Becoming United

     I have taken these notes on "Unity" throughout this past weekend. These notes come from three worship sessions by Pastor Jeff Borton. Enjoy.

Session #1.

     Our relationship with God is the most important relationship we have. John 15:5-91. Our Salvation is rooted in Jesus alone
-You are the branch that grows out of the tree of life; Jesus.
-Having Salvation is trusting in no one but Jesus.
-It's not about what we do, it's about what's been done for us.
-Revelation 2:2-5
2. Remaining means following Jesus passionately
-God sees you serving, He is the ultimate supporter.
-You can remain following Jesus by serving.
-Remember the love for Jesus you had when you were saved. Go back to the beginning
-What does your heart beat for?
3. Spiritual Fruit is evidence we are growing in our relationship with Jesus
-What kind of fruit are you producing?
-Galatians 5:22-25
-Every relationship we have comes from the relationship God.
-Apply yourself to Jesus
-Everything we do has evaluation
-Love is sacrifice

Action Step:  You must examine the spiritual fruit of your life and make changes.

Session #2.

     Our relationship with God determines the unity we have with others. Philippians 2-Being together is not what makes us unified. Being together in heats is what does.
-Be united through Christ with the same love and passion.
-When we pursue Jesus, we want what He wants; unity Philippians 2:2
-Selfishness destroys unity Philippians 2:3
-Jesus has a passion for the Church, and for lost people. Do you have that passion?
-Care for others more then yourself Philippians 2:4
-Unity is impossible without humility!
-What lives would be saved if we were unified?
-Pray, serve, unify.
-Things can be saved. Things can be changed.

Action Steps:
Recognize that the Church is you spiritual family.
Value others more than yourself.
When you pursue Jesus, you pursue unity.

Session #3.

     When we are united, the world changes. John  13:34, 35 Acts 2:42-47-Jesus set the example for love and for serving
-Our unity shows our worship.
-The early churched shaped the world by how they loved each other.
-As God has loved you, you must love others.
-Agoppa- to love sincerely; the love that Jesus shows us.
-God has shown love to the world.
-If Jesus serves, why wouldn't you be able to?
-If you want to be seen as great, you need to serve. If you want to be first, you must become last.
-Unified- serving each other
-When strangers see you, do they see Jesus?
-The world is going to change, so why get caught up in right now?
-Are you ready to become united and change the world?

Action Step: Be united; change the world!

Valentines Day Outfit

    I'm sorry fashion Friday is so late this week! I didn't have time to put this post op Friday so I figured I might as well put it up today. Hope you like this Valentines Day Outfit idea!

Photo taken off of Pinterest.

Pants: Tory Burch Harp Tailored Trousers $187

Shirt: Snow Day Blouse $28

Clutch: Gunne Sax by Jessica McClintock Mesh Triangle Clutch $35

Sunglasses: Oversize Thick Temple Womans Fashion Cat Eye Sunglasses $9.99

Necklace: Chunky Curb Chain Necklace $34


      Related Post: 2014 Spring Trends

Finding Your Talent

    It's "Thankful Thursday" and something I'm thankful for is talent! Maybe you havn't found a taken yet... keep reading!

(Picture from Pinterest)

Guide To Finding Your Talent:

1. Pray to God 

-God made you, therefor God made your takent. God gives each of us a talents ask him what yours is.

2. Question Yourself

-Think about the things you like to do, the things you're good at, the things you do during your free time. 

3. Try Out New Things

- If you like to doodle, try out an art class

- If you like music, join a chorus group 

- If you like running, join cross-country

4. Don't Give Up

- You can never start at the top of things, you always have to start from the bottom. If you don't get it the first time, keep trying.

5. Be Thankful For Your Spiritual Talent

- God gives everyone a talent, and a spiritual talent. It could be a talent of serving, one of teaching, preaching, you could have a gift of humbleness or self control. Whatever it is, remember that God also gave all of us a taken of worship! That's a talent to be thankful for;)

     I hope you will find your talent soon and begin thanking God for it! Comment what your talent is!

~Izzy

Why do Bad Things Happen to Good People?

     It's "Worship Wednesday!" Many people wonder why bad things happen to good people. I decided to post about about why bad things happen to good people because this question could keep a Christian from loving and believing in God. I took these notes on a sermon by my youth pastor...

Title: Why do bad things happen to good people?

Genesis 1:1-31

1. Creation: God created everything that we can and can not see. Genesis 1:27

- At creation, man (human) and God had a perfect relationship.

- Everything's about relationship

- God doesn't force us into a relationship with him... he give's us the choice.

- God wants you to love him by choice, not by will.

