Making an Impact

Today makes 11 days until I turn 22.  Today also means I am the exact age that my brother was when he passed away.  He was 11 days short of his 22nd birthday.  That’s crazy…

When I was 9 and my brother was killed in a car accident, I thought 21 was so “old.” You see, we were 13 years apart. My parents kept calling them “kids,” so I did too even though they felt so much older than me.  But now that I am that very same age, I feel so incredibly young.  I’m realizing now just how young Aaron was when the Lord took him home.  He was fresh out of college, and just 1 month shy of his one year anniversary with his wife, who also passed away in the same car accident.

But what amazes me the most is how many lives Aaron impacted in just short of 22 years.  He was a preacher and a singer, and was used by God in many ways.  Pastor Sexton of the Temple Baptist Church in Powell, TN thought he was the greatest “preacher boy” known at the time.  That absolutely amazes me.  Even after his death, his story and testimony has touched thousands- maybe even millions. 

It makes me wonder how many lives I have touched in my 21 years.  I’m not that much different from Aaron, so what is stopping me from making just as much of an impact?  Anyone can make in impact, you just have to be committed to making a difference each and every day in the lives of those around you. 

I challenge you with these things.

1.       Remember that life is quick

   James 4:14- “Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow:  for what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.”

 I’ve known too many young people who have lost their lives way sooner than we believe should even be possible.  But God has a plan for each life, no matter how many years they spend on this earth.  Let Him use you!

2.       Love your family- especially your big brothers

 Family is precious regardless.  Even if you have conflict in your family, I encourage you to reach out to them and love on them like a Christian should.  They may just be waiting for you to take a step towards them so they can return the love. 

Big brothers are so precious.  If you have a big brother who loves on you and protects you as God designed, let him know that you appreciate him.  Hug him, call him, or text him today- because I’d do anything to be able to do that again.

3.       Make an impact

  It’s a daily commitment.  Do everything you can to make a positive impact on those around you.  Encourage others and point them to the cross.

I can only hope and pray that I can impact as many lives in my entire life as my brother did in his 22 years.  

What are you doing today to make an impact?

A Friend That Sticketh Closer Than a Brother

When I was 8 years old, my brother married the love of his life in July of 2003. I was the Jr. Bridesmaid with a gorgeous white dress. On the day of the wedding, I was scared to death that I was going to trip down the aisle. I remember talking to Aaron an hour or so before the ceremony and telling him how nervous I was.  He told me, “Autumn, if you trip and fall, I will walk off the stage, come get you, and walk you to the stage myself.” I felt so much better knowing that my big brother was there and would help me if I fell.

Aaron and I at his wedding

But there’s Someone ever better than my big brother Who will always be there for me.  Aaron is now in heaven and can’t be there for me when I need him. But Jesus never leaves me.

The Bible says that Jesus is the friend who sticks closer than a brother. 

Proverbs 18:24 KJV

… and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.

It may be hard for some to imagine anyone being closer to you than your own family.  But family can fail us from time to time; yet Jesus promises us that if we fall, He will come to us, pick us up in His strong arms, and walk with us back to the right path that we drifted away from.  What an amazing thought is that?  Just the thought of Aaron coming to me if I were to fall and picking me up gave me so much courage and strength at his wedding.  Our God promises He will do the same for us throughout our entire life, and He is always there when we need Him. 

Live today with the courage and knowledge that God is always going to pick you up if you fall.  

Learning to be Bulletproof

Sometimes in life, we have to learn to not let things bother us, and we have to learn to be bulletproof.  Bullets will fly in life and we will get hit; but, with the armor of God, we can make sure the bullets bounce off of us instead of sinking in and slowly killing us. 

Bullets may come in the form of hatred towards you, discouragement, harsh criticism, lies about you, and so much more.

Life gets hard, and people will try to shoot you down.  But be bulletproof, my friend.  Smile, and keep living!  Don’t let Satan get the victory over you, and prove to him and the people and circumstances that he uses as weapons that with God as your armor, you are bulletproof. 

Ephesians 6:10-18

10. Finally, my bretheren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

11. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

12. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

13. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

14. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness.

15. And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;

16. Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

17. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

18. Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

There will always be war on this earth, and we must be brave soldiers in the fight.  Don’t be the coward who gives up and gets defeated.  When we are attacked, we must stand firm. (Eph. 6:13) We have God as our Commander, and we know how our story will end. 

