I am hanging up my prissy pink pants blogspot and venturing on with Blessings And Seasons blog spot! If you would like to continue to follow me, you can find me here! :)
Crystal
September 30, 2012
September 21, 2012
My Enemies Will Only Help Me Be Better ~ AMEN!
So, I've been faced this week with really learning how to let difficult people go. I am blessed to say that I have not really had to face too many people who "dislike" me nor have I really had a lot of enemies in my lifetime, so learning how to deal with this topic and not let it effect me or the people in my life is an amazing blessing for me! I am learning how to really dig deep inside of me and know who I am in Christ and know who I am as a beautiful Christian woman and where satan means it to hurt me (it has hurt but haven't let it get to me like the enemy wants) God is using this opportunity to help me with my confidence.
"When you have to turn and walk away from somebody, you walk straight into the arms of Jesus." Dr. Charles Stanley
So, true. Remember, that Christ himself was persecuted both physically and verbally. So, if we are to be an Image of Christ than we must use moments in life to build our character and form us more into His image. If you are facing enemies, use the opportunity to dig deep down and know who we are no matter what somebody else says or how hurtful the rejection is. Obedience to this is one of the most awesome things! When we walk away from hurtful situations, we walk straight into the arms of Christ for His comfort!
"The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit." Proverbs 18:21
Not only do difficult times with other people give us a chance to build up our character within but it also gives us a chance to really exemplify Christ in you outwardly. If somebody has hurt you, frustrated you, upset you, we still have to show love. Yes, it is hard when somebody "gets" to you but remember that a merciful person does not expose a person's faults just for their own personal gain. It is a beautiful beautiful thing when we protect even our enemies and we don't talk bad about them.
"A troublemaker plants seed of strife; gossip separates the best of friends." Proverbs 16:28
We have to also be careful with "venting". Venting is most of the time really "gossip" and for some reason people seem to think "venting" is an excuse to talk badly about somebody else but it isn't. Gossip is hurtful and a very sinful act of the tongue! Remember, those seeds are planted and not just with the person you are talking about but for yourself. Gossip hurts you as well, if not more! You might not feel the repercussions right away but eventually you will. Gossip is a very very dangerous ground to walk on when it comes to the tongue. If you need to talk to about the "issue" or how somebody else frustrates you, talk to God! One of the things I have learned from the amazing women in my Church group is that God is the BEST person to talk to because He knows the other person as well! He can offer you peace by not only comforting you but also speaking grace into your heart for the other person. He loves all of us and He understands all of our hearts and where we all are and why we do the things we do. He can give us that grace, love, and peace towards the other person that we need in order to show the love that He commands us to show others, even our enemies. We NEED Him to help us with such a huge task.
One of the things the Bible has taught me is to never openly confront somebody in front of others where it can cause embarrassment. Remember, we still have to love, even our enemies. You go to your brother or sister privately and try and straighten out the issue just between you two. If that doesn't work then you have a choice to take another brother with you, according to the Bible, or simply let it go. In my most recent case, I chose to just let it go and let God. We can't give up the power to control our own happiness and so in order to keep that control of your own life and happiness, you have to hand it over to God. Let Him deal with it. Perhaps there are things in your heart and the other person's heart that He needs to still work on. No problem. TRUST HIM! He always fights for us and for peace!
God has invested a lot of time into you, so don't lose your worth on how somebody else has treated you or what they say about you cause you to lose joy in your life. Our worth and value are not in what we do or in what others think or say about us, our worth is in the fact that we are children of God. Remember, whatever we sow, we reap and this includes our thoughts. Our thoughts are seeds, so you must continue to think positive and good about yourself and about your life and about the amazing plans God has for you. Wrap every thought in love. We cannot harm another with our thoughts, we only harm ourselves!
We can't change yesterday but we can be happy, courageous, and encouraging today. We can start again by forgiving others and ourselves and declare today the first day of the rest of your life. God gives us the gift of u-turns and new beginnings, so utilize these gifts! There is nothing we have done that cannot be fixed by God. The battle belongs to Him, so let Him fight it for you! God wants us to stop talking about the days of the past and look forward and embrace the new days ahead!
