VERSE OF THE DAY!

Speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ.
—Ephesians 4:15

Thoughts on Today's Verse...
Speaking the truth is hard enough. You mean I have to do it in love? Yes, if I am to be Christ's man or woman, I must speak to others as he did.

My Prayer...
Father, forgive me for the bitterness in my heart and unfairness on my lips. Through your Spirit, help me better use my speech to bless others and glorify you. May I speak your truth with your love today in all my conversations. Through him who is Truth and Love I pray. Amen.

I HAVE AN ANNOUNCEMENT!

Starting May 1st, I'll be posting some bible study lessons that I've been reading over the past couple of weeks.

They are so good, I just have to share them with you. I guarantee you'll be satisfied with each lesson.

Stay tuned everyone and once they are posted up, feel free to share!

The 19 Signs Of A Mentally Strong Person

1. They’re introspective. They evaluate their actions from a third-party perspective and are always digging for why they took a certain course of action, why they felt the need to do so, what caused that need, etc.

2. They don’t yell or erupt with anger easily; especially over petty, daily things. The people who live on the verge of exploding numerous times a day are the ones with the most turmoil brewing beneath the surface, turmoil they don’t — and typically won’t — acknowledge. Mentally strong people know that external projections of anger are just echoes channeled through their own open (but internal) wounds that reverberate out onto someone else.

3. They’re open to feedback in the sense that they don’t just handle criticism, but they also consider ideas beyond the scope of that which they’ve already acknowledged themselves — they don’t exist with such open wounds that even the slightest jab is monumental. They don’t immediately write off new opinions just because they haven’t heard them before.

4. They are aware of their conditioning, and adjust it as they need to. They do not base their opinion of themselves on the opinions of others, nor their worldviews on the ways they’ve been conditioned to believe. They do not believe they are only as good as someone else has affirmed they are, and they do not accept anything for the simple reason of having been told it growing up.

5. They apologize. It seems like a simple thing to do, but there’s a big ego element to overcome in reaching the mindset that doesn’t automatically assume that you’re right all the time. Genuine apologies are harder to come by than you may realize, but a mentally strong person will give them as often or as little as they are honesty needed.

6. They realize that anything they feel the need to judge other people for is usually directly related to what they most judge themselves for. They don’t utilize this awareness only to be kinder to others, but to see how they also need to help and heal themselves.

7. They were once probably not strong at all. They don’t act from a place of inherent fearlessness, but in spite of the presence of fear. They know that mental strength is not usually something you are born with naturally, but something you cultivate out of necessity.

8. They know how to healthfully draw the line between being selfless and giving and taking care of themselves. They don’t withhold for the sake of self-gratification, but they understand what lines cannot be crossed before that affects their own overall, day-to-day wellbeing.

9. They don’t look for peace or happiness anywhere outside of themselves, or at least they know that doing so is fruitless.

10. They don’t label emotions as “good” or “bad,” they know how to let them pass, and they know that it’s normal to have an array of feelings. They know that having a negative reaction, an off day or a bad feeling are more healthy than not. They just don’t let themselves become controlled by them.

11. They don’t limit their thoughts. For the lack of a much less cliché phrasing: they let themselves have big dreams and goals. They don’t tell themselves why they can’t, they think: “why not me?”

12. They don’t expect anything, and they’re not attached to the results. They know that keeping their minds open to possibility and the inevitability that is their plans not always working out the way they wanted is the only way to remain content.

13. They don’t excessively draw attention to themselves for negative reasons.  There are some people who make hospital trips out of scraped knees if you know what I mean — and this very intense need for other people’s attention is usually rooted in some kind of self-worth/esteem issue, though the cause can vary, of course.

14. They are open to receiving help. They’ll attend therapy if they need it, consider medications if it’s necessary, let themselves be consoled and comforted by friends. They know there’s no shame in the suffering, only in not asking for the help you need.

