Unfortunately, many people see you before they hear you. Who says Christian women are supposed to look frumpy?!? Many of the women in the bible received beauty treatments and advice on how to present themselves. These women were beautiful on the inside and outside. This site has good fashion and life advice and a book list.
http://www.guccigodivagod.blogspot.com
Friday, February 23, 2007
Thursday, February 22, 2007
Judging Others ( From Matthew 7)
1"Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 2For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.
3"Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? 4How can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? 5You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye. [ In other words, how can you correct others when you aren't acting in a correct manner].
6"Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and then turn and tear you to pieces. [When I read this verse I always think about people who give their hearts and bodies to people who don't deserve them. Someone on another blog mentioned that what's worse than no good or underachieving people are the people who date underachievers.
This is one of my favorite verses. It keeps me grounded, and reminds me of the things I need to work on. It is true, that once you become saved [for real] that you are brand new [transformed], and many of the negative things that you used to understand, just don't make sense to you. For example, I don't understand anymore how people can fight over "territory" or have a bad attitude everyday. I don't understand how people can stay in a relationship with someone who brings them down. I don't understand how people can be married and basically be roommates. I don't even understand the things I used to do!! However, I have to be careful not to call someone out on their weaknesses, when I do the same things. While the Word may not agree with a person's life style, I can not say that God doesn't love that person. We still need to use discernment. I wouldn't want you to let someone waving a gun in the air in your home, because you didn't want to judge them as someone who had bad intentions.
We hear people say things like...........
"She's loose..., but I can count all the guys I've been with on one hand, and I'm only sleeping with my boyfriend or so and so right now."
[What's the difference? How can one person think she is better than the other]
"How can you spend the night at X's house? I mean me and my boo spend the night every night, but we just lay in the bed and watch TV."
"B cheated on his girlfriend with C., but although I slept with C, I didn't cheat, because it wasn't emotional." [Is he serious]
"How can she date X. He is no good. I know my man isn't all that, but he makes sure that I am number one. He may have a few girls on the side, but I'm wifey."
[I still know grown women who talk like this].
"I don't trust so and so or this organization, because they just want my money." [However this person feels like this because he or she uses people for their money].
Clergy and religious people who shun others for the same things they are doing. [The divorce rate in the church and world are similar].
Parents who punish their children for cursing or fighting, but they can't stop doing those things.
Politicians making sure poor [and black] men are sentenced for crack, while they snort cocaine.
Retailers who arrest shoplifters, while managers at the top of the retail industry are embezzling.
"How can so and so eat like that... I take good care of my body." [But this person smokes and drinks too much]
The list goes on and on.
"Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.
This is a Word for me!
Today, I declare that I love those who judge me. I love them even though I do not know them. Today I declare that I will not judge others. I know that I can't correct others when I am doing the very thing I accuse them of doing. I'm going to first take all of the planks out of my eyes, and so I can help my brothers and sisters remove the specs from their eyes. Girls, help me on this one.... I am going to stop referring to some of the guys who approach me with weak game [the bow down to me because I have multiple degrees, no children, and never been to jail type of guys] as losers, lame, corny, and wack. I will just say we are not compatible instead of using harsh adjectives. Also, I know there are things that others would perceive as lame about me. I want people to be confident, so I will always be confident. I want people to be classy and dignified, so I will do everything with class and dignity (well just about everything, sometimes you have to let it go and get down and dirty), I want people to be leaders, so I will be a leader. I want others to know when to submit, so I will submit. I don't want anyone around me to worry, so I will not worry. Yes, there will be no more panic attacks (i.e., two weekends ago when I was out of town and my checking account was funny). Sorry about that gals and thanks for calming me down =).
I've told you all the type of guys I will date and how I will date, so you will not see me with someone who doesn't treat me well, no matter how fine he is. [On a side note. I have to stop getting giddy when I see a nice looking man. I don't know..... a handsome man in a power suit and cufflinks just brings out the little girl in me. And don't let him be nice and love the Lord for real.... I might even blush (I don't approach men, just watch)].
