LOVE It! OPI Black Shatter Nailpolish

I haven't done an "outer" beauty  post for a while...so it's time! And more coming!  Spring is a time of shedding the old, winter layers of clothing and style and to step into something new! I'm so inspired by all of the new spring fashions...flowers are big this season. But, something that I have found and absolutely love and adore is OPI's Black Shatter Nailpolish! It can go over pretty much any color of nailpolish and look beautiful - totally transforming your nails! It looks like you just got your nails done at the spa. I highly recommend this!

Fighting Fear with Faith!

Many today are fighting major battles against anxiety and overwhelming fears. Here are some powerful verses that you can meditate on and speak to yourself every day! God gives us all of the answers we need in His word. I pray that you will be encouraged, uplifted and have a new level of confidence in what God can do in and through you!

“For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.” 2 Timothy 1:7

Jesus said “I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” John 14:27

I can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens me!

I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. ~ Psalm 34:4

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. ~ Joshua 1:9

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. ~ Isaiah 41:10

For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you. ~ Isaiah 41:13

There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out all fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. 1 John 4:18  (Reminding ourselves of the love God has for us, our purpose and place in Him, that he counts us special and blessed will cast out fear)

Do not worry about tomorrow ~ Matthew 6:34 (God holds your tomorrow in His hands)

The Lord is my light and salvation so why should I be afraid? The Lord protects me from danger, so why should I tremble? When evil people come to destroy me, when my enemies and foes attack me, they will stumble and fall. Though a mighty army surrounds me, my heart will know no fear. Even if they attack me, I remain confident.  ~Psalm 27:1-3

The Lord is my strength, my shield from every danger. I trust him with all my heart. Psalm 28:7

Proverbs 29:25- Fearing people is a dangerous trap, but to trust the Lord means safety.

I cast all of my anxieties on God because He cares for me – 1 Peter 5:7

Dealing with Bullies

The Treasure Within You ~

If you are being bullied, my heart goes out to you. My childhood and teen years were nearly destroyed by bullies in my life, so I feel your pain. Thankfully God has healed my heart from all of the damage that was done early on, and He gave me the strength to press forward and live when all I wanted to do was just quit and give up. I believed all of the cruel, negative things that people said, but then, one day God opened my eyes and made me realize that none of those things were true, and He allowed me to discover who I really was, in HIM! The righteousness of God in Jesus Christ, fearfully and wonderfully made, the apple of His eye, a poem written by Him… The Bible is filled with love notes from HIM to you and me! He cares so deeply about each and every one of us. This radically changed my life and heart and I pray you will allow Him to come in and do the same for you if you haven’t already.

God is here for you. He watches over you, loves you and plans the best for you. Don’t let those who attack or harass you take you down. There is greatness inside of you – If you are filled with the Holy Spirit you are holding a beautiful, priceless treasure! The enemy wants to attack that and steal the treasure within you, but don’t let him!

People who are hurting, often hurt other people. If “Dan” has problems at home with his parents, he might be taking it out on you. Maybe they see something beautiful in you and are jealous and try to bring you down… Whatever it is, know that it is because they feel so small, that they try to build themselves up by bringing you pain and making you small. This is to cover up their own insecurities. Don’t listen to them! Dust those comments off!

I pray that if you are being bullied and feel ugly, unwanted and bad about yourself that you will realize the true God given beauty and treasure within you! I pray that God will empower you with the strength to rise above the nasty comments that they aim at you like arrows to your heart, and that you will stand confidently in Him. Remember that these people won't always be around, it's just a moment in time and this will all fade away. After I graduated High School I never saw my bullies again. You can get through this, just keep pressing on. If you need to be encouraged or want some support I am here for you. Email me!

Abusive Relationships

Girls, if you are in an abusive relationship there is only one option – get out! Walk away from him. Abuse often progresses as the relationship does, and it gets deeper, and more dangerous, as you get closer. The faster you can get out, the better, before more emotional strings form and your heart gets more attached.

You may want to prove to yourself or others that this CAN work! After all, all things are possible with God, right? But don’t fool yourself. And don’t let this man fool you.