I encourage you today to put on God’s armor and deflect any bullets that fly your way.  

Health Benefits of Himalayan Pink Salt

Himalayan Pink Salt Benefits

HIMALAYAN PINK TABLE SALT

Some people have made the decision to switch their regular table salt to Himalayan Pink Salt.  Using Himalayan Pink Salt as opposed to regular table salt includes the following benefits:

-          Naturally rich in iodine

o   Iodine is required to ensure proper development and metabolism in humans. Iodine influences the functioning of thyroid glands by assisting in the production of hormones, which are directly responsible for controlling the body's base metabolic rate.

-          Less sodium consumed per serving

-          Full of minerals and elements

-          Create an electrolyte balance

-          Increases hydration

-          Regulate water content both inside and outside of cells

-          Balance pH (alkaline/acidity) and help to reduce acid reflux

-          Prevent muscle cramping

-          Aid in proper metabolism functioning

-          Strengthen bones

-          Lower blood pressure

-          Help the intestines absorb nutrients

-          Prevent goiters

-          Improve circulation

-          Dissolve and eliminate sediment to remove toxins

It is even said to support libido, reduce the signs of aging, and detoxify the body from heavy metals.

SALT LAMPS

Recently, Himalayan Pink Salt Lamps have become the latest rage.  Not only do they make a great night light, but they are wonderful for your health!  The benefits of salt lamps include:

-          Emitting negative ions, which has a positive effect on our bodies by creating serotonin, and making us happier and healthier

-          Improving mood and helping with anxiety

-          Neutralizing electromagnetic radiation

o    radiation including visible light, radio waves, gamma rays, and X-rays, in which electric and magnetic fields vary simultaneously.

-          Reducing allergy and asthma symptoms

-          Increasing energy levels

-          Reducing stress and preventing depression

-          Purifying bacteria from the air

-          Relieving migraine headaches

-          Increasing focus and concentration

-          Creating a calm and relaxed environment

-          Allowing better sleep

We are exposed to positive ions every day in many ways from our environment and surroundings which yield the opposite effects on our bodies.  Any size lamp can be beneficial, but the bigger the lamp the stronger the benefits!

SALT ROOMS

Salt rooms are not as popular as the lamps and many people have never heard of them.  Salt rooms use halotherapy to improve their client’s health by simply using a generator to disperse therapeutic grade Himalayan pink salt into the air for the clients to breathe in. The term “Halotherapy” comes from “halo”, the Greek word for salt. Simply put, Halotherapy is the use of medicinal salt in aerosol form, to treat respiratory ailments, skin irritations, and combat mental lethargy. For centuries, monks used naturally-occurring salt caverns to treat respiratory ailments.  Men who worked in the salt mines also had noticeably better respiratory systems. 

  By relaxing and breathing in the salt, clients can see an improvement of skin conditions and lung strength.   Salt rooms are great for anyone battling the seasonal cold, chronic lung problems, and serious skin conditions. 

JUST BREATHE SALT ROOMS

            Just Breathe Salt Rooms is located in Bellville, Ohio and they are the first salt room to open in the Richland County area.  Their office is located in the Darr Chiropractic offices on St. Rt. 13 and they have been open since June 2016.  They have 2 rooms to choose from-- one designed for adults, and the others for kids.  The adult room can fit up to seven people in a 45 minute session of relaxation and therapeutic benefits.  The kid’s room is designed like a giant sand box, but with pink salt all over the floor!  The kids play while the adults sit in for free on the 25 minute sessions. 

            Just Breathe Salt Rooms also offer Young Living Essential Oils to every client that comes into their office.  They encourage everyone to sample an oil to enhance their salt room session experience, and give clients the opportunity to purchase their own Young Living essential oils and essential-oil-infused products.  

            Just Breathe Salt Rooms also offer several different sizes and designs of salt lamps to choose from so that you may continue to benefit from the Himalayan Pink salt at home!

 Have you tried any of these?  What are your thoughts?

Sources include:

http://fitlife.tv/12-incredible-things-that-happen-when-you-swap-table-salt-for-himalayan-sea-salt/

https://www.google.com/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-8#q=benefits%20of%20iodine

Five Young Living Products for Travel

5 Young Living Products for Travel

Young Living is the leading Essential Oil Company in the world.  Not only do they offer the highest grade of essential oils, but they also have over 300 essential-oil infused products. Their Seed-to-Seal Promise gives me confidence that these are the safest essential oils available on the market.

