Tuesday's Top Ten PLUS Ten: Drama Free Life

Much alike a post from last December titled "Worry Free Life" I am going to take a different route this week. Be sure to check out BecKyle's list as well-she always has wise advice.

I'm a girl. I'm also a girl who went through Junior High. I am convinced (unless high school comes in first place for you) that there is not a more drama filled place than the halls of a Junior High. Everything seems like it is of the utmost importance-and anything gone wrong is the end of the world. I've had friends who did nothing but gossip, and know many people who thrive when things start to get dramatic. That is a fantastic picture of how I used to be. Since having gone through the discipleship process and begun the experience of sanctification, I am not that way near as much today. The foremost reason being-I tell myself this statement constantly.

God is in control, and in 100 years-it wont matter!

When I started being able to recognize that and bring to mind when things got dramatic-everything changed. Now I am learning how to have an eternal perspective. In  2 Corinthians 4:18 Paul is encouraging believers who are going through persecution by reminding them, "For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal." Resting in Christ is so much easier when I am less consumed with the things of this world. It doesn't matter to me whether "so and so did this" or a day fell apart-because with my eyes on Jesus, it's all temporal. I have been memorizing in the book of 1 Peter, and this week's portion is coming to mind as I write this. It says "for All flesh is like grass, and all it's glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls, but the word of the Lord remains forever." 1 Peter 1: 24. It reminds me that The Lord and His word are the only things that are eternal! So drama and worry in this life are of zero importance-especially in the grand scheme of things. 

                                                       

Tuesday's Top Ten PLUS Ten: Watch What You Say

This week Becky and I will be addressing a fairly hefty topic-words. What we say is impactful and important, and so the two of us would like to share with you the necessity of guarding them.

1. Pro 4:23  "Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life." It all starts with the heart! Which leads me to the next one..

2. Luke 6: 43-45 "For no good tree bears bad fruit, nor again does a bad tree bear good fruit,

for each tree is known by its own fruit. For figs are not gathered from thornbushes, nor are grapes picked from a bramble bush. The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks."

So what you say, and how you say it, is quite literally a reflection of your heart! 

3. We all know that the popular saying; "sticks and stones may break my bones-but words will never hurt me" is NOT true. Every person ever has been hurt by what somebody has said-at least once in their life, I guarantee it. Why be the person dishing that out?

4. Abraham Lincoln once said "It is better to be thought a fool, than to open the mouth and remove all doubt." How true. Among many other reasons, we should watch our mouths, because we say dumb things, and it is embarrassing! In many situations it would be far more effective to stay silent.

5.With the devastating statistic that 1 in 3 children are bullied-it proves all the more that what you say will stick.

6. As Christians, we are an example of Jesus to this world. If we are not imitating and glorifying Him with our mouths, then what is the point of  even having one?

7. Once something is said, you can never get it back. Words can only be forgiven, but not erased.

8. Words can sometimes have duplicate meanings, and different cultures can bring new definitions as well-as a result, we should always practice sensitivity.

9. As a woman, I know that we say a thousand things a day that have no purpose. Our brains our spinning 5,000 miles an hour and it never stops. Sometimes it is beneficial to be purposeful with what I say.

10. This song.

Thanks for reading! And don't forget to hop on over to BecKyle's list as well! Happy Tuesday!

Tuesday's Top Ten PLUS Ten: Qualities of a BFF

This week Becky and I will share the 10 things I find most important to find inside a best friend..emphasis on the last letter "F" (forever). We've all had those friends that come and go, but these are qualities that are indicative of one that will be around for a while.

1. Having a friend who has love for God  is important to me. Of course I have and should strive to meet others who don't know Jesus (otherwise how can they?) but the close friends who will be around forever, in my opinion, should be God loving. That will also produce the likeliness that they will posses most of the following qualities.