I can speak on the blessings of following the Word, because I fight to live it. I will keep praising and worshiping God in BOTH in a church and at home. I will keep tithing, so you can see the blessing in tithing. I will be honest about my weaknesses, and confess to you when I fail. I just want you to experience the love I have for Christ. I don't want to be the person who blocks you from wanting to know Him. If I don't do something, it's because I know in my heart it's not God's plan for my life. I will keep speaking life. I want you to love, so I will love. I love you!!!
1"Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 2For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.
3"Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? 4How can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? 5You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye. [ In other words, how can you correct others when you aren't acting in a correct manner].
6"Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and then turn and tear you to pieces. [When I read this verse I always think about people who give their hearts and bodies to people who don't deserve them. Someone on another blog mentioned that what's worse than no good or underachieving people are the people who date underachievers.
This is one of my favorite verses. It keeps me grounded, and reminds me of the things I need to work on. It is true, that once you become saved [for real] that you are brand new [transformed], and many of the negative things that you used to understand, just don't make sense to you. For example, I don't understand anymore how people can fight over "territory" or have a bad attitude everyday. I don't understand how people can stay in a relationship with someone who brings them down. I don't understand how people can be married and basically be roommates. I don't even understand the things I used to do!! However, I have to be careful not to call someone out on their weaknesses, when I do the same things. While the Word may not agree with a person's life style, I can not say that God doesn't love that person. We still need to use discernment. I wouldn't want you to let someone waving a gun in the air in your home, because you didn't want to judge them as someone who had bad intentions.
We hear people say things like...........
"She's loose..., but I can count all the guys I've been with on one hand, and I'm only sleeping with my boyfriend or so and so right now."
[What's the difference? How can one person think she is better than the other]
"How can you spend the night at X's house? I mean me and my boo spend the night every night, but we just lay in the bed and watch TV."
"B cheated on his girlfriend with C., but although I slept with C, I didn't cheat, because it wasn't emotional." [Is he serious]
"How can she date X. He is no good. I know my man isn't all that, but he makes sure that I am number one. He may have a few girls on the side, but I'm wifey."
[I still know grown women who talk like this].
"I don't trust so and so or this organization, because they just want my money." [However this person feels like this because he or she uses people for their money].
Clergy and religious people who shun others for the same things they are doing. [The divorce rate in the church and world are similar].
Parents who punish their children for cursing or fighting, but they can't stop doing those things.
Politicians making sure poor [and black] men are sentenced for crack, while they snort cocaine.
Retailers who arrest shoplifters, while managers at the top of the retail industry are embezzling.
"How can so and so eat like that... I take good care of my body." [But this person smokes and drinks too much]
The list goes on and on.
"Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.
This is a Word for me!
Today, I declare that I love those who judge me. I love them even though I do not know them. Today I declare that I will not judge others. I know that I can't correct others when I am doing the very thing I accuse them of doing. I'm going to first take all of the planks out of my eyes, and so I can help my brothers and sisters remove the specs from their eyes. Girls, help me on this one.... I am going to stop referring to some of the guys who approach me with weak game [the bow down to me because I have multiple degrees, no children, and never been to jail type of guys] as losers, lame, corny, and wack. I will just say we are not compatible instead of using harsh adjectives. Also, I know there are things that others would perceive as lame about me. I want people to be confident, so I will always be confident. I want people to be classy and dignified, so I will do everything with class and dignity (well just about everything, sometimes you have to let it go and get down and dirty), I want people to be leaders, so I will be a leader. I want others to know when to submit, so I will submit. I don't want anyone around me to worry, so I will not worry. Yes, there will be no more panic attacks (i.e., two weekends ago when I was out of town and my checking account was funny). Sorry about that gals and thanks for calming me down =).
I've told you all the type of guys I will date and how I will date, so you will not see me with someone who doesn't treat me well, no matter how fine he is. [On a side note. I have to stop getting giddy when I see a nice looking man. I don't know..... a handsome man in a power suit and cufflinks just brings out the little girl in me. And don't let him be nice and love the Lord for real.... I might even blush (I don't approach men, just watch)].