September 10, 2012
Tracey's Birthday
Last weekend (I know, I'm so behind on blogging) I joined one of my bestest girlfriends to birthday dinner with her family! We met up at Power House and celebrated this wonderful girl! I met Tracey in college back home in Lubbock.....crazy that we both ended up here in good ol' Arkansas. She was roommates with my best friend from high school, Julie, and so we all hung out when we were in college! Tracey and I have been through a lot together and I'm so blessed to call her my one of my besties!!!! So glad she had a wonderful birthday!
Check out her birthday cake! It was a replica of the purse Nathan, her hubby, got her for her birthday!
Check out her birthday cake! It was a replica of the purse Nathan, her hubby, got her for her birthday!
Bently's Soft Opening
A few weeks ago Michael and I were invite to Bently's soft opening by my good friend Elly. Her boyfriend, Robert, owns Bently's and we were happy to offer our support. Logan tagged along and we had a great time!
I'm so happy for Elly! Can't wait to see what the future brings her and Robert and Bently's!
I'm so happy for Elly! Can't wait to see what the future brings her and Robert and Bently's!
September 9, 2012
Sunday Social ~ I Heart Blogging
This Weeks Questions:
1. What is the name of your blog and how did you come up with it??
I used to have this pink pair of Ralph Lauren jeans and every time I would wear them, I would be called "prissy pink pants" by one of my friends
Used to LOVE these pants!
2. What do you love the most about blogging??
I'm starting to meet some wonderful ladies through blogging! Most of all I love the outlet of a place where I can express myself through writing, pictures, and just being me! :)
3. What are your 2 favorite posts you've written?
4. What is something you'd want to tell someone just starting out in blog world?
This is your place to express who you are, so do that. You won't please everybody but guess what? If they don't want to read your blog then they don't have to.... :)
5. Biggest blogging learning experience you've had?
That I can motivate somebody with my personal experiences and my heart and most of all my love for Christ! My best blogging experiences are getting messages thanking me for being so real and inspirational. It's an honor and a blessing to be used as a vessel! That's what we are here for, to spread His word and His LOVE!! :)
6. Give us 3 blogs we NEED to be following that you love.
http://ababblingbrunette.blogspot.com/
http://singleinfertilefemale.blogspot.com/
Next Weeks Questions:
1. 5 items you can't live without on a daily basis(water, food, shelter, and clothes dont count)
2. All time favorite book? Why?
3. Something you'd like to accomplish before the end of 2012
4. If you could go back and relive any year of your life which year would it be?
5. What do you wish people knew about you without you having to tell them?
Happy Sunday!!!
Family Night At The Park with Britt Nicole, Yes please!
I have been an awful blogger lately! I've just been so busy with work and getting ready for an exciting Fall Session teaching classes at the Christian Women's Job Corp.......and when I'm not busy, I want to spend quality time with Michael!
I haven't had a chance to write about the Britt Nicole concert! I absolutely adore Britt Nicole! She's such an inspiration and her music has witnessed to me during so many different seasons of my life! She is one of my MOST favorite Christian artists, so when I heard she was going to be at The Naturals game there was NO way I could pass that up!
I'm so thankful to have such a sweet boyfriend who truly has a desire to see me happy. Michael doesn't listen to too much Christian music. Every once in a while I will walk outside on the back deck while he is out working on something and he will have KLOVE on and he has gotten to where he listens to it a little bit in the mornings before work, HOWEVER it isn't always his first choice of music. So, I know taking me to see Britt Nicole wasn't something he was absolutely ecstatic about but he was happy to jump at an opportunity to see me smile. For this, I love him dearly! I am positive this man just wants to see me happy, no matter what sacrifice he has to make! I'm truly blessed!
Logan and Crystal went along with us and we really had a GREAT time with one of our most favorite couples! Michael and I are really blessed to have these guys as good friends in our lives! They are both so super sweet and such a blessing!
It was so awesome to see so many hands up praising God! It was moving to see her move so many with her beautiful God given talents!
I haven't had a chance to write about the Britt Nicole concert! I absolutely adore Britt Nicole! She's such an inspiration and her music has witnessed to me during so many different seasons of my life! She is one of my MOST favorite Christian artists, so when I heard she was going to be at The Naturals game there was NO way I could pass that up!
