Have you ever heard the lyrics "Open the eyes of my heart, Lord. Open the eyes of my heart. I want to see You. I want to see You." ?
Today as I was coming down the stairwell this song popped into my head and it made me ponder -open the eyes of my heart. What exactly does that mean? So I thought it would be something interesting to write about.
There is only so much we can see with our eyes. Our eyes are a terrific gift to have and to see through but what do they show us? They show us color, size, shape, and action. We can see people do nice things and we can see them do mean things. We can see people cry and laugh and show love towards each other but we can see people be rude as well.
So why would we want God to open the eyes of our hearts? Our hearts can feel and see so much more than our eyes ever could. You may have heard before that the Christian walk is about the heart's condition and that God wants our hearts more than anything. The purpose of the heart's condition is that we can be an extreme mess, and we can do things that the eye sees as horrible... that is our flesh and we are going to fail many times again - but when our hearts are being worked on and we are truly trying to change and be better for the Kingdom, what the world sees as horrible, God has grace and mercy upon.... all because of the heart's condition.
God can reveal things to us through our hearts. Because our spirits do not belong to this world, our spirits can feel and see things through the heart whereas our eyes see the things of this world. So to ask God to open the eyes of our hearts is inviting our Creator in to our hearts to clean up the mess and renew us so that we can see things on a spiritual level.
My prayer today is - Lord, please open the eyes of my heart and let me see more of You through a world that is so draining and blinding to my physical eyes. Please help me to feel the hearts of others and to have more mercy towards their failures as you have had so much mercy towards mine. Help me to believe in my unbelief.
Ask God to open the eyes of your heart and be ready to see what He has to show you!
Shine Bright!
April
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Wedding Speech for Gina Claybrooks - 6.19.2010
I just want to say how honored I am to be Gina’s friend. I don’t use the word “friend” loosely. Gina is one of those rare treasures that steps into your life and blows you away. She deserves more than to just be called friend.
Over the past few years in my life I have been on my knees begging God for a friend. For a REAL friend! For someone who cares about me just as much as I care about them. In 2009, God introduced me to Gina, who at the time, I never imagined becoming my best friend. When I met Gina she was the girlfriend of my old high school best friend, Brandon. I have known Brandon since 6th grade and we connected immediately. We continued our awesome friendship even out of high school until inevitably, time just carried us apart.
Brandon and I talked a few years ago about the new girl in his life and how she does hair (and I’m all about hair) and Gina and I just hit it off after that…. But it wasn’t until a few months ago that we really started spending time together and the chemistry took off like nothing I could have ever imagined. That is totally the works of God. His ways are not our ways and His timing is perfect …me and Gina’s friendship proves this to the fullest. Gina and I have been stuck together just like best friends!
God knew that back in the day when I was praying fervently over a great friend that He would soon fill my life with Gina and she was well worth the wait.
Gina is stunning, just look at her. Her heart is so big. Gina is RADIANT. Her presence fills a room up with light and her laugh is contagious! I can picture it in my head now.. me and her just kicked back on the couch and cracking up over some random stuff. Don’t get me wrong.. Gina’s great and all but she’s feisty too! She has a little fire in her and a neck twist, eye brow lifting attitude that she can break out if need be.. She has to keep ‘em in line if they fall out. Haha! But I admire her for this quality because she only uses it at the appropriate time. … or if she’s really tired.. or hungry… or … nevermind…
Gina’s heart hungers for Christ and this is the greatest quality that anyone could ever have. I remember her coming to my apartment and showing me her marriage devotional and new bible that she got and then I broke out my marriage devotional and we just talked about how important it is to have Christ in your marriage as your firm foundation. Gina and Brandon will have such a beautiful marriage with this hunger for Christ.
My heart tells me “hang on to this girl because she is something special” and I know that Brandon’s heart told him that as well. The Heavenlies are cheering Gina and Brandon on right now! These two are best friends! Brandon makes her laugh so much and she makes Brandon laugh …. Or at least she does when she uses his sense of humor…. But either way… He makes her laugh and that is so important! They’re a team!
