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!"

Friends Don't Let Friends Gossip!!!

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

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

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

To Let Go or Not To Let Go.

Have you ever played the trust game? You know that game! The game where one person stands in front while the other stands behind to catch their fall. The person in front has to have total trust in the person catching them, they souly depend on that person to break their fall! Having faith in God is this exact game, exchange yourself with the person in front and God to be your catcher, He is there to break our fall...you just have to what? TRUST HIM!

Faith requires one to trust, have sensitivity to God, and believe.

One person who let go and put their faith in God was Mary. You know Mary? Jesus' mother. Mary was engaged to Joseph, she had a relative named Elizabeth who was married to Zacharias. Got the family tree? Gabriel, the angel, came to Mary and told her to not be scared and she will have a baby and will name him Jesus. Mary was puzzled by what the angel had told her because she was a virgin. The angel reassured her that this was from God and that her sweet baby boy would be the son of God. With total faith, Mary heard what the angel said, believed it to be true, and let go!

Let me tell you a story about a man who didn't let go and didn't put his faith in God.

If you read the family tree correctly up top you will see that Zacharias was married to Elizabeth, now Zacharias he was old and well...Elizabeth was advanced in years and barren (AKA not able to have children.) They both had prayed for children but knew it was impossible. Zacharias was preparing to preach and Gabriel the angel appeared and Zacharias was gripped with fear! Gabriel said to him do not be scared for God has heard your prayer, you and Elizabeth will conceive a son. Zacharias questioned God because he thought it was impossible for them to have children.Gabriel pretty much told Zacharias, "look man this is real, Jesus don't play, and because of your lack of faith you shall become mute until the day your baby is born." Okay lets take a step back, have you ever lost your voice? It is pretty annoying when no one can hear you when you try to speak, now imagine not being able to speak for 9 months!! 9 months! that's almost a year!! That was the case for Zacharias BECAUSE he was not willing to let go and put his total faith in God.

Lets fast forward to today!

Just like in school where you have to be tested on the knowledge you are taught, God test us on our faith and trust in Him. Some tests that God gives us prepares us for what is down the road. Often times we don't understand why, that is when faith and trust in Him comes into play. If you feel that you are lacking in faith...pray for FAITH!!

We are going to leave you with this verse from Proverbs chapter 3 verse 5 and 6
"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 paths."

The story that you read above came from the bible and the book of Luke chapter 1.

So whatcha gonna do??Let go or not let go??

Love in Christ,
Alicia & Jana

A Heart of Courage

Courage-To act in accordance with one's beliefs in spite of criticism.
Noun: Bravery


A woman of the Bible that is often thought of as being courageous is Esther. Esther was chosen to be the queen to King Xerxes. Another ruler in the kingdom was Haman, who was evil and hated the Jews and wanted them killed. Esther courageously stood up for herself and her people and what she believed in. Haman's plot to kill the Jews was revealed by Esther and he was hung. Because Esther was courageous and stood up for herself and what was right, her and her people were saved.


As women and young girls in this society we are often ridiculed for our looks, beliefs, and actions. Although it is sometimes challenging and fearful the act of being courageous is very rewarding. Our lives and others lives are most often not on the line but our mental and spiritual health is. EVERYONE has courage, it is just a matter of finding it. Leaning on God can help you, time and time again God speaks in the Bible of finding courage through him. One of our favorite verses is in Deuteronomy chapter 31 verse 6: "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes withyou; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”

Noone ever said that standing up for yourself or what you believe in is easy but calling upon God and finding hope in Him will help you find your heart of courage.


"Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the LORD." -Psalms 31:24

Love in Christ,

Happy New Year!!

We just wanted to wish everyone a Happy New Year!  We are very excited about this upcoming year and what God has in store for this ministry.  This ministry is still in the works as is this blog, but it is coming together and we couldn't be more excited!!  So continue to check the blog as we post new ideas and thoughts about the ministry!

Love in Christ,

Alicia and Jana