Friendships

This week I decided that instead of continuing my study of the book of John, I would crack open my Bible and start reading wherever the pages fell.  All scripture is God-breathed and inspiring (2 Timothy 3:16), and what I found leaped off the pages at me.  It's 1 Samuel 14, the account of Jonathan and his armor bearer courageously starting an attack that lead to victory for Israel over the Philistines.  Their little riot literally caused the earth to quake and chaos to break out in the Philistine camp, but what really caught my attention was the armor bearer's response to Jonathan's dangerous mission.

Verse 6: Jonathan said to the young man who carried his armor, “Come, let us go over to the garrison of these uncircumcised. It may be that the Lord will work for us, for nothing can hinder the Lord from saving by many or by few."  


Verse 7: And his armor-bearer said to him, “Do all that is in your heart.  Do as you wish.  Behold, I am with you heart and soul.”

Wow.  I'm sure those words encouraged Jonathan and were a confirmation for him that he was doing the right thing.  We all need people like Jonathan's armor bearer supporting us, especially when we're about to face something that seems impossible to accomplish.  You may not have a say in who your parents are or what classmates you have, but you do have a say in who you're texting and who you hang out with.  Make sure that they're people who don't tear down your God-given dreams and goals.  Dream big dreams, and choose friends who support you heart and soul.  If you need a friend to pray with you today, don't hesitate to contact Brittany or myself.  

Love, 
Rachel

Change your perception

Who Am I?

Have you ever struggled over an issue.  Then you ask yourself lots of questions...and ask God lots of questions...."I wanna figure this thing out!!!"

That's been me lately. Over tears (remember, I'm a girl) and talks with my {amazing} Husband, I realized that through situations the devil was ultimately trying to attack my identity.

We have all asked these questions, haven't we?  Yeah, maybe not out loud; but in our heads it's been asked. Lots of times. :)

"Who am I?!"

 A strong identity is not found in a job, a guy, a shopping trip (as fun as that is!), a certain season of life, or even in making other people happy.

"I count everything as loss compared to the possession of the priceless privilege....of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord and of progressively becoming more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him [of perceiving and recognizing and understanding Him more fully and clearly].....And that I may actually be found and known as in Him..."from philippians 3 (amplified bible)

We are only secure in who we are when we know who He is. Who He is.  And then we find ourselves in Him.

"Instead of being the girl that got her identity and worth out of being the perfect little Christian, or her career being exactly what she though it should be, or being in shape, or having the right relationship (fill in the blank. You get the idea.) Instead, I am choosing to be the girl that wakes up to the finished work of Christ daily." -Dara Maclean

To know Him more,
Brittany

Encouraging words...

God is with you.  God is for you.  God loves you.  He is love!

He is GOOD

There are so many things God has been speaking to my heart that I cannot wait to share with you!  Earlier this week, I was praying to the Lord regarding my finances and was surprised when I started getting jobs left and right.  Isn't that terrible?!  I was surprised that my prayers actually worked lol!  The Bible says the fervent prayers of a righteous woman avails much.  I encourage you to eagerly expect God to answer your prayers in a big way this week.  Nothing is impossible for Him!  

".. she who was called barren is now in her sixth month.  For nothing will be impossible with God."
Luke 1:36, 37 NASB

Rachel

Pure: part 2

Elizabeth is taking her morning nap.  The house is SUPER quiet. Well...except for the dryer that just buzzed. :)

Been thinking about purity lately.  Being married hasn't changed my thoughts about purity from when I was single.  You don't STOP being pure once you get married.  Out of love for the Lord and love for your spouse you continue to guard your eyes, your emotions, your thoughts.  In singleness, your one devotion is to the Lord. In marriage, your devotion to the Lord is lived out in honoring your man. 

 I've seen too many Christian married women make very foolish and devastating choices.  Maybe their husband wasn't protecting them. Maybe they had the wrong friends. Maybe they had too much freedom. I don't know.  But I do know, God desires all of us to be pure in heart.  It's only then that we'll truly SEE HIM! (Matthew 5:8)

"God made man to experience the satisfying pleasures of His presence instead of the temporary pleasures of sin." - S.J. Hill

If you're single or married, He has your very best in mind.  Enjoy where God has you; not out of duty, but out of love for your Father.

