My 3 yr old has learned at an early age how to tune me out. I can tell him 3 plus times to go pick up his toys and he will sit there and ignore me. I know he does not have hearing loss, because in the same sentence I can mention anything that has to do with Thomas the Train or going to play outside and all of the sudden I have his total, undivided attention. Sometimes, it gets very frusturating when trying to get him to do something and I know he is ignoring me.
I am pretty sure this is the way God feels when He is talking to us and we are tuning Him out. God longs to speak to us and He longs to show us His ways. When we ignore Him, we miss out on so many blessings. Thankfully God does not give up on us and continues to "tap" us on the shoulder in order to get our attention. Sometimes, drastic measures might need to be taken in order for us to listen, but sooner or later He will get your attention. God wants to give us numerous blessings, but if we tune Him out we miss out on those blessings. So, the next time God is trying to get your attention, don't tune Him out, because you never know what blessings you might be missing out on.
This 'blurb' kind of goes with our blog topic from yesterday, "Take the Do Not Disturb Sign Off Your Heart!" I just wanted to add to it because I have had personal experience in tuning God out and Him taking drastic measures to get me to PAY ATTENTION. Here is the short version of my personal experience: I was head over heels in love with this guy back in college. There was NO WAY anyone or anything could stop me from marrying him. He had already put a down payment on the ring and we knew we were going to get married. Well, God had other plans for me and he kept "tapping" me on the shoulder and giving me all kinds of signs for why I should not marry this guy. I kept blowing Him off, tuning Him out! I was in denial, I wanted to get married and I wanted it to be this guy! Well, God had enough of "tapping" me on the shoulder, so He gave me a wake up call that would totally remove me from the situation. I was diagnosed with PTSD(post traumatic stress disorder) and completely shut down and withdrew. My family completely took care of me and it was a long road, but I am so happy that God allowed this drastic circumstance in my life. It saved me from a marriage that I know now would have been a complete disaster and would have ended in divorce. It took a drastic act to get me to listen, but when I did everything became so much more clear. At the time, I was not sure why or how, but now I know and I thank God everyday for allowing it to happen. I am now happily married to the man I know I am supposed to be with and we have a precious son. I learned very quickly to listen when God speaks. God wanted me to have this blessing and what I deserve even though I don't deserve it.
So, the next time you hear God speaking or feel Him "tapping" stop, listen and obey!! He has blessings waiting for you! God WILL get YOUR attention one way or another!!!
Love in Christ,
Alicia
Monday, February 28, 2011
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Take the 'DO NOT DISTURB' sign off your heart.
We ran a contest a few weeks ago and asked people to give us topics they would like us to blog about. We had two great topics that we could not pass up, so we decided to declare both ladies the winners and blog about both topics.
The first topic we will blog about is from Mrs. D. Her suggested topic was “Tell us what to do when we grow ‘stale’ in our relationship with Christ.”
Being a Christian is not easy, it is something we have to work at all the time. It is a full time job that has great rewards along the way and the ultimate reward of eternal life. God expects us to put Him first but more often than not He comes in last.
Alicia and I have personal experience when it comes to putting God last. A lot of times our mornings start at 5am with the gym, to work, dinner, showers, ministry, and anything else that day throws our way. Sometimes in our hectic day we don’t think to talk to God. On the days we leave God out of our schedule we feel there is a void that has not been filled. The days that we do put God first we can see a difference in our attitudes, how we react to negative situations, and just an over all lift in our spirit. Although we strive to put God first everyday we are not perfect therefore we sometimes put a “pause” on our relationship with God. It is good to know that although we sometimes put God on “pause” he has NEVER put us on “pause.”
How do you keep your relationships with your friends, spouse, family, and co-workers from fizzling out? You talk with them and show interest in them. Your relationship with God works the same way; you “talk” with Him through prayer and you show “interest” in Him by reading your bible. Some other ways to keep your relationship growing is to surround yourself with Godly people and listening to Christan music. Good things in makes good things come out.
