Flaming Christian

Never have I been known to be politically correct, not because I would ever want to hurt someones feelings but just because things change so much. Someone is almost always offend by someone or thing. So I guess I'll just throw this out there: some people are flaming! Generally when someone says that we automatically think of the homosexual community but that is not who I am speaking of here. I am talking about a Flaming Christian. You know the people they don't have to say that Jesus Christ is Lord of their life but you know right away because how they carry his or herself. They walk into a room and people almost seem to gravitate towards them. They have a love for other people that just spills out of them. I want to be that person! I want to love others so much that people know that there is no room for judgement in my heart. John 13:34-35 ESV A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. (35) By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” How great would that be? When we are friends with God love just flows out of us!

Nothing to be Proud Of

Sometimes I get caught up in my pride. Hopefully you have never struggled with it. It's kind of weird how pride works. My pride usually hits me on things that if I was honest with myself, I don't really have a reason to be proud of. My struggles here lately have been how smart my daughter is, how adorable my son is, how cute my car is. I have even been prideful about weird things, like I gave up my iPhone and some cable channels to save money. How strange is it to be proud of giving things up? I haven't worked hard and lost 50 lbs, I haven't given the money I saved to the poor, I haven't been reading my Bible and studying like I want to. Pride can be blinding and make you over look the important things in life that truly matter. In the book of James it says, "God opposed the proud but shows favor to the humble." (James 4:6) Opposed by God doesn't sound so great in my book. So in truth, I'll look for ways to see God's hand in my life more and stop thinking of myself as I seek to serve Him with a humble heart.

"Little" Sins That Can Cost You BIG!

Yesterday, being the 4th and all brought back some memories. I don't have any that reflect on freedom but some that made me reminisce. Yesterday was my husband and my anniversary of our first date. It's special to us to just remember how much fun it was eating pizza and watching the fireworks as we felt butterflies in our stomachs. I honestly don't think he said more than 10 words the whole time during dinner!
  Yesterday, was also the 10 year anniversary of me being pulled over for the last time. I started reflecting on how much money I had saved by being a safe driver because if you know me personally you know I am very frugal! After checking out the web I see here I saved at least $161 for not even going 9 miles over! Even for not wearing your seat belt is $20. I can think of a lot of ways to spend that money or even better, save it!
 There are other "little" sins that creep into our lives that can cost us. While scripture doesn't come right out and say it, I believe gambling is a sin and feel like Hebrews 13:5 backs that up saying, " Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” As does Proverbs 28:22  ^"Greedy people try to get rich quick but don’t realize they’re headed for poverty." People who buy lotto tickets spend an average of $150 each year!
I wonder what other little sins are costing us big in life? Even being discontent in life adds up when we try and keep up with the Jones'...
I can't think of a better verse to leave you with than this: 1 Timothy 6:6 "Yet true godliness with contentment is itself great wealth!"

No Excuses

Honestly, I don't have a reason for being gone from here so much. Life keeps happening and for that I haven't been blogging lately. My laptop died, my KindleFire doesn't type well for blogging, we went on vacation, I've been potty training Little, preping for homeschooling, started selling Paparazzi Jewelry. There are so many things going on lately that I have felt overwhelmed and the idea of blogging was too much. I am hoping to get back into it soon. Hopefully someone has read posts and made them think. Made them want to be closer to Jesus. I know that is what I am striving for everyday.
Here's to making changes in life that only benefit. And no more excuses!

Mia Bella's Gourmet Giveaway

Mia Bella's Gourmet Products have an amazing scent and quality that is hard to find elsewhere. You can smell these candles even before you open the box!

Karma and Luck- Not to the Rescue

Most people would say that I am lucky. I have won lots of games and prizes! I won a $200 food processor that I love and use a lot. I won a $250 gas card last summer, a $900 golf club for Matt, $200 gift card to a awesome kids boutique that I bought Christmas gifts with last year and then lots of little things also. Candy bars are easy wins and so are $5- $20 gift cards to Starbucks and Subway. Sounds pretty lucky to you, huh? But I am not lucky nor is karma on my side. Luck has nothing to do with my winnings. Statical odds and the fact that I enter lots of contest are the two main factors. Matthew 5:45 says, "He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous." Scripture tells us right there that good, even great things happen to very bad people as well as a lot of us know, very terrible things happen to the best people. Karma is not real and honestly if you are waiting on it you have some bitterness in your heart that is going to trap you from growing in the Lord. People all around the world wish people luck and even I say it out of habit but know in your heart, that the only reason things work out is for the glory of the One who made us all. He has a plan and the bad things you might be going through right now will allow you to persevere and allow your true character to be reviled to you. Hope and trust in the Lord and don't allow luck or lottery to become your idol. Let me end with a quote from a man who I know puts his trust in Jesus:
 You’re more likely to be hit by lightning five times and survive than you are to win the lottery. Five times! How many people do you know who have been hit once by lightning and survived, much less five times? -Dave Ramsey

Tropical Traditions Giveaway WINNER

First I want to say a huge THANKS to Tropical Traditions for hosting this giveaway. I now know that giveaways are not something that I will be focusing on my blog since most subscribers do not seem interested in entering. I enjoy product review and would love to do them but the giveaway entries are not what I feel like the company that I do review for would prefer and I personally would like to give them as much support as possible! That said, Congrats Jodi B. our winner! She has been notified by email. Please be sure to check out their specials listed here!
I have lots of blog ideas I am working on now so be watching for my next post to hopefully encourage, challenge and motive you as it does me with my daily walk with Christ!