Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Friday, April 29, 2011
Everyone Has A Reason To Relay For Life
My Reason to Relay
CANCER---this six letter word brings such fear and heartache to so many. My first response as to "Why I Relay" is to say to Find a Cure! I have never lost a close relative to this horrible disease. So when I think about why I Relay I think because I was meant to help find a cure. It is my responsibility to support my community, family and friends by giving back all that I can. I believe that all things happen for a reason and God has allowed me to be involved with the Relay for Life in order to show me cancer, its affects and allow these to touch my life. So when I think about why I Relay? its to serve my family, friends and community, to continue the fight against this tragic disease and to touch others lives as I my self have been touched.
The American Cancer Society Bark For Life is more than just an event to me. It is my personal opportunity to help save lives and create a world with less cancer and more birthdays by supporting the American Cancer Society.
It's amazing to think that approximately 1.5 million people will be diagnosed with cancer this year. Somebody close to us may be one of them. I can only hope that my efforts compel another person to join this fight.
Bark For A Life is not just an opportunity for me to raise money for The American Cancer Society, but is hours of laughter, incredible inspiration, renewed determination and appreciation for what each survivor brings to my life. I fight so that one day my son's and daughters do not have to live in the fear of cancer knocking on the door one day. I will fight because i believe in my lifetime that Relay For Life will turn from "Find a Cure" to "Celebration of the Cure."
Come relay with us. Come if you have loved someone who is fighting cancer. Come if you are fighting cancer yourself. Come if you have lost someone to cancer. Come if you want to be amazed at the strength of the human spirit and the hearts capacity of caring.
By taking part in Bark For Life, I am helping the American Cancer Society save lives by:
* Helping people stay well by helping them take steps to prevent cancer or detect it early, when it is most treatable
* Helping people get well by being in their corner around the clock to guide them through every step of their cancer experience
* Finding cures by funding groundbreaking research that helps us understand cancer's causes, determine how best to prevent it, and discover new ways to cure it
* Fighting back to defeat cancer and by rallying communities worldwide to join the fight
All of the work we do is for those who did not survive and for those who will! Would you please support my efforts by making a donation to my campaign? Together we have the power to help create a world where cancer can no longer claim another year of anyone's life!
To donate to my campaign for The American Cancer Society please go to: http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR/RelayForLife/BFLFY11NE?team_id=956217&pg=team&fr_id=35707
To find a location near you please go to http://www.cancer.org/ Have A Good Day
Sunday, April 10, 2011
The Snacking Coons.
Hello Friends, How is everyone today? The other day I noticed a Raccoon trying to get in my bird feeder and though they are not so cute when they get into the feeder or rip into the trash but can be rather annoying at times I just couldn't resists this video, it was so cute the raccoons are coming up and eating out of somebody's hand it just amazes me I can't believe they just came up and started eating out of this persons hand and even got onto the video camera so I wanted to share it with all of you. Have A Wonderful Day:)
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Sharing Some Bible Verses
Hello Friends, How is everyone today? Stopping by to Share some bible verses with everyone www.everystudent.com and www.startingwithgod.com has been such a help to me in my walk with the Lord. Hope you all have a wonderful day :)
"Have faith in God," Jesus answered. "I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him." (Mark 11:22-23)
"And this is the confidence which we have towards him: That, whatsoever we shall ask according to his will, he hears us."
-1 John 5:14
"For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves;it is the gift of God."Ephesians 2:8
"Be humbled therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in the time of visitation; Casting all your care upon him, for he has care of you."
-1 Peter 5:6-7
“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.” John 14: 1 -4
"Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him." (Psalm 37:7)
"We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed" (2 Corinthians 4:8-9)
“I have told you these things, that in me you may have peace. In the world, you have oppression; but cheer up! I have overcome the world”.John (16:33)
"Evening and morning, and at noon, I will pray and cry aloud; and He shall hear my voice." (Psalm 55:17)
"Have faith in God," Jesus answered. "I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him." (Mark 11:22-23)
"And this is the confidence which we have towards him: That, whatsoever we shall ask according to his will, he hears us."
-1 John 5:14
"For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves;it is the gift of God."Ephesians 2:8
"Be humbled therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in the time of visitation; Casting all your care upon him, for he has care of you."
-1 Peter 5:6-7
“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.” John 14: 1 -4
"Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him." (Psalm 37:7)
"We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed" (2 Corinthians 4:8-9)
“I have told you these things, that in me you may have peace. In the world, you have oppression; but cheer up! I have overcome the world”.John (16:33)
"Evening and morning, and at noon, I will pray and cry aloud; and He shall hear my voice." (Psalm 55:17)
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
What Does God Expect of Me?
Hello My Friends, How is everyone today? It has been a little while sense I have posted I have been very busy concentrating on my walk with the Lord witch has been such a wonderful experience and with work i have neglected my blog lately. This article that i'am sharing was sent to me and I felt like i should post this and share it with everyone else, it was very helpful in my learning and understanding and i wanted to share it with all of you in hopes that it may help someone else who is struggling to be perfect in there walk with the Lord. God does not demand perfection in you know that he is not looking for perfection for he would not have died on the cross for us if we were perfect beings. Hope you all enjoy :) Have A Wonderful Day
What Does God Expect Of Me?
When I was an atheist, sin was never an issue to me. I wasn’t particularly aware of it. I didn’t really experience guilt. But when I became a Christian….whoa. I found out there were things I was doing that God did not want in my life. I also became aware of the need to love others, to read the Bible, to pray, to witness, to disciple others, etc. And at times I thought, “It was way easier being an atheist.” Now that I knew God, I felt a tremendous sense of responsibility to please him with my life. I would read the Bible, read a command, and it seemed that verse after verse I could honestly say, “Yep, good idea. I need to do that more.”
Fortunately God taught me something in Scripture that totally freed me from this highly responsible, performance mind-set, so that I could see God again and deeply enjoy my relationship with him. There is a huge principle in Scripture that is throughout Romans, Galatians, Ephesians, 1&2 Corinthians…it’s all over the place.
Here it is: God does not demand perfection in you. God is not expecting you to measure up. God never thought that you could live the Christian life, nor does he expect that you could actually meet his holy standards. If he thought that you could, he wouldn’t have come to earth to die for you. But he did.
Jesus said to the crowds, “You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” So, it is true that God’s laws, his commands, require perfection. And if we were to be accepted by God based on living up to his commands, we would have to be perfect. No wonder Jesus came to save us from the penalty of our sins!
