5 Things...

Here's a quick roundup of a few things I've been enjoying lately!

1. This message from Matthew Barnett is AMAZING. You'll be shocked, inspired, and challenged listening to his seven lessons he learned from running the 7-7-7 world marathon challenge! (Message begins at 28:01)

2. These white wide-leg trousers (pictured above) are chic, super comfortable and the perfect transitional item from summer to fall. Pair them with a button down, tshirt, or silky top. (p.s. they are currently on sale for under $15, you're welcome!)

3. My latest go-to drink at Starbucks is their Shaken Peach Citrus White Tea. It's so light and refreshing for these warm summer days, and it's under 100 calories.

4. Investing time with inspiring people.
Lately, I've made it a priority to invest time with people who inspire and challenge me to be better. The people we surround ourselves with have a major impact on the person we become, so if you want to get better, evaluate your close relationships and invest more time with people who will help you become the person you want to be.

5. This quote: "Challenges are a part of a purpose-filled journey. Challenges should not be a deterrent, challenges should spur us on." -- Dr. Nthabiseng Legoete
I am reminded that whatever we choose to achieve or pursue, if it is of great importance or reward, it will often come with challenges along the way. Instead of shrinking back in fear, we should continue to charge forward in faith. No matter what you may be facing today, choose to stay the course and don't give up. Your dream is worth it.

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Valentine's Day

"If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10 but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love."

Wishing you a very Happy Valentine's Day!
See my Valentine's Day Tea Party 

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Merriest of Wishes

Hooray! It's one of the merriest weeks of the year! Wishing you and yours the most wonderful, fun, and joy-filled Christmas celebration! Among the presents, hot chocolate, twinkling lights, and parties with family and friends, may we never forget the reason we're celebrating this beautiful time of the year.

"That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep.  Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.”

 Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying,

“Glory to God in highest heaven,
    and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.”
 When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, “Let’s go to Bethlehem! Let’s see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

They hurried to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the manger.  After seeing him, the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child.  All who heard the shepherds’ story were astonished, but Mary kept all these things in her heart and thought about them often. The shepherds went back to their flocks, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen. It was just as the angel had told them."
Luke 2:8-20

Wishing you the merriest Christmas, and best wishes for a fabulous new year ahead!
xo,
Candice

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Rhythms of Grace

Have you ever felt like something was forced? Like you were trying so hard to make something happen that maybe just wasn't quite right? Lots of effort and no movement or return? I've been there before, and thought a lot about this recently. Sometimes I think we see things like faith or even our daily routines in this light. We do all these things to keep "busy", but what kind of return does it provide? I recently spent a weekend by the beach, and one of the most soothing, mesmerizing things is the consistency of the waves breaking upon the shoreline. As I watched the sun sinking below the horizon, and listened to the sound of the waves, I was reminded of the effortless rhythm of the ocean. It isn't forced, it's free--free to be wild and strong, and never tries to become something that it isn't. Isn't that a picture of what grace is like? We may paint it to be something that's constricting, and perhaps in light of how people view/do religion, that may very well be, but in reality, grace is freedom, unforced and consistent. As I've pondered this thought for the last few days, I awoke one morning with the phrase "unforced rhythms of grace" in my mind. A quick search provided the full passage found in Matthew 11, verses 28-30, which says,

"Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”

Unforced rhythms of grace...simple, easy, freeing. Isn't that how we want to feel? Not weighed down by the burdens of this world, or confined by what society says we should say/act/do, but free--free to live, to breathe, and to love. Unforced, unfettered, and alive. I love how scripture describes the way in which we can obtain this kind of life. In fact, it almost sounds like a rhyme or rhythm in it's sound.
Walk with me, work with me--watch how I do it
There's the key. I don't have to do things on my own, try to become perfect, or conform to something that isn't consistent with who I am. It's grace, unforced and consistent. I don't have to try to earn it, I just have to live in it. All I have to do is walk with Him, work with Him, and watch how He does it. It's something so simple it's almost complex...how could it be that easy? Are you sure?
Walk with me, work with me--watch how I do it. 

Unforced rhythms of grace. You are not confined to standard of perfection, walk in the abundance and freedom of grace.