I am humbled and grateful to know you, Gina, and my heart is so happy for you and in my selfishness, happy for me, because I get to be here for this journey with you. Hearing stories about the honey moon, knowing your love of Brandon and your pet peeves with Brandon, to painting the nursery, closing on a house, new careers and riding around in new cars even if we have to return them after the joy ride because we got in over our heads, coffee dates, and trying to force you to eat sushi ..haha.. and many more memories that are unknown. I am so excited for everything that God has planned for you and for us!
Like I was saying earlier… I don’t use the term friend loosely at all and so I decided to look up the definition of friend and this is what I found:
Definition of a friend: a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
So, I see why a lot of folks call a plethora of people “friend”… But you seem like so much more than that measly definition so I came up with a new name for friend that only applies to you – You are no longer my friend, you are my Regina!
R- Radiant – breath taking like the light reflecting from the sun… almost blinding. Your heart shines and lights up everything around you.E- Enchanting – capturing interest as if by a spell. G- Gorgeous – Dazzlingly Beautiful! / Genuine – not fake or counterfeit, not pretended; sincerely felt or expressedI – Intelligent – smart, conversation is interesting with Gina and you can learn something.N- Noble – high and elevated characterA – Astounding – surprisingly impressive
1 Corinthians 13:4-8
4Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 8Love never fails.
I love you both and congratulations and shine bright!
Over the past few years in my life I have been on my knees begging God for a friend. For a REAL friend! For someone who cares about me just as much as I care about them. In 2009, God introduced me to Gina, who at the time, I never imagined becoming my best friend. When I met Gina she was the girlfriend of my old high school best friend, Brandon. I have known Brandon since 6th grade and we connected immediately. We continued our awesome friendship even out of high school until inevitably, time just carried us apart.
Brandon and I talked a few years ago about the new girl in his life and how she does hair (and I’m all about hair) and Gina and I just hit it off after that…. But it wasn’t until a few months ago that we really started spending time together and the chemistry took off like nothing I could have ever imagined. That is totally the works of God. His ways are not our ways and His timing is perfect …me and Gina’s friendship proves this to the fullest. Gina and I have been stuck together just like best friends!
God knew that back in the day when I was praying fervently over a great friend that He would soon fill my life with Gina and she was well worth the wait.
Gina is stunning, just look at her. Her heart is so big. Gina is RADIANT. Her presence fills a room up with light and her laugh is contagious! I can picture it in my head now.. me and her just kicked back on the couch and cracking up over some random stuff. Don’t get me wrong.. Gina’s great and all but she’s feisty too! She has a little fire in her and a neck twist, eye brow lifting attitude that she can break out if need be.. She has to keep ‘em in line if they fall out. Haha! But I admire her for this quality because she only uses it at the appropriate time. … or if she’s really tired.. or hungry… or … nevermind…
Gina’s heart hungers for Christ and this is the greatest quality that anyone could ever have. I remember her coming to my apartment and showing me her marriage devotional and new bible that she got and then I broke out my marriage devotional and we just talked about how important it is to have Christ in your marriage as your firm foundation. Gina and Brandon will have such a beautiful marriage with this hunger for Christ.
My heart tells me “hang on to this girl because she is something special” and I know that Brandon’s heart told him that as well. The Heavenlies are cheering Gina and Brandon on right now! These two are best friends! Brandon makes her laugh so much and she makes Brandon laugh …. Or at least she does when she uses his sense of humor…. But either way… He makes her laugh and that is so important! They’re a team!
I am humbled and grateful to know you, Gina, and my heart is so happy for you and in my selfishness, happy for me, because I get to be here for this journey with you. Hearing stories about the honey moon, knowing your love of Brandon and your pet peeves with Brandon, to painting the nursery, closing on a house, new careers and riding around in new cars even if we have to return them after the joy ride because we got in over our heads, coffee dates, and trying to force you to eat sushi ..haha.. and many more memories that are unknown. I am so excited for everything that God has planned for you and for us!
Like I was saying earlier… I don’t use the term friend loosely at all and so I decided to look up the definition of friend and this is what I found:
Definition of a friend: a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
So, I see why a lot of folks call a plethora of people “friend”… But you seem like so much more than that measly definition so I came up with a new name for friend that only applies to you – You are no longer my friend, you are my Regina!