God is aware of the gap between his perfection and your sinfulness. Even as Christians, there is a constant tension within us to try to close that gap, so that we feel more comfortable, so that we feel closer to God. Some will try to close the gap by trying to lower God’s standards: “God doesn’t really mean…” Others will try to close the gap by trying to raise their performance: “I’ll try harder…”
What does God say about this gap? It’s there and it will always be there. But you, who have put your faith in Jesus, received him into your life, have been forgiven, declared righteous, precious in his eyes, held in his hand of care. You are completely his and he loves you unconditionally, in spite of the gap.
“Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand.”1
It is likely however that you will come to a point in your life where you begin to think that surely God must now want some repayment.
The purpose of this article is to keep you from falling into the trap of feeling like you must now perform for God. Scripture cautions against this, because it will rob you of the joy of knowing Christ.
So, let’s take a serious look at what God says about your relationship with him. Let’s look at the ground rules, what he says about relating to him.
You became a Christian by simply responding to God in faith. That is the same way he wants you to live the Christian life…by simply responding to God in faith. The weight of responsibility (and ability) stays with God. You may be thinking, “That seems simple enough. What’s the big deal?” The problem is that almost every Christian gets tripped up on this at one time or another. Why?
It is human nature to think that you owe God for what he has given you. It is also human nature to think that now that you know the Bible a little, now that you know a little bit about prayer, or now that you may understand a little about talking to others about God…now it’s time to take on the responsibility of being a “good Christian.” There is nothing that will more quickly zap your joy in knowing God.
And if, on your own, you don’t come to this erroneous conclusion that you must now perform for God, then other Christians, unfortunately, are very good at making you feel a measure of guilt, pressure and expectation to obey God better. This article (hopefully) will give you an understanding from Scripture about how to live the Christian life without beginning to feel a weight of false expectations to perform for God. It will show you how deeply God loves you and how he wants you to relate to him.
God has not set up your relationship with him as contingent upon you, but rather contingent upon himself. Let me illustrate from these verses:
You were declared forgiven by his grace (his kindness), because of Jesus’ death for you. You received his gift of forgiveness by believing that Jesus has paid for your sin, right? You didn’t earn your forgiveness. You simply believed God when he says he has forgiven you.
“…when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of deeds done by us in righteousness, but in virtue of his own mercy.”9 “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us…”10
Ok, now that you are a Christian, do the rules change? Does God now have a long list of expectations for you? No. Now you may think, “Wait a minute. The Bible is FULL of commands. You can’t read a paragraph without being told what to do.” That is true. But while God gives you commands, he also tells you that you can’t fully obey them. In fact, he tells you that the harder you concentrate on trying to obey them, the more that you will see your sin.11 Also, the harder you try, the more you might feel like a failure, deserving of God’s judgment and condemnation, and thus the more distant you will feel from God.
The apostle Paul talks about this frustration that he also felt. He looked at God’s law and said, “The commandment is holy, righteous and good.” Yet as much as he tried to live according to it, he kept on sinning. He said, “I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out…the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing.”12 In complete frustration he says, “What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death?” His solution? “Thanks be to God—through Jesus Christ our Lord!”13
The feelings of failure, sin, condemnation need to be faced with Scripture. “There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”14 “For if, when we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!15”
So when you look at God’s commands, don’t attempt to obey them on your own effort…but instead ask God, who lives inside of you, to produce that in you. If God says to love each other, he doesn’t intend for you to march off with enthusiastic responsibility and show God how loving you can be. Instead he wants you to depend on him, “God, I ask you to live in my heart and cause me to see this person as you do, and put love in my heart for this person in the same way that you love them. I cannot love them on my own, but ask that your great love would be produced in my life for them.”
The Bible refers to God’s commands as “the law.” Now that you are a Christian, you are no longer under the law or under God’s judgment and condemnation – instead you have forgiveness and eternal life. You have been set free from the law’s demands.
Paul said, we “know that a man is not justified by observing the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by observing the law, because by observing the law no one will be justified.”16
How much does Paul focus on God’s commands and trying to fulfill them? “…I died to the law so that I might live for God…I have been crucified with Christ…Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!”17
Before you received Jesus, you were distant from God, able to only know God’s commands, and you were under God’s judgment. But now you know Christ and his Spirit lives within you.
God says, “I will put my laws in their hearts and I will write them on their minds.” And in the same place he says, “Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more.”18 So, instead of the law being outside you, hovering over you with its demands, God has placed his law within your heart, and as the Holy Spirit changes you, he gives you an increasing desire to do what pleases him. Over time, as you grow in your relationship with God, he will continue to build in you the desire and capacity to live a holy life before him.
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”19
God has a plan for your life, to use your life to benefit others and for his glory. Your relationship is now with God, with his life living in you, producing good works in you.
It is easy for a Christian to think that God rewards effort, because that is how our entire society is set up…be responsible, work hard, give it your best effort…and you will be rewarded. A Christian can look at the commands in the Bible and think, “Yes, if I try hard enough I can do this.” And they are headed for a lot of frustration, because the Bible says that focusing on the law brings only one thing…an awareness of your sin. God has not set up your relationship with him as effort & reward. He has set it up that instead, he wants you to trust him to produce in your life what pleases him.
As long as you live on this earth you are going to sin. You will never be perfect in this life. Not only do you know that, but God knows that. As you recognize sin in your life, confess it, and believe what he promises you:
Jesus went on to say, “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love.”22
So when I see a verse in the Bible where God says, “Do this….”, I immediately say to God, “Good idea. I want my life to please you and I ask you to build that into my life through your Spirit. Give me the ability to obey you in this way. God, I am headed for disaster if I think I could obey this on my own. But I ask you to change my thinking or work in my life whatever way you need to, that my life would line up with this verse.” And then I don’t worry about it. I might write out that verse and learn it, think about it, maybe even memorize it. But my faith to do it remains in God.
He has freed you from the demands of the law, and welcomes you to rest in him, dependent upon him…where you can fully enjoy the intimacy of knowing him.
“So, my brothers, you also died to the law through the body of Christ, that you might belong to another, to him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit to God.”24
“We have been released from the law so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit…”25
“Christ is the end of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes.”26
“And to one who does not work but trusts him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is reckoned as righteousness…”27
1. Romans 5:1,2
2. Ephesians 1:4; 2 Timothy 1:9
3. John 3:16
4. Romans 5:8
5. Ephesians 1:13
6. Revelation 3:20; John 1:12,13
7. Revelation 3:20
8. I John 3:1; Colossians 1:13,14; Ephesians 1:4; John 1:12
9. Titus 3:3-7
10. Ephesians 1:7
11. Romans 3:20
12. Romans 7:18,19
13. Romans 7:24,25
14. Romans 8:1
15. Romans 5:8-10
16. Galatians 2:16
17. Galatians 2:19-21
18. Hebrews 10:16,17
19. Ephesians 2:8,9
20. 1 John 1:9
21. John 15:4
22. John 15:9
23. John 15:10,11
24. Romans 7:4
25. Romans 7:6
26. Romans 10:4
27. Romans 4:5
What Does God Expect Of Me?