Your alone time with him is SO important. It can be just 5 minutes of worshiping Him through prayer and song or 30 minutes of a bible study. There really is NO excuse for not putting your relationship with God first.
A few verses that we found for this topic:
“Young people can live a clean life by obeying your word. I worship you with all of my heart. Do not let me walk away from your commands. I treasure your word above all else; it keeps me from sinning against you. I praise you, LORD! Teach me your laws.” Psalm 119:9-12 CEV
“Create pure thoughts in me, and make me faithful again.” Psalm 51:10 CEV
“Relationships are like water. They must be cared for and nourished. If we do not water a plant,it dies. Likewise, if we do not nurture our relationship with God, its fire begins to dull. Reigniting our relationship with God takes work. It also takes time, effort, and diligence. Once we reach out, however, God is always willing to reach back. Therefore, the work is always worth the effort.”
-by Angela-Edward (E-HOW contributor)
So, go ahead and take the ‘DO NOT DISTURB’ sign off your relationship with God...He’s waiting.
Love in Christ,
Alicia and Jana
The first topic we will blog about is from Mrs. D. Her suggested topic was “Tell us what to do when we grow ‘stale’ in our relationship with Christ.”
Being a Christian is not easy, it is something we have to work at all the time. It is a full time job that has great rewards along the way and the ultimate reward of eternal life. God expects us to put Him first but more often than not He comes in last.
Alicia and I have personal experience when it comes to putting God last. A lot of times our mornings start at 5am with the gym, to work, dinner, showers, ministry, and anything else that day throws our way. Sometimes in our hectic day we don’t think to talk to God. On the days we leave God out of our schedule we feel there is a void that has not been filled. The days that we do put God first we can see a difference in our attitudes, how we react to negative situations, and just an over all lift in our spirit. Although we strive to put God first everyday we are not perfect therefore we sometimes put a “pause” on our relationship with God. It is good to know that although we sometimes put God on “pause” he has NEVER put us on “pause.”
How do you keep your relationships with your friends, spouse, family, and co-workers from fizzling out? You talk with them and show interest in them. Your relationship with God works the same way; you “talk” with Him through prayer and you show “interest” in Him by reading your bible. Some other ways to keep your relationship growing is to surround yourself with Godly people and listening to Christan music. Good things in makes good things come out.
Your alone time with him is SO important. It can be just 5 minutes of worshiping Him through prayer and song or 30 minutes of a bible study. There really is NO excuse for not putting your relationship with God first.
A few verses that we found for this topic:
“Young people can live a clean life by obeying your word. I worship you with all of my heart. Do not let me walk away from your commands. I treasure your word above all else; it keeps me from sinning against you. I praise you, LORD! Teach me your laws.” Psalm 119:9-12 CEV
“Create pure thoughts in me, and make me faithful again.” Psalm 51:10 CEV
“Relationships are like water. They must be cared for and nourished. If we do not water a plant,it dies. Likewise, if we do not nurture our relationship with God, its fire begins to dull. Reigniting our relationship with God takes work. It also takes time, effort, and diligence. Once we reach out, however, God is always willing to reach back. Therefore, the work is always worth the effort.”
-by Angela-Edward (E-HOW contributor)
So, go ahead and take the ‘DO NOT DISTURB’ sign off your relationship with God...He’s waiting.
Love in Christ,
Alicia and Jana
Thursday, February 24, 2011
WE HAVE T-SHIRTS!!!
We now have "Be The Girl" T-shirts! They are super cute and you can get yours today! Adult sizes are sm-3xl and are $18 and youth sizes are xs-xl and sale for $14. You can place your order via our email or facebook page. When you order make sure to leave your address to where you would like the shirts to be sent to. There is a 5.00 flat rate for shipping and handling as long as it is shipped in the U.S. So come on and order your shirt today!
Facebook: Be The Girl Ministries
Email: BTGMinistry@yahoo.com
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
That's What She Said...or Did She?