''Walk with me, work with me--watch how I do it.'' 

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How To Handle Criticism

At one point or another, we're going to face some criticism. When this happens, we have two choices: to react and take things personally, or to look at it objectively and grow from it. How do you most often respond? Experiencing conflict and criticism is a normal part of life, as we are all different people with various opinions/backgrounds/life experiences; however, the way in which we handle it will determine if it has a positive or negative effect on us. Here's a few ways to handle criticism in a healthy, beneficial way.

1. Understand the difference between constructive and destructive criticism. 
(Criticism is destructive, but suggestions are constructive.) See criticism as a positive stepping stone on the pathway to your growth.

2. Don't take yourself too seriously. 
Learn to laugh at yourself, and enjoy a big dose of grace. You are not the first, nor the last, to experience correction and critical words. Smile, dance, shake it off...you're going to make it.

3. Look past the criticism and see the critic. 
What are they dealing with in their own life that they are filtering the criticism through? Is there anything in their criticism that can actually be beneficial to you? If so, grow! If not, drop it.

4. Realize that good people get criticized. 
As someone once said, "You can be the ripest, juiciest peach in the world, and there's still going to be someone who doesn't like peaches." Seriously, even the nicest, most wonderful people are going to discover someone who doesn't like what they're doing. Even Jesus faced frequent criticism.

5. Keep up your strength.
Stay strong in your faith and in the physical sense. Feelings of depression and discouragement tend to take root in fatigued bodies and spirits. Build up strength by engaging in spirit-building habits (suggestions here), and stay strong physically by doing some sort of exercise on a frequent basis!

6. Focus on what counts. 
It's easy to get stuck on what someone said or did that bothered you, but instead, shift your focus to the many people that are focused on helping you! In reality, there's many more interested in your success than the few that want to take you down. Invest your time with the ones who build you up!

7. Concentrate on your mission, then address the mistakes. 
What is your end goal? What's the reason why you do what you do? That goal or mission will never be accomplished if all you continue to dwell on are the mistakes. Learn from the experience or the criticism and move forward! There's greater things to come!

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You're Pretty

We focus a lot of time and energy into what makes us pretty. We purchase products, choose outfits, take photos from the "right" angle, read books/articles/blogs on how to achieve the ever-changing, and sometimes elusive trends, all in the hopes of becoming beautiful.

I came across a quote recently that somewhat shifts the paradigm on this topic when it says,

Do you consider yourself pretty? Is "pretty" something that only affects the outside? 

Scripture would tell us that it's about more than just a good hair day:

"Be beautiful inside, in your hearts, with the lasting charm of a gentle and quiet spirit that is so precious to God." /// 1 Peter 3:4

What does inner beauty look like in your life?

We're quick to judge another's appearance, or base a friendship on surface attributes, yet the beauty of a person's heart and spirit are what sustain relationships. Instead of allowing "pretty" to determine whether or not we like someone, or to inhibit our friendships from further growth due to competitive comparison, our objective should be to embrace and encourage the beauty found within everyone. Each of us has beauty to bring to the world, yet too many of us are so busy wishing it away, hoping for something that someone else has. Give yourself a little love and encouragement. You are awesome. It is ok to want to look and feel your best...in fact, it's encouraged! In addition to the "pretty" found in the outward appearance, let's cultivate the "pretty" found within. Let's be pretty smart, pretty funny, pretty kind, and pretty encouraging to all those around us. Instead of comparing to one another, decide to ditch the drama and embrace the strength found in all of us enjoying and living life together. Now, with that said, I just wanted to tell you, I think you're pretty. Live like it!

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The Key To Success

"It's time that we set aside the thought process that says unless we fit into the mold that society and culture have esteemed as worthy, than we're doing something meaningless. You have been created for a purpose, and your inner dreams, desires, and talents are individually and specifically wired in such a way so that you're perfectly set up to do incredible things on this earth that only you can do. Whether you're in an office building, art studio, foreign country, or at home with six kids, when you're doing what you've been designed to do, that's success."

excerpt taken from,  From Me To You, p. 28

Read more...

