Category: World VS Life

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“Sure Foundation”

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“Sure Foundation”
Insecurity is probably the worst feeling in the world. It robs you of confidence, rest, and freedom. Just talking about the word floods my mind with so many memories. Being a little girl, afraid of the dark, peeking my eyes just above the covers to see if there really was a monster in my room. As a new kid at school, not knowing a soul, wondering if I would ever find a friend. Auditioning for a musical, nervous and afraid I would forget song lyrics. Picking an outfit for a date, hoping to impress and hold his interest. The day we purchased our first home, wondering if we were grown up enough to handle the responsibility. The way I felt the day we brought home our first baby and the overwhelming reality that we were responsible for his very life. Each of those moments all caused me to feel unsure, and creating a deep desire for something solid to stand on and keep me steady no matter what.

So often, I set my feet upon my circumstances. It’s easy to do because we naturally make agreements with what we can touch and see. For example: If our child has behavior problems in school, it would be easy to then label him a problem child or yourself a bad mom. If a dream falls apart, it would be natural to feel lost and lose sight of your identity. But we’re not called to live by human nature. We are called to walk by the Spirit, and in order to do that, we have to stand on a sure foundation. One that’s been tested and approved. One we know won’t ever be shaken by the quaking and shifting of life. If we stand on what we can see with human eyes, we will constantly shift with an ever changing world. That’s not a life anchored in Jesus. In fact, the bible calls that childish. We are called to grow up into Christ in all things. He is the security we are called to build our lives upon.

What are you standing on today? What are you building your life upon? When the world is afraid of the dark, hiding under the covers, you can be unshakable; shining like a beacon in the night. You can walk through uncertain days because He is your sure foundation.

So this is what the Sovereign Lordsays:  “See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone,  a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation;  the one who relies on it  will never be stricken with panic.  Isaiah 28:16
Source A 6-day devotion
Devotion · reeding · Review · World VS Life

Jump-Start Your Dreams 

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Jump-Start Your Dreams 
What is the dream that God’s placed in your heart?I’m not asking if you have one, I already know it’s there because God gives all of us dreams. 

I’ve seen people do all kinds of things to their dreams. Some people bury them so deep in their hearts in order to protect them from the criticism of others. Some people set them out of sight so they don’t have to think about them anymore. And some people finally just give up on their dreams because it hurts too much to hold on. 

If your dream needs a jump-start, there are two things I want you to remember. First, you need to get a vision that’s clear. And second, you must keep your vision in front of you at all times. 

But having a vision doesn’t mean that it will instantly appear. God’s as interested in the process of vision as He is in the end result. 

The apostle Paul said in Philippians 4:11-13 that he had learned how to be content and satisfied to the point where he was not disturbed by whatever state he was in. In other words, he never allowed himself to get upset with where he was at the moment, he was always looking forward to where he could be. 

That means you, like Paul, need to find a balance between contentment and ambition. Here’s the key: Learn to enjoy where you are on the way to where you’re going. 

When you have a dream or a vision, you have to keep it in front of you. If it helps, write it down. And remember, God will help you live the dream He’s given you, step-by-step, one day at a time. 

Prayer Starter: Jesus, even though I don’t always feel like it and life tries to get me to quit, I believe You have a great plan for my life. I choose to trust You to help me live the dream You’ve given me more than I trust my circumstances.

( Promises for your everyday Life ) 

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There are no perfect mothers, there are many great ones. #MothersDay

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BEST MOTHER’S DAY GIFT EVER 

 

Mothers are full of various traits that the adults and children of the world need. Often, mothers are nurturing, loving, kind, comforting and leaders. Mothers protect their children, or those close to them, from harm. Teaching either intentionally or by example is what mothers do best. The eyes of a child are always watching and observing and learning from the mothers around them. Every mother has a special blend of attributes that she can use to lead, guide and lift others.

No two mothers are alike

Moms have a tendency to compare themselves to seemingly “perfect” mothers and then proceed with negative self-talk about what a terrible mother they think they are. Stop it! The “seemingly perfect mom” has strengths, but she also has weaknesses. And you have weaknesses, but you also have many strengths that are perfect for your family or those you mother. Some moms have one child while others have several. Some homeschool and others use public schooling. Avoid the “mommy wars.” One is not better than the other; they are just different.

Mother’s Day is a day to be celebrated

Though we as moms may not like Mother’s Day all that much, the people in our lives want to show their love for us. Every day, moms selflessly cook, clean, nurture, lift, inspire and a myriad of other duties. Remember to enjoy and be grateful to those who want to celebrate YOU. Likewise, tell the women in your life how much they mean to you. There is nothing like witnessing the joy on the faces of a small child, a spouse or friends as they do something kind for you to show their love and appreciation. Be grateful and let them shower you with love this Mother’s Day.