Gossip is defined as one who chatters idly or repeats rumors about others
An all familiar situation at one time or another:
Mindy told Sue that Mark and Sally went to the movies with Sarah and James. Sue told Courtney that " Mark and Sally went to the movies." Courtney told Jamie that "Mark and Sarah went to the movies." Jamie told Sally that "Courtney saw Mark and Sarah at the movies and they were holding hands."
Now Sally is upset and angry because of the rumor that was spread around school about her boyfriend cheating, when in fact it never happened. THIS IS WHAT YOU CALL GOSSIP!
The bible has a lot to say about gossip. Proverbs 20:19 says "He who goes about as a slanderer reveals secrets, Therefore do not associate with a gossip." Even though this verse says do not associate with a gossip, we feel that there are other ways for YOU, yourself not to gossip. Doesn't necessarily mean to stop being friends with one that gossips, because I am pretty sure that you would not have any friends, seeing that everyone gossips, rather it be a little or non stop. So, some things you can do are to remove yourself from that situation by walking away or you can say that you are not going to talk about it and change the subject.
The words that we speak can build a person up or completely destroy them. Like with Sally in the above scenario. She was completely heartbroken for what she had heard about her boyfriend. One little word left out or one little white lie can totally break the chain of what the true conversation was about. It's like playing the telephone game, one person starts out with a true statement but by the time the statement reaches the last person, 9 times out of 10 it is not even close to what the original statement was.
Another verse that the bible has on gossip is Proverbs 18:21(this is a powerful verse)"Death and life are in the power of the tongue." Let's repeat that, death and life are in the power of the tongue! Going back to what we talked about in how the words we speak can build one up or tear one down. That is exactly what this verse means. Another great verse to live by is Proverbs 21:23 and it says,"He who guards his mouth and his tongue, Guards his soul from troubles." So with this verse the bible is basically telling us how to prevent ourselves from Gossip, which can lead to a whole lot of trouble. By watching what you say and thinking before you speak you can avoid a whole world of trouble.
Word to the wise: Don't pass on everything you hear because, as you probably have been told again and again, "You can't believe everything that you hear!"
An all familiar situation at one time or another:
Mindy told Sue that Mark and Sally went to the movies with Sarah and James. Sue told Courtney that " Mark and Sally went to the movies." Courtney told Jamie that "Mark and Sarah went to the movies." Jamie told Sally that "Courtney saw Mark and Sarah at the movies and they were holding hands."
Now Sally is upset and angry because of the rumor that was spread around school about her boyfriend cheating, when in fact it never happened. THIS IS WHAT YOU CALL GOSSIP!
The bible has a lot to say about gossip. Proverbs 20:19 says "He who goes about as a slanderer reveals secrets, Therefore do not associate with a gossip." Even though this verse says do not associate with a gossip, we feel that there are other ways for YOU, yourself not to gossip. Doesn't necessarily mean to stop being friends with one that gossips, because I am pretty sure that you would not have any friends, seeing that everyone gossips, rather it be a little or non stop. So, some things you can do are to remove yourself from that situation by walking away or you can say that you are not going to talk about it and change the subject.
The words that we speak can build a person up or completely destroy them. Like with Sally in the above scenario. She was completely heartbroken for what she had heard about her boyfriend. One little word left out or one little white lie can totally break the chain of what the true conversation was about. It's like playing the telephone game, one person starts out with a true statement but by the time the statement reaches the last person, 9 times out of 10 it is not even close to what the original statement was.
Another verse that the bible has on gossip is Proverbs 18:21(this is a powerful verse)"Death and life are in the power of the tongue." Let's repeat that, death and life are in the power of the tongue! Going back to what we talked about in how the words we speak can build one up or tear one down. That is exactly what this verse means. Another great verse to live by is Proverbs 21:23 and it says,"He who guards his mouth and his tongue, Guards his soul from troubles." So with this verse the bible is basically telling us how to prevent ourselves from Gossip, which can lead to a whole lot of trouble. By watching what you say and thinking before you speak you can avoid a whole world of trouble.
Word to the wise: Don't pass on everything you hear because, as you probably have been told again and again, "You can't believe everything that you hear!"
Friends Don't Let Friends Gossip!!!