I can speak on the blessings of following the Word, because I fight to live it. I will keep praising and worshiping God in BOTH in a church and at home. I will keep tithing, so you can see the blessing in tithing. I will be honest about my weaknesses, and confess to you when I fail. I just want you to experience the love I have for Christ. I don't want to be the person who blocks you from wanting to know Him. If I don't do something, it's because I know in my heart it's not God's plan for my life. I will keep speaking life. I want you to love, so I will love. I love you!!!
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
We Strut, We Strut, We Strut, We Strut...................Last weekend I went back to my Home by the Sea for my sorority chapter's 60th Anniversary celebration. I had a wonderful time. I will never forget the women this picture. They called themselves the Golden Girls, and they pledged in 1954. They were so fabulous. They weren't complaining about aches and pains or being tired. They arrived in minks, leather suits, stilettos, Fendi bags, and "stunna shades." These women were bad. They had the education and wealth to back up the bling. Their inner beauty and happy spirit were evident. I want to feel that good when I am in my 70s. Tina Turner better watch out =)!
Tuesday, February 20, 2007
Make It Personal...
So many times we are told to pray, but many of us don’t know how to pray. I confess, I didn’t really know how to pray until last year. I was praying, but I wasn’t really praying, if you get what I mean. I feel blessed to be in a church that stresses growth and intimacy with God. I pray using the Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:9–15). Prayer is on my mind today because I was technically on the verge of having bad day, but I didn’t let it become a bad day. Prayer is also on my mind because the something that I asked for was given to me, and I am sooo thankful and happy. I’ll show you how I pray………
Our Father in heaven, hallowed by your name
Exalt his name. Tell him how much you love him. Tell him what he means to you. Lord I love you. You are awesome. I praise you. I worship you. You are all that. You are magnificent. I will not put anything above your name. Hallelujah to your name. Thank you for being my father, my king, my leader, my savior, my healer, my provider, my redeemer, my banker, my name changer, my friend, my protector, my everything (I can go on and on, and some days he means different things to me)……………
Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven
Lord, I know I’ve asked you for many things, but only give me the things that are in your will for my life. I am submitted to your will for my life, and if it isn’t you then I don’t want it. Help me to see your way. Here I’ll pray about decisions I need to make.
Give us today our daily bread
Lord, you know the desires of my heart. Ask him for the things you need. Thank him for the things you’ve asked for even if you can’t see them now. Right now (at this minute) I need the following: Lord, stretch my patience. Help me to manage my time. I am starting to feel overwhelmed, but I need you to bring order to my weekly schedule. I’ve asked that you make me great, and I know that the time commitments that I’m struggling to make are NOTHING compared to the work you have for me. I mean seriously Z., this is nothing compared to your life as a First Lady of a nation, state, church, or business [those of you who know me, get this joke]. This is nothing compared to being a leader of a charitable organization or school. This is nothing to being a wife and mother. This is nothing compared to what’s coming……so girl, get it together.
I pray for the specific needs of my family, friends, acquaintances, coworkers, church members, church leaders, and people struggling with poverty, abuse, addiction, and/or violence. I pray for the marriages and relationships of my friends. I pray for the safety of my husband and children, even though I don’t know them yet. I thank God for the good health, home, wealth, family, job, life, and saved family members that I asked for. I thank him for making me his princess. I am royalty. Just thank him for those things instead of asking him over and over for them. I also ask him for my specific needs. I thank him for the small things he does for me on a daily basis (waking me up, my car, having food, a bed, etc.).
Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors
Ask for forgiveness for your sins and make sure that you forgive. I ask God to forgive me for the times I failed to keep my word, including the times I paid a bill late. I ask him to forgive me for my thoughts and actions that weren’t godly…the times I talked about other people...the times I worried..times I complained. I forgive those who hurt me, and I ask that I never hold unforgiveness. I ask that I don’t judge others and that others do not judge me. Sometimes people feel that Christians are judgmental. However, I find myself being judged more by others for being a Christian than for my actions that weren’t good. Being a Christian isn’t easy. Many people don’t have nice things to say about Christians, and I can definitely understand their reasons, but why be the judgmental person you accuse Christians of being?
