When we think of advertising, we think of billboards, commercials, and even those pesky fliers that are put on our cars and front doors. But, did you ever think of yourself as walking advertisement? Let me explain what I am talking about.
As humans we are pron to people watch! Some people purposefully people watch, because they find it intriguing and fun and others do it with out really thinking about it. So, in essence, we are all advertising ourselves in one way or another, whether it be good or bad. I want to talk about FIVE attributes that I think all women should focus on "advertising".
1. GOD-FEARING: This is total acknowledgement of all that God is!! We should not be afraid of God, but we should respect what He can do and what He has done. He is all powerful and mighty! So in fearing Him we are respecting Him. It's kind of like you respecting your guardian, whether it be a mom, dad, or grandparent. You fear them because you respect them as authority, but you know that they love you and protect you. All women should be God-Fearing, it teaches us to respect others and have faith in God.
Proverbs 31:30 says "Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised" (NASB)
Proverbs 14:26 says "Whoever fears the Lord has a secure fortress, and for their children it will be a refuge" (NIV)
2. Prayed-Up: This means to go to God with all your needs and wants. Be faithful in your talk with Him. He is the only one that can supply all our needs and answer all our questions. We just have to be in constant communication with Him and be still and listen for His answers.
Romans 12:12 says "Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer." (NIV)
3. Pure: The word pure basically means clean; without blemishes. We are not perfect by any means, but we can become pure from the inside out by believing in God and asking Him to be our Lord and savior. Once, we do that the slate is wiped clean and we have another chance to try and stay pure. Yes, we will still make mistakes, but we can ask for forgiveness. The goal is to try and remain pure in all you do; pure in your mind, body and soul.
Titus 2:4-5 says "Then they can urge the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God." (NIV) This verse might be a little confusing, but basically we should practice purity in our mind, body and soul, so that we can pass on this example to spouses and future generations to come.
4. Self Respected: Oh, how hard this is for some of us. Before we can respect anyone else, we first have to respect ourselves and treat ourselves appropriately. This is one thing I used to struggle with all the time. To have respect for yourself, means that you love you for who you are and that you stand up for yourself. If you do not respect yourself, then there is no way that you will be able to respect others and have respect shown to you. It has to start with you first! Like, I said such a hard thing to do for most women. If you show yourself some respect then it will radiate from you and in return others will give you respect.
2 Timothy 2:15 says "Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth." (NIV)
5. Confident Women of God: I believe the top 4 attributes make up a Confident Woman of God. Having the four things that I discussed above; God-fearing, prayed-up, pure, and self-respect will make you so confident in your walk and your daily living.
1 Timothy 6:12 says "Fight the good fight of faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses." (NASB)
You see, we are like walking advertisements. We are being watched, whether you like it or not, someone is always looking at us or listening to us. So, why wouldn't you want to advertise these FIVE attributes and show the world what you have and who you live for! So, go on market these five attributes, because you never know who is watching you and you just might change their life forever!
Love in Christ,
Alicia
Monday, July 25, 2011
Monday, July 18, 2011
Friendship and Compassion
I remember back when I was a kid having and making friendship bracelets. It was the big craze and you were supposed to give them out to your true friends! Those "true" friends that I gave bracelets to in school are no longer apart of my life, for whatever reason. It's funny how time and things change the way you choose your friends. In middle school I had a best friend. We spent almost every weekend together and we even had the necklace that says "best friend" where one friend wears one half of the charm and the other friend wears the other half. We were pretty much inseparable and then in the 9th grade we grew apart and didn't hang out as much. At one point it got so bad that we were not even speaking to each other. We grew apart and high school came and went with out much interaction. I never heard from her again, that is until I moved and found out that she was in the same city. I think through the magic of facebook or myspace we found each other and started emailing. Now, we talk every once in a while and see each other on occasion. I would not say we are best friends, like we were in middle school, but we are good friends and still keep in touch. I can honestly say that I only have a handful of true friendships, you know the ones that stick by you no matter what!
One aspect of true friendship is when one will be honest even if it hurts. This is probably one of the most important aspects in a friendship. This means that they will be honest with you knowing that it could hurt, but they know telling the truth is better than sugar coating it. Telling the truth can also have to do with telling you that you are wrong or that you made a bad decision. A true friend is not saying this to point out your faults; they are doing it because they care and only want what is best for you.
