*LoveIs* - 1.29.12

I live for Sunday’s, no lie! My favorite part of the week BY FAR is the time in which I get to be down at Little 5 Points, hanging with the crew – meeting new people, chatting with old and praising God for all He has done and will do! If one day this could be my FT lot in life, I’d be so up for it (in addition to writing, of course). 

Today, as a special once in a while treat, we had Starbuck’s traveler goodness to warm and hype us all up for the festivities. To be noted … one can NEVER have enough SUGAR (or cream on hand)! 

Two moments that stood out for me today were as follows. First, someone said to me, “Hollie I would love to thank you, but I must give thanks to God first”. “Of course, always”, I responded back, “Please never thank me before God, it is by Him alone you and I are here anyways”. My Spirit jumps at this because honestly I am just being a servant of God’s, acting on His behalf and I am no more than an imperfect person who has been saved by Faith and walk by Grace. Humbly, I thank God for allowing me to serve and calling me into this mission, may all the praise – glory and honor for anything I do, ALWAYS go to Him alone. Secondly, a few of us talked on a sermon heard Saturday @ Peachtree and Pine (homeless compound). It seems a very well received message was spoken on how sin is like a python; it will coil itself around your life until you cannot breathe any longer. Per a spectator an actual python, in addition with video images, was used to display this concept. How true the message is! All too often we allow something into our life in just droplets, but then realize sometime later it has taken us over. That is why it is important to examine ourselves as we are told to in Corinthians.

Everyone ought to examine themselves before they eat of the bread and drink from the cup. For those who eat and drink without discerning the body of Christ eat and drink judgement on themselves. That is why many among you are weak ad sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep. But if we were more discerning with regard to ourselves, we would not come under such judgement. Nevertheless, when we are judged in this way by the Lord, we are being disciplined so that we will not be finally condemned with the world.So then, my brothers and sisters, when you gather to eat, you should all eat together. Anyone who is hungry should eat something at home, so that when you meet together it may not result in judgment. And when I come I will give further directions. 1 Corinthians 11:28-34 (NIV)

Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you - unless, of course, you fail the test? And I trust that you will discover that we have not failed the test. Now we pray to God that you will not do anything wrong—not so that people will see that we have stood the test but so that you will do what is right even though we may seem to have failed. For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth. We are glad whenever we are weak but you are strong; and our prayer is that you may be fully restored. 2 Corinthians 13:5-9 (NIV)

Praise report for an unnamed donation, which was VERY unexpected. Though it hasn't been applied yet, it is going to help furnish some blankets, rain gear (ponchos) and socks within the next few weeks.

Prayer request for attendant Little Jimmy please. Back in the fall he had surgery (colon cancer) and things have taken a turn. He is now in continuous care being monitored.

Prayer request for a friend of my mother’s (Bernadette), as she has had some health issues this past week and will now have to reside with her son because of those problems.

Prayer request on a personal vehicular level, as my little (though loved) Sentra will not suitable for purpose for that much longer (in regards to the ministry needs and to-n-fro items), so a potential trade in may be on the horizon (one day a la SUV type). My eye is on the Nissan Juke as I am a NISSAN LOVER FOR LIFE, but putting things in the Father’s hands.

Thank you as always & may you day, week, month, year and life be blessed!

SiC! 

WaxNotNeeded - P is for ..

“For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.” Romans 12:4-8

Make no mistake about it, YOU have been created for a purpose.

Do you know what that purpose is? Do you know your spiritual gifts? Of course, we are all to praise and honor the Father and assist in advancing the kingdom of Christ, but what is your unique lot in life? Here is saying that you probably even have more than one!

However, do you know what it is? Are you doing anything with/for it, if you do know? Or are you living life lazy, in a lack-luster fashion considering only yourself and your needs on the day to day?

Move, I say! Seek God and ask Him to show you His will for your life and what more you can be doing for the world around you, nothing is to little or unimportant.

