Blog Makeover

Blog renovations have been completed! Many, many thanks to my dear friend Andy D (Andrew) for helping me out with most of the graphics. Special mention to Webtreats for the social media icons! 

 I hope you enjoy the new layout, as well as, the new features. The first interview will be posted tomorrow and it is with Sabrina C. Anderson, author of "How To Live A Fabulous Life In Christ". 

*Hollie*

If you happen to be visiting and see things looking a little messy, don't fret - ShadesofSunshine is getting a make-over & should be ready to go in no time. Stay tuned for great new additions! 

*Hollie*

A Noteworthy Ramble on Worth

The duality of man (or woman), for every believer... to denote to be worthless (i.e. inherit sin nature), but also something in Christ (i.e. forgiveness of sin) at the same time is the seesaw concept is one that admittedly I have struggled with throughout my years. I don’t claim to be the specialist on the topic, but here are some things I have learned on my own journey.

We allow people to treat us by how we feel we deserve to be treated, rather than how we should be treated.

If one grows up feeling like they are at fault, they wish to take upon the blame of others. Where-as if one grows up feeling like they are entitled to the world, they (may) wish to take things rather than earn from merit. How should we (all) be treated? Love. In fact, if you would like to read up on here, OpenBible has 39 lovely verses just waiting to let you know what the “good book” says.  

Regardless of our sins (failings), we still have the right to limitless forgiveness, not through our own merit, but through that which comes from Jesus Christ.

Admittedly there have been times in which I have questioned my forgiveness. I allow negative and unholy thoughts to enter my noggin and tell me “I’ve gone to far” and that “God will surely turn His back on me now”. However, this is simply rubbish! Why do I say so? Look at all of the characters in the Bible! They each had their own issues in life, but God still forgave them AND used them in service.  It says in Jeremiah of how we have always been known to God – which in conjunction with Romans how “we all have sinned”, we can equal this out to be as told in 1 John, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”

So how do these two truths tie together?

“Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.” 1 John 4:10

The next time you feel like God can't use you, like you are being trapped by the worthless nature we all can fall to once in a while, just remember...

Noah was a drunk + Abraham was too old + Isaac was a daydreamer + Jacob was a liar + Joseph was abused + Moses had a stuttering problem + Samson had long hair and was a womanizer + Rahab was a prostitute + Jeremiah and Timothy were too young + David was an adulterer and a murderer + Elijah was suicidal + Isaiah preached naked + Jonah ran from God + Naomi was a widow + Job went bankrupt + John the Baptist ate bugs + Peter denied Christ + The disciples fell asleep while praying + Martha worried about everything + The Samaritan woman was divorced (more than once) + Zaccheus was too small + Paul was too religious + Timothy had an ulcer + Lazarus was dead
(List thanks to SeniorMag)

Proverbs 19

PROVERBS 19 
NKJV

Better is the poor who walks in his integrity, Than one who is perverse in his lips, and is a fool.

Also it is not good for a soul to be without knowledge, And he sins who hastens with his feet.

The foolishness of a man twists his way, And his heart frets against the Lord.

Wealth makes many friends,But the poor is separated from his friend.

A false witness will not go unpunished, And he who speaks lies will not escape.

Many entreat the favor of the nobility, And every man is a friend to one who gives gifts.

All the brothers of the poor hate him; How much more do his friends go far from him!

He may pursue them with words, yet they abandon him.
He who gets wisdom loves his own soul; He who keeps understanding will find good.
A false witness will not go unpunished, And he who speaks lies shall perish.
Luxury is not fitting for a fool, Much less for a servant to rule over princes.

The discretion of a man makes him slow to anger,And his glory is to overlook a transgression.

The king’s wrath is like the roaring of a lion, But his favor is like dew on the grass.

A foolish son is the ruin of his father, And the contentions of a wife are a continual dripping.

Houses and riches are an inheritance from fathers,But a prudent wife is from the Lord.

Laziness casts one into a deep sleep, And an idle person will suffer hunger.

He who keeps the commandment keeps his soul, But he who is careless of his ways will die.

He who has pity on the poor lends to the Lord, And He will pay back what he has given.

Chasten your son while there is hope, And do not set your heart on his destruction.

A man of great wrath will suffer punishment; For if you rescue him, you will have to do it again.

Listen to counsel and receive instruction, That you may be wise in your latter days.

There are many plans in a man’s heart, Nevertheless the Lord’s counsel—that will stand.

What is desired in a man is kindness, And a poor man is better than a liar.
The fear of the Lord leads to life, And he who has it will abide in satisfaction;
He will not be visited with evil.

A lazy man buries his hand in the bowl, And will not so much as bring it to his mouth again.
Strike a scoffer, and the simple will become wary; Rebuke one who has understanding, and he will discern knowledge.

He who mistreats his father and chases away his mother Is a son who causes shame and brings reproach.

Cease listening to instruction, my son, And you will stray from the words of knowledge.

A disreputable witness scorns justice, And the mouth of the wicked devours iniquity.

Judgments are prepared for scoffers, And beatings for the backs of fools.

Script from Biblegateway.com

For the month of August I was supposed to be reading a [chapter] Proverb[s] a day, alas I have NOT achieved 100% thus far. However, when I took a gander at #19 today, I couldn't help but to be ... well speechless. 

What a wonderful and mighty God we serve! 

Verse-A-Palooza

Yeppers, I was feeling a tad bit inspired today.