Whether you are a mom with no children or many, an empty-nester or a new mother, a loving aunt or friend, Mother’s Day is for you. Your nurturing and caring ways qualify you as a mother. Mothering is a special gift designed to help and comfort others who need your strength. Regardless of how we mother, we are all doing our best with the circumstances and strengths we have. Though there are no perfect mothers, there are many great ones.

 

 

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MY BEST FRIEND, MY MOM

Mom’s smiles can brighten any moment,
Mom’s hugs put joy in all our days,
Mom’s love will stay with us forever
and touch our lives in precious ways…
The values you’ve taught,
the care you’ve given,
and the wonderful love you’ve shown,
have enriched my life
in more ways than I can count.
I Love you Mom!

 

Causes · Depressed · family · Lyrics · Mental Health · teens · Wordless · World VS Life

We adapt, we accept, but we never get over it!

EllyFilho4 Comments

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Today I grief the death of another childhood friend that passed this morning due to one of the most tragic cause of death this nation and generation has been facing. Something that’s been destroying our generation, drug overdose. This epidemic that you don’t see it’s a problem till it’s too late. Leaving us all with just the memory we all shared with her including her two beautiful children, E & D I know you guys will miss your mom forever. Her mom (G) Nothing will ever take this pain away. I hope God will comfort you. Comfort us all 😦 .
My heart is filled with sadness. We had so many talks and you told me so many times you could fight this. I know it was hard, I know you tried. May your soul now Rest In Peace. I will forever miss you. Miss the days we spent together since 5th grade. All those times at your house when your mom and your sister had to make us lunch after school. We had so much fun. After we grew up going out to eat and hanging out. It was always a pleasant time to be around you. Karaoke  night at the Chinese place all of us together was a night to remember. I will never forget. 😦

Lindsay’s death was a tragedy, it really has been a tragic waste, and like the bitter pill that’s hard to swallow, it leaves an awful after taste. So I hope this message gets home, and her death hasn’t been in vain, because I’d hate anybody else, to have to go through all this, all again. You only get one chance on this earth, and I hope that line stays in someone’s mind, because the very real tragedy, is what happens to those that get left behind.

In Memory

We have all lost someone that we love today 

One that we all wish

was never taken from us this way

But God thought it was their time to leave

Ans now this is the moment 

For us their friends and family to grieve

We keep asking ourselves why 

Why do the good die young?

Why don’t we ever get a warning 

To when our day will come?

We were all just having birthdays and having so much fun

Tell us why you had to take them 

I mean our lives have just begun

It hurts so much to think

That they are no longer here 

When we keep seeing their face 

Through each falling tear 

Now knowing that their memory will never disappear

Although we keep pleading that this tragic ordeal 

Is anything but real

We are demanding the pain we feel

Of our hearts breaking and tearing from the seams

To somehow just be one heart rendering bad dream

Though as we awaken and realize it is not

We can remember the good times we had with them 

And forget about the times we all fought

There for please cherish all the memories

And never forget their laugh

Because we all have a piece of them within us

And that is how the love they had 

For everyone will forever last

We hope that you knew 

How many people truly cared about you

And that in your passing you have taught us

That we should always stand tall

And that we have to try to make the best of it all

Hopefully, through this tragedy, we all will wake up & see

That life can be short and taken from us so easily

You all truly will be missed by so many

We are grateful for knowing you 

And lucky to have been part of your lives

We know that Heaven’s gates

Have been opened up for you

The Angel’s have given you your wings

So that you all may watch over us

And push us so we may strive to do better things

A poem by Elizabeth Mooney

This song is in your memory… Every time I hear it it will remind me of you 😦
You will forever be missed. Love always Your Friend.

Health · mom · motherhood · World VS Life

How long should you nap for? #Health 

EllyFilhoLeave a comment

  

10-20 Minutes- To boost alertness, energy, and a good way to refresh and get back to work. 

30 minutes- Never! Studies show these leave you feeling extremely groggy. 

60 minutes- To improve your fact, face, and name recognition. 

90 minutes- To improve emotional, procedural memory and creativity. Also the easiest to wake up from. 

brazilian · family · Fashion · kids · mom · photography · Style · Wordless · World VS Life

{Wordless} Wednesday with my favorites from 2010 

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These are just a few of my favorites of 2010 as a lover of the photography profession I got the privilege to experience what it was like to photograph a bride at her most special day and do a Photoshoot of a this beautiful little girl that her natural was what made her perfect. My little cousins on her first birthday. Being natural on her porch.  And of course with a camera in my hand I always got to experience, capture and register my boys most silly special moments. 

  

” Photography can only represent the present. Once photographed, the subject becomes part of the past.”