  In my travels, I have found many of their products to be a necessity, but here are five that every traveler must have!!

1.     Peppermint

This essential oil is one of my favorites.  I love it when traveling because of its versatile uses! Peppermint provides energy and supports your digestive system.  Put a drop of Young Living’s Peppermint Essential Oil on the end of a wooden clothes pin and clip it to your car vents.  The vents act as a diffuser, and your car will smell like Peppermint and everyone in the car will receive the therapeutic advantages of this essential oil!  You can also rub a little on your stomach when the driver isn’t exactly trustworthy and you’re starting to feel the effects of their crazy driving---- if you know what I mean!  Another great thing about the Peppermint is that it comes in the Premium Starter Kit with Young Living!

2.     Lavender

Lavender is considered to be the “Swiss-Army-Knife of Essential Oils” because it can be used for practically anything!  This essential oil is very calming, which means it will come in handy when other drivers are getting on your nerves, and when it’s time to wind down and get some sleep!  This oil also comes in Young Living’s Premium Starter Kit!

3.     Purification

Purification is a blend of essential oils including Citronella, Lavandin, Lemongrass, Rosemary, Myrtle, and Tea Tree.  This combination is perfect for fighting odors!  Put a drop in your shoes after a long, sweaty day.  Put a drop on the end of a wooden clothes pin and clip to your car vents to rid of any horrifying smells that have collected through the day.  You can also put a drop on a cotton ball and throw it in whatever piece of luggage is carrying your dirty laundry!  Maybe you’re on a plane and got stuck sitting beside the bathrooms-- or someone who smells like one!  Put a drop on your sleeve or a leather bracelet and just keep on sniffin’!  This amazingly powerful blend also comes in Young Living’s Premium Starter Kit!

4.     PanAway

PanAway is a blend of oils including Wintergreen, Clove, and Peppermint.  This little bottle of oil will become your best friend after being cramped in a car or plane for hours on end.  It is wonderful for any muscular discomforts that you may experience when traveling, or after sleeping in an unfamiliar and uncomfortable hotel bed.  This blend also comes in Young Living’s Premium Starter Kit!

5.     Thieves Spray

Thieves Spray is a must have for any germaphobe, and they should have it with them at all times to avoid any panic attacks.  I have used this on anything that grossed me out from sticky restaurant tables to nasty toilet seats. I sprayedthis on a porta pot seat once, and the bugs literally swarmed out… ew.  This powerful little spray bottle will disinfect the most disgusting things there are.  I even spray it on my hands as a purifier instead of using hand sanitizers that are full of harsh toxins and chemicals.  What I love the most about the Thieves Spray is that it is full of natural-derived and plant-based ingredients that are completely safe.  In fact, I can spray it in my mouth!  It is formulated using the Young Living Essential Oil called Thieves, which is a blend of powerful, immune-boosting and disinfecting essential oils, including Cinnamon, Clove, Lemon, and Peppermint.  Young Living has an entire cleaning product line based off of this one essential oil.  The Thieves Spray, however, is the perfect size to carry in your purse or luggage.  Spray your bathroom counter, phone, alarm, light switches, lamps, and bed sheets before you settle in for the night to help keep things a little more clean and safe!

So there you have it-- my top five Young Living products for traveling.  These are easy to carry on any trip, just make sure you put them in a plastic baggie when flying.  I, myself, am a Young Living addict, and I carry anything I can fit in my luggage when traveling, but these are my top picks that I would recommend to you.

Check out my website, theautumneffect.com/young-living for more details, and how to get your own Premium Starter Kit!

Five Ways to Simply Share Jesus

Want to share Jesus with others, but not really sure how?  Here are five easy tips to simply share Jesus!

1.       Be Kind, ALWAYS

Some people are just rude. They treat you wrongly and quite frankly, you don’t deserve it.  But let me ask you that same question we’ve heard since we were kids… W.W.J.D? What would Jesus Do?  If we read our Bibles, Jesus was often treated wrongly, and even so much that He was sent to die on the cross for us.  Yet, he treated everyone kindly and forgave them by dying on the cross for them.  Even when we are treated wrongly, we must be kind. 

