I've done some blogging about hymns, and like to post lines of hymns on my fb & twitter. I thought I'd take this opportunity to express, why I specifically like hymns.
Our Christian culture is moving away from using hymns, (which are contemporary music, because they are still being written) and this I find devastating. I think that hymns have a knack for presenting the listener/singer, with sound Bible doctrine. I'm not saying that other forms of Christian songs do not, but I feel that hymns have somewhat "cornered the market."
I especially like to hear the hymns written by Isaac Watts. I feel that he has strong doctrine in all of his, and if we listen instead of sing in rote, nearly half asleep on a Sunday, we can't help but be blessed!
Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast,
Save in the death of Christ my God!
All the vain things that charm me most,
I sacrifice them to His blood.
This is perhaps one of my favorite lines from the hymn, When I Survey the Wondrous Cross. As Christians we can't boast in anything. To even become a Christian, to be born again, one must recognize their fallibility and the perfection of our Lord. We must sacrifice all the pointless bobbles that distract us from complete surrender to our Lord, as He sacrificed for us!
See from His head, His hands, His feet,
Sorrow and love flow mingled down!
Did e’er such love and sorrow meet,
Or thorns compose so rich a crown?
Another amazing stanza. Think of what sorrow and guilt we should feel in the death of our Lord, of which we bare responsibility. And, yet, we can also feel joy in that the sacred blood we spilled has sealed our future in glory with our Savior. It has relieved us of the guilt we feel at His death!
The next time you're in service singing that hymn you sang four weeks ago, and every four or five weeks since your childhood, please, take a moment to contemplate it. Consider the conviction that the author poured into it's conception, and the message that was meant to edify you!
Friday, September 30, 2011
Hair Product Review: DevaCurl
I've mentioned before that I love Curly Girl: A Handbook by Lorraine Massey. Ms. Massey is also the co-founder of a salon in Soho called, Devachan, which developed a product line, Devacurl.
I've tried a few of these products. I'm going to give you my thoughts on them here:
I immediately thought that they would be perfect products, because they had Ms. Massey's stamp (enthusiastically) of approval. However, I've learned that just as every girl is different, so is every curl. I'm sure that the products that didn't work for me, work great for others, because they have great ingredients. However, only some of these products were successful on my mop top!
The first product I'll mention is No Poo I loved this product! I give it five out of five hearts! ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
It is a botanical cleanser that is completely sulfate free. I can use it just as I use conditioner to cleanse my hair. It works a little better than conditioner, and smells so good! This is the cleanser I'll probably use forever. I use this instead of shampoo on my girls and it works great even on the sticky stuff they can get in their hair, but it's even gentler than baby shampoo! Like I said, love this product.
The second product I'll mention is One Condition. This is a decent product I give it 3 of 5 hearts. ♥ ♥ ♥
This conditioner works well, but no better than a drugstore brand. The difference I felt between One Condition and a drugstore product is that One Condition is more concentrated. It took a little less product to get the same result. It worked well, smelled amazing, but overall using less didn't justify the price, so I went back to Suave, and am very happy with it.
The third product/s I'll review is AnGel & ArcAnGel. I give these 2 of 5 hearts. ♥ ♥
These are two forms of the same products & the only thing I say in favor of these gels is that my hair never felt like it had product in it while I used them. Overall, I don't recommend them. Not enough hold or frizz-fighting.
This is the final product I tried from the DevaCurl line, Set Up and Above. This product didn't work at all. It had no effect on my hair, so I waste no time reviewing it, nor does it get a heart!
In conclusion: I still love Lorraine Massey, and I owe her so much! Given the opportunity, I would love to visit her salon, and I think some of these products are definitely worth a try!
Happy Curling!
I've tried a few of these products. I'm going to give you my thoughts on them here:
I immediately thought that they would be perfect products, because they had Ms. Massey's stamp (enthusiastically) of approval. However, I've learned that just as every girl is different, so is every curl. I'm sure that the products that didn't work for me, work great for others, because they have great ingredients. However, only some of these products were successful on my mop top!
The first product I'll mention is No Poo I loved this product! I give it five out of five hearts! ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
It is a botanical cleanser that is completely sulfate free. I can use it just as I use conditioner to cleanse my hair. It works a little better than conditioner, and smells so good! This is the cleanser I'll probably use forever. I use this instead of shampoo on my girls and it works great even on the sticky stuff they can get in their hair, but it's even gentler than baby shampoo! Like I said, love this product.
The second product I'll mention is One Condition. This is a decent product I give it 3 of 5 hearts. ♥ ♥ ♥
This conditioner works well, but no better than a drugstore brand. The difference I felt between One Condition and a drugstore product is that One Condition is more concentrated. It took a little less product to get the same result. It worked well, smelled amazing, but overall using less didn't justify the price, so I went back to Suave, and am very happy with it.