2. Fall: creation will, and has fallen by sin.

- The thought that comes to your mind when you hear God's name is the most important description of you.

- How do you view God? What do you think about when you hear God's name?

- Jesus chose to love you and such a way that he died for you.

- The price of sin is death. This makes our relationship with God right.

- Why doesn't God just stop all evil and sin? He already has. Now it's up to you to chose the path of peace, or the path of destruction.

- "It is finished", those are the words Jesus spoke on the cross as he was dying. He's saying that sin is over, and that he's made a way.

- Sin will end throughout all the earth when Jesus returns.

- God uses sin to lead others to himself.

- God wants a relationship with everyone. For he created everyone.

- Why did god let Adam and Eve sin? Because then human wouldn't have what God intended them to have... free will to love him, or to not.

How to respond to bad things when they happen to you, or to other good people:

1. Realize that it's not God doing it, it's yourself and the devil.

2. Realize that it's OK to be upset about it!

3. Look for the lesson God want's you to see through it, and the good that will come out of it. 

Homemade Chocolate Chip Cookies

 

   It's the first "Tasty Tuesday" of the month! I choose my favorite cookie recipe to share with you guys. This is my Grandma's homemade recipe. They are LITERALLY the best cookies you will ever have. They taste great warm and great when you freeze them. It's a supper easy recipe! Comment if you've made them!

Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe:

Ingredients:

1/2 cup shortening - I use the Butter flavored Crisco sticks,  1/2 cup granulated sugar, 1/4 cup brown sugar, 1 egg, 1 tsp vanilla, 1 cup flour, 3/4 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp soda, 1 - 6 oz package of semisweet chocolate chips.

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees

2. Blend sugars, shortening, egg and vanilla till light and fluffy. This is what your ingredients should look like before blending...

3. Blend in or stir dry ingredients into bowl with cream ingredients.

4. Mix in chocolate chips. This is what your batter should look like now...

5. Measure dough to 1 Teaspoon, roll dough to form a ball and place on a greased cookie sheet keeping each cookie dough ball 2 inches apart from one another. This is what it should look like before being placed into oven...

6. Bake cookies for 10-11 minutes.

7. They're ready! Hope you love them as much as I do!

2014 Spring Trends

   It's January 31st, and i'm giving you a sneak peek on next months event "Fierce February!" Every Friday during the month of February i'll post of fashion. I call it "Fashion Friday". To get more Information on "Fierce February" check out the latest post on this Instagram page- instagram.com/izzysnotes @izzysnotes .

    Fashion Friday Week 1- 2014 Spring Trends

1. Color on color

This trend was in during the 70's too. Many people are wearing this trend of the same color shirt as pants. A sheer pastel tank top with pastel jeans will be in every store this spring! White on white is also coming in this spring and is becoming a very popular trend already.

2. Rain boots

Everyone is wearing rain boots now! It's all over Pinterest and any fashion site or app. Definitely going to become a huge trend this Spring and through the summer. Hunter boots are a really big rain boot brand now. Look out for those this spring!

3. Open Backs

One of the BIGGEST trends coming in this spring are open backs! This one is really popular. Open backs are all over fashion sites, stores, and blogs! There are now open slits on shirts, tank tops, dresses, everything. The most popular now would be the big open back on the last couple of photos.

New Years Resolutions

     Well it's been a week into the new year, and that means new resolutions. I'm sure most of you all have already chosen your new years resolutions. But some of you probably haven't and are still needing ideas. Here's a few......

1. Get more sleep
Think about how this one may relate to you. Do you get enough sleep at night? Do you go to bed late and wake up early? This is a really great one. By getting more sleep, you could cure grumpiness, headaches, earaches, eye pain, frustration, & eye bags. More sleep can also provide more energy throughout the day, less drowsiness, clearer skin,  stronger muscles, & it gives you easier mind to think with.
2. Be more active
Your body needs one hour of being active in one day. It's important to take good crd of your body. You can do that by exercising. By not exercising your weight will increase and your energy will decrease. The benefits of exercising would be better health, more energy, you'd look and feel better, and will increase the days you live. You can exercise by, walking to school, running, jumping rope, playing sports, dancing, etc.
3. Get better grades
Poor grades are something many kids struggle with. It is normal, but not a good thing. To get good grades school must be a priority for you. It does take a lot of work, but it will be totally worth it once you get into a good collage! Set some time aside ASAP when you get home from school to begin your homework. Don't wait till 10:00pm when you're tired and ready for bed.... your mind won't work well then and it will be miserable for you. Don't expect getting better grades to be easy. You have to work hard for success.... it doesn't come easy!