By Marilyn Adamson
If you are like many Christians, you want to please God with your life. At the same time, in all honesty, sometimes you get tired trying to live the Christian life. Sometimes it just feels like it’s way too much pressure.When I was an atheist, sin was never an issue to me. I wasn’t particularly aware of it. I didn’t really experience guilt. But when I became a Christian….whoa. I found out there were things I was doing that God did not want in my life. I also became aware of the need to love others, to read the Bible, to pray, to witness, to disciple others, etc. And at times I thought, “It was way easier being an atheist.” Now that I knew God, I felt a tremendous sense of responsibility to please him with my life. I would read the Bible, read a command, and it seemed that verse after verse I could honestly say, “Yep, good idea. I need to do that more.”Fortunately God taught me something in Scripture that totally freed me from this highly responsible, performance mind-set, so that I could see God again and deeply enjoy my relationship with him. There is a huge principle in Scripture that is throughout Romans, Galatians, Ephesians, 1&2 Corinthians…it’s all over the place.
Here it is: God does not demand perfection in you. God is not expecting you to measure up. God never thought that you could live the Christian life, nor does he expect that you could actually meet his holy standards. If he thought that you could, he wouldn’t have come to earth to die for you. But he did.
Jesus said to the crowds, “You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” So, it is true that God’s laws, his commands, require perfection. And if we were to be accepted by God based on living up to his commands, we would have to be perfect. No wonder Jesus came to save us from the penalty of our sins!
God is aware of the gap between his perfection and your sinfulness. Even as Christians, there is a constant tension within us to try to close that gap, so that we feel more comfortable, so that we feel closer to God. Some will try to close the gap by trying to lower God’s standards: “God doesn’t really mean…” Others will try to close the gap by trying to raise their performance: “I’ll try harder…”What does God say about this gap? It’s there and it will always be there. But you, who have put your faith in Jesus, received him into your life, have been forgiven, declared righteous, precious in his eyes, held in his hand of care. You are completely his and he loves you unconditionally, in spite of the gap.
“Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand.”1
It is likely however that you will come to a point in your life where you begin to think that surely God must now want some repayment.
The purpose of this article is to keep you from falling into the trap of feeling like you must now perform for God. Scripture cautions against this, because it will rob you of the joy of knowing Christ.
So, let’s take a serious look at what God says about your relationship with him. Let’s look at the ground rules, what he says about relating to him.
How you became a Christian
When you became a Christian, look at the weight of responsibility God carried in that process vs. your effort:- God chose you before the foundation of the world and called you to be his.2
- God came to earth for you.3
- God personally died for your sins.4
- God made sure someone explained the gospel to you.5
- God offered to come into your life.6
- God gave you the desire to know him and respond to him.7
- You turned to him and received him.
- God entered your life, declared you righteous and forgiven, and called you his own.8
You became a Christian by simply responding to God in faith. That is the same way he wants you to live the Christian life…by simply responding to God in faith. The weight of responsibility (and ability) stays with God. You may be thinking, “That seems simple enough. What’s the big deal?” The problem is that almost every Christian gets tripped up on this at one time or another. Why?It is human nature to think that you owe God for what he has given you. It is also human nature to think that now that you know the Bible a little, now that you know a little bit about prayer, or now that you may understand a little about talking to others about God…now it’s time to take on the responsibility of being a “good Christian.” There is nothing that will more quickly zap your joy in knowing God.
And if, on your own, you don’t come to this erroneous conclusion that you must now perform for God, then other Christians, unfortunately, are very good at making you feel a measure of guilt, pressure and expectation to obey God better. This article (hopefully) will give you an understanding from Scripture about how to live the Christian life without beginning to feel a weight of false expectations to perform for God. It will show you how deeply God loves you and how he wants you to relate to him.
God has not set up your relationship with him as contingent upon you, but rather contingent upon himself. Let me illustrate from these verses:
How are we acceptable to God?
You were declared forgiven by his grace (his kindness), because of Jesus’ death for you. You received his gift of forgiveness by believing that Jesus has paid for your sin, right? You didn’t earn your forgiveness. You simply believed God when he says he has forgiven you.“…when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of deeds done by us in righteousness, but in virtue of his own mercy.”9 “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us…”10
Ok, now that you are a Christian, do the rules change? Does God now have a long list of expectations for you? No. Now you may think, “Wait a minute. The Bible is FULL of commands. You can’t read a paragraph without being told what to do.” That is true. But while God gives you commands, he also tells you that you can’t fully obey them. In fact, he tells you that the harder you concentrate on trying to obey them, the more that you will see your sin.11 Also, the harder you try, the more you might feel like a failure, deserving of God’s judgment and condemnation, and thus the more distant you will feel from God.
The apostle Paul talks about this frustration that he also felt. He looked at God’s law and said, “The commandment is holy, righteous and good.” Yet as much as he tried to live according to it, he kept on sinning. He said, “I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out…the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing.”12 In complete frustration he says, “What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death?” His solution? “Thanks be to God—through Jesus Christ our Lord!”13
The feelings of failure, sin, condemnation need to be faced with Scripture. “There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”14 “For if, when we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!15”
So when you look at God’s commands, don’t attempt to obey them on your own effort…but instead ask God, who lives inside of you, to produce that in you. If God says to love each other, he doesn’t intend for you to march off with enthusiastic responsibility and show God how loving you can be. Instead he wants you to depend on him, “God, I ask you to live in my heart and cause me to see this person as you do, and put love in my heart for this person in the same way that you love them. I cannot love them on my own, but ask that your great love would be produced in my life for them.”
What is the difference?
It is the difference between independently trying to perform for God, verses depending on God and relying on him to live through you. We do not mature into independence from God. We mature only by remaining dependent upon him, and that’s the way he wants it. He wants you to enjoy the freedom and love of being in relationship with him, trusting him, depending upon him. He is not expecting you to perform for him.The Bible refers to God’s commands as “the law.” Now that you are a Christian, you are no longer under the law or under God’s judgment and condemnation – instead you have forgiveness and eternal life. You have been set free from the law’s demands.