(Proverbs 27:6)
Sometimes friendship just means being there for one another. Sometimes it is better to listen than to do the talking. Friendships need balance for it to work. One friend can't do all the talking while the other one does all the listening. It just doesn't work that way. Sometimes, the best part of a friendship is just knowing that they other one is there for you when you are having a hard time or just need a shoulder to cry on. Sometimes, you just have to play the silent friend and just be there and listen. In some cases, it isn't the best to point out your friends faults or wrong choosing. They might have already known that they messed up and just wanted you to be there with them and support them through it rather than tell them what they did wrong. (Job 2:11-13 and Job 42:7-8)
True friendship will have a positive influence on you. It is always good to have a friend. Someone that will be there for you and help you up when you fall. Will be there to encourage you and stand up for you. Two friends can lean on each other in times of need and protect each other in times of strife. (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12)
You want to be wise in who you choose to have a friendship with, because some friendships can have a negative influence on you. Bad friendships can bring you down and cause you to fall into the wrong crowd. These friendships are not true friendships and usually have a motive behind them and that motive is usually for their own success. So be careful in how and who you choose to be a friend with. (1 Corinthians 15:33 and Proverbs 22:24)
Jesus shows the ultimate friendship! John 15:12-14 (NIV) says, "My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command." Jesus is the perfect example for true friendship, because He gave up his life for us. He is definitely the ULTIMATE TRUE FRIEND!!!
Like I said in the beginning of this post, I think compassion and friendship are a perfect fit. Philippians 2:4 says, "do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others." (NASB) If you have true friendships then this will be a no brainer to do for one another. Luke 10:25-37 tells the parable of the good Samaritan. A man was traveling and ran into some robbers that stripped him and beat him and then left him for dead. Not one, but two men traveling down the same road saw the man and did not stop to help him. They crossed over to the other side of the road and continued on their journey. It was the third man, a good Samaritan, that saw him and felt compassion and stopped to help the man. He cleaned his wounds and bandaged them and then carried him to an inn where he took care of him. The good Samaritan showed great compassion on this man. This parable is pretty easy to understand, but I will give you a couple of examples using situations from today (2011). Providing your friend clothing and food when their house burnt down or befriending someone that is not as popular or that gets picked on. These are just a couple of examples of compassion. To be a true friend and have a true friendship, you need to have compassion. Compassion is just one of the characteristics of a true friendship, but I think it plays a pretty big role.
I don't have a whole lot of true friendships, but the ones I do have I cherish and I know these friendships will last my whole life. The one, true friendship that will never let me down, is my friendship with Jesus. He is perfect and will never lead me astray!!!
Love in Christ,
Alicia
One aspect of true friendship is when one will be honest even if it hurts. This is probably one of the most important aspects in a friendship. This means that they will be honest with you knowing that it could hurt, but they know telling the truth is better than sugar coating it. Telling the truth can also have to do with telling you that you are wrong or that you made a bad decision. A true friend is not saying this to point out your faults; they are doing it because they care and only want what is best for you.
(Proverbs 27:6)
Sometimes friendship just means being there for one another. Sometimes it is better to listen than to do the talking. Friendships need balance for it to work. One friend can't do all the talking while the other one does all the listening. It just doesn't work that way. Sometimes, the best part of a friendship is just knowing that they other one is there for you when you are having a hard time or just need a shoulder to cry on. Sometimes, you just have to play the silent friend and just be there and listen. In some cases, it isn't the best to point out your friends faults or wrong choosing. They might have already known that they messed up and just wanted you to be there with them and support them through it rather than tell them what they did wrong. (Job 2:11-13 and Job 42:7-8)
True friendship will have a positive influence on you. It is always good to have a friend. Someone that will be there for you and help you up when you fall. Will be there to encourage you and stand up for you. Two friends can lean on each other in times of need and protect each other in times of strife. (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12)
You want to be wise in who you choose to have a friendship with, because some friendships can have a negative influence on you. Bad friendships can bring you down and cause you to fall into the wrong crowd. These friendships are not true friendships and usually have a motive behind them and that motive is usually for their own success. So be careful in how and who you choose to be a friend with. (1 Corinthians 15:33 and Proverbs 22:24)
Jesus shows the ultimate friendship! John 15:12-14 (NIV) says, "My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command." Jesus is the perfect example for true friendship, because He gave up his life for us. He is definitely the ULTIMATE TRUE FRIEND!!!