2. Honesty is very valuable to me. And I think that without it, a relationship cannot flourish.

3. Following the idea of honesty, I also think a best friend should be able to keep you accountable if need be. I don't just mean asking you if you've been reading your Bible (which is a good thing to be kept accountable for-by the way), but even being able to lovingly confront you if the need arises. Best friends will know you better than most, so they will know if you're in the need for a little bit of accountability. A relationship is probably flaky and flimsy if you can't tell each other things they need to hear, even if you don't want to.

4. Being humble, and having the heart of a servant would be another mark of a friend worth keeping. A humble friend won't constantly put you down, won't selfishly act, or try to establish superiority. And I know we've all known or seen one of those. And why not surround yourself with people you wouldn't mind being alike? Who you are around will rub off on you, so make it someone worthy.

5. I know that being my friend requires patience. And because we are all sinners-being anyone's friend will require patience.

6. The acts that require patience, may also require forgiveness. But there is no doubt that the need will arise at one point or another-and if your best friend can grant you forgiveness, the relationship can stay strong and grow from it. If your best friend cannot grant forgiveness, it will die quickly.

7. Everyone needs to talk sometimes. That's why I find it important for a best friend to be a good listener.

8. I think everyone should be passionate about something. My personality is one of passion, so I think all the more so that it would be important for a friend of mine to have at least one thing they are truly passionate about-whether that be painting or fishing or Doctor Who. Otherwise I think things could get dull. Which leads me to the next one..

9. If my best friend didn't have a somewhat silly personality, I would annoy the heck out of them. Plus, who wants a relationship where you can't just be yourself and goof off? Not me that's for sure!

10. Lastly but not leastly (that's definitely not a word), I think it's necessary for your best friend to like your family. I don't care if you have the most bizarre kin in the universe, if you are close friends with someone and they can't be okay with spending time with your family-it's not a good sign. Even if your friend isn't crazy about them, they should make the effort. After all, a best friend is like family!

Thanks for reading! Don't forget to hop on over to BecKyle's list!

Tuesday's Top Ten PLUS Ten: Motivate Me

Some days I just need a little motivation. Whether it's because I'm feeling discouraged, lazy, or any other thing you can think of..it never hurts to have some motivating tools in my utility belt. So here are the things I personally use when I need a little boost. Don't forget to hop on over to BecKyle's page and check out her list too!

1. The Gospel
Nothing can more quickly or effectively remind me of what I need to hear, or put things in perspective. I'm not perfect, so I don't turn to this as often as I should..but when I do, I feel silly for not doing it all the time. Quite honestly I could leave it at this, because all the other reasons stem off of it in some kind of way. But I won't do that to you :) By the way, if you are unsure of what the Gospel is, click here.

2. Psalm 23
While it is one of the more popular Psalms, it is one of my favorites. It reminds me of God's sovereignty, and Father-like characteristics. It also makes me think of John Chapter 10, which is another great way to put my thoughts into perspective.

3.

When I am reminded to stop what I'm doing and spend time in prayer, it always without a doubt helps. I could benefit from this being posted everywhere I go..

4. 

This reminder-that I can't do anything beyond forgiveness- can always motivate me to get back up again.

5. 

When I hear degrading comments, or see my mom have a rough day, or become overwhelmed myself, it is nice to be reminded of purpose. 

Now onto the music half of my list! You aren't surprised are you? :)

6. "The Proof of Your Love" by For King and Country

These guys are pretty fantastic. And this song is one of my all time favorites. It instantly makes me question my attitude, and if such attitude needs changing, it usually leads to conviction and just that! 

7. "All About Love" by Steven Curtis Chapman

This one gives me a new outlook when I am in need.

8. "Made" by Hawk Nelson

Because sometimes I just need to hear it. It's more about the Creator than the creation.

9. "Awake and Alive" by Skillet

There's just something about this song that can get me pumped. And many others I'm sure. 

10. "Defying Gravity" performed by Idina Menzel

Not as if I believe I can fly, or any figurative sense of the word..but this song is just one of those that leaves you motivated. It is from the Broadway Musical, "Wicked".