  

” Photography for me is not looking, it’s feeling. If you can’t feel what you’re looking at, then you’re never going to get others to feel anything when they look at your pictures.”

  

“Photography is about capturing souls not smiles. ” 

  

” When people ask me what type of equipment I use —I tell them My Eyes. “

Devotion · family · love · Niche · photography · Poem · reeding · Review · review · sunday devotion · women · Wordless · World VS Life

Marriage: The Final Frontier

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Marriage: The Final Frontier
What is it about human nature? Our ability to appreciate the majestic is only rivaled by one thing: our ability to grow bored with it.

In 1961, President John Kennedy challenged the United States to put a man on the moon. Throughout that decade, the American public had an insatiable appetite for space flight. The media covered nearly every detail of NASA’s efforts, and the astronauts became national heroes. The euphoria culminated in 1969 when Neil Armstrong’s crew landed on the moon, an event witnessed by an estimated half a billion people.

But, amazingly, less than a year later, public interest in moon landings had all but evaporated. Imagine that: A feat as incredible as humans walking on the surface of the moon had become little more than a footnote on the nightly news.

It really shouldn’t surprise us. It’s human nature to lose interest in things that ought to inspire us. Like marriage. A man and a woman stand at an altar, and it seems impossible that their passion could ever fade. Yet, fast forward to the not-too-distant-future, and in all too many cases their life together has begun to drift toward the mundane.

  
It’s natural. But it’s all the more reason why couples must fight this tendency. Make time in your day to connect with one another. Get a babysitter and do something special. Use your imagination, but whatever you do, be proactive about reviving the fire that God used to draw you to your spouse in the first place.

“Place me like a seal over your heart, like a seal on your arm; for love is as strong as death, its jealousy unyielding as the grave. It burns like blazing fire, like a mighty flame. Many waters cannot quench love; rivers cannot sweep it away. If one were to give all the wealth of one’s house for love, it would be utterly scorned.”

‭‭Song of Solomon‬ ‭8:6-7‬ ‭NIV‬‬

For a daily dose of encouragement and perspective, check out Jim Daly

Causes · Depressed · family · Family Share · Health · kids · Mental Health · mom · motherhood · photography · reeding · teens · women · World VS Life

6 things you should never say to someone with depression

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6 things you should never say to someone with depression

Chances are, you know someone struggling with depression. If you want to help instead of hurting, avoid these six common mistakes.

  • 1. “Get over it”

    Depression is a serious matter that is not always easily dealt with. Getting professional treatment in a number of modalities, including prescription medication, therapy and even alternative treatments can help, but saying this won’t make anything better.

  • 2. “It’s not that bad”

    You don’t know how bad it is to them. The event that triggered the depression may not seem significant on the surface, but depression could be doing major damage on the inside once it has taken root. Try not to undermine or minimize how someone feels if you can’t understand what she’s going through.

  • 3. “You’re weak”

    Illness is not weakness. And projecting an ableist attitude onto someone who is suffering shows a lack of compassion and understanding that only makes you appear weak in character. Although a person may feel weak due to his ailment, calling him so will not give him strength.

  • 4. “Stop whining”

    Shaming a person with a psychological disorder is cruel and can cause further damage. Yes, constantly reinforcing the feelings he wants to rid himself of seems illogical and can be irritating, but it comes from a feeling of helplessness. As humans, we tend to express what we feel the most. If he were happy, he would be expressing that instead.

  • 5. “I got over it”

    What works for you will not work for everyone. Another’s experience with depression or its inciting events may be quite different from yours. Everyone has his own predispositions, chemical makeup and personal history, making for a unique treatment and healing plan. Plus, getting over something doesn’t mean you got through it. You may have put something behind you, but if it’s not entirely resolved, it could resurface and rear its ugly head again.

  • 6. “You’ll be fine”

    Be careful using these words. It can appear dismissive, uncaring or cold if said in the wrong way. Keep eye contact, smile kindly, and if you are close enough with the person, reach out and give him a warm hug and firm pat on the shoulder or back when saying this. If you believe he will get through this, let him know you mean it.

    Remember to keep your feelings about life and all of its ups and downs in perspective when addressing someone with depression. Even if you see a simple solution, a depressed person may see hopelessness and nothing in her future. Keep communication open and the bonds strong in your spiritual and biological family. This is the time your loved one needs you the most.