My little girly is awake!  Time for lunch!!! :)

With love,
Brittany

Sweets Update

I am happy to say that I am finally done with my "no sugar for 30 days" challenge.  I admit I wasn't perfect... I cheated one weekend and couldn't resist a Starbucks drink or two, but this was still by far the longest I've gone without sweets.  Because of my work schedule (and lack of discipline) I did not work out consistently during my sweets challenge, so there was no shift in my weight.  However,  I did have more energy and the sugar cravings grew weaker as the days went by.

Sugar tip of the day:
According to Dr. Hotze, refined sugars compromise your immune system.  So next time you're at a restaurant and feel tempted to order a coke, be strong and get a water instead.  I love an occasional Coca Cola... mmm... but I've noticed that when I'm at a restaurant and the waitress keeps refilling my glass, I'll drink two sodas before the meal is even finished.  Just get water!  Besides, you're saving yourself a little pocket change ;)

P.S.  The day I found this tip on Dr. Hotze's website (http://www.hotzehwc.com) was actually Thanksgiving when I stuffed my face with more sugar than I should have consumed haha (don't judge me.. it was Thanksgiving...)  And guess what?  My immune system couldn't handle a sick relative of mine or the germs out at the movie theatre.. and I've been fighting a cold.  What do ya know?  Less sugar is best.  More tips to come!

Rachel

Sweets update

So.. I did not realize just how addicting sugar was.  This has got to be one of the hardest things I've ever done (for those of you who are like "what it she talking about..."  I challenged myself to a month without sweets).  Thanks to Mema's birthday party (that's an excuse to cheat, right? nope)  I've had to start over, and this is Day 9.  Without processed sugars, I've been craving bananas, juice.. my body is trying to find sugar in other foods since I've cut out the cookies.  Not easy!!  Worth it, though.  I'm determined to get to Day 30 and see healthy results.  More to come!

<3 Rachel

Flippin' Sweet Challenge

So after years of acne breakouts on and off.. and seeing way too many Nike quotes and fitness tips on Pinterest... I have decided to give up sugar/sweets for 30 days.  It's something I've never done before, so it should be interesting!!  I'll keep you posted on how I'm feeling (and whether I've had a meltdown over missing the Oreos) as the weeks go by.  Processed sugars work against our bodies, not for them.. and I want to see what it's like to fuel my body without dessert.  Healthy tips coming your way soon!

<3 R

Joy

"In Your presence is fullness of JOY.."  Psalm 16:11

Contrary to what the world believes, being in the presence of God is the one and only thing that can satisfy us completely.  The Bible promises JOY in His presence!!  I don't know about you, but I like to be around happy people.. things that make me happy.. Jesus is always happy and in a good mood :)  seek His face today and discover an overwhelming joy!  If would like prayer for something and/or you're wanting to know more about Jesus, don't hesitate to contact me or Brittany!   Have a blessed week.  

<3 R

Choices

Every day you're faced with choices.  "What will I wear?  What's for lunch?  What will I do this weekend?"  The answers to those questions are fairly simple, but there are some decisions that are more serious.  Let's say you sat and wrote down an entire day's events from start to finish - a day in the life of you.  What would that consist of?  What do you spend most of your time doing?  Even more importantly, what do you spend the majority of your time thinking about?  If you recorded the conversations you had with the people you spend your time with, what would the main topic be?  If you wrote down the lyrics to the songs you listen to, what would they be about?  

These questions may seem silly, but take a minute to think about them.  Every decision you make today is affecting your future.  Brittany has addressed the subject of purity and what it means to live a life that's set apart for Jesus Christ.  He is the One who has your best interests at heart, and living for Him is the best decision you could ever make.  When I look back at my past, every good decision that I ever made was when I was serving God.. and every bad one was when I was trying to do my own thing. Life is so much sweeter when you're with Jesus :) I want to challenge you to analyze the choices you're making and see if they match up with what God's Word says you should do.  Psalm 119:9 says, "How can a young [woman] keep her way pure?  By living according to Your Word," and Psalm 119:32 says, "I run in the path of your commands, for you have set my heart free."  Choose to meditate on God's promises today, and walk in freedom! 