15. They aren’t co-dependent. They do not exist for the sake of a relationship with someone else. Their world wouldn’t fall apart if one aspect of it did. They are rounded in the sense that they have more than one thing going for them, or rather, more than one person they can rely on to make them feel loved and wanted and necessary.

16. They can have an argument in which they can completely disagree with someone but not have the situation devolve into a screaming match. They don’t feel the need to “fight dirty,” so to say. They know when to walk away, and when to step up and approach issues head on in a rational way without letting them fester until they explode.

17. They are conscious of their childhood issues. It’s unfortunately the place from which a lot of our struggles originate: the saying goes that the way our parents’ spoke to us growing up is how we speak to ourselves now, but I think that concept is true of a lot of our early relationships. The sooner we are aware of this, the sooner we can work on changing that default setting.

18. They follow their instincts, and trust themselves enough to know that they are worth  following.

19. They forgive themselves because they know there’s no merit in holding a grudge against yourself. It’s not punishment, and you don’t deserve it. The only thing worth doing is acknowledging your faults (we all have ‘em) and doing your best to work on them without adding more negativity into the mix. 

VERSE OF THE DAY!

I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand upon the earth.
—Job 19:25

Thoughts on Today's Verse...
Beyond what these words were first meant to convey, we know today that our Redeemer will return as the Rider on the white horse in triumph and victory. Hallelujah, what a day! Then the world truly WILL KNOW that Jesus Christ, our Savior and brother and friend, is Lord of all things!

My Prayer...
Conquering King, Immortal God, I look forward to the day of your ultimate triumph in our world. Until that day, I pray that your Kingdom may be reflected in my ministry, my family and my life. Through the Rider on the white horse, I pray. Amen.

10 Things Guys Say (And What We Really Mean)

1.”I’m Not Really Into Labels”
Translation: If I’m saying this and am also completely serious, it probably means I’m 27 and haven’t had a real job in 4 years. Also, my music taste is insufferable.

2. “We aren’t dating…we’re talking”
Translation: One time I expressed vulnerability, and it was the scariest thing that ever happened to me. I’ve thus committed to spending the next 5-7 years of my life being miserable, out of fear of having to express an ounce of real emotion.

3. “You Should Come Over And Watch A Movie”
Translation: While this is certainly a thinly-veiled ploy to have sex, if you’re the type of girl who is going to come over and insist that I watch 27 Dresses (and expect pay me to attention for more than 5 minutes), there is no future here.

4. “I’m not really into putting relationship stuff on Facebook.”
Translation: I’d prefer not to get ripped on by my friends for all of eternity.

5. “Let’s grab drinks tonight.”
Translation: I’m too scared to talk to you without having at least 3 drinks. This of course, is in addition to the 2 drinks I’m planning to have before meeting up with you.

6. “I’ve just been burned before in relationships.”
Translation: One time I got dumped and really resonated with 2004 Usher. I don’t like you enough do be in a relationship with you, but I do really like 2004 Usher. Not as good as 2008 Usher (Love In This Club is a cultural touchstone), but definitely pretty solid. I do respect how Usher has evolved with the times, but 2004 Usher should never be forgotten.

7.  “I wasn’t flirting with her. I’m just a friendly guy.”
Translation: Even if I was flirting with her, do you remember those messages I initially tried to woo you with on Tinder? It’s amazing you saw past those. You have nothing to worry about.

8. “I just need a night out with the guys. You understand, right?”
Translation: You don’t watch Game of Thrones, and I need to socialize with people who watch Game of Thrones.

9. “I just want to watch a little football, eat a few wings, and kick back.”
Translation: I need to spend a few hours forgetting the fact that my life isn’t remotely close to what I imagined it was gonna be. Also, Honey Barbecue.

10. “It was nice meeting your friends.”
Translation: I recently met your friends, and no matter how I actually feel about them, it makes absolutely no sense for me to express any opinion other than that “they were nice.”

VERSE OF THE DAY!

Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death — even death on a cross!
—Philippians 2:5-8

Thoughts on Today's Verse...
"Lord, humble us gently." That is one of my friend/s favorite prayers. I like it, too. But thank God Jesus was not gently humbled. While I hate he had to go through agony, his self-emptying humility was stark, bold, drastic, and outrageous. But I am to have this same attitude when it comes to reaching God's lost children.

My Prayer...
God, you are all powerful and yet you emptied yourself to redeem me. May I be more selfless in my attitude and treatment of others, more like Jesus is with me. In Christ' name, I pray. Amen.

13 Ways You Know You’re Dating A Grown-Ass Man

1. You know where you stand. You are his girlfriend or you are a girl he’s dating but either way he’s not scared to define it. He’s not afraid that a girl will cry and run away if she doesn’t hear what she wants to, he wants a mature woman because he is a mature man.

2. You don’t have to prod him to become a real adult. He’s self motivated to improve on his own. If there’s an area of his life that needs improvement, he’s working on it long before you notice it.

3. Texting with him is peaceful. Sometimes you have conversations. Sometimes you make plans. But it’s never a power struggle of who initiates and who texts lasts. It’s not fishing for compliments or security. It’s simply a short form of communication.

4. He calls his mom. You don’t need to tell him to do this and he does it to keep in touch, not because he needs her stamp of approval on all his choices.

5. He has interests. Like actual interests. Not beer darts or meeting women. He reads the newspaper or books, and when you ask him his opinion on something, he has an answer.

6. When you spend the night at his place, it doesn’t feel like camping. His sheets are (reasonably) clean, there’s (gasp) toilet paper and (double gasp) fresh towels in the bathroom, and there’s something in the fridge other than beer.

7. He doesn’t disappear for days or a week at a time. He knows that if he needs space or some time to clear his head when he’s stressed out all he needs to do is say that. He’s strong enough to be upfront rather than running away.

8. He never says “just trust me” as an attempt to end a disagreement. He knows that if you’re expressing a concern, the solution isn’t to just tell you not to have it. He isn’t manipulative.

9. He doesn’t get jealous. Sure, it doesn’t make him happy when another guy hits on you while he’s checking your coats, but he doesn’t blow up about it. He’s secure in your admiration.

10. He doesn’t treat you like a child. If he disagrees with you he can tell you that. He assumes you want to engage with him rather than assuming you are a piece of glass that will shatter at the slightest disturbance.

11. He encourages you to grow and try new activities. He isn’t afraid he will be left in the dust and he genuinely wants the best for you.

12. You never have this conversation: “Where do you want to go?” “Uh, I don’t know, where do you want to go?”

13. You don’t have to play a guessing game when he’s upset about something. He tells you. Directly. With words. And you have a conversation and figure out a solution.

Rob Base & DJ EZ Rock - It Takes Two

For those of you who haven't heard yet, Rapper DJ EZ Rock (Rodney Bryce) has passed away.. Cause of death has not yet been revealed.

RIP...

Rob Base in Brown hat, DJ EZ Rock in white hat

For those of you who aren't sure who DJ EZ Rock was, watch this video and listen to the song!

IIIII

IIIII

IIIII

IIIII

IIIII

IIIII

IIIII

IIIII

IIIII

IIIII

IIIIIIIIIIIIIII

IIIIIIIIIIIII

IIIIIIII

IIII

II

[Hook]

It takes two to make a thing go right

It takes two to make it outta sight

Hit it!

[Verse 1]

I wanna rock right now

I'm Rob Base and I came to get down

I'm not internationally known

But I'm known to rock the microphone

Because I get stoopid, I mean outrageous

Stay away from me if you're contagious

Cause I'm the winner, no, I'm not a loser

To be an M.C. is what I choose-a

Ladies love me, girls adore me

I mean even the ones who never saw me

Like the way that I rhyme at a show

The reason why, man, I don't know

So let's go, cause

[Hook]

[Verse 2]

