Those of us who have faith know just how important it is to carry it with us no matter what we are doing. However, sometimes daily life gets in the way, as it has a habit of doing, and thoughts about faith can sometimes take the back burner as a result.
If that sounds all too familiar to you and you want to make faith a more significant part of your daily life again, here are some excellent ways to make it happen:
Get Creative with Prayer Let’s face it: if you’re just mumbling your morning prayers with the enthusiasm of someone reading the phone book, you’re doing it wrong. Prayer should be like your daily espresso shot for the soul. Mix it up! Sing your prayers, write them down in a journal, or turn your morning jog into a moving meditation. Whatever shakes up the routine and gets you genuinely connected.
Make Church a Regular Gig Instead of simply going to church at the weekends, get involved! Join a group, volunteer, or even help plan events for the church. Think of it as your spiritual gym where you flex those faith muscles and spend time with like-minded people.
Tune In to Some Holy Jams Who says the only good beats are played at clubs? Turn your daily commute into a praise party with a playlist filled with your favorite spiritual tunes. Let your faith be your soundtrack, whether it’s gospel, Christian rock, or peaceful meditative tunes. It’s like having a tiny choir in your earbuds, minus the robes.
Read Up and Reflect Grab that dusty old holy book (yeah, that big one you’ve been using as a coaster) and read a passage daily. But don’t just read—reflect! Maybe even start a blog or a vlog where you share your thoughts and connect with others. It’s like starting your spiritual book club, but you’re also the president.
Serve Like a Boss Faith becomes real when you put it into action. Find ways to serve within your community that resonate with your beliefs. Whether it’s feeding the homeless, tutoring kids, or planting trees, make your actions reflect your faith. It’s doing good, feeling good, and hey, it’s good karma, too.
Digital Detox for the Divine Let’s be honest: our digital addiction often drowns out the spiritual whisperings we might otherwise hear. Try a tech fast for a part of your day or week. Unplug, go analog, and see what insights bubble up when you’re not drowning in notifications. It’s like a juice cleanse for your soul.
Prayer Buddy System Everything’s more fun with friends, right? Partner with a prayer buddy to share insights, challenge each other, and keep the faith flame burning. It’s like having a gym buddy, but instead of spotting you at the bench press, they’re there for your spiritual reps.
Decorate with Devotion Surround yourself in your living space with symbols that remind you of your faith. Art, icons, scriptures, or even colors that have spiritual significance can turn your home into a sanctuary. It’s like interior decorating but blessed.
Mindful Meals Before you wolf down that next meal, take a moment to bless it, savor it, and contemplate the connection between your faith and food. Maybe even try fasting from certain foods as a spiritual practice—not just because you read about the latest fad diet. It’s about nourishment for both body and soul.
Faith isn’t just a Sunday thing, so add it to your everyday life!
The Bubblingwitheleganceandgrace team recently had the opportunity to preview the new movie Cabrini by award-winning director Alejandro Monteverde (Sound of Freedom). Cabrini is the powerful epic true story of Francesca Cabrini, an Italian immigrant who arrives in New York City in 1889 and fights for orphans’ equality, health, and happiness.
Cabrini shows a woman’s determination to make the world a better place for the less fortunate despite constant opposition from society. Cabrini never took no for an answer, and because of her grit and stamina, she always believed that all things are possible with God. I don’t want to give out any teasers because you must see this film yourself.
“The world is too small for what I intend to do.” Cabrini
Is it time for you to dream again? Can you allow yourself to dream?
We are sharing the trailer to give you a glimpse of the story.
Monteverde masterfully tells the story of Cabrini, who made everyone around her feel they had a purpose to do the impossible.
“One small gesture of love can change everything.” Cabrini
The movie debuts in theaters on March 8, 2024 (International Women’s Day.) For more information on how to buy tickets, check here.
How to Enter the Giveaway In conjunction with the release of Cabrini, we are pleased to host a $10 Amazon gift card giveaway. To enter, please leave a comment telling us what is the one thing you would do to make the world a better place.
The giveaway runs until Thursday, March 7, at 11:59 pm. One person will be randomly selected and announced on Friday, March 8. PLEASE NOTE: The giveaway is limited to United States residents. The winner’s full name and email address will be submitted to our marketing team, who will send the Amazon gift card at a later date. We will email you to confirm your full name and email address before submitting it.
Disclosure:
Many thanks to Angel Studios for allowing us to preview Cabrini, write this review, and offer the giveaway to our readers. All opinions are 100% my own.
Happy Father’s Day to all the Fathers and Father Figures!
Happy Heavenly Father’s Day to my Daddy!