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5 Ways To Break a Bad Habit

Most of us, at some point, have found ourselves in a habit that perhaps isn't the best, or leading us in the direction that heads for success. While it's easy to complain about habits as hinderances, it's better to break them, in order that they are replaced with beneficial, success-building actions! Ready to make some changes? Here's a few ideas to get the job done!

1. Change your self-talk.
Our words have such incredible power, and most times we don't give a second thought to the words we speak, let alone the inner dialogue that takes place within our minds. Do your words speak of positivity, success, health, life, and strength? Or do you constantly put yourself down, shackling your spirit? By changing your self-talk to that of encouragement, positive thoughts, and goal-oriented speech, you'll find a major attitude change, and renewed strength to change your habits!
2. Change your environment.
Our environment is a major factor in the habit patterns we choose. Does your environment allow you to grow, learn, create, and achieve? Or does it hold you back, and continue to provide negative input and compromising situations? Be aware of where you are, and if your environment is not benefitting you, change it! You are not a tree; you can get up and move somewhere else.
3. Replace the bad habit with a good habit.
It is not simply enough to break a bad habit; we must replace the old habit with a new, beneficial one. After all, we are creatures of habit, and will create a new routine, so you may as well choose what it looks like. Instead of waiting for something else to come along, choose what you'll do instead of engaging in the previous behavior or attitude. It's amazing to see how little you'll miss that bad habit once your new habit is in place!
4. Be Accountable to Someone. 
Accountability is key to achievement. If you want to grow, succeed, and accomplish anything in this life, you'll realize that you can't do it alone. We need one another, and having someone that can encourage you and ask the right questions along the way, to ensure that you're sticking to your plan, is a winning formula. Be sure to choose someone who you admire, respect, and can keep confidences.
5. Be deliberate, persistent, and consistent.
Honestly, this one is applicable to anything you want to achieve in life. Deliberate action leads to specific reactions. You get what you put into something, and to change a habit, you'll need to become deliberate about change. Sometimes this is uncomfortable...wait, scratch that, it's always uncomfortable, but that's good! Change only takes place outside your comfort zone. Fact of life. Push yourself to be persistent in your actions, consistent in character, and you'll find that your bad habits are soon things of the past.

What habits do you need to change? Challenge yourself to begin the change process today. You can do it! Have a fantastic week ahead!

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Average Is Easy

(via pinterest)

Average is easy. It's not overly hard to achieve the status quo, and the danger lies in staying there, simply because it's comfortable. The problem with staying in the "average zone" is that we never achieve our potential there. You never know what kind of person you could be or what you could accomplish if you only achieve average results. Allowing your mind to dream and your heart to soar means finding the courage to step out in faith. If we listen to the voices around us, there's often a combination of those who want to hold you back, and those who want to see you succeed. The challenge for you and I is to choose who we listen to. Average may be easy, but extraordinary results await the one who has the courage to allow their heart and mind to dream. Refuse to be average. Don't hold yourself back from greatness any longer; pursue the incredible passions and dreams God placed in your heart. When you operate in your areas of strength and passion, you'll find that the results are absolutely incredible. 

p.s.

If you want to take the next step toward living a life of greatness, I would suggest checking out the book that my good friend Jenni and I wrote together! We share our experience with finding our purpose, following your dreams, real beauty secrets, and other valuable life lessons. 

To watch the official book trailer or pick up a copy: click here

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5 Ways to Become A More Courageous Person

So last week we talked about courage, and I wanted to continue the conversation with this list I came across in my reading. It's taken from a book by John Maxwell (one of my personal favorites) entitled, Beyond Talent. This list is part of a chapter on how courage amplifies talent, and it is so fitting with what I've been discovering in my own life lately. Hopefully you'll be able to identify with it also.

To become a more courageous person:
1. Look for courage inside, not outside, yourself.

2. Grow in courage by doing the right thing instead of the expedient thing.

3. Take small steps of courage to prepare you for greater ones.

4. Recognize that leadership position won't give you courage, but courage can make you a better leader.

5. Watch your horizons expand with each courageous act.


"The opposite of courage is not cowardice, it's conformity. It's not just enough to believe in something. We need to live for something." --John Maxwell


I hope that whatever you are facing in life, you'll find the courage to do the right thing, and know that courage ultimately leads you to the life you desire.
Have a fantastic week!