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
L.O.V.E
One of the most powerful, four letter word used is L.O.V.E.
Love(v)-to have or show warm affection for.
(n)-the feeling experienced when one is strongly attached or deeply devoted to another.
Love is a word that gets tossed around in our everyday conversations, a lot of times whether we realize it or not we use it out of context. For example:
I LOVE the TV show "Glee."
Now, lets take out the word love and replace it with it's definition.
I'm deeply devoted to the TV show "Glee". Sounds pretty silly uh?
We'll give you one more example...
I LOVE Starbucks Skinny Carmel Latte'.
translated to: I have a lot of affection for Starbucks Skinny Caramel Latte'.
Saying we love Glee or the skinny latte' is saying we really really like them, but we are not IN LOVE with them.
Our deepest love should be towards God. God showed his love for us by sending his ONE and ONLY son to die on the cross for our sins. In the first sentence of John 3:16 it states: "For God so LOVED the world that he gave his only son..." God continues to show his love for us throughout the Bible. Have you ever read or seen a good love story? The Bible is the best love story ever written!! God's love is shown from the first book of Genesis to the last book of Revelation. God's number one rule is to love Him with all your heart, soul, and mind. (Matthew 22:37 and 38)
LYLAS. Have you ever used this acronym while instant messaging or texting a friend?! Have you ever stopped to think about what you are really writing? Love you like a sister. A friendship love is far different than your love for God. God gave us the freedom to love but we are not to use that freedom for our own benefit. We are to be selfless with our love for our friends. (Galatians 5:13) To be selfless means having little or no concern to your own interest. An example of ones love for a friend: Listening and being there when they need you.
You can not show your friends love when you do not love yourself. And by loving yourself we mean respecting and knowing that you are fearfully and wonderfully made by God. We don't mean the "all about me" kind of love. Matthew 22:39 states: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." True love can only come from God and you must truly love Him in order to truly love yourself and when you truly love youself that is when you can truly love your friends.
To truly love is to be selfless.
Love in Christ
Alicia and Jana
Love(v)-to have or show warm affection for.
(n)-the feeling experienced when one is strongly attached or deeply devoted to another.
Love is a word that gets tossed around in our everyday conversations, a lot of times whether we realize it or not we use it out of context. For example:
I LOVE the TV show "Glee."
Now, lets take out the word love and replace it with it's definition.
I'm deeply devoted to the TV show "Glee". Sounds pretty silly uh?
We'll give you one more example...
I LOVE Starbucks Skinny Carmel Latte'.
translated to: I have a lot of affection for Starbucks Skinny Caramel Latte'.
Saying we love Glee or the skinny latte' is saying we really really like them, but we are not IN LOVE with them.
Our deepest love should be towards God. God showed his love for us by sending his ONE and ONLY son to die on the cross for our sins. In the first sentence of John 3:16 it states: "For God so LOVED the world that he gave his only son..." God continues to show his love for us throughout the Bible. Have you ever read or seen a good love story? The Bible is the best love story ever written!! God's love is shown from the first book of Genesis to the last book of Revelation. God's number one rule is to love Him with all your heart, soul, and mind. (Matthew 22:37 and 38)
LYLAS. Have you ever used this acronym while instant messaging or texting a friend?! Have you ever stopped to think about what you are really writing? Love you like a sister. A friendship love is far different than your love for God. God gave us the freedom to love but we are not to use that freedom for our own benefit. We are to be selfless with our love for our friends. (Galatians 5:13) To be selfless means having little or no concern to your own interest. An example of ones love for a friend: Listening and being there when they need you.
You can not show your friends love when you do not love yourself. And by loving yourself we mean respecting and knowing that you are fearfully and wonderfully made by God. We don't mean the "all about me" kind of love. Matthew 22:39 states: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." True love can only come from God and you must truly love Him in order to truly love yourself and when you truly love youself that is when you can truly love your friends.
To truly love is to be selfless.
Love in Christ
Alicia and Jana
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Like to win? WIN THIS!
If you haven't already go LIKE our page on Facebook, we have posted a verse of the month as well as a contest!
