A Personal Gospel

The bible is full of stories that have nothing to do with me…

The bible was written so long ago it doesn’t apply to present day…

I’m just 1 person in a billion, why would God take the time to listen to me...

Why do these thoughts cross our mind all too often?  For me, it’s because I don’t take seriously how PERSONAL each verse in the bible is and that since God said it, he’s saying it to me and you personally and individually.

When God says, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

God is really saying “For God so loved Your name, that he gave his only begotten Son, so that when Insert name believes in him, she/he should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

Say that verse replacing in your name, feels a little different…right?

This is such a revealing exercise to do as your reading the bible. When you read about God’s promises and love, you won’t miss the truth, power, and significance of what he’s saying to YOU.

Here are a few verses to start off with…

Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for insert name,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper insert name and not to harm insert name, plans to give insert name a hope and a future.

Matthew 28:19 Insert name, therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

Rom 5:8 But God demonstrates his own love for insert name in this: While insert name was still a sinner, Christ died for insert name.

Josh 1:9 Have I not commanded insert name? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with insert name wherever she/he go.”

Let me know what you think!

Black Vest w/ Gold Accents

Belt: Forever 21

Pants: Forever 21

Bag: Tory Burch

Vest: Vivienne (TJ Maxx)

Boots: BCBG Generation

It's easy to shy away from vests at first glance because you know it means you have to go the extra step of layering, but they are a great to be fashionable and comfortable all at the same time!  The detail along the edges of the vest give it a cutesy, dressed up look.  While the leather boots give the outfit some edginess! I paired the outfit with this belt, one because i love black and gold, two because it extenuates the smallest part of the waist, giving a more fitting look, without being tight all over! I've also worn this outfit with a long sleeve black shirt underneath for warmth, and sleek winter hat would also top it off!

Christ Centered Christmas Songs

Even as Christians we can get swayed into thinking that Christmas music is about Santa and his reindeer.  Those songs can make us happy because they bring back wonderful memories of family, gifts, snow, and no school. Although, it's the Christ Centered songs that remind us where the TRUE JOY of Christmas comes from!


Christmas This Year By Toby Mac (Heard this playing at H&M!)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRzWYMYQ780

Mary Did you Know By Kutless
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MvqUkwlniy0


How Many Kings By Downhere
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=noz8hc8u7Xc


Christmas Offering By Casting Crowns
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tuR3Npi5uM8


Born in Bethlehem By Third Day
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RH01hMvb_uk



The Night Before Christmas By Brandon Heath
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uTHu1PKNOLQ

Faux Fur Vest

Faux Fur Vest: Burlington Coat Factory

Sweater: H&M

Pants: Charlotte Russe

Boots: Boutique in NYC

A faux fur vest is the perfect statement piece for the fall and winter seasons! I got this vest for under $20 dollars from Burlington Coat Factory, but feel that it adds way more then that to a look! If your not used to wearing fur, it may take a little while to get used to wearing it in public, but it's a great tool to stretch your fashion comfort zone! Using certain colors from the fur in other pieces of your outfit can help pull your look together.  The challenge is to make sure the fur vest actually adds to your look, verses looking like it was an after thought!

Spending time with God

When I was younger I was never sure whether I believed in God, I knew all there was to know, but I felt there was something BIG that was missing.  My head had made a decision to believe in God, and that Jesus had died for my sins, but deep down my heart and soul hadn’t.  I was convinced that all I had to do was wait for THE perfect, inspiring, and life changing sermon. Every church service, or youth conference I went to I would think, “I wonder if THIS is the sermon that’s going to take away all my questions?”

To make a long story short, I never found that perfect SERMON.  It wasn’t until I started spending one on one time with God that my heart started to feel what my head knew.  Sermons give us an amazing knowledge and understanding of God, pointing us in the right direction, but with that knowledge and direction we are called to go home, open our bibles and explore further!