R- Radiant – breath taking like the light reflecting from the sun… almost blinding. Your heart shines and lights up everything around you.E- Enchanting – capturing interest as if by a spell. G- Gorgeous – Dazzlingly Beautiful! / Genuine – not fake or counterfeit, not pretended; sincerely felt or expressedI – Intelligent – smart, conversation is interesting with Gina and you can learn something.N- Noble – high and elevated characterA – Astounding – surprisingly impressive
1 Corinthians 13:4-8
4Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 8Love never fails.
I love you both and congratulations and shine bright!
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Mentor Friend, Mentee Friend, Mutual Friend
I wanted to share this article on my blog by Mary Fairchild from about.com - to see the original article you can visit the website below:
http://christianity.about.com/od/womensresources/a/christianfriends.htm
Friends come,
Friends go,
But a true friend is there to watch you grow.
A woman named Florence posted this short poem on a forum I visited. I thought it conveyed the idea of true friendship with perfect simplicity. It reminded me of a teaching I heard years ago at a singles retreat. The lessons on three types of Christian friends were taught by Nancy Honeytree, a singer/songwriter who was one of the pioneers of contemporary Christian music. Her simple but valuable teaching stuck with me, helping me over the years to cultivate a few treasured friendships.
3 Types of Christian Friendships:
Mentor Friendship
The first form of Christian friendship Honeytree talked about was a mentor friendship. In a mentoring relationship we teach, counsel or disciple other Christian friends. This is a relationship based on ministry, similar to the kind Jesus had with his disciples.
Mentee Friendship
In a mentee friendship, we are the one being taught, counseled, or discipled. We are on the receiving end of ministry, being served by a mentor. This is similar to the way the disciples received from Jesus.
Mutual Friendship
Mutual friendships are not based on mentoring. Rather, in these situations the two individuals are usually more closely aligned on a spiritual level, balancing the natural flow of giving and receiving between genuine Christian friends. We'll explore mutual friendships more closely, but first, it's important to have a clear understanding of mentoring relationships, so we don't get the two confused.
Mentoring friendships can easily become draining if both parties don't recognize the nature of the relationship and construct appropriate boundaries. The mentor may need to pull back and take time for spiritual renewal. He may even have to say no at times, setting limits on his commitment to the mentee.
Likewise, a mentee who expects too much from his mentor is probably seeking a mutual bond with the wrong person. Mentees must respect boundaries and look for close friendship with someone other than a mentor.
We can be both mentor and mentee, but not with the same friend. We may know a mature believer who mentors us in God's Word, while in turn, we take time to mentor a brand new follower of Christ.
Mutual friendships are quite different than mentoring friendships. These relationships don't usually happen overnight. Typically, they develop over time as both friends progress in wisdom and spiritual maturity. A strong Christian friendship blossoms naturally when two friends grow together in faith, goodness, knowledge, and other godly graces.
5 Traits of True Christian Friends
So, what does a true Christian friendship look like? Let's break it down into traits that are easy to identify.
Christian Friends Love Sacrificially
John 15:13
Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. (NIV)
Jesus is the finest example of a true Christian friend. His love for us is sacrificial, never selfish. He demonstrated it not only through his miracles of healing, but more fully through the humble service of washing the disciples' feet, and then ultimately, when he laid down his life on the cross.
If we choose our friends based only on what they have to offer, we'll rarely discover the blessings of a genuine friendship. Philippians 2:3 says, "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves." By valuing your friend's needs above your own, you'll be on your way to loving like Jesus. In the process, you'll likely gain a true friend.
Christian Friends Accept Unconditionally
Proverbs 17:17
A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity. (NIV)
We discover the best of friendships with brothers and sisters who know and accept our weaknesses and imperfections.
If we're easily offended or hold on to bitterness, we'll have a hard time making friends. No one is perfect. We all make mistakes now and then. If we take a truthful look at ourselves, we'll admit that we bear some of the blame when things go wrong in a friendship. A good friend is quick to ask forgiveness and ready to be forgiving.
Christian Friends Trust Completely
Proverbs 18:24
A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. (NIV)
This proverb reveals that a true Christian friend is trustworthy, indeed, but emphasizes a second important truth as well. We should only expect to share complete trust with a few loyal friends. Trusting too easily can lead to ruin, so be careful about putting your confidence in a mere companion. Over time our true Christian friends will prove their trustworthiness by sticking closer than a brother or sister.