The third product/s I'll review is AnGel & ArcAnGel. I give these 2 of 5 hearts. ♥ ♥
These are two forms of the same products & the only thing I say in favor of these gels is that my hair never felt like it had product in it while I used them. Overall, I don't recommend them. Not enough hold or frizz-fighting.
This is the final product I tried from the DevaCurl line, Set Up and Above. This product didn't work at all. It had no effect on my hair, so I waste no time reviewing it, nor does it get a heart!
In conclusion: I still love Lorraine Massey, and I owe her so much! Given the opportunity, I would love to visit her salon, and I think some of these products are definitely worth a try!
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
The Firefly
The tears flowed from her face as her steps fell in a slow pace. She was walking down that same road she'd walked so many times. The June twilight loomed around her, and though, walking a rural, gravel road with darkness slowly stretching over the sky was not the safest thing to do, it was the only thing that brought her solace. She inhaled the fresh country, summer evening breeze, and tried to cleanse her body from the dim feelings that were invading her very soul. This was as terrible as it could be, she was sure of it, this was what rock bottom felt like. She'd reached a point of no return in her life. The events of this evening had shaped not only the rest of that day, but her tomorrow and all her tomorrows thereafter.
She passed over a small stream, and with the moisture came a swarm of mosquitoes. They buzzed about her and as they landed she furiously swatted feeling that even nature itself was surrounding and attacking her.
Suddenly, a mysterious, little, ugly beetle landed on her arm. She lifted her hand to swat it too, but then she paused the ugly bug suddenly glowed. It gone from ugliness to beauty in a matter of seconds. It left her arm and joined a huge light show in the bean field directly before her.
It was now completely night. It was not city dark, but country dark. The kind of inkiness that makes it difficult to see your hand in front of you, or the path that leads you to safety. But, she was not afraid, because in front of her, amidst the greatest blackness that had ever enveloped her, shown the most beautiful lights. Gleaming and blinking in the ebony.
Even when we believe that we've reached our lowest points, Christ is a light to us in the midst of sorrow and darkness.
"Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life." - John 8:12
Dedicated to my sister, Rachel.
She passed over a small stream, and with the moisture came a swarm of mosquitoes. They buzzed about her and as they landed she furiously swatted feeling that even nature itself was surrounding and attacking her.
Suddenly, a mysterious, little, ugly beetle landed on her arm. She lifted her hand to swat it too, but then she paused the ugly bug suddenly glowed. It gone from ugliness to beauty in a matter of seconds. It left her arm and joined a huge light show in the bean field directly before her.
It was now completely night. It was not city dark, but country dark. The kind of inkiness that makes it difficult to see your hand in front of you, or the path that leads you to safety. But, she was not afraid, because in front of her, amidst the greatest blackness that had ever enveloped her, shown the most beautiful lights. Gleaming and blinking in the ebony.
Even when we believe that we've reached our lowest points, Christ is a light to us in the midst of sorrow and darkness.
Dedicated to my sister, Rachel.
Eternity
The flames lapped fierce upon me,
the air was weak and thin.
I screamed in my agony,
Searching though my eyes be dim.
I could not find a help
to pull me from despair.
Until a hand reached down,
and tried to pull me near.
I fought against the hand,
with the nail pierced wound.
Though tortured as I was,
and death around me loomed.
I would not surrender
Tho' the flames did me surround.
I would die in my beliefs,
And firmly hold my ground.
However, we deny it,
Hell and Christ are real and true.
And someday we will face,
The Eternity that we choose.
I have chosen one way,
I hope with me you'll come.
Turn from your selfish desires,
and surrender to the Son.
For when my future here is over,
And past is all that's left.
This life I gladly resign,
For the glory in the next.
Peace incomprehensible,
and joy beyond compare,
Shall greet me on that shore
When my Savior holds me near.
I'll sit at His feet,
and sing His praise e'er more.
Happiness forever mine,
In the presence of my Lord.
the air was weak and thin.
I screamed in my agony,
Searching though my eyes be dim.
I could not find a help
to pull me from despair.
Until a hand reached down,
and tried to pull me near.
I fought against the hand,
with the nail pierced wound.
Though tortured as I was,
and death around me loomed.
I would not surrender
Tho' the flames did me surround.
I would die in my beliefs,
And firmly hold my ground.
However, we deny it,
Hell and Christ are real and true.
And someday we will face,
The Eternity that we choose.
I have chosen one way,
I hope with me you'll come.
Turn from your selfish desires,
and surrender to the Son.
For when my future here is over,
And past is all that's left.
This life I gladly resign,
For the glory in the next.
Peace incomprehensible,
and joy beyond compare,
Shall greet me on that shore
When my Savior holds me near.
I'll sit at His feet,
and sing His praise e'er more.
Happiness forever mine,
In the presence of my Lord.
