My heart goes out to the people of Paris, I pray and intercede for peace and comfort for the country!
I have really been purposing to get into my bible more and search the scriptures. I was thinking that in order for me to grow in my relationship with God, I have to seek Him daily. Sounds easy, right? It hasn’t been easy because things will try to take my eyes off of Him. I have to continue to cast those imaginations down and move forward. Do you ever feel like that?
I realized long time ago that praying daily is not an option. The devil doesn’t take a break, so I move forward. I can’t be too busy and not put God first. If I miss it, I repent and dust myself off and move forward.
I wanted to share a favorite chapter of mine that I say out loud daily. Psalm 91 gives me comfort and lets me know the Lord has His hedge of protection around me. I say it out loud so I can hear it. These are not just positive affirmations; but words I stand on.
Psalm 91 New International Version (NIV)
1 Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. 2 I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”
3 Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence. 4 He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. 5 You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day, 6 nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday. 7 A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you. 8 You will only observe with your eyes and see the punishment of the wicked.
9 If you say, “The Lord is my refuge,” and you make the Most High your dwelling, 10 no harm will overtake you, no disaster will come near your tent. 11 For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; 12 they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone. 13 You will tread on the lion and the cobra; you will trample the great lion and the serpent.
14 “Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. 15 He will call on me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. 16 With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.”
It’s so easy to be fearful and not want to come out the house; but that is not the way to live. There is an enemy out there and his name is Satan. We have to continually have to stand and fight. I also have been standing on this scripture daily and it gives me confidence.
2 Timothy 1:7
God has not given me a spirit of fear but of power love and a sound mind.
I will be sharing more scriptures and words of wisdom.
My hubby and I are celebrating our sixteenth wedding anniversary. He is just as handsome as when we first met as he is right now. We first met at work and we were friends and the friendship blossomed into marriage. Now you think I would create this facade by writing imagery of everything is wonderful and we have the perfect marriage. Well, I don’t want to bust your bubble; but I want to let you know that no marriage is perfect. The best marriages require two people communicating with each other to make the marriage work.
Me and my hubby at our wedding!
The hubby and I learned early on that we had to make the effort to talk to each other and listen to each other. Sometimes I feel I have so much to say and he takes the time to really listen to me. And the most important part of our marriage is putting God first as our center because without Him we know our marriage will not work.
Our Pastor is teaching this month on Believing God.
I read this morning a Joyce Meyer Devotional and the scripture reference was Joshua 1:5&6 …As I was with Moses, so I will be with you: I will not fail you or forsake you. Be strong (confident) and of good courage.
Believing God in this world is so important because that is where our strength comes from.
I appreciate and am thankful for the man that God has given me as my husband. He serves the Lord, loving, kind, a provider for our family and truly loves me for me.
On our 15th wedding anniversary we travelled to San Francisco and road-tripped to the Four Corners to celebrate. However, this year we planned a staycation for our anniversary. It is special because we are getting to spend quality time with each other. We have some goals for ourselves and we are planning and spending time with each other is one of them.
One of the highlights from this year’s staycation has been going to the Japanese Festival, which occurs every year at the Missouri Botanical Garden. However this was our first time that we going. It was such a cool and meaningful experience.
While there, we saw the Kimono fashion show where the models showed designs of various styles of kimono, including some that were over one hundred years old.
Kimono Fashion Show
And, I had the opportunity to see my name written in Japanese and learn the significant meaning. I will write a post on this because it’s so special.
Planning Goals
It is important to create goals so you know where you are going and what things we need to pray about and then cross off of our list once they have been accomplished.
Reflections
I am reflecting and thanking God for sixteen years of marriage. And In Jesus Name, we have many more prosperous and joyous years Praise God!
Today, my hubby and I saw War Room with a friend, which opened in theaters on Friday, August 28.
The PG -Rated movie was written, produced and directed by the Kendrick brothers, who directed FIREPROOF and Couragious.
The turnout of Christians attending the film thus far has been nothing short of phenomenal. Tickets sales totaled over $11 million in just three days, placing it second of all movies. A couple of friends asked us if we wanted to go. The trailer caught our attention and we were intrigued.