I'm so thankful to have such a sweet boyfriend who truly has a desire to see me happy. Michael doesn't listen to too much Christian music. Every once in a while I will walk outside on the back deck while he is out working on something and he will have KLOVE on and he has gotten to where he listens to it a little bit in the mornings before work, HOWEVER it isn't always his first choice of music. So, I know taking me to see Britt Nicole wasn't something he was absolutely ecstatic about but he was happy to jump at an opportunity to see me smile. For this, I love him dearly! I am positive this man just wants to see me happy, no matter what sacrifice he has to make! I'm truly blessed!
Logan and Crystal went along with us and we really had a GREAT time with one of our most favorite couples! Michael and I are really blessed to have these guys as good friends in our lives! They are both so super sweet and such a blessing!
It was so awesome to see so many hands up praising God! It was moving to see her move so many with her beautiful God given talents!
Hot Crackers Are A Good Office Food Day Dish
Ingredients
2 Divide the saltine crackers evenly into a sealable container. Pour the oil mixture evenly over the crackers. Seal the dish and flip every 15 min with tongs for one - two hours to allow the oil mixture to run over the crackers and saturate. .
This is a GREAT dish for office food days, which Michael and I have often! They have been a hit for both of our office food days! They taste AMAZING with Mexican Tuna Dip!
- 1 1/2 cups canola oil
- 2 tablespoons crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 (1 ounce) packet ranch dressing mix
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 (16 ounce) package Whole Wheat Saltine Crackers
Directions
- Whisk the canola oil, crushed red pepper flakes, ranch dressing mix, and chili powder together in a bowl.
2 Divide the saltine crackers evenly into a sealable container. Pour the oil mixture evenly over the crackers. Seal the dish and flip every 15 min with tongs for one - two hours to allow the oil mixture to run over the crackers and saturate. .
3. Allow to sit overnight before serving.
This is a GREAT dish for office food days, which Michael and I have often! They have been a hit for both of our office food days! They taste AMAZING with Mexican Tuna Dip!
August 29, 2012
He Will Quiet You With His Love
"In You, O Lord, do I put my trust and confidently take refuge: let me never be put to shame or confusion." Psalm 71:1
Sometimes it is so hard for us to trust in God. We face day to day problems and issues and find ourselves needing clarity. We need that reassurance that we are on the right path, His path. We get so caught up in our day to day tasks that we tend to lose that peace we so desperately need. We finally slow down and realize, "I'm lost." We cry out in prayer asking for guidance and then slowly but surely, His Grace and Mercy blankets us. However, in order for us to be blanketed, we must surrender. We must be willing to totally let go and totally let God. We must be willing to totally surrender all to Him.
That's where most of us struggle the most. The thought of letting go of the control that we THINK we need to get through our daily life is sometimes more than we can fathom. I know for me, the thought of letting go of the control is at times overwhelming but then I realize, His plan and His way is so much more better than mine. His plan for me and His way of life brings so much more peace than my ways could ever bring.
"Evil people are trapped by their own sin, but good people can sing and be happy." Proverbs 29:6
Evil people, huh? Am I evil? What defines evil? What defines sin? For a long time I went through life blindly thinking that the BIG sins were the only things that made people evil. The closer I have become to God, the more I realize how much sin and filth I carry on a day to day basis. We all do with our sins that we think are small but trust me, sometimes the "smallest sin" can carry the biggest and most dangerous repercussions.
I have finally come to terms with anger and an unforgiving heart being a HUGE sin. I say finally, because I knew I carried anger, bitterness, and an unforgiving heart like an overfilled backpack hitting people as I walked around but I didn't want to admit how WRONG this was. I carried this load of filth in my heart and it even though I tried to tuck it away and hide it, it was BOLDLY seen. It was seen in the way I carried myself, my heavy eyes, my lifestyle, but most of all and worst of all, my spirit. My spirit was so heavy and so filled with turmoil from this sin that I held on to for dear life. I thought holding on to this was protection. Holding on to these things protected my heart from pain or from being hurt again. Not true. It only made things worse. It only made the pain more piercing to my spirit.
"The Lord your God is with you, He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with His love." Zephaniah 3:17
"He will quiet you with His love....." I love that part of that verse. He will quiet us with His love, all we have to do is ask. Sit still in His presence for just a moment and ask for that blanket of peace, for that quietness and He will come through with this promise.
He will quiet you with His love. Indeed, He will.