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Have Courage

Print by Kat Gaskin for PuraVida

I hope you all had a wonderful Easter celebration! It was such fun to invest some time with family, and to celebrate Christ's incredible act of love for us. What a great weekend.
I recently saw the new Cinderella movie, and was inspired by the thought of having courage. An underlying theme of the film is to "have courage, and be kind".  It's a great thought. What would the world look like if we all decided to embrace that kind of perspective? Courage and kindness are a powerful combination.

Have you ever wanted to do something, but felt like you lacked the courage to do it? Perhaps it was trying something new, moving to a new place, applying for a job, starting a business..etc. We are often faced with opportunities to take risks, and our success is often determined by our measure of courage. I remember the first time I thought about the idea of writing a book. It was something that felt so big, so overwhelming, and the unknown of how to do it felt somewhat scary, but the momentum that happens when you take the first step will create a tidal wave of enthusiasm. Once I decided that it was going to happen, no matter what, and I summed up the courage to get things moving, it was amazing to see the kinds of things that began to move into place!

We must have courage to take the first step, and get beyond whatever limitations or barriers we've set up for ourselves. Most of the time, the obstacles in our lives are there because of our own doing! You've been designed for an incredible life; will you have the courage to live it? I sure hope so! Don't allow the fears, past failures, and limitations keep you back from greatness. Take a deep breath, summon all the courage you can, and be brave enough to take the first step (no matter how big or small) toward your goals and dreams. You will be amazed at how things begin to happen for those who have the courage to begin! Remember you do not go through life alone; God walks with us each step of the way. Deuteronomy 31:6 says, "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you."

Here's to an amazing, courageous week ahead! You can do it!

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What Do You See?

How do you see yourself? What is your vision for your life? Have you ever thought about where you want to go, what kind of person you want to become, and what dreams you want to accomplish? Brian Houston says, "Vision alone can exist for our own purposes and interests, whereas a cause extends well beyond us. It is bigger than any individual or organization. Is your vision bigger than you?"

Sometimes it's easy to get stuck on just our own lives, but a vision is often something that is more about leaving a legacy or being a part of a cause that far surpasses our own circumstance. I challenge you to dream big, and strive to have a vision bigger than you! When you surrender your vision and future into God's hands and align them with his will, your life is a miracle waiting to happen. 

Ask yourself: Where am I gifted? What are my talents? What comes naturally to me? These things are your abilities. Be willing to tap into them, and use them to achieve your potential!

James 1:17 says, "Every good and perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights." 

God has gifted you with incredible amounts of talents and abilities for a purpose...His purpose. Embrace them, and you're well on your way to an incredible life!

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Seasons Change

(photo by Jennifer Blair)

I have thought a lot about seasons lately. I heard a fantastic podcast by Chris Hodges recently on the subject, and it really got me thinking about how much of life is based around the concept of seasons. Sometimes we may feel like we're in a "winter" where opportunities and other situations in life seem barren, difficult, and cold. Still others feel like spring with prospects, offers, and life all in bloom everywhere you look. If we're in one season, there's two guarantees. First, all seasons will come to an end. Second, there is always something to be learned from the season. 

It can be easy to want to try and force things/people/situations to fit into certain seasons, but just like trying to plant crops in the middle of winter, it's just not going to produce the kind of results we are looking for. It may be the right thing, the right person, the right job, the right feeling, but the wrong season or timing. Seasons may be challenging, and other times they may be simple. The best thing that I've found is to simply look for the beauty and the lesson in the season, and be willing to wait it out. Spring always comes after the hardest of winters, and the beauty of fall comes at the end of a long summer. Wherever you may be in life's seasons, know this: there is a time and a place for everything. Be patient, persevering, and learn what you can. Soon the season will pass, and you will be able to look back and say, "remember when..?"