Paul said, we “know that a man is not justified by observing the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by observing the law, because by observing the law no one will be justified.”16
How much does Paul focus on God’s commands and trying to fulfill them? “…I died to the law so that I might live for God…I have been crucified with Christ…Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!”17Before you received Jesus, you were distant from God, able to only know God’s commands, and you were under God’s judgment. But now you know Christ and his Spirit lives within you.
God says, “I will put my laws in their hearts and I will write them on their minds.” And in the same place he says, “Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more.”18 So, instead of the law being outside you, hovering over you with its demands, God has placed his law within your heart, and as the Holy Spirit changes you, he gives you an increasing desire to do what pleases him. Over time, as you grow in your relationship with God, he will continue to build in you the desire and capacity to live a holy life before him.
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”19
God has a plan for your life, to use your life to benefit others and for his glory. Your relationship is now with God, with his life living in you, producing good works in you.
What to do with sin?
Now let me pose this question: What if you ask him to produce something in your life or to free you from a particular sin, and you still struggle? What if you still see your bad temper or you still see yourself giving into temptation, or you see yourself failing to pray or read your Bible like you think you should? Then what? Would that be the time to begin taking on the responsibility of the Christian life and give it your full effort? No. The moment you begin to try to perform for God, the more you will see your failure, the more you will distance yourself from God, and the less joy your will have in knowing him.It is easy for a Christian to think that God rewards effort, because that is how our entire society is set up…be responsible, work hard, give it your best effort…and you will be rewarded. A Christian can look at the commands in the Bible and think, “Yes, if I try hard enough I can do this.” And they are headed for a lot of frustration, because the Bible says that focusing on the law brings only one thing…an awareness of your sin. God has not set up your relationship with him as effort & reward. He has set it up that instead, he wants you to trust him to produce in your life what pleases him.As long as you live on this earth you are going to sin. You will never be perfect in this life. Not only do you know that, but God knows that. As you recognize sin in your life, confess it, and believe what he promises you:“If we confess our sin, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sin and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”20
Be patient in letting God change you
Focus on getting to know God. Pursue knowing him better through prayer, reading the Bible, being in fellowship and teaching with other Christians…all of that is good. But your faith is not to rest in your effort, but instead in God’s ability to work in your life. Jesus said it’s like grapes on a vine. Jesus is the main vine and he said we are like the branches. “Remain (or abide) in me and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.”21Jesus went on to say, “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love.”22
What about Jesus saying “obey my commands”?
The right way to live, the way that you will experience a more abundant life as Jesus talked about, and become more easily convinced of his love for you is by doing what he says. Jesus said, “If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.”23 He wants you to live according to what he says is right and experience his love and have joy as a Christian. But the way that you obey his commands is by relying on him as you approach those commands.So when I see a verse in the Bible where God says, “Do this….”, I immediately say to God, “Good idea. I want my life to please you and I ask you to build that into my life through your Spirit. Give me the ability to obey you in this way. God, I am headed for disaster if I think I could obey this on my own. But I ask you to change my thinking or work in my life whatever way you need to, that my life would line up with this verse.” And then I don’t worry about it. I might write out that verse and learn it, think about it, maybe even memorize it. But my faith to do it remains in God.
He has freed you from the demands of the law, and welcomes you to rest in him, dependent upon him…where you can fully enjoy the intimacy of knowing him.
“So, my brothers, you also died to the law through the body of Christ, that you might belong to another, to him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit to God.”24
“We have been released from the law so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit…”25
“Christ is the end of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes.”26
“And to one who does not work but trusts him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is reckoned as righteousness…”27
1. Romans 5:1,2
2. Ephesians 1:4; 2 Timothy 1:9
3. John 3:16
4. Romans 5:8
5. Ephesians 1:13
6. Revelation 3:20; John 1:12,13
7. Revelation 3:20
8. I John 3:1; Colossians 1:13,14; Ephesians 1:4; John 1:12
9. Titus 3:3-7
10. Ephesians 1:7
11. Romans 3:20
12. Romans 7:18,19
13. Romans 7:24,25
14. Romans 8:1
15. Romans 5:8-10
16. Galatians 2:16
17. Galatians 2:19-21
18. Hebrews 10:16,17
19. Ephesians 2:8,9
20. 1 John 1:9
21. John 15:4
22. John 15:9
23. John 15:10,11
24. Romans 7:4
25. Romans 7:6
26. Romans 10:4
27. Romans 4:5
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Klepto KItty
Hello Friends, How is everyone today? Haven't been on in a while have been busy with work and my studies finally getting a chance to pop on for a minute. It is still pretty cold here it warmed up for a few days and it was in the 50's with hopes that it meant spring might come early, then the temps dropped back down to the 20's, but at least the sun has been out melting some of the snow anyways. Can't wait for spring and summer to get here. I wanted to share this with all of you one of my friends sent me this video it's cute i can't imagine how one little cat could do so much damage, so if you live in this neighborhood make sure all your stuff is picked up or this kitty might collect it. Enjoy :) Hope You All Have A Wonderful Day
Monday, February 14, 2011
Music Monday-Give In To Me- From The Movie Country Strong
Hello Friends, How is everyone today? Decided to make this video my music Monday pick it is a duet with Garrett Hedlund and Leighton Meester from the movie country strong. These two did such a wonderful job singing this song together ♥. So wanted to share it with all of you. Hope You All Have A Wonderful Day
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Deer & Cat Meet
Hello Friends, How are you all today? This video is so cute and of course i just had to share it with everyone:) Hope You All Have A Wonderful Day
Monday, February 7, 2011
10 Winter Health Myths
Hello Everyone, How are you all today? I stumbled upon theses winter health myths online. Most of us have all probably heard the old warning that going outside in chilly weather, and staying there too long, can make you “catch” a cold. This article says that it is just a myth and that it is one of the best things you can do to prevent catching a cold. So I thought i would share these winter health myths with all of you. Have A Wonderful Day
Myth #1: You can catch a cold by being out in the elements too long.
You’ve probably heard the old warning that going outside in chilly weather, and staying there too long, can make you “catch” a cold. Not true, says D.J. Verret, MD, an otolaryngologist in Dallas. “Going outside—with or without a wet head—is one of the best things you can do to prevent catching a cold. Actually being cold has nothing to do with your risk of catching a cold. Colds are caused by viruses or bacteria which are more often spread in the winter because of close contact from everyone being indoors.” That’s right, spending time outdoors can make you less susceptible to those nasty germs.