With that said I’m going to take you guys step by step through how I spend personal time with God, there is no right or perfect way but I just want to give you a place to start!

Atmosphere: It’s best to be alone somewhere where it’s quiet, free from distractions

1.       PRAY
      To start off pray that God will give you the ability to understand his word, and open your heart and mind to what he wants to teach you for that day.

2.       GOD’S WORD
  There are many different ways to receive God’s word, here are a few below

·         Read about a passage that stood out to you at church, maybe a passage that was confusing, or really tugged at your heart

·         Pick a verse relating to a topic, and read the passage around it

Find bible verses by topic— http://www.openbible.info/topics/

·         Read a daily Devotion

Here is a good one to start with—http://odb.org/

3.       JOURNAL

We can learn A LOT about ourselves, and more importantly what God is trying to say to us if we think and write about it.  It’s not about writing everything you did that day; it’s about writing your struggles, joys, lessons, and times you saw God work! Also write about what you learned from the passage or bible verse you read and how it relates to your life, this may take practice!

4.       WORSHIP

Put in your headphones, go on YouTube and find worship songs, turn your lights off, and worship knowing that God is the only one watching! (If I know my family is asleep I’ll mouth the songs, or sing quietly)

5.       PRAY

Go on your knees on the floor and pray about anything that comes to your mind, pray for things you told people you’d pray for, thank God for what he’s done, etc. It’s not all about length, but work on giving God more than a few minutes of your time.

Striped Blazer w/ Gold Buttons

Blazer: H & M

Shoes: Target

Purse: Olivia & Joy (TJ Maxx)

I've worn this blazer everywhere from shopping in the city to a professional interview.  Pair a  semi cropped blazer with skinny jeans for a fun dressed up look, or pair it with high waisted black fancy pants for a professional look! I especially like the gold buttons, they can be accented with gold toned accessories. Pull your look together with heels or flats, depending on the occasion!

Glam Up Your Room

Build your Own Vanity

Got a Built in book shelf? turn it into a vanity!  Just take out some of the shelves, add a unique mirror, and a classy chair, and your in business.  I put a piece of granite on the surface so it could withstand the heat from a straightener/curler (You can usually get granite samples at places that sell kitchens). It's a great idea to have a dry erase marker and write reminders on your mirror about how we are viewed in God's eyes, for example "Let your internal beauty be what shines today!"

Your Very Own Store 

In our closest we tend to hide all of our favorite shoes, purses, scarfs etc. when they each can make a statement in them self.  I like to display my favorite accessories to give a personal flare to my room! I found this 4-shelf unit on the side of the road with a FREE sign on it! Keep your eyes open for any cool pieces of furniture like this!

Frame Holder... or Jewelry Display?

This was originally designed to be mounted on a wall and holding 4 small frames.  I saw it a little differently...the curly rod iron ends are great for holding rings, the little arms coming out are perfect for bracelets and watching, and the necklaces hang wherever else their is room! You can buy frame holders at Home Goods, Marshall, target, etc.

Home Made Headboard

My sisters room was in need of a makeover and what better way then introduce a hand made headboard! We got a long thin piece of wood, bought a fluffy white blanket from Marshalls  stapled the blanket to the wood, and the wood to the wall!

Fresh Coat of Paint

My neighbor was giving away this dresser, it was brown, beaten up, and dingy.  A fresh coat of paint on this dresser made all the difference.  You'd be amazed what this mindset could lead you to find when shopping at a yard sale!

Ambiance Lighting

Being able to turn off the overhead light in your room and turn on some ambiance, can make a huge difference in the feel of your room. Lighting that makes fun patterns on the walls can easily add some style. I love having low key lighting for when I'm spending time with God reading the bible, or praying, it calms me down and allows me to focus on what I'm doing.

 

Replace Your Closet Handles

My closet came with small plastic handles, and switching those out for some fun ones from Home Depot was a quick and easy way to add elegance! Find some handles that represent you, and what's in your closet!