Like I said in the beginning of this post, I think compassion and friendship are a perfect fit. Philippians 2:4 says, "do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others." (NASB) If you have true friendships then this will be a no brainer to do for one another. Luke 10:25-37 tells the parable of the good Samaritan. A man was traveling and ran into some robbers that stripped him and beat him and then left him for dead. Not one, but two men traveling down the same road saw the man and did not stop to help him. They crossed over to the other side of the road and continued on their journey. It was the third man, a good Samaritan, that saw him and felt compassion and stopped to help the man. He cleaned his wounds and bandaged them and then carried him to an inn where he took care of him. The good Samaritan showed great compassion on this man. This parable is pretty easy to understand, but I will give you a couple of examples using situations from today (2011). Providing your friend clothing and food when their house burnt down or befriending someone that is not as popular or that gets picked on. These are just a couple of examples of compassion. To be a true friend and have a true friendship, you need to have compassion. Compassion is just one of the characteristics of a true friendship, but I think it plays a pretty big role.
I don't have a whole lot of true friendships, but the ones I do have I cherish and I know these friendships will last my whole life. The one, true friendship that will never let me down, is my friendship with Jesus. He is perfect and will never lead me astray!!!
Love in Christ,
Alicia
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Addiction
Addiction is broadly defined as persistent compulsive use of a substance known by the user to be harmful. (Merriam -Webster)
The three most common addictions that we hear about are drugs, alcohol and tobacco. These three addictions are on the rise in society today and the age of use is getting younger and younger. While these are very important substances to discuss, I want to focus on some things that we do not necessarily look to as being "addictive". Here are just a few that I thought about: Facebook, sodas, chocolate, shopping, food, dieting, smartphones/cellphones, Internet and the list could keep going on and on.
It is interesting to think that simple things like shopping or facebook can be addicting. I mean it's not like you are harming yourself by shopping or checking facebook. While you might not be harming yourself by doing these things, you can certainly become consumed with it and it can become so mindless, that you can't even keep up with the other things around you. It becomes a habit and you feel like you need it in your daily routine or you want be able to make it through the day.
This all may sound silly, but think about it. How many times a day do you have to have that soda or check your facebook page? I will admit that I do love to check my personal facebook page. I don't update it everyday, but I do check it multiple times a day. It made me think, what did I do before facebook? I didn't really care what everyone else in the world was doing and I certainly didn't keep in contact with every single person on my "friends list". I am sure I occupied my time with other things. It wasn't the end of the world that I did not know "sally" was going to the mall to buy a new outfit for a blind date that she was going on that night. While I think facebook is a great idea for keeping in touch with old friends and with your family, it can definitely consume you before you know it. A friend of mine actually took a little hiatus from facebook. She realized that it was interfering with her time with God and other important things in her life that were going on. She is back on facebook now, but she is not on it constantly like she used to be. Another "addiction" that I want to talk about is the cellphone! Oh yeah, you know you can't live without that little life line. I have literally caught myself going into panic mode when I could not find my phone. How sad is that? I also find myself going back for my phone when I am leaving to go somewhere, like to fill up the car or run a really quick errand. Do I really need my phone for the short five minutes I am going to be gone, probably not, but it is habit to have it on my person at all times. It is funny to me to go into a public bathroom and hear someone talking on their phone(I apologize if this is you), but how important is that conversation that you need to talk while you are peeing! While these things are not harming us physically or mentally(well maybe a little mentally), they are harming us spiritually and socially. I am not saying that you should get rid of your social networking devices or stop drinking that diet coke. I am just asking you to step back and take a look and see if you have or do something that you seem to not be able to live without or that has come so apart of your daily routine that you don't even think about it anymore, you just do it.
An addict doesn't necessarily have to be addicted to drugs, alcohol or tobacco. You can be an addict in other ways too. The good news is that you can be saved from the addiction whether it be the harsh addiction of drugs and alcohol or the material things like, shopping and dieting. God is your ultimate rescuer!!