Georgia D. Lee seeks to empower, inspire, enrich and educate anyone with an open mind, heart and spirit through her most treasured medium – black and white!
Website: http://authorgeorgiadlee.weebly.com
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Natural Arabica Coffee Scrub #ReviewWithElly

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100% Natural Arabica Coffee Scrub 12 oz. with Organic Coffee, Coconut and Shea Butter – Best Acne, Anti Cellulite and Stretch Mark treatment, Spider Vein Therapy for Varicose Veins & Eczema (Misc.)
Received package on time
Packaged with plenty of padding
Container was properly sealed and not leakingI tried the 100% Natural Arabica Coffee Scrub for about 2 weeks now. As you can see in my Photos the product is almost gone.
This scrub smells SO good! If you love the smell of freshly brewed coffee this is perfect for you.
The Coffee Body Scrub is loaded with antioxidants, the description states it helps to fight premature skin aging like wrinkles, sun spots, and fine lines. When applied under and around the eyes, it can help in minimizing the appearance of puffy eyes as caffeine restricts blood vessels, which reduces swelling and inflammation. It can also help lighten dark circles under the eyes.

I have used this on my face every single day. Although I didn’t see any difference as far as the appearance of the puffy eyes and dark circles.

I did notice a BIG difference in my pores and black heads completely clean and gone.
My face is as clear as it ever was, smooth and acne free.
It does say the product is 100% Natural exfoliating scrub & acne treatment.
I stand by that statement 100% they are correct.
It helps remove dirt, giving you a fresh, younger more moisturized skin.
The Coffee grounds in this scrub acts as a mechanical exfoliation that helps to scrub away dead skin to reveal the new, healthy skin underneath and as a chemical Exfoliator removing skin cells with enzymes or acidic properties. It provided my skin with a more glowing and radiant appearance upon 1st use.
All I did was Gently massage scrub in a circular motion in the bath or shower, rinse well. Your skin will have a fine film of oil, do not worry, just gently pat your skin dry to leave it feeling super smooth and soft!

I also noticed it says on the bottle it GETs RID OF CELLULITE: By combining the best quality of organic coffee grounds with moisturizing, skin-soothing organic coconut oil and dead sea salt for an extra exfoliating kick.

I applied the product everyday for two weeks to my belly, legs and arms and it did NOT reduce the appearance of cellulite.
This product also did NOT target any of my stretch marks.
There for I would have to say It is not very effective for stretch mark removal.
How ever it does soften skin as it scrubs away dirt and dead skin cells.
This formula also contains skin-loving Coconut Oil, Olive oil, Shea Butter, Sweet Almond Oil, Grape Seed Oil making this aromatic exfoliating scrub a luxurious staple in any skin care regime.

Benefits of using this Scrub:
Exfoliates your skin
Super Hydration

Instead of using body scrubs with harsh chemicals, I would defiantly recommend using the coffee to scrub that combines coffee grounds with salt, sugar, and oils that leave your skin nourished and moisturized rather than just cleansed.

My Honest review on this product I loved it. Even though it didn’t remove my stretch marks or the cellulite. It’s the best Exfoliator I have ever used and for this price it’s a bargain. Also, just because it didn’t work for me. it doesn’t mean it won’t work for you.

Why waste money in high-priced spa treatments? Indulge in this coffee grounds facial scrub to soften the delicate skin on your face.

Organic Kona Coffee, Coffee Arabica Seed Oil, Dead Sea Salt Granules, Organic Coconut Extract, Dead Sea Salt, Organic Olive Oil,Organic Sweet Almond Oil, Organic Grape Seed Oil, Cacao Extract, Organic Shea Butter

I have received this product at a discount in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.

Devotion · family · Family Night · Family Share · love · photography · sunday devotion · women · World VS Life

Loving the Stranger #Marriage

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Loving the Stranger
You wouldn’t marry a complete stranger, would you? Well – surprise! – if you’re married, that’s exactly what you’ve done.

On our wedding day, we all innocently believe the same myth: that we know and understand the person we’re marrying. But every newlywed eventually discovers that getting to know the depths of someone’s heart takes years. That’s the nature of relationship, especially one as intimate as marriage. So in that sense, we all marry a stranger. We’re in love with what little we know about our spouse, but we don’t know them. Not really.

  
Maybe that’s why Stanley Hauerwas defines a successful marriage as “learning how to love and care for the stranger to whom you find yourself married.” What does he mean? Simply this: In countless ways, the person we commit to on our wedding day will not be the same person five, ten, or twenty years from now. In fact, neither will we. Marriage changes us. So does raising children, careers, the aging process, and other significant events in our lives.

That’s why it’s important to understand that marriage is not a stopping point where we instantly know our spouse fully and completely. It’s a journey through life between a man and woman, both of whom continually grow and change across their years together. As one speaker said, “When people get married, they tend to believe they’ve found a finished statue, when in reality, they’ve merely found the block of marble from which their spouse will emerge.” Commit to loving your spouse and helping them grow more Christ-like each day.

“Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ.”

‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭4:15‬ ‭NIV‬‬