On my journey, I have come across a few people who are unable to leave their own homes due to illness, but denote “I pray all the time for people”. They seem somewhat disappointed when they conclude their sentence, as if they are comparing one role to another. Yet be gone with that look I say! To me prayer warriors are one of the most VALUABLE tools in our arsenal as a family of believers. Where-as one person has the ability to drive and drop off food locally to the homeless, another person has dedicated time to intercede on that persons behalf and others while gazing out a living room window, where all the while a retired preacher is visiting a prison for an impromptu sermon and another is comforting a child who just lost their mother half way around the world due to an incurable disease.

We are all special.
We are all important.
We are all together under God.
We are like a patchwork quilt of sorts, I’d say, of all different sizes, shapes, talents, dreams and colors, but in the end sewn together with love by the Creator of the universe to be held together for all eternity.

"Having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved. In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace which He made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence, having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself, that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth—in Him. In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will, that we who first trusted in Christ should be to the praise of His glory.”  Ephesians 1:5-12 (NKJV)

Dear Heavenly Father - We thank You for waking us up this morning. We thank You for allowing us to breathe our next breathe. Thank You for finding a purpose for us and speaking us into being. We turn our lives over to You Father. Direct our steps, thoughts, words and actions to be in alignment with Your will and Your desire for our lives. We humbly give our life to You, as we are not worthy ourselves to call it our own, but are called to give it back on behalf of Your son, Jesus Christ. We ask You to protect our loved ones and keep those who have to share the Word in secret safe from harm. Bring peace and comfort to Your children around the world. May all, even the tiniest child in Christ to the oldest matriarch or patriarch alive of all the believers feel that they are not alone at this moment .. that You are with them and that there is someone out there, somewhere praying for them and loving them even though they have never met. We ask all these things in the blessed name of the Holy One, Jesus Christ ><>


SiC <3

Guest Post (VBS) - Love Comes From God / How To Be Loving

Hi Friends!

In the spirit of the LOVE devotional post made a few days ago, I wanted to share the video I had the pleasure of coming across this weekend which is just AMAZING (to say the least).

I hope you enjoy and benefit from it, just as much as I did!



Spirit & Truth Fellowship International

SiC

WaxNotNeeded - I *love* Love

At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by His grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. Titus 3:3-7

The above is like the on-going, merry go ‘round, cliff note of the Bible and life, right? Twice I have sat down to write something in conjunction with the above verses, but they themselves hold so much power! The only thing I can add would be this: by love we have been created (Father God), by a loving act we have been saved (Jesus) and we are led daily by love (Holy Spirit).

I *love* Love! ♥ ♥ ♥

Photo Credit: Threadbird via Flickr

SiC <3

Birthday Blog … A Proper Introduction

Yes, it is fact my birthday today. At around 8:30 pm 28 years ago on this day God found it pleasing for me to be brought into this world … He has been holding my hand ever since (and carrying me when I have been too stubborn to hold on).

As this is the first real “content included” post here is a proper introduction to some of what this blog will all be about, as the days carry on. Of course not as super long as this one (each will have their own), but alas I don’t know the “lj-cut” code of blogger and admittedly haven’t been able to figure out what recommendations I have found (any help is SUPER appreciated)!

a la Cut has been learned!

Introduction

Welcome one and all! So admittedly, I cannot stop writing. Those of you who have been my friend for years know this fact and I should have listened to you the countless times you told me such, but alas my own rollercoaster of writing I ride. =)

As such, welcome to Shades of Sunshine (a la shades of me aka alas from my momma) where is which there will be devotional writings, video bible studies, painted nails, detailing information on the *LoveIs* Ministry, music recommendations, product bzzings and really whatever else comes about in life. It is the end result from years of “livejournals”, email listings, message boards, newb Youtube videos, growing older and evolving into a more compassionately-opinionated human over the status of the world in which we live.

My main focus of this site however is now and will always be to share the word of God.

I do not seek to cage anyone with anything I write, however it is my desire above all, that *ALL* people come to know Jesus Christ as their savior, living always for the Father, directed daily by the Holy Spirit.

"This righteousness is given through faith by Christ Jesus to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.” Romans 3:22-24

SiC (Sincerely in Christ) ><>