Christian Friends Keep Healthy Boundaries
1 Corinthians 13:4
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy ... (NIV)
If you feel smothered in a friendship, something is wrong. Likewise, if you feel used or abused, something is amiss. Recognizing what's best for someone and giving that person space are signs of a healthy relationship. We should never let a friend come between us and our spouse. A true Christian friend will wisely avoid intruding and recognize your need to maintain other relationships.
Christian Friends Give Mutual Edification
Proverbs 27:6
Wounds from a friend can be trusted ... (NIV)
True Christian friends will build each other up emotionally, spiritually, and physically. Friends like to be together simply because it feels good. We receive strength, encouragement, and love. We talk, we cry, we listen. But at times we also have to say the difficult things our dearest friend needs to hear. Yet, because of the shared trust and acceptance, we are the one person who can impact our friend's heart, for we know how to deliver the hard message with truth and grace. I believe this is what Proverbs 27:17 means when it says, "As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."
My hope is that these five traits will show you areas that may need a little work in your effort to build stronger friendships. But if you don't have lots of close friends, don't be too hard on yourself. Remember, true Christian friendships are rare treasures. They take time to nurture, but in the process we grow more Christlike.
http://christianity.about.com/od/womensresources/a/christianfriends.htm
Friends come,
Friends go,
But a true friend is there to watch you grow.
A woman named Florence posted this short poem on a forum I visited. I thought it conveyed the idea of true friendship with perfect simplicity. It reminded me of a teaching I heard years ago at a singles retreat. The lessons on three types of Christian friends were taught by Nancy Honeytree, a singer/songwriter who was one of the pioneers of contemporary Christian music. Her simple but valuable teaching stuck with me, helping me over the years to cultivate a few treasured friendships.
3 Types of Christian Friendships:
Mentor Friendship
The first form of Christian friendship Honeytree talked about was a mentor friendship. In a mentoring relationship we teach, counsel or disciple other Christian friends. This is a relationship based on ministry, similar to the kind Jesus had with his disciples.
Mentee Friendship
In a mentee friendship, we are the one being taught, counseled, or discipled. We are on the receiving end of ministry, being served by a mentor. This is similar to the way the disciples received from Jesus.
Mutual Friendship
Mutual friendships are not based on mentoring. Rather, in these situations the two individuals are usually more closely aligned on a spiritual level, balancing the natural flow of giving and receiving between genuine Christian friends. We'll explore mutual friendships more closely, but first, it's important to have a clear understanding of mentoring relationships, so we don't get the two confused.
Mentoring friendships can easily become draining if both parties don't recognize the nature of the relationship and construct appropriate boundaries. The mentor may need to pull back and take time for spiritual renewal. He may even have to say no at times, setting limits on his commitment to the mentee.
Likewise, a mentee who expects too much from his mentor is probably seeking a mutual bond with the wrong person. Mentees must respect boundaries and look for close friendship with someone other than a mentor.
We can be both mentor and mentee, but not with the same friend. We may know a mature believer who mentors us in God's Word, while in turn, we take time to mentor a brand new follower of Christ.
Mutual friendships are quite different than mentoring friendships. These relationships don't usually happen overnight. Typically, they develop over time as both friends progress in wisdom and spiritual maturity. A strong Christian friendship blossoms naturally when two friends grow together in faith, goodness, knowledge, and other godly graces.
5 Traits of True Christian Friends
So, what does a true Christian friendship look like? Let's break it down into traits that are easy to identify.
Christian Friends Love Sacrificially
John 15:13
Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. (NIV)
Jesus is the finest example of a true Christian friend. His love for us is sacrificial, never selfish. He demonstrated it not only through his miracles of healing, but more fully through the humble service of washing the disciples' feet, and then ultimately, when he laid down his life on the cross.
If we choose our friends based only on what they have to offer, we'll rarely discover the blessings of a genuine friendship. Philippians 2:3 says, "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves." By valuing your friend's needs above your own, you'll be on your way to loving like Jesus. In the process, you'll likely gain a true friend.