- Rachel

Song for U!

God says if you seek Him, you'll find Him. He'll meet you where you're at! Check this out :)

Pure: Part 1

What do you think of when you hear the word? Clean? Spotless? Fresh? 

 Definition of Pure- 
a (1): free from what weakens, or pollutes (2): containing nothing that does not properly belong 
b : free from moral fault or guilt 
c : marked by chastity 

  "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God." Matthew 5:8 

 In the world today, purity is undervalued. Good people, even Christians, desire a form of purity but then live a lifestyle far from it. God has called us to be separate. Totally different from the world. Including relationships and what goes on in our hearts. 

 Jesus is coming back one day for a spotless Bride (the church) Won't you decide today to be part of His set-apart people? A people with purity of heart and life? It takes boldness. It takes courage. It takes loving someone greater! 

 Stay tuned for more. :) And remember, you are a beautiful cause!

Fall Fashion

Who's ready for fall?!!  I sure am!  Fall has got to be my  favorite season....leaves changing colors, cinnamon and pumpkin in.... everything!, yummy soups and chowders, chilly days, cool breezes, warm colors and fun outfits.  Here are a few fall looks to inspire you.  Have some fun with your wardrobe :) 

Trust

I agree with Brittany! Worry=lack of trust in God's goodness and faithfulness to work things out even if we can't see how things will work out. I love what Corrie Ten Boom has to say about this: "Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow; it empties today of its strength." Know God's grace is sufficient, more than enough, to get you through today - no matter what you're facing!

Know that God's goodness and mercy follow you everywhere that you go today (Psalm 23:6). Have faith that not only will you make it today, that you are going to have an AWESOME day!! God delights in pleasantly surprising you with His goodness. You won't be disappointed.

~Rachel

Trust

Last night my hubby and I were talking about trusting God.   What kindled my thoughts was a discussion at bible study about relying on "false securities".....right now, for me it's focusing on finances.   How can we save more? How can we spend less? How can I figure out our finances in a way in that they are constantly secure.  Or really, I am constantly secure in how they appear.   Really that just wears me out, consumes my thoughts and distracts me from the One I really should seek.

"Trust God from the bottom of your heart;
   don't try to figure out everything on your own.
Listen for God's voice in everything you do, everywhere you go;
   he's the one who will keep you on track." Prov 3:5-6 message bible


"If you are waiting on anything other than God, you will lose your strength" -Beth Moore

"...But those who wait on the LORD shall renew their strength..." Isaiah 40:31

~Brittany

Quick Reminder

Hey girls! Hope all is well with you. My prayer is that you will be filled with the joy of the Lord today; He is our strength! Just wanted to remind you not to allow the devil to fill your mind with negativity to the point of missing out on God's goodness in your life. If you need to be lifted up/encouraged, don't hesitate to grab someone and ask them to pray with you (or email Brittany and I, we'll pray for ya). Find a scripture that gives you hope.. read it over and over again, post it on your mirror.... find a picture that makes you laugh or a song that makes you smile. Life is too precious to dwell on the negative parts of your day. There will always be something to praise, and always something to complain about. Which will you choose today?
R <3

A song for you

The Real Me- Natalie Grant

Psalm 34:18 (NASB)
Psalm 56:8 (The Message)

Thankful :)

Hey girls, something VERY important I want to share with you all!! The words of Joyce Meyer have been ringing in my ears for weeks now... "Be happy with what you have. You can be praying for something you want, but while you're waiting for the change in your circumstances, be happy. If you don't learn to be happy now, you won't be happy when that thing you've been praying about arrives." It is sooo easy to become discontent when you're asking God for something and the answer doesn't come right away. If you think I'm telling you this because I've mastered this concept.... HA. I've struggled many times with this issue! But every time I take my attention off of what I don't have and thank God for what I do have.. Wow. Life becomes a beautiful thing. If anything else, friends, thank God that you're breathing and your hope is in Him. He wants your life to be blessed and it can only get better. He satisfies your heart's desires with good things (Psalm 103:1-5). Take a lesson from Maria off "The Sound of Music." Make up a corny song about your favorite things. It's sure to make you smile! Love you very much. <3