The movie centers around the Jordan family who has disconnected on love and integrity. I don’t want to reveal too much of the story line, so I will share a couple of my favorite scenes.
One of the scenes that had a big impact is when the mother (Elizabeth played by Priscilla Shirer) and daughter (Danielle played by Alena Pitts) are having a heart-to-heart talk. The mother says, “You know that I love you?” And the daughter says a little bit and proceeds to ask with a sad look on her face, “Do you know the name of my jump-rope team? Do you know I won an award last week? Do you know what colors of our shirts?”
The mother thought she knew her daughter and blamed her husband (Tony played by T. C. Stallings) for all of their problems. In actuality, her lack of communication with her daughter showed that she was just as much to blame. In order to save her family and marriage, she had to stop blaming and nagging and start praying for change.
warroomthemovie.com
So many times we want God to move in our lives and we want to blame the other person. Even though the other person may not be totally right, we have to look into the mirror at ourselves.
This scene below is pivotal because it shows Miss Clara (Karen Abercrombie) praying in an actual prayer room. We have to stand in the gap for our family and friends and the world; and the way to do that is through strategy in prayer. Praying specifically by standing on the scriptures.
Miss Clara praying in her prayer room
Scene from War Room: Father and Daughter practicing double dutch
It’s a story of struggle, faith and forgiveness through prayer. The movie will make you laugh and will make you cry. Oh and well-known Christian author Beth Moore makes a cameo appearance.
On the War Room website, you will find resources that accompanies the movie that can be used in your individual or church bible study. It is not just a movie; it is a witnessing tool about the power of prayer. There have been thousands of people praying for this movie, that it would reach people who need it. Today’s (August 30) prayer request:Pray that people who haven’t even yet heard about WAR ROOM feel compelled to see the movie today when they are at the theater.
The Bubbling with Elegance and Grace team recommends that you and your family see this movie. The movie focuses on the power of prayer. It also demonstrates the power of God’s love, His Grace, His forgiveness, and His call for discipleship. Put on your fighting gloves and go see this movie the first chance you can.
Today is to celebrate Mother’s Day! We honor our mothers with cards, flowers and tokens of love and appreciation. I have been blessed with a wonderful mother who raised me right. I thank God for her and for all of the sacrifices that she made to me. I would not be who I am without her guidance and her support. She is the greatest mother that I have ever met.
Me with Mommy Bernice.
There is a another lady who I know to be a wonderful woman and the greatest mother even though I never met her. I know her only from the memories shared by her daughter and the spirit that lives on in my wife. She is my mother-in-law, Gloriastean. I never had a chance to met her because she passed away three years before I met her daughter.
My mother-in-law, Gloriastean.
In spite of never meeting her in the natural, I feel that I have gotten to know her well through the many wonderful stories that my wife shared of her. From the times that she sang in the jazz clubs as a teenager, to the time she lived in California with her father and attended San Fransisco State University as a music major and the stories of her driving a Cutlass.
My mother-in-law had a passion for life and a passion for excellence. My mother-in-law only wanted the best for her daughter. She gave her the best education, making sure she attended private school all the way through college. Her mother and father sacrificed and bought my wife a grand piano in college so she could her learn how to play. She also encouraged my wife to learn how to sew by investing in buying my wife a sewing machine so she could learn how to make her own clothes.
My mother-in-law had a passion for excellence in taking care of her house and her family. She instilled in her daughter the same passion. Whether it is keeping the grass cut in the yard or the floors swept in the house, I see that today in the way that my wife keeps our home.
My mother-in-law spent her life making sure that her daughter was taken care of and to provide her with a good life. Even though she is in heaven and I never met her, my mother-in-law’s passion deeply influences me today. It is my desire to take care of my wife the best way that I can. I look to my mother-in-law for this inspiration. I only hope that I can continue at the same level that she started. Thank you for being the greatest mother, and greatest influence, that I never met.
Mark your calendars, today, May 7, 2015, is National Day of prayer, please come together and prayer for each other, our nation and the world.
On the National Day of Prayer website the scripture of focus is 1 Kings 8:28″Yet give attention to your servant’s prayer and his plea for mercy, Lord my God. Hear the cry and the prayer that your servant is praying in your presence this day.” Bible Gateway
Read President Barack Obama’s 2014 Proclamation designated the First Thursday of May National Day of Prayer, here.
