A few of my obsessions

Voluspa Candles (currently Japanese Plum Bloom) + Vintage chairs (I have a collection of over 50 at the moment, my husband definitely calls it an obsession) + Pretty fabrics (I love a vintage modern mix) + Pillows (I can't get enough of them)

PS... I am working on a refinishing a few occasional chairs, at the moment. I'll post pics when I'm finished.

Crafting for a Cause

Last night all of us girls got together to do a little crafting. We made our own stationary, fabric flowers & Brandi Bloom shared with us some tips about saving money while shopping! All to say, it was a fun time. I am so thankful for the wonderful ladies in my life.

Transform... The Power of a Changed Life

This past Sunday I had the privilege of speaking at The Cause Community Church (have I mentioned how much I LOVE my church, greatest people around!) My message was called: Transform... The Power of a Transformed Life. Thought I would share a few of my thoughts...

"You can argue an argument, but you can't argue a transformed life"

Transform:
• to change in form, appearance, or structure;
• to undergo a change in condition, nature, or character; convert.
• to change into another substance

2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV)
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!

James 4:6 (NIV)
God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.

Humility is the difference between the person that continues to allow God to transform them and the person that gets stuck and in their old ways. You have to learn to HUMBLE OUT so that you continue to grow & change!

Transformation is not a one-time experience, but an ongoing process

2 Corinthians 3:17-18 (NLT)
For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are transformed into his glorious image.

I Samuel 10.6
“The Spirit of the LORD will come upon you in power, and you will prophesy with them; and you will be changed into a different person.”

You continue the ongoing process of Transformation, by allowing God to change the way you think

Romans 12:1-2
Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good, pleasing and perfect.

God changes the way you think through:

1) Spending time in the Word of God
2) Being in Community w/ other believers (Discipleship)
3) Spending time In God’s Presence

God’s promise of transformation is for you, but it is not suppose to STOP with you

That’s where the GREAT COMMISSION comes in...

God wants to transform us so that we can experience His freedom and then help bring HOPE & HEALING to others!!

An Old Favorite...

I have some of the best memories antique shopping with my Mom, we always find the best things! A few years ago we were strolling through a few antique stores on Cherry Street in Tulsa and found this fabulous find... a vintage framed chalkboard. We loved it. We bought it. And I still use it today. I use it to post Kyle & I's weekly schedule (what we have going on in the evenings and meals). It's a fun way to plan and it looks fab.

PS... It would be an easy DIY project:)

Endure

At Girl's Bible Study this week we wrapped up the final chapters of Christine Caines book, "Can I Have and Do it All Please?" It has been such a wonderful study (you should grab a copy) and all of us girls have gleaned so much for the individual journeys that we are on.

I wanted to share a few scriptures & notes from this week, where we discussed how endurance is vital in our lives if we want to embrace all that God has for us!

Hebrews 12.1
And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.

James 1.2-4
Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.

It's in the times of waiting, pain & tests where the Holy Spirit wants to work in our lives and develop His fruit in us.

Galatians 5:22-23
But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

Galatians 6:9 (NLT)
So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.

I really believe that so many people just give up to soon. They get discouraged, disillusioned, bitter, hurt or just tired and they give up before they realize the promises of God in their life.

If we would take a close look at the lives of most of the great men & women of faith in the Bible (Joseph, David, Sarah, Abraham, Moses...) they all had to endure, believe God’s promise even when it looked like their lives where going backwards.

What do you do when you want to quit? When you find yourself in a really hard season? When you wonder where God is at?

Habakkuk 3:17-18 (New Living Translation)

17 Even though the fig trees have no blossoms,
and there are no grapes on the vines;
even though the olive crop fails,
and the fields lie empty and barren;
even though the flocks die in the fields,
and the cattle barns are empty,
18 yet I will rejoice in the Lord!
I will be joyful in the God of my salvation!

Make a decision that not matter what, you are always going to serve the Lord & have & do everything that God has planned for your life!!

1) Rejoice No Matter What
2) Always Forgive/Refuse to Bitterness
3) Be quick to repent
4) Never stop believing God’s Word
5) Never quit

DIY Stationary

I have to admit that I'm a little traditional when it comes to correspondence... I love to write & receive a note or card. Of course, I thank God for email, facebook & twitter but when I really want to let someone know that I care, there is nothing better than dropping a note in the mail just to say hello.

I absolutely LOVE fun stationary and really enjoy making homemade cards. So instead of blowing my monthly budget by taking one to many trips to Papersource. I put together some fun note cards (could also be used for recipe cards) from a notecard set that I already had from Target & some journaling labels that I picked up from Hobby Lobby.

Total Cost for each card with envelope: $.46 cents (Who said thrifty couldn't be cute!)

Everything Beautiful: Bible Study

Hey Ladies,

Just wanted to take a minute and invite you to Everything Beautiful's Bible Study every Tuesday Night from 7 to 8.30pm... Great Gals + Delish Desserts + God's Word. We host it at my home and would LOVE to see ya there. I promise that you'll be glad you came!!

Location: 210 Emmanuel Cleaver (Right off The Plaza)
Need better directions? Call: 816.898.8401

Hope to see you soon!

Liz