Grace

When I read this quote on my Facebook news feed it blew me away. I hope you find it as powerful and thought-provoking as I did!

A Different Question

As I listened to my pastor read from Romans 5 this past Sunday, I thought through why I really like this verse. I mean, rejoicing in suffering? It doesn't seem like the greatest verse... It assumes that we will suffer, and suffering sucks. But I've been learning a lot about different perspectives lately and I think that's why this verse really sticks in my heart right now.

"Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us" (Romans 5:3-5 ESV). 

When we are faced with hard situations, I think that, as humans, the first thing that we ask is "where are You, God?" I don't think this is necessarily a bad thing, but I think that it can diminish the idea of what suffering is. Metal needs to be put into the fire before it can be bent into a beautiful shape, and we need suffering to be shaped into who God wants us to be. I think that a better question when we are faced with hard times is "God, what are You teaching me through this?" 

Having a different perspective on your situation can make all the difference. Instead of seeing suffering as a place where God has deserted you, try looking into the heart of the matter. God is in the business of changing hearts. As the famous saying goes, "God loves you just as you are, and too much to keep you that way." 

I love the way the Message portrays these same verses in Romans:

"There’s more to come: We continue to shout our praise even when we’re hemmed in with troubles, because we know how troubles can develop passionate patience in us, and how that patience in turn forges the tempered steel of virtue, keeping us alert for whatever God will do next. In alert expectancy such as this, we’re never left feeling shortchanged. Quite the contrary—we can’t round up enough containers to hold everything God generously pours into our lives through the Holy Spirit!"

This week, take a moment to see your situation through a different set of eyes. God will never leave you or forsake you, and He has a purpose for every breath you take. 

All the Poor and Powerless

Beautiful lyrics and a beautiful message. 

Song: All the Poor and Powerless

Artist: All Sons & Daughters

stay tuned for a Lady Antebellum CD review!

Peace, Patience and Prayer

"Peace is not the absence of trouble but the presence of Christ." - Sheila Walsh

"Patience is not the ability to wait, but the ability to keep a good attitude while waiting." - Joyce Meyer

"Is prayer your steering wheel or your spare tire?" - Corrie Ten Boom

Look of the Day - May Days

I've been seeing neon pop up all over the fashion blogger world lately and another trend is lace skirts, so why not combine them both in one item? Add a cute, patterned blouse on top and keep your accessories to the basics - neutral sunglasses and neutral sandals - so that your shirt and skirt are the stars. Maybe even add a cute french manicure with a pop of colour instead of the traditional white tip for a fun twist on a classic! 

As we breeze through May don't be afraid to play with bright colours and fun patterns. You'll get even more wear out of your favorite pieces and maybe even come up with a few new favorite outfit combinations!

Through My Father's Eyes v. 2

I've shared this song before but the wonderfully talented Holly Starr just released the music video for it today! It's a phenomenal video!

Song: Through My Father's Eyes

Artist: Holly Starr

3 Spring into Summertime Products

Here are three of my favorite products to keep in a summery mood through this rainy spring weather!

1. Tea Tree Skin Clearing Lotion {Body Shop}
Perfect for dabbing onto blemishes, with a fresh scent. It works wonders for your skin!

2. Grapefruit Body Butter {Body Shop}
Slather this on your dry skin for intense moisture and an amazing fresh scent!

3. Fresh Picked Tangerines Hand Soap {Bath & Body Works}
This fresh scented soap will keep you smelling nice all day and moisturize all at the same time!

We Have Hope

"For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known."
- 1 Corinthians 13:12

"For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us." 
- Romans 8:18

"So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light monetary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal."
- 2 Corinthians 4:16-18




As you go through this next week, I encourage you to take a look at your life and your struggles with a different perspective. I have said this before on this blog, but when we look at our lives in light of eternity it changes things - at least for me it does, and hopefully for you too! When we fix our eyes on Jesus, it lets us see that these struggles that we go through aren't for nothing... we have hope; we have heaven.

Double Back

It's nice to be back! I will try hard to start regular updates again! For those of you who are new Mondays are a bigger post usually on fashion or faith, and sometimes books or music, Wednesdays are quote of the week days, and Fridays are song of the week days!

The title of the post is "Double Back." Why? Because I'm back but also because the Song of the Week is from a group that is finally back after a few years without new music! Enjoy!

Song: Don't Blink

Artist: Relient K

A Crazy Book Deal!

Just wanted to give you all the heads up about Jefferson Bethke's book. It's on pre-order right now for 13 dollars (CDN) which is crazy! It's going to be an incredible book. For those of you who don't know, Jeff Bethke was the poet behind the youtube sensation "Why I Hate Religion But Love Jesus" (look it up if you haven't seen it yet - it's got over 24 million views!). I got the chance to read the first chapter of the book and it is awesome! It's definitely going to be a must read!

Pre-order here
Free Chapter Sneak-Peak here