Joy Blog January 2010
Happy New Year! Check out the fun things in this New Year issue.
A Sneak Peek:
JESUS-Choose Life
OTHERS- Peacemakers
YOU- Of Snow and Sunblock, The Wardrobe Shuffle, Letting Go: a note on forgiving guys
Showing posts with label 3rd Issue. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 3rd Issue. Show all posts
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Choose Life
Deuteronomy 30:19
This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live.
This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live.
As the New Year begins, it makes me think of new life and new beginnings. You may make resolutions of things that you would like to do in the next year and look forward to events of the year. For me, I am looking forward to birthdays and new births in my family. As we begin this new year, this new chapter in our lives, we need to remember an important thing. Deuteronomy 30:19 says that we need to” choose life”. I believe that this means we should make the most of every single day. This year, I challenge you to live every day to the fullest. Try something new. Help someone in need. Try out for a sports team. Surprise your parents with a coupon to babysit your siblings so they can go out. Put a smile on your face and spread the cheer around. Choose this year to live your life for God and He will bless you!
By Mandy Heffron
Peacemakers
It is the beginning of a new year and as we think about the last, we need to lay away grievances that we have towards others. Hebrews 12:14 says, “Strive for peace with everyone…” This year we should make a goal to try to do just that. I know that this can be a very difficult thing to do, but the Bible also gives us a tip about that. In Romans 12:18, it says, “If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.” So it is saying that we should try to live in peace, but it might not always work. Even if it doesn’t seem to be working though, we still need to be striving towards it. We need to be doing our part.
Also the only way that we can have total peace is through Christ. I found two verses I like that talk about this:
Ephesians 2:14 “For He Himself is our peace…”
Romans 5:1 “Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Finally, by trying to live in peace with others, God gives us a promise. He says in Matthew 5:4, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons (or daughters) of God.”
May God bless you this year as you strive to live in peace with others.
By Mandy Heffron
Also the only way that we can have total peace is through Christ. I found two verses I like that talk about this:
Ephesians 2:14 “For He Himself is our peace…”
Romans 5:1 “Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Finally, by trying to live in peace with others, God gives us a promise. He says in Matthew 5:4, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons (or daughters) of God.”
May God bless you this year as you strive to live in peace with others.
By Mandy Heffron
Of Snow and Sunblock
The snow clings thick to the tree branches in my home-state of Minnesota. Ice twinkles on the tops of mailboxes and trees. Stepping outside, I can see my breath when I breathe out. I’m all bundled up for a day of skiing! I grab my skis, my poles, an extra pair of gloves, and the sunblock. Oh yes! Sunblock!
Now, you may be thinking, “What? Sunblock in the winter? I thought that was summer item!” Yes, it is, but it is also a very commonly forgotten about winter item. When the sun reflects off of the snow, it intensifies the light. Because it is cold, we don’t often notice the sunshine our skin is receiving. Remember to add some sunblock to your beautiful face before heading outside! Your skin will remain fresh and naturally glowing.
By Heather Engh
Now, you may be thinking, “What? Sunblock in the winter? I thought that was summer item!” Yes, it is, but it is also a very commonly forgotten about winter item. When the sun reflects off of the snow, it intensifies the light. Because it is cold, we don’t often notice the sunshine our skin is receiving. Remember to add some sunblock to your beautiful face before heading outside! Your skin will remain fresh and naturally glowing.
By Heather Engh
The Wardrobe Shuffle
Holly opened up her closet door. Groaning, she moved around the hanging clothes. “What to wear? What. To. Wear…,”she mumbled. Oh, indecisiveness. It should be a crime! All of those clothes and yet we still have trouble finding that perfect outfit! All too often, I find myself in Holly’s situation. Just pushing around the clothes hanging in my closet. Maybe trying on a couple of outfits (only to fling them across my bed in dismay and frustration).
Here is a tip for those wardrobe shuffle blues! Research has shown that our personality and mood are affected by color. Which makes sense. If you are around only grey colors for a substantial amount of time, you may start to feel gloomy, depressing, and grey! For me, my mood affects how I dress. Sometimes I feel very sassy and ready to take on the day: my outfit reflects that. Sometimes I feel quite down-to-earth: my outfit definitely shows that. And, dare I say it, sometimes I feel lazy! My outfit will reveal how lazy I am feeling!
To combine these two concepts (moods and colors) I organize my wardrobe according to color. For example, all of my blue clothes are in one part of my closet; all of my red clothes in another; my yellow clothes in another, etc. When I get dressed for that perfect outfit, I stop and think about my mood, then I just go to the colored clothing section in my closet that best fits how I am feeling! Easy as that! This saves time and frustration. No more wardrobe shuffling and more time enjoying the day God gave!
By Heather Engh
Here is a tip for those wardrobe shuffle blues! Research has shown that our personality and mood are affected by color. Which makes sense. If you are around only grey colors for a substantial amount of time, you may start to feel gloomy, depressing, and grey! For me, my mood affects how I dress. Sometimes I feel very sassy and ready to take on the day: my outfit reflects that. Sometimes I feel quite down-to-earth: my outfit definitely shows that. And, dare I say it, sometimes I feel lazy! My outfit will reveal how lazy I am feeling!
To combine these two concepts (moods and colors) I organize my wardrobe according to color. For example, all of my blue clothes are in one part of my closet; all of my red clothes in another; my yellow clothes in another, etc. When I get dressed for that perfect outfit, I stop and think about my mood, then I just go to the colored clothing section in my closet that best fits how I am feeling! Easy as that! This saves time and frustration. No more wardrobe shuffling and more time enjoying the day God gave!
By Heather Engh
Letting Go: A Note on Forgiving Guys
Have you ever wondered to yourself, “What was he thinking?!?! What would possibly possess him to say that?! Why would he do that?”
Oh my, if I had a nickel for every time I’ve asked myself that question, I would be rich! Sometimes it can be more than difficult to understand men. Even more difficult when they do something that hurts us. The blur of being hurt, especially by someone that we care about, can blind us to an important concept: forgiveness.
Forgiveness can be the most trying thing. It is important to remember that the men who have hurt you in the past need to be forgiven. Until you can forgive, how can your heart be open? God has amazing guy-friendships lined up for you! Even more, God has an incredible man/husband for you! Forgive and open your heart up to the friendships around you. It can be a difficult mountain to overcome, but once you are at the top, you’ll be amazed at who was waiting for you the entire time.
By Heather Engh
Oh my, if I had a nickel for every time I’ve asked myself that question, I would be rich! Sometimes it can be more than difficult to understand men. Even more difficult when they do something that hurts us. The blur of being hurt, especially by someone that we care about, can blind us to an important concept: forgiveness.
Forgiveness can be the most trying thing. It is important to remember that the men who have hurt you in the past need to be forgiven. Until you can forgive, how can your heart be open? God has amazing guy-friendships lined up for you! Even more, God has an incredible man/husband for you! Forgive and open your heart up to the friendships around you. It can be a difficult mountain to overcome, but once you are at the top, you’ll be amazed at who was waiting for you the entire time.
By Heather Engh
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