Many of my friendships have become very awkward. I try to reach out, but I guess they don’t feel as though they can hang with me because they fear I’ll judge them even though I don’t. I still love through the awkwardness. At this minute I am asking God to help me get through these changes.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one
Temptation, temptation, temptation………….I pray for my areas of weakness and ask for strength to overcome them. I ask God to deliver me from the things that have me bound. I thank him for breaking bad habits. I also ask that he delivers my family, friends, and community from things that have them bound.
For yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
Lord, it all belongs to you. I belong to you. I will serve you. What can I do for you? Your name reigns supreme. Your word is true.
In Jesus' name we pray! Amen
So many times we are told to pray, but many of us don’t know how to pray. I confess, I didn’t really know how to pray until last year. I was praying, but I wasn’t really praying, if you get what I mean. I feel blessed to be in a church that stresses growth and intimacy with God. I pray using the Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:9–15). Prayer is on my mind today because I was technically on the verge of having bad day, but I didn’t let it become a bad day. Prayer is also on my mind because the something that I asked for was given to me, and I am sooo thankful and happy. I’ll show you how I pray………
Our Father in heaven, hallowed by your name
Exalt his name. Tell him how much you love him. Tell him what he means to you. Lord I love you. You are awesome. I praise you. I worship you. You are all that. You are magnificent. I will not put anything above your name. Hallelujah to your name. Thank you for being my father, my king, my leader, my savior, my healer, my provider, my redeemer, my banker, my name changer, my friend, my protector, my everything (I can go on and on, and some days he means different things to me)……………
Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven
Lord, I know I’ve asked you for many things, but only give me the things that are in your will for my life. I am submitted to your will for my life, and if it isn’t you then I don’t want it. Help me to see your way. Here I’ll pray about decisions I need to make.
Give us today our daily bread
Lord, you know the desires of my heart. Ask him for the things you need. Thank him for the things you’ve asked for even if you can’t see them now. Right now (at this minute) I need the following: Lord, stretch my patience. Help me to manage my time. I am starting to feel overwhelmed, but I need you to bring order to my weekly schedule. I’ve asked that you make me great, and I know that the time commitments that I’m struggling to make are NOTHING compared to the work you have for me. I mean seriously Z., this is nothing compared to your life as a First Lady of a nation, state, church, or business [those of you who know me, get this joke]. This is nothing compared to being a leader of a charitable organization or school. This is nothing to being a wife and mother. This is nothing compared to what’s coming……so girl, get it together.
I pray for the specific needs of my family, friends, acquaintances, coworkers, church members, church leaders, and people struggling with poverty, abuse, addiction, and/or violence. I pray for the marriages and relationships of my friends. I pray for the safety of my husband and children, even though I don’t know them yet. I thank God for the good health, home, wealth, family, job, life, and saved family members that I asked for. I thank him for making me his princess. I am royalty. Just thank him for those things instead of asking him over and over for them. I also ask him for my specific needs. I thank him for the small things he does for me on a daily basis (waking me up, my car, having food, a bed, etc.).
Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors
Ask for forgiveness for your sins and make sure that you forgive. I ask God to forgive me for the times I failed to keep my word, including the times I paid a bill late. I ask him to forgive me for my thoughts and actions that weren’t godly…the times I talked about other people...the times I worried..times I complained. I forgive those who hurt me, and I ask that I never hold unforgiveness. I ask that I don’t judge others and that others do not judge me. Sometimes people feel that Christians are judgmental. However, I find myself being judged more by others for being a Christian than for my actions that weren’t good. Being a Christian isn’t easy. Many people don’t have nice things to say about Christians, and I can definitely understand their reasons, but why be the judgmental person you accuse Christians of being?
Many of my friendships have become very awkward. I try to reach out, but I guess they don’t feel as though they can hang with me because they fear I’ll judge them even though I don’t. I still love through the awkwardness. At this minute I am asking God to help me get through these changes.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one
Temptation, temptation, temptation………….I pray for my areas of weakness and ask for strength to overcome them. I ask God to deliver me from the things that have me bound. I thank him for breaking bad habits. I also ask that he delivers my family, friends, and community from things that have them bound.
For yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
Lord, it all belongs to you. I belong to you. I will serve you. What can I do for you? Your name reigns supreme. Your word is true.
In Jesus' name we pray! Amen
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