Myth #2: More people are depressed during the winter months than at any other time of the year.
Gray, dreary skies. Holiday stress. Bitter-cold weather. It seems natural to assume that depression spikes in the winter months. And yet, health experts say that’s just a myth. “Contrary to popular belief, major depression is not more rampant during the winter months than at any other time of the year,” says John Sharp, MD, a professor at Harvard University and author of the new book The Emotional Calendar. But what about the wintertime sadness you may be feeling? “The ‘holiday blues’ is a significant, temporary, stress-related condition, but it is not a recognized medical ailment or diagnosis.” Some people may also experience Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), which has symptoms similar to depression, such as insomnia, irritability and difficulty concentrating, but only occurs during the winter months. If you suffer from these symptoms or just have less energy in general during this time of year, consider trying light therapy, suggests Dr. Sharp, who explains that an inexpensive 10,000-lux light box (which can fit on your desk) used 20 minutes or so a day may give you a boost—even if you haven't been diagnosed with SAD by a medical professional.
Myth #3: The idea that eating chicken soup can zap a cold is just an old wives' tale.
Your mom or grandmother may have raised you to believe that there’s something magical about chicken soup when it comes to treating a cold or flu, but is it true? Yes, says Dr. Sharp. “Turns out, there’s some real science behind this,” he says, explaining that chicken soup may have a positive effect on the immune system with something called neutrophil aggregation—which means “bringing white blood cells together.” White blood cells help fight off infection in your body and are integral to helping you feel better faster. While it’s not clear if other broths or hot beverages have similar immune system benefits, Dr. Sharp says hot liquids like tea and broth can help reduce the symptoms of a cold or flu virus, relieving sinus and throat pain.
Myth #4: You lose most of the heat from your body through your head, so you need to wear a hat.
We’ve all heard this one—and perhaps it worries you when you’re out with your children during the winter months. If they don’t wear a hat in the cold, is it drawing dangerous amounts of warmth from their bodies? Not really, says Dr. Sharp. “It’s largely a myth,” he says. While it’s true that you’ll lose heat from any part of your body that is exposed to the elements and not covered with clothing, forgetting a hat “is not a major health risk,” he assures. “You’re no better off in shorts and a hat than warm pants and no hat.” The bottom line: A hat is great in cold conditions, but if you leave the house without one to take the dog on a walk—no biggie. A warm coat is much more important to keep you insulated.
Myth #5: You shouldn’t exercise in the cold.
You may already be unmotivated to lace up your running shoes and head out into the cold, but if you’re worried that chilly-weather exercise is bad for your health, don’t be. “It’s fine to exercise in the cold, just make sure you warm up first,” says Dr. Sharp. That may mean walking a bit before starting on a vigorous run, or avoiding a big hill until you’re acclimated to the temperature. Sudden physical exertion in cold weather can, at times, be a risk for cardiovascular strain—for example, leaving your armchair and heading outside to vigorously shovel snow. (An important note: Anyone with a history of heart problems should always consult his or her doctor before starting any new exercise regimen—in the cold or otherwise.) Your best bet for winter workouts is to ease in slowly.
Myth #6: We need more sleep in the winter.
Admit it—when winter hits and the sun seems to all but disappear, the thought of hibernation sounds appealing, doesn’t it? But that sleepy feeling you may get in the winter doesn’t mean you should always let yourself snooze longer. “While it’s natural to want to be cozier and be in bed more, we don’t technically need more sleep,” Dr. Sharp explains. Instead, it’s likely that the scarcity of sunlight in the winter months makes us think we’re sleepy. There’s nothing wrong with going to bed earlier, but beware of sleeping too much. “Some people find that when they get more sleep, they feel sleepier during the day, even a little dazed.”
Myth #7: You don’t need sunscreen in the winter.
It’s cold and cloudy, so you can retire your sunscreen until sunny days at the beach this summer, right? Wrong, says Debra Jaliman, MD, a New York City–based dermatologist. “The sun and UV rays are present winter, spring, summer and fall,” she says. “I recommend that you wear a sunscreen with SPF 30, and it’s best to wear a UVA/UVB blocker. The best ones contain zinc or titanium.”
Myth #8: Frostbite is hard to get.
Frostbite may sound like something people dealt with in olden times, or possibly a condition suffered only by hardcore ski enthusiasts. But not only is frostbite easy to get, it’s more common than you think, says Dr. Jaliman, who got a case of frostbite after an afternoon on the slopes. How do you get it? When skin—usually on the extremities, like hands and feet—becomes too cold or wet (or both), it can become slightly numb and then blister. It can happen fast—even in just 30 minutes while in extreme cold and wet conditions. “If blisters occur, then there may be damage and the skin may turn black,” says Dr. Jaliman. “Then you may become insensitive to heat and cold in the future. With further damage, you may suffer nerve damage and lose fingers and toes.” And don’t think that it needs to be -10°F for you to run into trouble. “The temperature can be relatively warm at 32°F, but it's more about how long the bare skin is exposed. Also, wet skin is very vulnerable.”
Myth #9: Dry skin is just a harmless winter annoyance.
Itchy, flaky skin can be an irritating and unsightly consequence of cold, dry air. But should you just write it off as a winter annoyance? No, says Dr. Jaliman. Dry skin, if not kept at bay, can be a portal for infection. “It’s very important to keep dry skin hydrated,” she says. When skin becomes dry, it can lead to small cracks that can leave your body prone to infections. To prevent this, moisturize twice daily—after you shower and before bed—as well as throughout the day for body parts that are prone to dryness, like your hands. “I like Aquaphor,” says Dr. Jaliman. “It’s inexpensive and effective.”
Myth #10: You can’t get allergies in the winter months.
In the winter, there’s good and bad news for allergy sufferers, says Dr. Verret: “If you have pollen allergies, they will be better in the winter, but if you're sensitive to indoor allergens, such as pet dander or dust mites, your allergies may be even worse.” So although your sneezing and sniffling may not be from seasonal culprits, your indoor allergies could be more bothersome than usual.
Myth #1: You can catch a cold by being out in the elements too long.
You’ve probably heard the old warning that going outside in chilly weather, and staying there too long, can make you “catch” a cold. Not true, says D.J. Verret, MD, an otolaryngologist in Dallas. “Going outside—with or without a wet head—is one of the best things you can do to prevent catching a cold. Actually being cold has nothing to do with your risk of catching a cold. Colds are caused by viruses or bacteria which are more often spread in the winter because of close contact from everyone being indoors.” That’s right, spending time outdoors can make you less susceptible to those nasty germs.