CONTEST!!!! Have a certain topic you want to hear about?! Let us know! If we pick your topic you will win a goody bag filled with great things and a tshirt! Your topic will be posted on our blog, winner will receive details. Just post the topic on our wall!
Verse of the month:
Matthew 22: 37-39 37 Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself."
Love in Christ
Alicia and Jana
CONTEST!!!! Have a certain topic you want to hear about?! Let us know! If we pick your topic you will win a goody bag filled with great things and a tshirt! Your topic will be posted on our blog, winner will receive details. Just post the topic on our wall!
Verse of the month:
Matthew 22: 37-39 37 Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself."
Love in Christ
Alicia and Jana
Saturday, February 5, 2011
How Junk Food Is Like The Devil...
Cheetos
Pizza
M&Ms
Twinkies
Ice Cream
Oreos
These foods and more are made to be appealing to one's five senses. Smell, taste, touch, sight, and hearing.
We are tempted by junk food because of advertisement, packaging, and over all great taste. Just like junk food with its colorful bright packaging, so does the devil use his "own bright packaging" to tempt us. Everyone has fallen into temptation and felt the guilt and anger that comes with it. God states in Matthew 26:41 "Keep watching and praying, that you may not enter into temptation: the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak." God is saying call on Him for help when you are tempted because He knows we can stumble.
Alicia and I have recently started trying to eat healthier, that might be one of the hardest things to do in this fast paced life! But having someone there to do it with you makes it that much easier!
This week was our first week, we had a rough start. We both went out of town and didn't get a full start until Wednesday. We had to rush to the store, quickly plan meals and totally change our mind set. Three days later it is getting a little easier. We fell off track yesterday during the SNOW DAY. My work ordered pizza and it smelt so good. I COULD NOT resit. I was so tempted by the smell, the fact that everyone else was eating it, and it doesn't help that I LOVE PIZZA!! After eating two pieces I felt guilty and my stomach was killing me.
Everyone at one time or another has been tempted. Whether it is by food, a friend, or boyfriend. We will never be able to avoid temptation, but by leaning on God, He can make us stronger and more able to turn away.
So the next time you feel tempted by that cookie, party, or "alone" time with your boyfriend lean on God and not YOUR own decision.
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will direct your path." Proverbs 3:5-6
Side note: Eating junk food is not a sin, but listening to the devil is.
Love in Christ,
Alicia and Jana
Pizza
M&Ms
Twinkies
Ice Cream
Oreos
These foods and more are made to be appealing to one's five senses. Smell, taste, touch, sight, and hearing.
We are tempted by junk food because of advertisement, packaging, and over all great taste. Just like junk food with its colorful bright packaging, so does the devil use his "own bright packaging" to tempt us. Everyone has fallen into temptation and felt the guilt and anger that comes with it. God states in Matthew 26:41 "Keep watching and praying, that you may not enter into temptation: the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak." God is saying call on Him for help when you are tempted because He knows we can stumble.
Alicia and I have recently started trying to eat healthier, that might be one of the hardest things to do in this fast paced life! But having someone there to do it with you makes it that much easier!
This week was our first week, we had a rough start. We both went out of town and didn't get a full start until Wednesday. We had to rush to the store, quickly plan meals and totally change our mind set. Three days later it is getting a little easier. We fell off track yesterday during the SNOW DAY. My work ordered pizza and it smelt so good. I COULD NOT resit. I was so tempted by the smell, the fact that everyone else was eating it, and it doesn't help that I LOVE PIZZA!! After eating two pieces I felt guilty and my stomach was killing me.
Everyone at one time or another has been tempted. Whether it is by food, a friend, or boyfriend. We will never be able to avoid temptation, but by leaning on God, He can make us stronger and more able to turn away.
So the next time you feel tempted by that cookie, party, or "alone" time with your boyfriend lean on God and not YOUR own decision.
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will direct your path." Proverbs 3:5-6
Side note: Eating junk food is not a sin, but listening to the devil is.
Love in Christ,
Alicia and Jana
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)