Monday, September 26, 2011
Christmas Traditions
I thought I'd be smart this year, and started planning some Christmas things ahead. Those who know me personally just fainted. My big idea for this year was to buy the girls one gift together. (More about that here.) I got to thinking that if we did this every year with our children, it might just turn out to be a great Christmas tradition. It would lessen the time my family is spending opening presents and make that time available for something more important. After all, who has enough time at the Holidays? Maybe this tradition would help to shift the focus of the day from self to Christ. Also, it would encourage family time, because if we're getting them one gift to share, it would have to be something they can use together. They couldn't be selfish, because it wouldn't be just their gift. Not least at all, it would save us a bundle. We could set a budget for the gift and no matter how many children we eventually have, we could keep that budget at the same level!
After I came up with this idea, I was really excited! I could see it forming from an idea to a tradition. Then, I got to thinking about the privilege my husband and I have right now. We're shaping our new family, but while we do, we create things like Christmas traditions, and life-long memories.
I can vividly remember making Christmas Tree spritz cookies with my mom, decorating the ugliest tree in the world that we kept about ten years past it's prime on the day after Thanksgiving. My dad reading The Night before Christmas each year. These thoughts even now bring me joy and happiness. They were the traditions and memories created for me with love by my parents. And, now, I get the opportunity to do the same!
This stage of our family feels like we're architects laying the plans and ground work for something extraordinary! Maybe it feels that way, because we truly are. Whatever phases of my life will come and go, I think this period will always be special.
My girls will think about these early years (well, the years they can remember) for their whole life. And, when they look back they'll experience a hint of that same innocent joy that they feel now. The joy I remember feeling when I sat on my dad's lap and listened to him read that same book he read last year, and the year before, and the year before, and the year before...
After I came up with this idea, I was really excited! I could see it forming from an idea to a tradition. Then, I got to thinking about the privilege my husband and I have right now. We're shaping our new family, but while we do, we create things like Christmas traditions, and life-long memories.
I can vividly remember making Christmas Tree spritz cookies with my mom, decorating the ugliest tree in the world that we kept about ten years past it's prime on the day after Thanksgiving. My dad reading The Night before Christmas each year. These thoughts even now bring me joy and happiness. They were the traditions and memories created for me with love by my parents. And, now, I get the opportunity to do the same!
This stage of our family feels like we're architects laying the plans and ground work for something extraordinary! Maybe it feels that way, because we truly are. Whatever phases of my life will come and go, I think this period will always be special.
My girls will think about these early years (well, the years they can remember) for their whole life. And, when they look back they'll experience a hint of that same innocent joy that they feel now. The joy I remember feeling when I sat on my dad's lap and listened to him read that same book he read last year, and the year before, and the year before, and the year before...
Saturday, September 24, 2011
Consignment Shopping!
I had the most fun today consignment shopping with my sister. I love consignment sales, the big semi-annual ones. I have found three in my area, but if you know of more in greater Indy, please let me know! I've successfully bought my older daughters wardrobe from them the past two years.
Today was a fantastic day, as well! She has almost nothing in the size she needs, and her little belly keeps poking out of her tee shirts, so I needed to really stock up. I did just that. I scored her a winter coat, in awesome condition for only $2.00! Yep, you read correctly, no need to call your optometrist, $2.00. In the end, both of my girls have snowsuits for the coming winter, and my older daughter who
Today was a fantastic day, as well! She has almost nothing in the size she needs, and her little belly keeps poking out of her tee shirts, so I needed to really stock up. I did just that. I scored her a winter coat, in awesome condition for only $2.00! Yep, you read correctly, no need to call your optometrist, $2.00. In the end, both of my girls have snowsuits for the coming winter, and my older daughter who
Two Masters
As he labored, the perspiration beaded upon the young man's brow. His master had ordered him to load the truck with the scrap metal from the pile by the end of the day. He still had much to haul before he could even break for a sip of water. Just as he reached the halfway point the Master's wife called him to the house. She ordered the young employee to carry the wood from the pile into the house for her. He tried to explain to her that he could not complete the task given to him by her husband if he broke to help her, but she implored him. She told him how her husband would be angry with him if he did not assist her. She scolded and berated him, and so the hard worker conceded. It took him only half an hour to assist the woman, but when he finished the sun was beginning to set. He knew he would fail in the task he's originally set out to complete. He knew his master would be displeased, and his wages would reflect his ineffectiveness. He realized at that moment that he could not equally serve both his master and his master's wife. In order to have excelled in his work he now knew that he would have had to choose between the task he was originally assigned or that he was later requested to preform. No man can serve two masters.
So often Christians want to claim the title of Christian and the blessings of the Lord, but are not willing to give their lives fully to the Lord. When Jesus died on the cross he paid the price for our sins, and therefore it is reasonable that we willingly give Him our life in whole. We can not serve God and anyone else.
"No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon" - Matthew 6:24
So often Christians want to claim the title of Christian and the blessings of the Lord, but are not willing to give their lives fully to the Lord. When Jesus died on the cross he paid the price for our sins, and therefore it is reasonable that we willingly give Him our life in whole. We can not serve God and anyone else.
"No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon" - Matthew 6:24
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