Sometimes it is so hard for us to trust in God. We face day to day problems and issues and find ourselves needing clarity. We need that reassurance that we are on the right path, His path. We get so caught up in our day to day tasks that we tend to lose that peace we so desperately need. We finally slow down and realize, "I'm lost." We cry out in prayer asking for guidance and then slowly but surely, His Grace and Mercy blankets us. However, in order for us to be blanketed, we must surrender. We must be willing to totally let go and totally let God. We must be willing to totally surrender all to Him.
That's where most of us struggle the most. The thought of letting go of the control that we THINK we need to get through our daily life is sometimes more than we can fathom. I know for me, the thought of letting go of the control is at times overwhelming but then I realize, His plan and His way is so much more better than mine. His plan for me and His way of life brings so much more peace than my ways could ever bring.
"Evil people are trapped by their own sin, but good people can sing and be happy." Proverbs 29:6
Evil people, huh? Am I evil? What defines evil? What defines sin? For a long time I went through life blindly thinking that the BIG sins were the only things that made people evil. The closer I have become to God, the more I realize how much sin and filth I carry on a day to day basis. We all do with our sins that we think are small but trust me, sometimes the "smallest sin" can carry the biggest and most dangerous repercussions.
I have finally come to terms with anger and an unforgiving heart being a HUGE sin. I say finally, because I knew I carried anger, bitterness, and an unforgiving heart like an overfilled backpack hitting people as I walked around but I didn't want to admit how WRONG this was. I carried this load of filth in my heart and it even though I tried to tuck it away and hide it, it was BOLDLY seen. It was seen in the way I carried myself, my heavy eyes, my lifestyle, but most of all and worst of all, my spirit. My spirit was so heavy and so filled with turmoil from this sin that I held on to for dear life. I thought holding on to this was protection. Holding on to these things protected my heart from pain or from being hurt again. Not true. It only made things worse. It only made the pain more piercing to my spirit.
"The Lord your God is with you, He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with His love." Zephaniah 3:17
"He will quiet you with His love....." I love that part of that verse. He will quiet us with His love, all we have to do is ask. Sit still in His presence for just a moment and ask for that blanket of peace, for that quietness and He will come through with this promise.
He will quiet you with His love. Indeed, He will.
August 27, 2012
Benton County Fair
Last week, Michael and I decided to check out the Benton County Fair to see if it was better than Toni Town's. It was. :)
Lots of cute animals!!!!!
Beautiful sunset!
And another wonderful adventure with this man! Love him!
Sunday Social - All About The Internet
SOCIAL SUNDAY
(Yes, I know it's Monday and I'm a day late in delivering my Social Sunday) :)
(Yes, I know it's Monday and I'm a day late in delivering my Social Sunday) :)
This weeks Questions: All About the Internet
1. What is the first website you log on to each day? weather.com ~ I am obsessed with weather
3. Pinterest or Facebook? Why? Facebook, because my family and friends from back home and I keep up with one another through facebook. It's how I see how they are all doing and get to see sweet pictures of my little cousins. :)
4. Twitter or Instagram? Why? Instagram....I'm a photographer, what can I say? I LOVE looking at any type of pics.
5. Favorite youtube video...post it!
6. Biggest online pet peeve?
I could write a book about this and how much it irritates me.... when you write something, whether it's on fb or a blog or twitter and it can be as short as a quote I saw somewhere that I liked and just wanted to share it (thinking it could touch somebody else's day)....but you post it and somebody immediately thinks it's about them in a NEGATIVE way!?!? WTHeck? Trust me, not everything I read and write has to do with one person in particular. I like to try and motivate people, so if I post a quote I like as a status that's about growing in God, that's not me saying specifically to ONE person that I think you are horrible and need God in your life. Geez....it's all about me just trying to spread HIS word...none of us are perfect so there is NO way I would try and make somebody feel bad for their faults! I have faults too.
So, I guess when people use their own convictions against somebody else is my online pet peeve. If you are convicted about something, change it, don't blame other people for YOU feeling bad about your own life! Like I said, I could write a short story over how much this bothers me! All I can do at the end of the day though is pray for that person who takes everything so personally and turns it into drama and hope that one day they will just work on their own conviction and stop playing the victim card and throwing their guilt around and hurting others with it.
Next Weeks Questions: Lets wrap up summer
What was your favorite trip/vacation/activity this summer?
Favorite outfit look of the summer/clothing item?
What is one thing you wish you had gotten to do this summer?
Favorite Song of the Summer?
Favorite movie/tv show of the summer?
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