NIV
Each Monday I'll post a new song to check out. The artist/bands will vary in all styles - so if you are not digging this week's, be sure to check back each week.
What?
With so many Christian artists with amazing talent and a positive message available now there is no excuse for us to settle for what the world says is good music. There are better options out there - we just have to look.
Why?
I'm starting this to shine a light on artists who are not only good musicians but promote the message of Christ.
Hearing affects our direction. Don't take my word for it...take God's...
Job 36:11-12 - "If they obey and serve Him, they will spend the rest of their days in prosperity and their years in contentment. But if they do not listen, they will perish by the sword and die without knowledge."
Sooo many times I hear that music and hearing things don't affect you...
If hearing things does not affect you, then when someone gossips about you and you "hear" about it, it shouldn't affect you.
If hearing things does not affect you, then when you tell someone you love them, it shouldn't bring comfort or security.
If hearing doesn't affect you, then when the enemy tells you a lie, you wouldn't ever believe it.
If hearing doesn't affect you, then when someone says something mean or rude to you, you wouldn't react.
Here is another example: Ever hang around someone who is sarcastic or gossips too much? You find yourself doing the same thing, or walk away feeling dirty?
What about when you hang around the wrong crowd and your attitude changes? It's usually because you were influenced by speech and actions of that crowd. That's why who you hang and associate with is sooo important, because what you listen to affects you.
If hearing something didn't affect people, then Eve wouldn't have eaten the wrong fruit.
Hearing has been, and always will be important to God.
Music is a message. Therefore, if you are listening to lyrics that are sexual, or down right dirty, then it will affect you.
Matthew 15:13-20 - He replied, "Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted will be pulled up by the roots. Leave them; they are blind guides. If a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into a pit." Peter said, "Explain the parable to us." "Are you still so dull?" Jesus asked them. "Don't you see that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and then out of the body? But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these make a man 'unclean.' For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander. These are what make a man 'unclean'; but eating with unwashed hands does not make him 'unclean.'"
Who?
This week I'm highlighting...
The Band: Superchick
The Song: Cross the Line
These Christian artists actually made this video themselves. This video is rad.
Friday - My man was off all day so we ran a few errands and did things around the house. That evening, a church I teach Bible Study at had a women's event and it was so much fun. Let me tell you... the decor was pink and black - so you know I was in heaven. I always say my mansion in heaven will be pink. :)
It was such a great and fun night. I just love love love fellowship with other women talking about our families, crazy lives, laughing, crying with each other, and of course, talking about our Jesus.
Here is a pic of the tables (it kinda looks red in the photo...but it was bright/fun pink).
They gave the centerpiece to the table leaders so I'm getting to enjoy these beautiful flowers at home also... they are just beautiful and pink!
Saturday - Every week I clean out one thing in my house so that by the time I get around to everything - the thing I cleaned out first will need to be cleaned out again. It goes from the pantry, to my office closet (which gets on the list often), dresser drawers, garage, to whatever...and this week I had the cabinets under the sink in the bathrooms down to clean. I'd been putting it off all week and it was finally Saturday and I ran out of excuses.
So I quickly discovered that I have an addiction to Bath and Body Works soaps. I cannot even begin to tell you how many I found, but all I can say is I won't need any soap for a while. Apparently, I hit up the 3 for $15.oo sale often. I just love that place.
You didn't think I was going to post a pic of all of them did you? :)
Spring is just so fun. I love being outside in this weather - it actually only lasts for a couple of weeks in Houston before the unbelievable heat comes 'til October. Therefore, I try to eat up all the wonderful weather while I can...
Decided to share some of my favorites about Spring...
1. Planting new flowers is just one of my ultimate favorites, but it's even better seeing the flowers and plants that made it through the winter. (Just a few of my favs from my yard)
2. Spring cleaning is another way to officially kick off spring in my book. Cleaning out closets, drawers, pantry, bins, and everything and then some...I'm all about the spring cleaning. My man is not one to clean out anything...let alone throw anything away. He is one of those who thinks he can use everything for something later....when he has time.
3. Making hummingbird nectar and waiting for the birds! (I love watching them)
4. Working and eating outside on the patio.
5. Spring Bible Study - I love studying God's Word with the women... that is a whole other post to come.
6. Putting away all the winter clothes and busting out the shorts, tanks, and glorious flip flops!
7. Grilling everything for dinner. My man and I love to grill and there is just something to it when the great weather hits - we just want to throw everything on the grill. Which is awesome clean up for me. (I just love grilled asparagus and corn...yum)
I'm so thankful for this season the Lord has me in right now. It by no means has been an easy season. It's been a season of having great faith, tears, crying out to God, excitement, believing, and trusting Him like never before! He is teaching me more than I ever thought I could go through in one season...which is where you learn to lean on God the most. Lean on His strength, His Word, His Promises. I'm so thankful for that everyday! It's in these seasons that you grow deeper in your walk with the Lord. I'm so thankful for Him allowing me to go through all of this. He loves me enough to push me to the next level with Him. He loves me enough to not leave me where I am.
"Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vein." 1 Corinthians 15:58
I didn't get the chance to do a weekend wrap last week because my week was spent in bed. Therefore, I will do a little back tracking...
If you are new to the blog. Weekend Wrap's are random things that happen from the weekend before.
Real quick - I didn't get to post about this before, but I don't want to leave it out. During Spring Break weekend...one of my college girls came home and we got to catch up over coffee and cake pops (a.k.a. GLORIOUSNESS). I just love when my girls are home and telling me how God is using them in college. The peer pressure is insane and they are definitely living out His Name in the midst of it all...so proud of each of the girls.
Week Before:
I so sick and was pumping everything I could get my hands on like you can see below...and yes of course my Emergen-C was pink! :)
Thankfully, I am feeling better and back to myself. Whatever that feels like. Haha...
My Momma made me so much food that week - so very thankful for all her amazing cooking. It was such a blessing, and my man was even more thankful... 1. Cuz I wasn't cooking and 2. He didn't have to cook.
One of my favorite things she made: HER GLORIOUS HOMEMADE SALSA!
Being that I was down and didn't leave my bed much - apparently the whole family felt the need to sleep. This is my man sleeping and our dog, Sammie - she is sleeping on his pillow and shoving him off the bed. Hahaha...love it! Oh, and she had the covers on her...you just can't see that in the photo.
This past weekend:
It was final 4 week. I'm so one of those women who will watch the games and I actually know what's going on...
Bought our first pineapple of the year this weekend at the store - it was so amazing. We love fruit...it's a staple in our home in the summer time.
Our front door to our house got repainted. It's now red. I love the color red....it just has so much personality. I texted the photo to a friend of mine when the door was finished (because the red door made me think of her), and she texted me back the double door photo below. She just returned from Paris and took this photo of those Paris doors while she was there because she loved the red doors. I think she wins...haha! :)
And of course, I don't love anything more than researching and digging into God's Word. You can always count on a hot cup of coffee being near by if I'm studying in the morning. One of my favorite verses right now (and one of my memory verses this year), "Do not merely listen to the Word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says." - James 1:22 NIV
We can easily deceive ourselves when we do not stay in God's Word on a daily basis. He is saying, "Hey look - you can listen all you want, but don't just think that's enough to hear it...you've actually got to apply and walk this out." What a challenge. What a privilage.
PiNK Ministries is not just any girl's ministry, but a ministry passionate about the Spiritual growth and relationship of girls of all ages and all denominations with Jesus Christ.
If you’re in the Houston area, I’d love to see you at one of our Bible studies!