Most importantly, smile.  Smile even when you don’t feel like it.  Smiling proves that your joy comes from a Higher Power that doesn’t change according to your circumstances.

  “Have courage and be kind.” -Cinderella

2.       Leave a tract

There are so many way to leave tracts.  Leave one with a tip at the table.  Leave one with the employee at the drive thru window.  Leave one with someone you started a conversation with. 

Sometimes, people won’t take the tract.  They may say they aren’t allowed to take it, or they may be rude; however, I’ve had people get very excited about sharing Jesus with them, and I leave them with a smile on their face and a promise to read it.  No matter what, it will say a lot about you when you leave a little piece of paper with them that tells them how they can have an eternal home in heaven. 

3.       Live like a Christian!

It’s our duty as Christians to live like Christ to the best of our abilities. Living like everyone else in the world doesn’t set you apart as a Christian.  Live so that nobody will ever doubt that you are a child of the King of Kings.  Does your life prove that you're different? 

  “Would God be proud to say He knows you?”

4.       Share on social media about what God has done for you

Did God answer a prayer?  Post about it! 

Did God provide for you in a miraculous way?  Tweet about it! 

Did you meet a new friend at a Christian retreat or camp?  Snapchat it! 

Discover something beautiful in your daily devotions?  Instagram it! 

5.       Encourage those who are down

There are so many ways to encourage people. Read my blog post about Encouragement here for ideas of how to daily encourage the people in your life. 

Now that you have five ways to simply share Jesus, which one will you try?  What other ways do you share Jesus?

3 Things You Need to Know About God's Forgiveness

3 Things You Need to Know About God’s Forgiveness

Forgiveness can be defined as “the intentional and voluntary process by which a victim undergoes a change in feelings and attitude regarding an offense, lets go of negative emotions such as vengefulness, with an increased ability to wish the offender well.”

Wow, that sure is hard to do.  I don’t know about you, but when I am hurt by someone, I want to retaliate!  Yet, God forgives every one of us every single day a number of times, and He still loves us just as if we had never sinned.  How can that be? 

Here are 3 things you need to know about God’s forgiveness….

1.       Christ forgives us so that we can have an eternal home in Heaven.

Ephesians 1:7- “In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;”

Christ paid for our sins on the cross of Calvary so that we can live FREELY in Heaven. The Bible tells us that “the wages of sin is DEATH, but the GIFT of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”  We were supposed to die in our sinful nature and spend an eternity in Hell, but God gifts us a life eternal with Him in His Heavenly Paradise.  We just have to accept His gift.

Psalm 130:3-4 reminds us that if God were to look at all of our sins, none of us would deserve to go to Heaven.  “But there is forgiveness with (Him).”  What an amazing thought!

Acts 26:18- “To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.”

Not only do we receive forgiveness, but we receive the inheritance of a Heavenly home from our Father just simply by believing.

2.       He will not remind you of the things you now regret. 

Once you ask God for forgiveness, He will never remember your sin again. How loving is our God? In our sinful, human nature, we tend to remember and sometimes bring up past offenses even after we have forgiven the offender. But God FORGETS FOREVER.  He chooses to let go. 

Psalm 103:12- “As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.”

If you recall a sin from your past and feel the same shame and guilt after asking for God’s forgiveness, God isn’t the one reminding you.  Satan is trying to tell you what a horrible person you are when God has already forgiven and forgotten!

3.       We should forgive others, because Christ forgave us!

Colossians 3:13- “Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.”

Luke 6:35-38- “But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.  Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.  Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven.”

Sometimes people in our lives can just be plain nasty and our nature is to retaliate and lash back.  The best thing we can do is forgive them!  Forgive them, move forward, and be a good testimony by loving them and praying for them.

So now that you know just a few of the many amazing things about God’s forgiveness, is there someone you need to forgive today?  Do you need to ask God for His forgiveness for a sin in your life?  Have you accepted God’s FREE gift of eternal life and forgiveness from all your sins?  Make sure you do that today. 

The Day My Life Changed Forever

On June 4th, 2004, my life was changed forever.  I was only 9 years old, and this is my story….