My name is Rob, I gotta real funky concept

Listen up, cause I'm gonna keep you in step

I got an idea

That I wanna share

You don't like it? So what, I don't care

I'm number one, the uno, I like comp

Bring all the suckers cause all them I'll stomp

Bold and black but I won't protect

All of my followers cause all I want is respect

I'm not a doctor, put them in rapture

A slick brother that can easy outfox ya

Cause I'm Rob, the last name Base, yeah

And on the mic, I'm known to be the freshest

So let's start, it shouldn't be too hard

I'm not a sucker so I don't need a bodyguard

I won't fess, wear a bulletproof vest

Don't smoke buddha, can't stand sess, yes

[Hook]

[Verse 3]

The situation that the Base is in

I'm kinda stingy that's why I don't wanna lend

A funky rhyme to a foe or a good friend

But listen up cause I want you to comprehend

Cause I'm the leader, the man superior

I take care of ya and then ya get wearier

So just sit, my rhymes are not counterfeit

The record sells which makes this one a hit

It won't hurt to listen to Red Alert

Take off your shirt

Make sure it don't hit the dirt

I like the kids; the guys, the girls

I want the ducats cause this is Rob Base's world

I'm on a mission, ya better just listen

To my rhymes cause I'm all about dissin'

Cause

[Hook]

[Verse 4]

I stand alone, don't need anyone

Cause I'm Rob, just came to have fun

Don't need friends that act like foes

Cause I'm Rob Base, the one who knows

About things that make ya get weary

Don't cheer me, just hear me

Out cause I got the clout, shout (Ho!)

Before I turn the party out

I won't stutter

Project my voice, speak clearly

So you can be my choice

On stage or on record

Go to the Wiz and select it

Take it off the rack, if it's wack put it back

I like the Whopper, fuck the Big Mac

If you want static, so let's go

So, throw up your hands

Go for what you know

Bro', I got an ego

Yo, talkin' to me? No, oh

Cause Rob is in the front, EZ Rock is on the back-up

We're not soft, so you better just slack up

Cause I'm cool, calm just like a breeze

Rock the mike with the help of EZ

Rock on the set, the music plays

Only cuts the records that I say

[Hook]

[Outro]

All right, now, EZ Rock

Now, when I count to three

I want you to get busy

You ready now?

One, two, three, get loose now!

13 Ways You Know You’re Dating A High-Quality Woman

Came across this post on facebook and thought I'd share..

1. She encourages you to pursue your goals, but she doesn’t micromanage. She trusts you to make the right decisions in your own life. She’s the cheerleader, not the coach.

2. She doesn’t try to make you jealous. She’s secure in her worth, and your ability to recognize how valuable she is. She doesn’t need to play games to “trick” you into seeing her her for what she is.

3. She doesn’t have a princess complex. She demands that you treat her with respect — but because she is a person you love, not because she is a woman and therefore magically entitled to something. Just as she would expect you to treat your friends and family with respect, she knows you wouldn’t treat her any other way. A high-quality woman wouldn’t be with a man who was disrespectful to the people he is close to in life.

4. She has a part of her life that doesn’t involve you. Friends, hobbies, career — whatever. She’s confident and independent enough to not need your involvement in everything she does.

5. You wouldn’t think twice about inviting her into different parts of your life: a barbecue with your college friends, a dinner with your parents, a fancy work party — she knows how to handle herself in different settings. She’s mature enough to make a good impression with your colleagues and wise enough to know letting loose with your friends and having fun doesn’t mean she’s immature.

6. She takes care of herself. This doesn’t mean she is perfect, it means she is always improving. You don’t have to tell her she needs to solve a problem in her life. She’s self-aware and sees what issues she has and is self-motivated enough to constantly be working to improve them. She needs a partner, not a dad.

7. When she is in a situation where she doesn’t know people, she introduces herself confidently. She doesn’t cling meekly to your side waiting for you to facilitate every social interaction.

8. A reasonable, non-hyper-conservative employer could look at her social media presence and hire her.

9. She isn’t shy about sex. If she doesn’t want to do something, she can articulate why instead of just saying “ew”. Your sex life with her isn’t a shady secret she feels uncomfortable talking about, it’s adult and healthy and you both work to keep the flame alive.