Myth #2: More people are depressed during the winter months than at any other time of the year.
Gray, dreary skies. Holiday stress. Bitter-cold weather. It seems natural to assume that depression spikes in the winter months. And yet, health experts say that’s just a myth. “Contrary to popular belief, major depression is not more rampant during the winter months than at any other time of the year,” says John Sharp, MD, a professor at Harvard University and author of the new book The Emotional Calendar. But what about the wintertime sadness you may be feeling? “The ‘holiday blues’ is a significant, temporary, stress-related condition, but it is not a recognized medical ailment or diagnosis.” Some people may also experience Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), which has symptoms similar to depression, such as insomnia, irritability and difficulty concentrating, but only occurs during the winter months. If you suffer from these symptoms or just have less energy in general during this time of year, consider trying light therapy, suggests Dr. Sharp, who explains that an inexpensive 10,000-lux light box (which can fit on your desk) used 20 minutes or so a day may give you a boost—even if you haven't been diagnosed with SAD by a medical professional.
Myth #3: The idea that eating chicken soup can zap a cold is just an old wives' tale.
Your mom or grandmother may have raised you to believe that there’s something magical about chicken soup when it comes to treating a cold or flu, but is it true? Yes, says Dr. Sharp. “Turns out, there’s some real science behind this,” he says, explaining that chicken soup may have a positive effect on the immune system with something called neutrophil aggregation—which means “bringing white blood cells together.” White blood cells help fight off infection in your body and are integral to helping you feel better faster. While it’s not clear if other broths or hot beverages have similar immune system benefits, Dr. Sharp says hot liquids like tea and broth can help reduce the symptoms of a cold or flu virus, relieving sinus and throat pain.
Myth #4: You lose most of the heat from your body through your head, so you need to wear a hat.
We’ve all heard this one—and perhaps it worries you when you’re out with your children during the winter months. If they don’t wear a hat in the cold, is it drawing dangerous amounts of warmth from their bodies? Not really, says Dr. Sharp. “It’s largely a myth,” he says. While it’s true that you’ll lose heat from any part of your body that is exposed to the elements and not covered with clothing, forgetting a hat “is not a major health risk,” he assures. “You’re no better off in shorts and a hat than warm pants and no hat.” The bottom line: A hat is great in cold conditions, but if you leave the house without one to take the dog on a walk—no biggie. A warm coat is much more important to keep you insulated.
Myth #5: You shouldn’t exercise in the cold.
You may already be unmotivated to lace up your running shoes and head out into the cold, but if you’re worried that chilly-weather exercise is bad for your health, don’t be. “It’s fine to exercise in the cold, just make sure you warm up first,” says Dr. Sharp. That may mean walking a bit before starting on a vigorous run, or avoiding a big hill until you’re acclimated to the temperature. Sudden physical exertion in cold weather can, at times, be a risk for cardiovascular strain—for example, leaving your armchair and heading outside to vigorously shovel snow. (An important note: Anyone with a history of heart problems should always consult his or her doctor before starting any new exercise regimen—in the cold or otherwise.) Your best bet for winter workouts is to ease in slowly.
Myth #6: We need more sleep in the winter.
Admit it—when winter hits and the sun seems to all but disappear, the thought of hibernation sounds appealing, doesn’t it? But that sleepy feeling you may get in the winter doesn’t mean you should always let yourself snooze longer. “While it’s natural to want to be cozier and be in bed more, we don’t technically need more sleep,” Dr. Sharp explains. Instead, it’s likely that the scarcity of sunlight in the winter months makes us think we’re sleepy. There’s nothing wrong with going to bed earlier, but beware of sleeping too much. “Some people find that when they get more sleep, they feel sleepier during the day, even a little dazed.”
Myth #7: You don’t need sunscreen in the winter.
It’s cold and cloudy, so you can retire your sunscreen until sunny days at the beach this summer, right? Wrong, says Debra Jaliman, MD, a New York City–based dermatologist. “The sun and UV rays are present winter, spring, summer and fall,” she says. “I recommend that you wear a sunscreen with SPF 30, and it’s best to wear a UVA/UVB blocker. The best ones contain zinc or titanium.”
Myth #8: Frostbite is hard to get.
Frostbite may sound like something people dealt with in olden times, or possibly a condition suffered only by hardcore ski enthusiasts. But not only is frostbite easy to get, it’s more common than you think, says Dr. Jaliman, who got a case of frostbite after an afternoon on the slopes. How do you get it? When skin—usually on the extremities, like hands and feet—becomes too cold or wet (or both), it can become slightly numb and then blister. It can happen fast—even in just 30 minutes while in extreme cold and wet conditions. “If blisters occur, then there may be damage and the skin may turn black,” says Dr. Jaliman. “Then you may become insensitive to heat and cold in the future. With further damage, you may suffer nerve damage and lose fingers and toes.” And don’t think that it needs to be -10°F for you to run into trouble. “The temperature can be relatively warm at 32°F, but it's more about how long the bare skin is exposed. Also, wet skin is very vulnerable.”
Myth #9: Dry skin is just a harmless winter annoyance.
Itchy, flaky skin can be an irritating and unsightly consequence of cold, dry air. But should you just write it off as a winter annoyance? No, says Dr. Jaliman. Dry skin, if not kept at bay, can be a portal for infection. “It’s very important to keep dry skin hydrated,” she says. When skin becomes dry, it can lead to small cracks that can leave your body prone to infections. To prevent this, moisturize twice daily—after you shower and before bed—as well as throughout the day for body parts that are prone to dryness, like your hands. “I like Aquaphor,” says Dr. Jaliman. “It’s inexpensive and effective.”
Myth #10: You can’t get allergies in the winter months.
In the winter, there’s good and bad news for allergy sufferers, says Dr. Verret: “If you have pollen allergies, they will be better in the winter, but if you're sensitive to indoor allergens, such as pet dander or dust mites, your allergies may be even worse.” So although your sneezing and sniffling may not be from seasonal culprits, your indoor allergies could be more bothersome than usual.
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Sunday Funday- I Now Feel The Need To Carry A Toy Dog Everywhere
Hello Friends, How are you all today? This cell phone commercial made me laugh imagine actually seeing 2 mechanics working on cars while holding toy dogs ha ha! So i just had to share it on my blog! Hope You All Have A Good Day
Friday, February 4, 2011
Go Red For Women-The 10 Best Foods For Your Heart
Hello Friends, How are you all today? Today is national wear red day. Go red for women to help fight heart disease. As i get older i start thinking more about my health. It’s more important than ever to listen to your body and make healthy life choices now that will benefit you in the future. Heart health is very important! Your body is always changing and those changes can affect your heart. The following is some heart healthy foods that i found online and wanted to share them with all of you. Hope You All Have A Wonderful Day
Take heart with berries, beans, and other healthy fare.