I know that I have to pray everyday even when I don’t necessarily feel like it. It’s not about a feeling it’s about giving glory, honor, and reverence to the God Almighty for his saving grace and resurrection power. If you have never prayed in your life you can start today.
If you do not know Jesus as your Savior and Lord, simply pray the following prayer in faith, and Jesus will be your Lord!
“Heavenly Father, I come to You in the Name of Jesus. Your Word says, “Whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Acts 2:21). I am calling on You. I pray and ask Jesus to come into my heart and be Lord over my life according to Romans 10:9-10: “If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God has raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” I do that now. I confess that Jesus is Lord, and I believe in my heart that God raised Him from the dead.
I am now reborn! I am a Christian—a child of Almighty God! I am saved! You also said in Your Word, “If ye then being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: HOW MUCH MORE shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?” (Luke 11:13). I’m also asking You to fill me with the Holy Spirit. Holy Spirit, rise up within me as I praise God. I fully expect to speak with other tongues as You give me the utterance (Acts 2:4).
In Jesus’ Name. Amen.”
Thank you Jesus!
Please incorporate praise with your prayers, I want to add Plumb’s new single Exhale on her new album, it’s a breath of fresh air.
I enjoy playing on my piano and listening to music. I have to put time on the calendar to practice. I grew up with my mother and father listening to all kinds of music. My mother use to sing jazz when she was in college, so it’s in my blood. I play intermediate piano and now taking a refresher piano-at-home course to sharpen my skills and learn more. I played piano in college and had to do recitals for my final grade. I was a late bloomer, so I had to really focus to learn to play piano and read music. You can learn to play a musical instrument no matter what age because you are never to old to do what you enjoy.
JT studying piano
Recently I’ve read about the many and remarkable benefits that you can get from learning to play a musical instrument. I know I enjoy it and keeps the mind smart and alert. This info has made me want to schedule in a lot more time for playing music! Here are some of the main advantages of learning a musical instrument. I hope you find them as motivating as I have!
It improves your memory
Our memory becomes less and less sharp as we get older. Apparently, because music requires the use of both sides of our brains, it can actually help to improve memory. Considering the amount of times I forget where I’ve left the house or car keys, this is a very appealing benefit for me!
It relieves stress
In modern life, stress gets to us all. But studies have shown that playing a musical instrument can help to reduce the physical and psychological impact of stress. By lowering the blood pressure, this in turn reduces the stress hormone cortisol in your body, leaving you feeling calmer and more peaceful. Bliss!
It is rewarding
And the rewards keep coming too, the more practice you put in and the better you get. Naturally, it’s very challenging as a beginner, but once you get the hang of it and start playing a tune without mistakes, it is so worth it! Playing music for your family and friends and making them smile is another aspect of this hobby that makes it so rewarding.
It is sociable
If you decide to take up guitar lessons, for example, not only might you become friends with your teacher, but also with many other people who play this instrument. This could be within your circle of friends, or through your wider community. You may love it so much that you have regular jamming sessions with friends or join a music group.
It boosts your confidence
All of us suffer moments of low self-esteem. This might be in our personal life, work life or both. But taking up a new hobby and realising that you can do well at it, could help to restore confidence in yourself and your abilities.
It’s great for your CV
Prospective employers will realise that you have many important and useful skills if you let them know that you play a musical instrument. For example discipline, organization, commitment and creativity. I first started playing piano and had never played before and would practice in the study rooms to fine tune my homework so if you really want to learn to play an instrument it can be done.
It helps you to be more patient
Because we can gain access to information so quickly and effortlessly these days, it’s made us all very impatient! When learning a musical instrument, there’s no way of speeding things up, you just have to go as fast as your body and mind will allow. Inevitably, you will make lots and lots of mistakes at the beginning, but the more you practice, the better you will get so it’s all about being patient! Practice, Practice, Practice and more Practice!
As well as these, I also think one of the biggest advantages of a musical hobby is that it’s fun! It gives you the chance to be even more involved in the music you love.
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.
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