It was about 10:30 PM on a Friday night when we got the call.  I was in my sleeping bag lying next to my parents bed when the phone rang and my mom got up to answer it.  I remember hearing her call out to my dad, saying that the President of Crown College wanted to speak with him.  I realized that was the college where my brother had just graduated from the month before, and he and his wife were leading a traveling singing group for Crown College that summer.  The men sang, my sister-in-law played piano, and my brother preached. When I walked out into the hallway, I found my mom sitting against the wall on the floor with her face in her hands.  Why was she crying?  As soon as my dad got off the phone, people were knocking on our back door.  I was so confused and scared.  I followed my dad to the bedroom, and I could tell that he was crying.  “Dad, what’s wrong?”  He managed to say the words, “Aaron was in a car accident.”  Scared by his answer, I asked, “Is he okay?”  All my dad could say before he shut his bathroom door was, “No.”  I ran out to the living room to find my Pastor and his wife, along with my youth pastor and his wife in our living room hugging my mom.  My pastor’s wife whispered to my her, “It’s ok, He took Darci too.”  At this point I still had no idea what was going on.  Panicking, I ran to each person in the room and asked what was going on.  Everybody looked scared to tell me anything, and nobody said a word.  Finally, my dad came out and put his arms around me.  He pulled me closer and whispered, “Autumn, Aaron’s dead.”  I hugged my dad tight and stared into our dark kitchen.  I knew this had to be just a dream, so I rolled my eyes and played along for the next hour.  But as people started knocking on our door and coming into our home with tears in their eyes, I started to wonder if this was all real.  I can remember seeing how heartbroken my grandparents were and feeling the painful reality.  I fell asleep that night in the living room in my sleeping bag lying next to my mom.  I woke up the next morning, and realized it hadn’t been a dream.  As people were still coming into my home, I remembered the dream that I did have that night.  It was of my sister-in-law, Darci.  I could see her clear as day in my dream, and she was shining and surrounded by clouds.  She said to me in the sweetest voice, “It’s going to be ok.”  It was so real, and her smile was so peaceful.  That’s when I knew it had really happened, but it would be okay. 

Through the night and the next day, we began to find out the details.  My brother, Aaron, sister-in-law, Darci, and three other young men, Brad, David, and Jonathan, were traveling in Florida on their way to a church to sing and preach.  While they were all up towards the front of the van practicing their songs, a tractor trailer went left of center and struck them head on, killing all five young people instantly.  The truck engine flew into the van, causing an explosion.  Everything was burned and very little remained of the van.  But one thing did remain unharmed and untouched by the flames, and was found lying on the side of the road near the accident.  It was a CD wrapped in plastic, but it hadn’t been burned.  The name of that CD was “God Makes No Mistakes.”

Years later, as I write my story, the pain is still as real as it was years ago.   I can still remember the last time I saw Aaron, hugged Aaron, and talked to him on the phone. But God’s grace still remains.  “God Makes No Mistakes” has been my life motto, and I know that Aaron’s accident was not a mistake. Those five young people lived for the Lord, and died for Lord.  So many lives have been impacted by my brother and sister-in-law’s story, and lives are still being touched. I would not change a thing if I had the chance to, because it was not a mistake.  I miss them every day, and long to have my big brother by my side.  I am now almost as old as he was when he went Home to Glory, and I can only hope that in all the years God grants me here on earth, I can live up to my brother’s reputation that he left behind in his short twenty-one years here on earth. 

Please know that whatever life brings your way, it wasn’t a mistake.  God has a reason for everything.  Let Him use you to impact others. 

And if you don't know for sure where you will spend Eternity, please reach out to me. 

To God be the glory…

In memory of Aaron, Darci, Brad, David, and Jonathan.

I love you Aaron!!

This memorial service includes testimonies from each of the young people recorded in Florida just 2 days prior to the accident, a Piano Solo by Brad Askew, four songs sang by the men and accompanied by Darci Brown, and a 10 minute sermon preached by Aaron Brown

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Encouraging Others

1 Thessalonians 5:11-14(KJV)

11 Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.

12 And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you;

13 And to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. And be at peace among yourselves.

14 Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.

Ever had a horrible day, week, or month for that matter, and just thought to yourself, "I could really use some encouragement right now"?  It is our Christian duty to "do unto others as you would have them do unto you."  If you feel this way, so does somebody else!  We are commanded to be an encouragement to other people. 