10. She has opinions more than “idk” and she can talk calmly and non-hyperbolically about them. If she disagrees with you, you can have a conversation about it without anyone raising their voice.

11. She would never joke with her friends or family (or worse, your friends or family) about how men are “stupid” or childish, or whatever “happy wife happy life” mantra you’ve heard women use to put down the partners they love.

12. She knows what she wants in life. She doesn’t change her values or goals to tailor fit the guy she is with.

13. You feel lucky to be dating her because you know she would never date anyone just to date them. She isn’t afraid to be single and she is self-sufficient. You know she is dating you because she’s attracted to you and she thinks that you will help each other grow to be even higher quality, together. 

VERSE OF THE DAY!

The Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost.
—Luke 19:10

Thoughts on Today's Verse...
"The Friend of Sinners." Of all the things Jesus was called, I believe that was his favorite. Come to think of it, I believe it's my favorite, too!

My Prayer...
Father, while I know you hate sin and the havoc it creates in our lives, I am so thankful that when you came to earth you were not our judge but our Savior, you were our friend. I promise to live today more aware of your love for the lost because I know what it means to be found. Through Jesus my Lord, I pray. Amen.

VERSE OF THE DAY!

Jesus is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.
—Hebrews 7:25

Thoughts on Today's Verse...
Jesus didn't just come and die for us. He wasn't just raised to give us life. No, as incredible as those gifts are, he adds another blessing to all he has done for us: until he can come and take us home to God, Jesus lives to ask God for grace in our behalf. Jesus is not only our Savior, he is our defender and brother at the Father's side!

My Prayer...
Precious Savior, my Jesus, how I love you. You sacrificed heaven for me. You gave up dignity to redeem me. You destroyed death to assure me. But today, I am most thankful and most aware that every prayer I offer and every step I take you are in the Father's presence to bless me. Thank you. Amen.

Of all pregnant celebrities I've seen oner the years,

Ciara has been my favorite!

I love her and her baby bump!

I can't wait to see her baby.. She's due any day now :)

Here are some random pics!

Here's one of my faves from

her most recent photo shoot with W Magazine!

Red Velvet Cake Mix Cinnamon Rolls

These take about 3 hours from start to finish, mostly inactive prep time.

Ingredients.. Makes 24 rolls
1 box of Duncan Hines Signature Red Velvet Cake Mix
2 envelopes (1/4 oz each) of Active Dry Yeast
2 1/2 cups of warm water
1 teaspoon of kosher salt
1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
5 cups of all-purpose flour

Cinnamon Filling
1 stick of softened butter – you can add another stick of butter if you want them really gooey
1 cup of packed dark brown sugar
1 cup of granulated white sugar
Cinnamon

Cream Cheese Frosting
2 sticks of softened butter
3 cups of powdered sugar
1 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract
Pinch of kosher salt
2 packages of softened cream cheese – 8 ounces

Combine two packages of active dry yeast with warm water in the bowl of a stand mixer. Stir until dissolved. Add cake mix, flour, vanilla and salt. Use dough hook attachment to knead dough together, just for a minute or two. Move to larger bowl, cover, and let rise for about an hour. Punch dough down after an hour, and let rise again for another hour.

Use plenty of flour on a clean surface and turn dough out.  Shape into a ball, then roll into a rectangle shape, mine measured about 28×17. Spread softened butter over dough. Sprinkle with brown sugar, white granulated sugar and cinnamon. Start from farthest edge and roll dough tightly into a long skinny log shape. Slice into 24 rolls.

Place rolls in two 9×13 pans that have been greased with butter, or sprayed with non stick cooking spray. Let rise a final time in pan for about 30 minutes.

Bake at 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes.

While the rolls are baking, prepare cream cheese frosting. With paddle attachment on the stand mixer, combine room temperature butter with powdered sugar. Beat until well combined, then add vanilla and pinch of salt. Mix again, then while mixer is going, drop cubes of softened cream cheese in the bowl one at a time until frosting is well mixed.