I love you, Daddy, and you inspire my life, and you are in my heart each day.
Fun Fact: In this picture the photographer asked my Daddy to put a penny in my shoe for luck at my wedding. Have you heard of that story? It was new to both of us.
JT and Daddy
Memories: My Daddy, my hubby and I, and my mother in love at our wedding at St. James the Greater Catholic Church.
I went to church with my hubby this Father’s Day and thanked my Lord for my Daddy. Hall of Fame St. Louis Rams football player Isaac Bruce was the guest speaker at church. You can watch the entire service with Bruce’s message here.
I honor my Daddy because he loved me and took care of me. This man of God would give me tea every night, and after he went to be with the Lord, my hubby took on the tradition. I am humbled and blessed.
Memorial Day is a day to be thankful for the men and women who paid the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom.
We often hear, is it okay to say Happy Memorial Day?
According to Flags of Valor, of course, it is okay to say “Happy Memorial Day” because you are coming from a sincere heart of gratitude for the generations who provided that sacrifice before.
JT and hubby at Soldiers Memorial Military Museum in Saint Louis.
Photo by:Laurentiu-ordache
Memorial Day is meant to be a day of remembrance. It is not about barbecues and having the day off. Please take time today to reflect on the men and women who served for the United States in war and paid the ultimate sacrifice to keep us safe. “Freedom is not free.”
O say can you see, by the dawn’s early light,
What so proudly we hail’d at the twilight’s last gleaming,
Whose broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight
O’er the ramparts we watch’d were so gallantly streaming?
And the rocket’s red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there,
O say does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave?
On the shore dimly seen through the mists of the deep
Where the foe’s haughty host in dread silence reposes,
What is that which the breeze, o’er the towering steep,
As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses?
Now it catches the gleam of the morning’s first beam,
In full glory reflected now shines in the stream,
’Tis the star-spangled banner – O long may it wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave!
And where is that band who so vauntingly swore,
That the havoc of war and the battle’s confusion
A home and a Country should leave us no more?
Their blood has wash’d out their foul footstep’s pollution.
No refuge could save the hireling and slave
From the terror of flight or the gloom of the grave,
And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave.
O thus be it ever when freemen shall stand
Between their lov’d home and the war’s desolation!
Blest with vict’ry and peace may the heav’n rescued land
Praise the power that hath made and preserv’d us a nation!
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
And this be our motto – “In God is our trust,”
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave.
Teen anxiety can be an overwhelming and debilitating experience. It can manifest in many ways, from difficulty focusing and restlessness to changes in appetite and sleeping habits. Fortunately, there are effective strategies parents, teachers, and caregivers can use to help teens manage anxiety. This blog post will discuss the importance of therapy, lifestyle changes, and open communication when dealing with teen anxiety.
Why anxiety can be more frequent in teens Adolescence is a period of intense change in both physical and psychological development. As teens transition to adulthood, they may feel a sense of uncertainty or lack of control over their lives. These feelings of insecurity can cause high levels of anxiety in teens.
Several factors can contribute to anxiety in teens, including changes in hormones, stress from academic pressures or interpersonal conflicts, lack of coping skills, past traumas, and even inherited traits. Teens also face many new social pressures, such as fitting in with peers and being accepted on social media. They may feel overwhelmed by all the new emotions and expectations. This can lead to increased levels of anxiety in teens.
It’s important to note that while some degree of anxiety is normal, extreme anxiety can be problematic and should be addressed with professional help.
Can therapy help? Therapy is an incredibly important part of managing anxiety in teens, especially when they are struggling with issues that can’t be solved through other means. Therapy can help teach teens how to handle their anxiety more effectively and recognize when their worries are out of proportion to the situation.
Therapy is also beneficial for exploring any underlying causes of the teen’s anxiety and providing the skills and coping mechanisms needed to manage it. In a therapy session, teens can learn different strategies for managing emotions, such as deep breathing and progressive muscle relaxation. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) can help teach teens how to think differently about their anxiety and how to reframe their thoughts.
What if therapy isn’t enough? When therapy alone isn’t enough to manage a teen’s high anxiety, parents may want to consider other options to provide their child with full mental health support. Several options are available, such as residential inpatient treatments or outpatient programs offering comprehensive care for teens and their families.
Residential mental health rehab provides a safe, supervised living environment for teens with severe mental health issues. These centers usually offer group and individual therapy, medication management, and other treatments. They also help teens build strong relationships and teach them healthy coping strategies. In an inpatient setting, teens can benefit from a safe environment to build their defense mechanisms and heal at their own pace without worrying about external stressors.