Many times in the Bible, we come across stories of Jesus or His followers helping and encouraging those in need.   Even when some people didn't "deserve" the help they received, it was willingly given.

 In Hebrews 10:24, the Bible reminds us to love each other and do good unto them. 

Hebrews 10:24 (KJV)

And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:

Have you ever wanted to encourage someone, but weren’t quite sure what to do for them?  Here are a few ideas of ways to encourage someone:

1.    Write them a card or simple note

2.    Give them a hug!

3.    Give them a small gift (I like to make notes when someone mentions something they like)

a.     Their favorite candy, dessert, drink

b.    Something they collect

c.     A gift card to a favorite restaurant or store

d.    Their favorite lotion, perfume, or candle

e.     A fun pen they can use and think of you every time they use it!

f.       A notebook or journal with a note from you in the cover

g.     A magazine or book on a topic they like (Gardening, guns, Christian living, etc.)

4.    Send them a text and tell them you're thinking about them and praying for them!

5.    Treat them to coffee, breakfast, lunch, or dinner

6.    Send them a song or scripture of encouragement to match the situation they are going through.  Below are just a few examples of the thousands of amazing options….

a.     Isaiah 41:10- Dealing with Fear

b.    "I Can Trust Jesus" by the Collingsworth Family

c.     Psalm 145:14- Discouragement

d.    Romans 8:28- Trusting God’s Will

e.     “You Are For Me” and “I Am Not Alone” by Kari Jobe- feeling alone/betrayed

f.      I’d love to hear your suggestions of songs or verses that encourage you in the comment section below!

7.    Post a picture of you and that person on social media and brag about them, letting them and those who see it know how much they mean to you and how amazing they are. (Be careful with this one, as some people wouldn't prefer this method.)

8.    Find something to compliment them on, no matter how small!

Here are some good reasons to encourage someone and some ideas of how to encourage them for the occasion:

1.    A loved one passed away, or it is the anniversary of their passing

a.     Send them flowers, cards, Edible Arrangements, or even just a simple text saying that you're praying for them.

2.    Make a big deal about their birthday… it's THEIR day!

a.     Buy them balloons

b.    Buy them a piece of cake

3.    Celebrating an Anniversary

a.     Send them flowers!

b.    Get the couple a gift card to their favorite restaurant or resort

4.    New Home Owners

a.     Get them a gift card to a store with cute decorations (Hobby Lobby, etc.) or to a store to help out with all their renovations (Lowes, Home Depot, etc.)

5.    Friends going on a long awaited, exciting vacation. 

a.     Puzzle books

b.    Books, magazines

c.     A journal to write down the day's memories

Here are some examples of people who usually need encouragement on a daily basis:

1.    College Students

a.     Send them a card or care package

b.    Let them know you're praying for them during finals

2.    The sick/elderly

a.     Send them a card or flowers

b.    Pay them a visit!

3.    People who move away from home

a.     Send them items with their "home state" on it to remind them of home

b.    Care packages are so fun!

4.    Missionaries

a.     They constantly need our support and prayers.  Send them a card, or provide for them if you are able.

5.    Pastors

a.     Daily fighting the devil and trying to help people in the church can be exhausting.  Give your pastor a gift card to his favorite restaurant.

b.    Write him a card and let him know you're praying for him.

6.    People in the ministry

a.     Any ministry can be a little tough to deal with sometimes.  Don't hesitate to thank people in the ministries at your church with a card or note of encouragement.

7.    Discouraged/Stressed friends and family

a.     Maybe a friend or family member is going through a particularly stressful or discouraging time. Be there for them when they need you. 

b.    Treat them to coffee or lunch, and be a good listener. 

8.    People who accomplish something big

a.     New job/Promotion

b.    Important part in a production/project

c.     Graduation/Certification

9.    People in our Military or going through Boot Camp

a.     This can be a very trying time for them.  Send them a card with scripture on a regular basis, and send them a care package when able to do so.  They can use all the encouragement they can get!

You have to remember that you never know what people are going through in life.  Even if you come across someone who is very nasty to you, or doesn't want to smile on a particular day, treat them well and pay them a compliment.  They could be going through a rough time, so be there for them. 