I am reminded of this passage in Ecclesiastes 3 which says, 

"There is a time for everything,

and a season for every activity under the heavens:

a time to be born and a time to die,

a time to plant and a time to uproot,

a time to kill and a time to heal,

a time to tear down and a time to build,

a time to weep and a time to laugh,

a time to mourn and a time to dance,

a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,

a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,

a time to search and a time to give up,

a time to keep and a time to throw away,

a time to tear and a time to mend,

a time to be silent and a time to speak,

a time to love and a time to hate,

a time for war and a time for peace.

What do workers gain from their toil? I have seen the burden God has laid on the human race. He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end."

In His timing, all things will be made new, life will be restored, hope will rise again. It says in scripture that "He has made everything beautiful in its time"; things of value and beauty often require an investment of time. We are accustomed to a "quick-fix" society, where things are available to us at the drop of a hat. Remember to be patient, and the right opportunities will open up in the proper timing. Trust that whatever situation you are in, you are there for a reason, and your obedience to His timing will bring forth blessing. Each season has beauty; we must be willing to find it. 

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5 Questions To Ask Yourself Right Now

It's good to do a self-check every once in awhile so you can congratulate, re-calibrate, or set a date..for a new goal (sorry, just had to rhyme the last one!). We come to many intersections in life, and it is good to know how to make decisions that will positively impact our direction. We can add things to our lives, subtract from them, or swap something we do have for something we don't. It is critical to know when to do which of the above options. I'm currently doing some self-checking, goal setting, and habit creating, so I thought I'd share a few questions that have helped me in this process....

1. Are you giving attention to your soul?

2. Are you doing challenging or uncomfortable things? 

3. What are you doing to develop the habit of character growth?

4. Do you consistently serve others and put them first?

5. Where have you placed the majority of your focus up to this point in your life? Does it need to stay there, be adjusted, or change altogether? 


I challenge you to spend a few moments answering these questions for your own life...go ahead and even journal some of the answers on a piece of paper, and see where you are in terms of the goals you've set. Are you on the way to where you want to be? If yes, fantastic! Keep it up! If not, don't beat yourself up over it, just re-adjust your goals and priorities, and set some exciting benchmarks along the way to achieving the life you want! It's been said that the pathway to success is not an elevator...you always have to take the stairs. Remember that in the process, while it may be tough or uncomfortable, you become a person of character.

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Forever Valentine

It is tradition on Valentine's Day to post this little journal excerpt-turned-poem that I had written many years ago. These words still hold true, wherever you are in life. My hope is that you feel loved today, regardless of your relationship status, and that you know that your Creator loves you with an unexplainably beautiful, deep, true kind of love. Happy Valentine's Day!

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The BIG Reveal

One of the most wonderful moments in life is the place when all your hard work, dedication, discipline, and goals collide, and suddenly you realize that dreams really do come true. It's a magical kind of feeling, one that makes you so happy you want to dance around in circles, jump up and down, and hug the person next to you. I've been keeping a secret, and it's finally time to announce that...

 I wrote my first book with my good friend (and fellow blogger), Jenni Joslyn, and it's going to be available next month! After a year's worth of writing, editing drafts, and putting together the perfect design, it's amazing to say that it's actually a reality. Some time ago I scribbled the goal, "I am a published author", onto a 3x5 card, and kind of forgot about it for a little while. Life happened, and I was focusing my priorities elsewhere. Then, God reminded me of that dream once again, and said, 'it's time', and so the writing process began. When dreams are this big, it takes a team to accomplish it, and I have to say it's been so wonderful to have worked with such an incredible group of people to bring this piece to fruition!

About the Book

Society constantly sends us messages on beauty, relationships, careers, and life choices. With all the pressure on women to live up to media standards, we're left asking, "Can you really have it all?" Join youth mentors and good friends, Candice Henry and Jennifer Joslyn, as they discuss what it means to be young women who follow God's call of leadership in their lives. Candice, a former pageant winner, and Jenni, a former model and actress, know what it's like to live under the expectations of society's standards. They invite you to join the conversation as they share their experiences and secrets to true beauty, finding success, and living a fulfilling life. From Me to You will guide you through a two-week exploration of beauty and body image, careers, relationships, friendships, and other life lessons from a faith-based perspective. Candice and Jenni encourage you to embrace your passion, purpose, and greatness within.

