Sunday, June 17, 2012

Tongues and Social Media

I was thinking today, I really text a lot.  And chat.  And email. 

Social media is a big part of life nowadays.  I mean friends cheer us up so it's fun to be able to communicate with them even when you aren't hanging out.  But in my opinion, sometimes all this stuff isn't too good.

First of all, it can make you kind of socially awkward.  Texting is fun, but it should never replace seeing your friend face-to-face.  Also, it's usually easier to say things in a text or chat message that you wouldn't say to your friend in person.  Because of this, before I send a text, I think, "would I actually say this to this person?"

And while I'm on the topic, it's just as important to think about what you're going to say in a text as it is in person.  As a girl, I feel like a lot of times I just say whatever comes into my mind instead of thinking first, and that can cause problems.  Sometimes, then, texting can be better because you can really stop and think about your response, whereas in person, you only have so much time to think about your next sentence in your conversation. 

 James 1:19 says, "My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry."

Also, James 3:5-6 says, "Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark.  The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell."

The second set of verses is pretty harsh right?  That just shows how important it is to think before we speak. 

So, my main point is, be careful with social media and the ability to speak without talking face-to-face.  Speaking is a great privledge we have, so use it wisely.

Tuesday, June 12, 2012

Hawaiian Flower Nails

It's almost Summer, and I really wish I was in Hawaii right now.  So, here's how I paint my nails with a Hawaiian-inspired flower!

What you'll need:
 ~ Clear nail polish
 ~ A color of your choice
 ~ White nail polish
 ~ A toothpick




1. Paint your clear coat (so your nails won't turn yellow from the polish)



2. Pick a bright color and paint 2 coats. I love pink :)











3. Take your white polish and make 5 dots on your nail. Make sure they aren't so huge that there is an overflow of polish, but that there is still a bit of a glob of polsih.....if that makes any sense. Just make sure it isn't too thin.




4. Do this to all 5 of your fingers on one hand. Now go back to the first finger you painted. Use your toothpick to start in the middle of each dot and drag it to the center. THIS IS IMPORTANT! The reason you need to go back to the first finger is because the effect is much better once you have let the "globs" dry a bit so that they are similiar to the consistancy of gel.




5. Let your fingers dry for a couple minutes. (or 10 seconds if you wanna cheat like me)


6. Paint a clear coat on top and you're done!!




I hope you guys enjoy trying this out on yourselves :) Be creative! If you don't want to do the flowers on all your fingers, do only your thumb and ring finger. If you want to use multiple colors, go for it!! I love doing this year round but it's really great for the Summer.


Sunday, June 10, 2012

A Proverbs 31 Girl

In this world, society focuses a lot on looks.  You have to be wearing whatever is "in" and your hair always has to be perfect to fit in.  Girls get pressured a lot in these areas and I think that's really sad.  I mean, think about it.  When you die, would you rather be remembered as "that girl that always had cute clothes" or "that girl that always said hi to me even when nobody else did"?  How we look should never be our identity.

I personally LOVE learning about new hair products, the latest fashion trends, and fun makeup.  All those things in and of themselves aren't bad.  But if we start to define ourselves with how we look, you start to lose sight of what is really important.  Your heart. 

One thing I've learned about is the "Proverbs 31 Woman".  Basically, from verses 10-31 (in Proverbs 31) there is a description of the type of woman that God wants you to be.  One part of this passage says that "she is clothed in fine linen and purple".  Back then, those would have been very trendy clothes.  So it's not like God is telling us, "you should never look pretty if you're going to follow my will for your life".  But verse 30 says, "Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised."

Through all this I'm not trying to tell you that beauty and fashion are bad things.  I really look forward to sharing some of the tips and tricks I've found though this blog! Just don't forget that true beauty comes from a heart for God.  (But that doesn't mean we can't enjoy being girls right?) :)


"For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."   ~ Ephesians 2:10

10 A wife of noble character who can find?
She is worth far more than rubies.
11 Her husband has full confidence in her
and lacks nothing of value.
12 She brings him good, not harm,
all the days of her life.
13 She selects wool and flax
and works with eager hands.
14 She is like the merchant ships,
bringing her food from afar.
15 She gets up while it is still night;
she provides food for her family
and portions for her female servants.
16 She considers a field and buys it;
out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
17 She sets about her work vigorously;
her arms are strong for her tasks.
18 She sees that her trading is profitable,
and her lamp does not go out at night.
19 In her hand she holds the distaff
and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
20 She opens her arms to the poor
and extends her hands to the needy.
21 When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
22 She makes coverings for her bed;
she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
23 Her husband is respected at the city gate,
where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
24 She makes linen garments and sells them,
and supplies the merchants with sashes.
25 She is clothed with strength and dignity;
she can laugh at the days to come.
26 She speaks with wisdom,
and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
27 She watches over the affairs of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.
28 Her children arise and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:
29 “Many women do noble things,
but you surpass them all.”
30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
31 Honor her for all that her hands have done,
and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.