Now that you have several ideas on who, when, and how to encourage somebody, I want to conclude this blog post by challenging you to encourage AT LEAST one person a week. Better yet, encourage someone every day!  Hebrews 3:13 says, "But exhort one another daily, while it is called today..."  The easiest people to encourage, but often the most forgotten, are our own family and friends that we see on a regular basis.  So I challenge you to encourage someone today, and someone at least once a week.  You will find that encouraging other people will encourage your heart as well.

I would love to hear your ideas for encouraging others in the comment section below!!

Marriage Compared to Christ's Love

It wasn’t until recently that I finally figured out why marriage is compared to the love of Christ.  I never truly understood that.  Now I know why pastors read certain Scriptures at weddings, and compare the newlyweds love to the love of Christ. 

I discovered this a couple months ago when I began to feel completely cared for and loved by my boyfriend, no matter how moody or unloving I was.  After five and a half years of dating, Brian and I have been through so much, and he has loved me through it all.  He has loved me through my mood swings, my crazy emotions, my insanity, my indecisiveness, and my downright nastiness.  He forgives me for everything wrong I have ever said or done.  It amazes me he has stuck around for this long, and that his love for me has increased, and not decreased. He loves me even when I don’t deserve his love.

Christ’s love is unconditional.  He loves us no matter what we do or how we act.  He forgives us for our repetitive sins, and treats us like we never did anything wrong. We don’t deserve His love, but He gives it freely!

Here are some verses that had a great impact on me while thinking about God’s unending love for His children. 

-          Jeremiah 31:3 KJV- “…Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love.” 

o   The dictionary’s definition of “everlasting” is the following: “lasting forever, eternal; lasting or continuing for an indefinitely long time; incessant, constantly recurring.”  God promises us in this verse that His love for us will never end! His love will last for all eternity, which my mind cannot even begin to comprehend!

-          Romans 8:35, 38-39 KJV- “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?  Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?  For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” 

o   How amazing are these verses?! We are reassured that absolutely NOTHING can separate us from God’s love.  His love doesn’t fade over time. His love doesn’t end after hard times.  His love doesn’t even end after our death.  Nothing can tear us away from our Lord and His love for us.

Marriage is a lifetime commitment to love your spouse unconditionally.  Your love is meant to grow with time.  Your love is meant to bring you through hard times and strengthen your relationship. Nothing is meant to tear your marriage apart.  On your wedding day, you promise to love your spouse, and only your spouse, completely for the rest of your life. 

As we approach Valentine’s Day, I am reminded of how blessed I am already, in my dating relationship, to have a boyfriend who loves me unconditionally. I am excited to see how God’s love shines evidently through our future marriage. But it is even more exciting to serve a Savior whose love is absolutely, without a doubt, everlasting.  He our Constant, our Companion, and all we need!  Thank you, Jesus, for loving me even when I don’t deserve your love!

Dedicated to my loving boyfriend of 5 ½ years. Happy Valentine’s Day, Brian!

More Than Just a Business

Although I sell their merchandise, I do not feel like a salesman for Young Living.  Telling people about all of our amazing products and how they have changed lives doesn’t feel like a sales pitch, but a way to help them and their family.  Young Living is so much more than just a company and a business.  To me, it is also a ministry.  Educating people on how to use these amazing oils that God created for our well-being is such a humbling experience.  If I can bless someone by giving them the gift of God’s creation to support their health and emotions, it is all worth it!

Thirty-One Gifts has the mission statement of “Celebrate, Encourage, and Reward.”  Their goal isn’t to sell more bags than any other company in America, but to impact women for the Lord.  They succeed in this by encouraging their consultants to really support our hostesses and continually encourage them, and also by funding many charities that reach out to those in need. As a consultant, I am privileged to interact with many women and do my best to encourage them in Christ.

The founders of Young Living and Thirty-One Gifts give God all the glory for everything they have accomplished.  How many companies in corporate America do you know that do that?  I am surrounded by Godly and encouraging leaders and team members.  It is such a blessing to be a part of two Christian-based companies, and I wouldn’t want it any other way.  Belonging to companies that see their business as a ministry makes you realize it isn’t about the money, but impacting others for Christ. 

If you are looking for Christian companies to work for, try these two out.  You won’t feel like you’re working for them, but with them.  These companies reward you and encourage you throughout your whole journey, and the people you come in contact with through these businesses will bless your heart.  Give God all the glory!