You may have heard it a million times, but it’s true, YOU cannot change him. Unless he realizes he needs help and seeks it and you see changes, you need to step away, if you want the best for yourself and your life.

Getting into an abusive relationship is like a trap, or a spider web. You don’t realize the danger at first, and before you know it you’re entangled. But the harder you stay and struggle, the more “caught”, or stuck you become. So, JUST SAY NO! Don’t allow manipulation, lies and empty promises woo you or lure you into one more day with him.

I know what it is like to be in an abusive relationship, and to feel so deep in that you don’t want to get out, though you know you should. And abuse isn’t just physical – there are many types of abuse including verbal and mental.  But there is a way out, and that is the best way.

I pray that if you are in an abusive relationship or situation in any way, shape or form that you will make the choice and walk away from it today.  Not two days from now, not next week, but TODAY!  God will restore all of the things this man took away from you and He will give you a new hope, joy and life. Trust God. He is your Provider, Healer and Restorer. I pray He will do a new thing in your life and bring a godly man into your life at just the right time, that treats you like the princess you are!  God bless you all! Goodnight!

2nd Blog

Hello! Just so that you all know, I am starting a 2nd blog with the sole purpose of covering topics and issues that I get questioned about often. Throughout my involvment in ministry and different things I have come across so many young girls wanting answers, desperate for answers, confused and searching for the TRUTH. In this blog, I plan to bring them a fresh, new hope and outlook. I get my answers from the Bible and from what God has taught me and spoken to my heart.

If you are interested, please check it out!
I don't want to put an age or gender on this blog, though it originated with teens/young women in mind!

You can visit it here...  http://speakup7.blogspot.com !!!!!!

HOPE

Tonight was jail ministry. Every week volunteers go into area jails and prisons to share the hope of Jesus  and shine light into the darkest of hearts. These girls are precious, and I see something special in each and every one of them!
Every time I go thinking that I am going to teach them something, they end up teaching me and God teaches me. I leave more joyful than I came.
Tonight's topic was hope...and I needed it just as much as they did. God truly is the only one who will never fail us. We read over some beautiful scriptures that I want to share with all of you who are feeling down and out... Don't lose your hope!

Jeremiah 29:11 (New Living Translation)

¹¹ For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.

Isaiah 40:30-31 (New Living Translation)

³⁰ Even youths will become weak and tired,
      and young men will fall in exhaustion.
 ³¹ But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength.
      They will soar high on wings like eagles.
   They will run and not grow weary.
      They will walk and not faint.

Ephesians 1:18
I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called—his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance.
Matthew 12:21
And his name will be the hope of all the world.”


I pray that you won't merely exist, just barely getting by...but truly LIVE!

Loving Where You're At and Saying Goodbye

Girls, I can truly say the grass isn’t always greener on the other side!  There are so many single girls who want a boyfriend now; yet so many girls in relationships at this moment that are the most un-happy they’ve ever been. Being in a relationship doesn't equal happiness. Some couples just learn to "exist" with one another. Others constantly fight...

It is so refreshing to say goodbye to a guy who isn’t treating you right, didn’t ever treat you right, and never will treat you right! Yes, it can be excruciatingly painful to let go of him at the beginning… but when something in your gut is telling you he’s not good and you listen to that – you are on your way to better days! If you are a Christian, the Holy Spirit will lead you and guide you. God whispers in the silence of your heart what is and isn’t right, if you will listen.

I encourage you today, if you are in a stale relationship, falling into compromise, being de-valued or just don’t feel right about this guy to let him go. Let him fly! The sooner you do it, the easier it will be.  The longer we stay in relationships, the more entangled we become, no matter how unhealthy they are.

I’ve recently come out of one of the worst relationships in my entire my life. It wasn’t easy, but it is so worth it in the end! When you look back a month later, two months later, three... you will wonder what in the world you were thinking!

I pray that you all will realize your beauty, worth, and true identity in Jesus Christ and how amazing that is! God promises a HOPE and FUTURE for you. He will give you the desires of your heart, when you make him the number one desire of your heart. Let Him be your first true love and Believe!

Love you all!