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle When it comes to handling anxiety in teens, maintaining a healthy lifestyle is essential. Anxiety can manifest itself in physical and mental symptoms, so it’s important to nurture the body and mind to reduce the severity of those symptoms.
A healthy diet is an important component of managing anxiety. Eating nutrient-rich foods that provide the body with the vitamins and minerals it needs to stay healthy can help boost energy levels and improve mood. Ensure your teen eats plenty of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats such as those found in nuts and fish. Avoid processed and sugary foods as much as possible.
In addition to eating a nutritious diet, physical activity can also help manage anxiety. Exercise releases endorphins that can improve mood, increase energy, and reduce stress. Talk to your teen’s doctor about the most beneficial physical activity. Many teens find that regular aerobic exercise can be helpful in managing their anxiety. Joining a sports team or enrolling in a class that focuses on teaching self-care techniques can also be beneficial.
Finally, consider a sports coach for your teen. A personal trainer can help your teen find a workout that meets their needs but also act as a supportive friend throughout the training. It allows anxious teens to learn new coping strategies in a safe and motivating environment.
Building open communication As a parent, it’s important to build open communication with your teen to support them during times of high anxiety. Open communication helps teens feel safe talking about their worries and fears without judgment.
– Ask questions: Ask your teen open-ended questions like “How was your day?” or “What’s been on your mind lately?”. This will give them a chance to open up more and tell you how they feel.
– Listen attentively.
– Be understanding: When your teen does open up about their feelings, try to show understanding and empathize with them. Avoid offering advice or trying to “fix” their problems, as this can make them feel unheard and dismissed.
Hopefully, these few strategies can help you and your teen navigates adolescent anxiety safely.
A new thought-provoking documentary begins streaming on July 15th on PureFlix. The Case for Heaven is based on the book by best-selling author Lee Strobel, who also wrote The Case For Christ. Featuring interviews with best-selling author John Burke, world-renowned pastor Francis Chan, the late Evangelist Luis Palau and more, the documentary looks at why so many people fear death and how near-death experiences have shaped our understanding of heaven.
Lee Strobel backs his investigation in The Case for Christ that God is real, heaven is real, and that hell is also real. Many people from various walks of life, including Strobel himself, have had near-death experiences and remember detailed descriptions of what they had seen. This documentary will captivate you and motivate you to pick up your Bible and study more about heaven, hell, and the afterlife.
During the early COVID lockdowns, I participated in a bible study group that examined the book of Revelations. I believe it helped many people in the group overcome the fear of reading this often misunderstood book about the end times. In Revelations, God’s children win, and in retrospect to this documentary, the more you know, the more you grow. Some people in the documentary shared their near-death experiences and how they forever changed their lives. I was inspired when I saw these people share their testimonies and how their lives have changed.
We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. – 2 Corinthians 5:8 (NIV)
“Viewers will be surprised, captivated, and encouraged by ‘The Case for Heaven,’ a beautiful and compelling film. It will dispel many of their misconceptions about the afterlife. I’m thrilled with the enthusiastic reception the documentary has received so far – and I can’t wait for an even wider audience to experience it. ” Lee Strobel
Everyone needs to see The Case For Heaven. It propels you to think about your faith and where you stand in what you believe. You have the opportunity to watch the film on PureflixHERE. If you do not already have a membership, you can sign up for a free seven-day trial. Please watch the trailer below:
Giveaway:
Thanks to our partnership with PureFlix, one of our readers has the opportunity to win a three-month subscription to the streaming service to watch The Case For Heaven and other faith and family-friendly media that change lives, inspire hearts, and lift the spirits of its members. You have three opportunities to enter the giveaway. They are:
– Leave a comment below if you have ever wondered what life was like after death.
– Go to our Instagram Page HERE, Follow us and leave a comment on The Case For Heavenphoto. – Go to our Facebook Page HERE. Follow us and leave a comment on The Case For Heaven photo.
For each completed task, you will receive one entry into the giveaway. Comments must be completed by Saturday, July 23rd at 11:59 PM (Central Time). The winner will be randomly selected and announced on Sunday, July 24th.
This giveaway is limited to U.S. residents only. The winner will be required to submit their email address to PureFlix to receive the three-month subscription.
Disclosure: Bubbling With Elegance And Grace would like to thank Pure Flix for providing us with the opportunity to view The Case For Heaven for this review and giveaway. All opinions are 100% our own.
Learn More About JT
Bubbling with Elegance and Grace started out as an outlet for my passion for fashion but has evolved into a place for me to teach, collaborate, and inspire. My hubby has since joined the team and we have been digital creators for 13 years. We are thankful for those who believed in us from the beginning and those who have just started riding with us on this lovely journey.
Follow!