Oatmeal
Start your day with a steaming bowl of oats, which are full of omega-3 fatty acids, folate, and potassium. This fiber-rich superfood can lower levels of LDL (or bad) cholesterol and help keep arteries clear.
Opt for coarse or steel-cut oats over instant varieties—which contain more fiber—and top your bowl off with a banana for another 4 grams of fiber.
Salmon
Super-rich in omega-3 fatty acids, salmon can effectively reduce blood pressure and keep clotting at bay. Aim for two servings per week, which may reduce your risk of dying of a heart attack by up to one-third.
"Salmon contains the carotenoid astaxanthin, which is a very powerful antioxidant," says cardiologist Stephen T. Sinatra, MD, the author of Lower Your Blood Pressure In Eight Weeks. But be sure to choose wild salmon over farm-raised fish, which can be packed with insecticides, pesticides, and heavy metals.
Not a fan of salmon? Other oily fish like mackerel, tuna, herring, and sardines will give your heart the same boost.
Avocado
Add a bit of avocado to a sandwich or spinach salad to up the amount of heart-healthy fats in your diet. Packed with monounsaturated fat, avocados can help lower LDL levels while raising the amount of HDL cholesterol in your body.
"Avocados are awesome," says Dr. Sinatra. "They allow for the absorption of other carotenoids—especially beta-carotene and lycopene—which are essential for heart health."
Olive oil Full of monounsaturated fats, olive oil lowers bad LDL cholesterol and reduces your risk of developing heart disease.
Results from the Seven Countries Study, which looked at cardiovascular disease incidences across the globe, showed that while men in Crete had a predisposition for high cholesterol levels, relatively few died of heart disease because their diet focused on heart-healthy fats found in olive oil. Look for extra-virgin or virgin varieties—they're the least processed—and use them instead of butter when cooking.
Nuts Walnuts are full of omega-3 fatty acids and, along with almonds and macadamia nuts, are loaded with mono- and polyunsaturated fat. Plus, nuts increase fiber in the diet, says Dr. Sinatra. "And like olive oil, they are a great source of healthy fat."
Berries Blueberries, raspberries, strawberries—whatever berry you like best—are full of anti-inflammatories, which reduce your risk of heart disease and cancer.
"Blackberries and blueberries are especially great," says Sinatra. "But all berries are great for your vascular health."
Legumes
Fill up on fiber with lentils, chickpeas, and black and kidney beans. They're packed with omega-3 fatty acids, calcium, and soluble fiber.
Spinach
Spinach can help keep your ticker in top shape thanks to its stores of lutein, folate, potassium, and fiber.
But upping your servings of any veggies is sure to give your heart a boost. The Physicians' Health Study examined more than 15,000 men without heart disease for a period of 12 years. Those who ate at least two-and-a-half servings of vegetables each day cut their risk of heart disease by about 25%, compared with those who didn't eat the veggies. Each additional serving reduced risk by another 17%.
Flaxseed Full of fiber and omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, a little sprinkling of flaxseed can go a long way for your heart. Top a bowl of oatmeal or whole-grain cereal with a smidgen of ground flaxseed for the ultimate heart-healthy breakfast.
Soy Soy may lower cholesterol, and since it is low in saturated fat, it's still a great source of lean protein in a heart-healthy diet.
Look for natural sources of soy, like edamame, tempeh, or organic silken tofu. And soy milk is a great addition to a bowl of oatmeal or whole-grain cereal. But watch the amount of salt in your soy: some processed varieties like soy dogs can contain added sodium, which boosts blood pressure.
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Snow-Day PIctures
Hello Friends,
Just wanted to post some pictures from the snow storm we got yesterday and today we cleaned it all up, I think it was the worst one we had this year we got alot of snow! Must say i will be so glad to see the grass and the flowers blooming again. Have A Wonderful Day
Part of the snow covered porch!
Just wanted to post some pictures from the snow storm we got yesterday and today we cleaned it all up, I think it was the worst one we had this year we got alot of snow! Must say i will be so glad to see the grass and the flowers blooming again. Have A Wonderful Day
Part of the snow covered porch!
Akita's Snow-Day
Hello Friends, How are you all today. We got alot of snow yesterday and today was our clean up day from the storm. It was a decent day and the sun was out, thankfully the snow was fluffy so it was easy to clean up. I Thought i would post a video from today's clean up,I've been learning how to make videos and post them, I'm still getting used to making them, it's pretty fun and this one is of my dog. While we were cleaning up all the snow she was loving it and having a blast playing so i ran and grabbed the camera so i could record her having so much fun, she is such a cutie but she was practically buried in it and could barley walk there was so much snow out there and she is just so little. Enjoy:) Have A Wonderful Day
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Happy Groundhog Day-Punxsutawney Phil Predicts An Early Spring
Hello Everyone, How are you all today? Happy groundhog day! The famous Punxsutawney Phil predicted an early spring,that sounds good to me i hope he is right! We just got hit with another huge snow storm today 8-14in I think we got the 14! I will be so glad if spring does come early, i haven't seen a winter like this sense i was a kid, seems like we are getting snow storms every other day this year yuck. Here is the write up from Ground Hogs day thought i would share the news with all of you. Have A Wonderful Day
PUNXSUTAWNEY, Pa. – The country's most famous groundhog predicted an early spring Wednesday.Punxsutawney Phil emerged just after dawn on Groundhog Day to make his 125th annual weather forecast in front of a smaller-than-usual crowd in rural Pennsylvania who braved muddy, icy conditions to hear his handlers reveal that he had not seen his shadow.
Including Wednesday's forecast, Phil has seen his shadow 98 times and hasn't seen it just 16 times since 1887, according to the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club's Inner Circle, which runs the event. There are no records for the remaining years, though the group has never failed to issue a forecast.
The Groundhog Day celebration is rooted in a German superstition that says if a hibernating animal casts a shadow on Feb. 2, the Christian holiday of Candlemas, winter will last another six weeks. If no shadow was seen, legend says that spring will come early.
Including Wednesday's forecast, Phil has seen his shadow 98 times and hasn't seen it just 16 times since 1887, according to the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club's Inner Circle, which runs the event. There are no records for the remaining years, though the group has never failed to issue a forecast.