Why I Wear a Purity Ring

My Purity Ring

Around Christmas of 2010, my parents took me out to dinner and handed me a letter. In the letter, they reminded me to honor God in everything.  After I had finished reading, they handed me a jewelry box.  I had just begun dating 3 months prior, and they thought this would be the perfect time to give me this special gift.  Inside the box was my purity ring.

As a Christian, I believe that I should remain pure until my wedding night.  This purity ring serves as a reminder to myself to honor my parents, my Lord, and my future husband by waiting until marriage to give my body to a man. It is an important reminder anytime temptation creeps upon me that I have a promise to keep.  

I received this ring a few months after Brian and I started dating.  When I told him about it, I was so thrilled to see his reaction.  I remember him saying, "I think it's great, because I know I don't have to worry."  We both have the same standards, and this ring serves as a reminder to the both of us that the wait will be well worth it.  

Why I wear it on my left hand

Many people assume this is a promise ring, or even an engagement ring because I wear it on my ring finger.  It's placement serves as a symbol.  My purity ring will remain on my ring finger until it is replaced with an engagement ring.  At that point, I will continue to wear it on my opposite hand until my wedding day.  

I have thought about moving my purity ring to another hand to save from confusion, questions, and assumptions, but I think that loses meaning.  It stays on that finger to symbolically remind me it will be worth the wait until that ring is replaced with another.  

I am thankful my parents got me this ring.  It has been a blessing to myself and a great reminder in time of temptation.  I wear it almost every day, and plan to until my wedding day.  

If you are a Christian with a young daughter, I challenge you to think about doing the same for her.  It is important to train our children in Biblical ways, and I plan to give my daughter one someday.  

It is not a promise ring.  It is not an engagement ring.  It is a reminder to trust that the Lord's timing is always best.  

Why the Church Hymnal is Important

Any old fashioned church still sings the versed, classic hymns.  To some, it may seem ridiculous.  But to others, it means everything to sing the same hymns they sang as kids in church.  It brings back memories of grandparents in rocking chairs singing to their grandchildren on cool September evenings. Or singing "Amazing Grace" with their siblings as a special in church when they were young.  These hymns have memories.  

Not only does the sweet melody of these ancient hymns bring back memories, but they each have a story.  A story of who wrote them, why they did, and at what point in their life they did.  Many of the authors of our Hymns were going through trials when they were penning the words.  

For 2016, I have started the new devotional book called "Amazing Grace" by Kenneth Osbeck.  It is full of inspiring hymn stories for 366 days of devotions.  As a piano player, singer, and church music director, you can imagine my excitement when I found this beauty.  

I'd like to share with you a bit of the preface recorded in this book.  It is as follows:

"Two basic resource books are available to help us in [our] spiritual well-being: the Bible and the church hymnal.  Regular study of the Bible, God's infallible rule of faith and practice, is an absolute essential for Christian living.  Nothing ever replaces our daily need for His trustworthy Word.  Through the ages, however, devout believers from every Christian community have responded to God and His inspired revelation with their own expressions.  The church hymnal, a most important heritage of the Christian church, is one of the finest collections of man's thoughts and feelings about God.  When these choice responses are further enhanced with appropriate melodies, harmonies, and rhythms, there exists a reservoir of unusual spiritual strength and encouragement."

Have you ever thought of a hymn like that before?  A resource for your Christian walk?  As I write this, it is January 2nd.  I have only read one devotion so far from this book and I am already in love.  Music is so much more important than we realize, and hymnals are vital to our Christian life. 

Often in the trials of my own life, I find myself finding a hymn to comfort my spirit.  It's amazing how perfectly the words fit my current situation.  It always makes me wonder what the author was going through when they penned those beautiful, perfect words.  Knowing the author's story puts new meaning behind the hymns we sing every Sunday in church.  It's not just monotonous singing anymore; it's a story.  

I want to encourage you today to look back over the old-fashioned hymnals every once in a while, and listen to your heart sing the sweet melody to our Lord.  

"Hymns breathe the praise of the saints, the vision of the prophets, the prayers of the penitent, and the spirit of the martyrs.  They bring solace to the sad, assurance to the perplexed, faith to the doubter and comfort to the oppressed.  They span the centuries of history and bridge the barriers of denominations.  Study them to be pure in heart; Sing them to be joyful in spirit, Store them in the mind to possess a treasury of worship."

- Unknown