Christian Friends Accept Unconditionally
Proverbs 17:17
A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity. (NIV)
We discover the best of friendships with brothers and sisters who know and accept our weaknesses and imperfections.
If we're easily offended or hold on to bitterness, we'll have a hard time making friends. No one is perfect. We all make mistakes now and then. If we take a truthful look at ourselves, we'll admit that we bear some of the blame when things go wrong in a friendship. A good friend is quick to ask forgiveness and ready to be forgiving.
Christian Friends Trust Completely
Proverbs 18:24
A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. (NIV)
This proverb reveals that a true Christian friend is trustworthy, indeed, but emphasizes a second important truth as well. We should only expect to share complete trust with a few loyal friends. Trusting too easily can lead to ruin, so be careful about putting your confidence in a mere companion. Over time our true Christian friends will prove their trustworthiness by sticking closer than a brother or sister.
Christian Friends Keep Healthy Boundaries
1 Corinthians 13:4
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy ... (NIV)
If you feel smothered in a friendship, something is wrong. Likewise, if you feel used or abused, something is amiss. Recognizing what's best for someone and giving that person space are signs of a healthy relationship. We should never let a friend come between us and our spouse. A true Christian friend will wisely avoid intruding and recognize your need to maintain other relationships.
Christian Friends Give Mutual Edification
Proverbs 27:6
Wounds from a friend can be trusted ... (NIV)
True Christian friends will build each other up emotionally, spiritually, and physically. Friends like to be together simply because it feels good. We receive strength, encouragement, and love. We talk, we cry, we listen. But at times we also have to say the difficult things our dearest friend needs to hear. Yet, because of the shared trust and acceptance, we are the one person who can impact our friend's heart, for we know how to deliver the hard message with truth and grace. I believe this is what Proverbs 27:17 means when it says, "As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."
My hope is that these five traits will show you areas that may need a little work in your effort to build stronger friendships. But if you don't have lots of close friends, don't be too hard on yourself. Remember, true Christian friendships are rare treasures. They take time to nurture, but in the process we grow more Christlike.
Monday, June 7, 2010
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Ginger & Epsom Salt Detox Bath
Wow! Let me tell you... I tried this on Sunday night and it does work.
What you need:
natural fiber skin scrubber
bath tub
2 tbsps of fresh grated ginger
2 cups of epsom salt (not scented)
Start this process by skin scrubbing towards your heart on all parts of your body.
Mix the ginger and salt in warm water
Run a bath as hot as you can stand it and pour in the ginger/salt/water mixture.
Stay in the bath for 30 minutes (no longer than 30 minutes)
After about 15-20 minutes you will start sweating pretty heavily - this is normal
After 30 minutes, scrub dry with a towel (firmly) and then wrap in a clean dry towel and get into bed and bundle up with your covers (you may want to use old covers and put some towels under you because you're going to continue to sweat). You will continue to sweat out toxins for hours - so just let your mind go blank and you will fall into a pretty deep sleep.
This really works! Please note that you may experience a pretty rough headache the next day which is actually a good sign, that means your body is still rapidly releasing toxins from your body. Also, be sure to hyrdrate!
This is a great way to start a weight loss program!
Have fun! :o)
What you need:
natural fiber skin scrubber
bath tub
2 tbsps of fresh grated ginger
2 cups of epsom salt (not scented)
Start this process by skin scrubbing towards your heart on all parts of your body.
Mix the ginger and salt in warm water
Run a bath as hot as you can stand it and pour in the ginger/salt/water mixture.
Stay in the bath for 30 minutes (no longer than 30 minutes)
After about 15-20 minutes you will start sweating pretty heavily - this is normal
After 30 minutes, scrub dry with a towel (firmly) and then wrap in a clean dry towel and get into bed and bundle up with your covers (you may want to use old covers and put some towels under you because you're going to continue to sweat). You will continue to sweat out toxins for hours - so just let your mind go blank and you will fall into a pretty deep sleep.
This really works! Please note that you may experience a pretty rough headache the next day which is actually a good sign, that means your body is still rapidly releasing toxins from your body. Also, be sure to hyrdrate!
This is a great way to start a weight loss program!
Have fun! :o)
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