The Groundhog Day celebration is rooted in a German superstition that says if a hibernating animal casts a shadow on Feb. 2, the Christian holiday of Candlemas, winter will last another six weeks. If no shadow was seen, legend says that spring will come early.
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Sunday Funday- 20 Decorating Secrets
Hello Everyone, How are you all today? It has been a few days sense i have been on. Have just been right out straight lately glad to have a moment to blog. I have been thinking about doing some redecorating to my house this spring. So i have been researching some ideas and i came across these ones. There are some good ideas here that i would never have thought of. So i thought i would share them with all of you. Have A Wonderful Day
Pick your paint colors last, choose mismatched seating, and don't forget the closet lighting.
Pile On the Pillows.
One pair of pillows always looks skimpy. Use two pairs, in contrasting patterns, colors, and textures
Buy A Bigger Bed
small-scale furniture only makes a small bedroom look smaller. Try a high bed and a tall headboard. Your room will grow.
Leave Cabinets Open
An open armoire is more interesting than a closed one. Let people into your secret world.
Go Dark
Dark walls do the opposite of what you'd expect: They make a small room feel bigger.
Wallpaper Is Easy
The fastest way to make over sliding closet doors is to wallpaper them, like Melissa Warner did to turn a bedroom into her office.
Large Collections Need Order
Wall brackets can bring order to a large collection or odd shapes, which is what Mary Watkins Wood did in her master bedroom.
Use a rug instead of a bath mat. It was made to withstand a lot more wear than the occasional wet foot.
It's Okay to Skip the Sofa
There's no rule that a living room has to have a sofa.
White Works.
You'll never get tired of a white room.
A four-poster bed will take the chill out of a modern bedroom, like this one designed by Vicente Wolf.
Layer Your Lighting.
Four lamps are better than two. You need ambient light for mood and direct light for reading.
Keep throws under control. Fold them lengthwise, then in half, then tuck them into cushions.
Kick Your Traditional Coffee Table to the Curb.
The most versatile coffee table you'll ever own is an ottoman topped with a tray.
Too many chair and table legs can make a room "nervous." A skirted piece or two will make it feel "grounded."
Gold Is Gorgeous.
Gold is back in a big way. A few accents will warm up a room, like this classic living room designed by Kirsten Fitzgibbons and Kelli Ford.
Nothing softens a lonely corner in a big room like a potted tree.
The most indestructible fabric for dining chairs is leather or vinyl. Especially if you want white.
Love your closets. Paint them, paper them, hang pictures in them to inspire you. And definitely light them.
Refinish Vintage Finds.
Don't be afraid to paint a vintage piece. Every piece of furniture can't be brown.
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
My Little Companions
Hello Friends, How is everyone today? My video of the week. I just put my first video together and i did it with a program that's called picasa3 it's a pretty cool program and it does everything! Then i added it to my youtube channel and posted it to my blog. It's a video of my little companions my beloved animals. It took a lot of work to put it together, but it came out good for my first time creating my own video yay! So I wanted to share it with all of you. Hope You All Have A Wonderful Day:)
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Pillow Talk
Hello Everyone, How are you all today? Just some fun facts that i stumbled upon online and wanted to share with all of you. It turns out that the way you arrange your pillows may have some meaning to it! How you arrange your pillows can reveal clues to your psyche. How crazy is that? According to this my pillow arrangement says that i have modernist style and that I'am artistic, creative, and intellectual. Read on to see what your pillow arranging style says about you. Hope You All Have A Wonderful Day :)
Asymmetrical Pillows
If Your Pillows Are Asymmetrical
Are your pillows tossed about in any which way? Do you arrange your pillows without a particular order? Your unfussy style says that you are a relaxed, bohemian type who's easygoing and open to new experiences.
Balanced Pillows
Photo: Annie Schlechter
If Your Pillows Are Balanced, but Have a Single Accent
Do you prop pillows the classical way, but throw the symmetry off with one extra bolster? Do you prefer when something doesn't look too perfect? If so, your style is traditional with a twist. You're never too prim and proper — but you aren't given to the latest trends either.
If Your Pillows Are Precisely Stacked
Are your pillows tiered, trim, and level? Does clutter on the nightstands (or anywhere) drive you crazy? This systematic, monastic tower of pillows indicates you have a modernist style. If someone saw your bed, they would probably guess that you're artistic, creative, and intellectual.
Delicate and Decorative Pillows
Photo: Annie Schlechter
If Your Pillows Are Delicate and Decorative
Are your pillows an exuberant array of Euro-square, cases, shams, boudoirs, and neck rolls? Do designs without embellishment feel cold and unwelcoming to you? If you're drawn to a dreamy, whimsical look, then you're a romantic. You prefer frilly and feminine to streamlined and rigid and are a firm believer that more is more.
Perfectly Symmetrical Pillows
Photo: Annie Schlechter
If Your Pillows Are Perfectly Symmetrical
Do you consider yourself organized? Keeping all your ducks in a row —and your pillows too — means you have a tailored, classic style. This look is best for someone who is detail-orientated, organized, and orderly.
Asymmetrical Pillows
If Your Pillows Are Asymmetrical
Are your pillows tossed about in any which way? Do you arrange your pillows without a particular order? Your unfussy style says that you are a relaxed, bohemian type who's easygoing and open to new experiences.
Photo: Annie Schlechter
If Your Pillows Are Balanced, but Have a Single Accent
Do you prop pillows the classical way, but throw the symmetry off with one extra bolster? Do you prefer when something doesn't look too perfect? If so, your style is traditional with a twist. You're never too prim and proper — but you aren't given to the latest trends either.
Are your pillows tiered, trim, and level? Does clutter on the nightstands (or anywhere) drive you crazy? This systematic, monastic tower of pillows indicates you have a modernist style. If someone saw your bed, they would probably guess that you're artistic, creative, and intellectual.
Photo: Annie Schlechter
If Your Pillows Are Delicate and Decorative
Are your pillows an exuberant array of Euro-square, cases, shams, boudoirs, and neck rolls? Do designs without embellishment feel cold and unwelcoming to you? If you're drawn to a dreamy, whimsical look, then you're a romantic. You prefer frilly and feminine to streamlined and rigid and are a firm believer that more is more.
Photo: Annie Schlechter
If Your Pillows Are Perfectly Symmetrical
Do you consider yourself organized? Keeping all your ducks in a row —and your pillows too — means you have a tailored, classic style. This look is best for someone who is detail-orientated, organized, and orderly.
Tip: Stick to the same color scheme when selecting pillows, but try using different prints and patterns to mix up the look.
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