1 Corinthians 10:13 says: "No test or temptation that comes your way is beyond the course of what others have had to face. All you need to remember is that God will never let you down; he'll never let you be pushed past your limit; he'll always be there to help you come through it." The Message (MSG)
1 Corinthians 8:9 says: "But take care lest this liberty of yours somehow become a stumbling block to the weak." New American Standard Bible (NASB)
This blog was not intended to make light of the addiction of drugs, alcohol or tobacco. If you or someone you know is addicted to these things please seek help with an organization. Here are a couple of websites that I found:
www.24houraddictionhelp.org and www.abovetheinfluence.com . I know there are alot more organizations out there that are ready to help. Remember, the ultimate rescuer is God! HE can and will rescue YOU from anything, you just have to ask and believe!!
Love in Christ,
Alicia
The three most common addictions that we hear about are drugs, alcohol and tobacco. These three addictions are on the rise in society today and the age of use is getting younger and younger. While these are very important substances to discuss, I want to focus on some things that we do not necessarily look to as being "addictive". Here are just a few that I thought about: Facebook, sodas, chocolate, shopping, food, dieting, smartphones/cellphones, Internet and the list could keep going on and on.
It is interesting to think that simple things like shopping or facebook can be addicting. I mean it's not like you are harming yourself by shopping or checking facebook. While you might not be harming yourself by doing these things, you can certainly become consumed with it and it can become so mindless, that you can't even keep up with the other things around you. It becomes a habit and you feel like you need it in your daily routine or you want be able to make it through the day.
This all may sound silly, but think about it. How many times a day do you have to have that soda or check your facebook page? I will admit that I do love to check my personal facebook page. I don't update it everyday, but I do check it multiple times a day. It made me think, what did I do before facebook? I didn't really care what everyone else in the world was doing and I certainly didn't keep in contact with every single person on my "friends list". I am sure I occupied my time with other things. It wasn't the end of the world that I did not know "sally" was going to the mall to buy a new outfit for a blind date that she was going on that night. While I think facebook is a great idea for keeping in touch with old friends and with your family, it can definitely consume you before you know it. A friend of mine actually took a little hiatus from facebook. She realized that it was interfering with her time with God and other important things in her life that were going on. She is back on facebook now, but she is not on it constantly like she used to be. Another "addiction" that I want to talk about is the cellphone! Oh yeah, you know you can't live without that little life line. I have literally caught myself going into panic mode when I could not find my phone. How sad is that? I also find myself going back for my phone when I am leaving to go somewhere, like to fill up the car or run a really quick errand. Do I really need my phone for the short five minutes I am going to be gone, probably not, but it is habit to have it on my person at all times. It is funny to me to go into a public bathroom and hear someone talking on their phone(I apologize if this is you), but how important is that conversation that you need to talk while you are peeing! While these things are not harming us physically or mentally(well maybe a little mentally), they are harming us spiritually and socially. I am not saying that you should get rid of your social networking devices or stop drinking that diet coke. I am just asking you to step back and take a look and see if you have or do something that you seem to not be able to live without or that has come so apart of your daily routine that you don't even think about it anymore, you just do it.
An addict doesn't necessarily have to be addicted to drugs, alcohol or tobacco. You can be an addict in other ways too. The good news is that you can be saved from the addiction whether it be the harsh addiction of drugs and alcohol or the material things like, shopping and dieting. God is your ultimate rescuer!!
1 Corinthians 10:13 says: "No test or temptation that comes your way is beyond the course of what others have had to face. All you need to remember is that God will never let you down; he'll never let you be pushed past your limit; he'll always be there to help you come through it." The Message (MSG)
1 Corinthians 8:9 says: "But take care lest this liberty of yours somehow become a stumbling block to the weak." New American Standard Bible (NASB)
This blog was not intended to make light of the addiction of drugs, alcohol or tobacco. If you or someone you know is addicted to these things please seek help with an organization. Here are a couple of websites that I found:
www.24houraddictionhelp.org and www.abovetheinfluence.com . I know there are alot more organizations out there that are ready to help. Remember, the ultimate rescuer is God! HE can and will rescue YOU from anything, you just have to ask and believe!!
Love in Christ,
Alicia
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
A Little Reminider
Psalm 94: 14-15 "For the Lord will not forsake his people; he will not abandon his heritage; for justice will return to the righteous, and all the upright in heart will follow it."
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