Sharing this with you is a part of living the dream that I've prayed about for so long. I cannot wait for the official release in February, and would absolutely love for you to be a part of our launch team. To join the fun, please send me a note through the contact page with the subject "Launch Team", and I'll get all the information to you about the BIG day!

Thank you for being a part of the dream. Jenni and I look forward to doing life with you through this book! Stay tuned for the official release date, where to purchase, a cinematic trailer, giveaways and more!

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Counting Stars

I have always loved the stars. When I was a little girl, my parents bought me a telescope so I could gaze at the sparkling constellations scattered among the inky black sky. Ever since, I've found the night sky to be one of the most beautifully captivating things. Stargazing is a favorite of mine, and I have many fun memories of watching stars with friends. I can recall counting the shooting stars on a summer night, or bundling up in blankets on a soccer field in the early hours of the morning to watch meteor showers, to creating a patchwork of sleeping bags in an open field to watch stars until everyone fell asleep. 

What is it about sparkling stars that intrigues us so?

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A Christmas Wish

(via)

Wishing you all the most wonderful of holiday celebrations, full of happy memories, much joy and happiness, and time with those you love. As we enjoy the time with family and friends, gifts exchanged, twinkling lights and stockings stuffed with care, let us not forget that beautiful night; the reason for the happiness we share. 

10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

Luke 2:10-14

Merry Christmas, friends!

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What If We Were Thankful?

As we gather around the table with friends and family this year, let's remember to celebrate the many blessings we've been given! It's easy to brush quickly past Thanksgiving and go straight into the Christmas season, but take a moment and enjoy the time with loved ones, fully experience the moments, make fun memories, cherish the conversations, and make a list of some of the things you're thankful for. I'm reminded of the statement that goes, "what if you woke up tomorrow with only the things you thanked God for?" In light of that, how would that change our prayers? Would we be more attentive to the little things in life? Would we take things for granted as much as we do? I think we would rely less on routine, and be more conscious of every little thing. Life would take on a magical wonder, and there would be a way of graciousness and humility about us. What if we decided to be truly thankful, regardless of our circumstances? No matter where we are in life, we have been given many blessings. Challenge yourself to give thanks for the simple things...breath, sunshine, health, a smile. It will revolutionize the way you view life.

Colossians 3:15-17 says,
"And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! Enjoy some good food, fun, and time with friends and family!

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He Said, She Said

"Hey, did you hear about so-and-so? I can't believe they would say that! Did you see them at the party...what is she wearing? What did he say about her? Do you think they are friends still? I heard..." On and on the talk swirls...gossip is everywhere. It's often a habit that many don't even realize they have, except when it comes back to haunt them. We talk about others--what they say, how they look, and what they do--but do we ever think about the power that words have? James 3:6 says that life and death can be found in the power of the tongue; this is serious! Gossip is deadly to relationships, success, happiness and to others. If we want to live a fulfilling, abundant kind of life then we need to get a handle on what comes out of our mouths.

It is one thing to watch our words, in the sense that we speak positively about situations, but another to decide to disengage from gossip, and to leave conversations that take a negative perspective on someone else. What would the world be like if we decided to only encourage one another, to use our words to build each other up? Here's the deal: there's a lot of competitive comparison among human beings. For some reason we fear that there's not enough beauty, brains and talent to go around, and so one person's gifts are coveted by another. So many people miss the incredible reservoir of unique talent, incredible potential and ability within themselves because they are so focused on talking about and wanting what others have.

The challenge for you and I is to begin to look at ourselves as individuals, not a product of cultural norms or people who need to meet standards of "beauty" or "talent", but people of purpose. Each person has a reason for being on this planet, and they have been given the perfect mix of abilities and capability to accomplish those tasks, with the help of grace and faith. Instead of limiting our abilities to talking about what other people are doing, let's encourage one another to accomplish great things, become the best versions of ourselves, and speak life into others. Choose to be positive, watch your self-talk, and talk only about things that will benefit you and other people. You'll find that the drama, negativity and poor self-esteem seem to quickly fade when the attention is taken off them. Pursue excellence. You have been given an incredible opportunity: live it!

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