Spread on warm rolls and enjoy.

VERSE OF THE DAY!

God has chosen you to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ.
—Colossians 1:27-28

Thoughts on Today's Verse...
Christ lives in me. Until I can become completely like him through the power of the Spirit (2 Cor. 3:18), he lives in me. Until I can go home to be with him he lives in me (John 14:1-21). Everywhere I go and everything I do, he is in me. Our goal is to have him formed more perfectly in us, not just live in us. Of course, that will be done by his power and through the gift of his Spirit!

My Prayer...
O God, may the presence of Jesus within me stir me to do your work today. May your abiding grace, through the presence of your gracious Son, call me to your character and your concerns. O Jesus, please make my heart like our Father's. Amen.

VERSE OF THE DAY!

You know that is was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.
—1 Peter 1:18-19

Thoughts on Today's Verse...
If value is determined by price, we are incredibly valuable. God took the most precious treasure of heaven to buy us out of sin and death and adopt us into his family. Silver and gold pale in comparison to that value.

My Prayer...
Holy God, may I live each day more aware of my inestimable value to you. May my words, thoughts and actions be permeated with your sense of my worth — not so that I may seem important to others, but so that I may live in holiness and honor to your precious gift to me. Through him I pray. Amen.

Blood Orange Sangria

SERVES 4 to 6 -- TOTAL TIME: 15 MINUTES

Ingredients:
-6 blood oranges
-2 (750ML) bottles of pinot grigio
-1 cup club soda
-1/2 cup brandy
-12 ounces of strawberries, sliced
-1 pint of raspberries
-1 apple, chopped
-1/2 cup sugar, for glass rimming

Directions:
Zest one of the blood oranges and combine it with the sugar in a small bowl. Rub the sugar and zest together with your fingers until fragrant. Juice four of the blood oranges (I simply did this by hand), discarding any seeds or pith. Chop the remaining blood oranges into pieces.

In a large pitcher, combine the wine, brandy, blood orange juice, club soda, apples, strawberries, raspberries and blood oranges. 

Stir well to combine. Place the orange sugar on a plate, then run a lemon, lime or orange slice around the rim of each glass. Dunk each glass in the sugar, coating well. 

Fill each glass with a few ice cubes, then add some of the fruit from the sangria. Pour the sangria into each glass and serve!

Note: this definitely gets better as it sits, so you can make it ahead of time and store it in the fridge.

VERSE OF THE DAY!

It is written, "As surely as I live," says the Lord, "every knee will bow before me; every tongue will confess to God."
—Romans 14:11

Thoughts on Today's Verse...
"Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven." "Maranatha! Come Lord Jesus!" Yes, every knee will bow. But ours already do. We live in anticipation of the day when all peoples will bow before our King. Until that day, let's do all we can to make sure as many as we can influence bow before Jesus on that Day in joy and not on in fear!

My Prayer...
Father, I thank you for saving me. May my anticipation of the day of Jesus' victory move me to be your agent of reconciliation so others are ready for that day and will welcome it with joy. Give me eyes to see those who need to come to Jesus today. Through him I pray. Amen.

Today's my 25th Birthday

&& I spent it at...

VERSE OF THE DAY!

Since the creation of the world, God's invisible qualities — his eternal power and divine nature — have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.
—Romans 1:20

Thoughts on Today's Verse...
The touch of the Masters hand is all around us. We see it in the order, beauty, and dazzling variety of creation. The great expanse of space, with its billions of stars, along with the incredible world of the microscopic are all testimony to an Order of great creativity. God has left his fingerprints all over his world so we can know that he has been here and will not abandon the work of his hands.

My Prayer...
O God, thank you for your creation. Thank you for its beauty and variety. Thank you for the changing seasons and the beauty of Spring. But most of all, thank you for choosing to show yourself to us, your creatures. In Jesus' name. Amen.