February 2012
15 posts
1 tag
Weeds
An excerpt from the book The Gospel According to Harry Potter By: Connie Neal
As is true throughout the Harry Potter books, it is not always easy to tell who is truly on the side of good or evil. If those who presumed some were evil and had eliminated them when they had the chance (Sirius Black comes to mind), tragedy would have occurred. Likewise, one cannot trust that those who claim to be...
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Defining Self 5 Day Challenge: Day 5
This is probably the number one word I would use to describe myself. I love to talk about the dreams I have for my life. Who knows if I will actually ever have my dreams fulfilled, but what’s life without a little whimsy? “A dream is a wish your heart makes…”
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Defining Self 5 Day Challenge: Day 4
Confident (adjective)- 1. having strong belief or full assurance, sure 2. sure of oneself; having no uncertainty about one’s own abilities, correctness, successfulness 3. excessively bold
After looking up the definition of this word it made me wish that it wasn’t so easy to use this word to describe myself. I happen to, on occasion, be a little too sure...
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Defining Self 5 Day Challenge: Day 3
I am what some might call “O.C.D”. Although I’ve never been tested for it, it’s most likely true. I keep my home extremely organized. It is always very neat and tidy. Everything has a place, and if I take an item out of its place, I must put it back where it goes right when I finish with it. The clothes in my closet are hung up by colors, my towels have to be folded a...
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Defining Self 5 Day Challenge: Day 2
For my entire adult life (which hasn’t been very long, I’m only 23), people have always thought I looked and acted as if I were still in high school. For a while it offended me when I was told that. But now, I take it as a great compliment. Acting like an adult is so stinking boring! Don’t get me wrong, I take full responsibility for my self, but that doesn’t mean I...
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Defining Self 5 Day Challenge: Day 1
I have a very obsessive personality. If I like something, I REALLY like it. For instance, if you read my blog, it is clear to see that I am obsessed with Harry Potter…ALL things Harry Potter. Some might say it’s unhealthy, but it’s just the type of person I am, I can’t help it. By looking through my blog you would also find that I am obsessed with; Scripture, London,...
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Defining Self 5 Day Challenge
The other night, as I was laying in bed trying to sleep (I’m a slight insomniac), I found myself thinking about how if I was asked to describe myself in one word, what would that word be? I thought, and more than one word came to mind, five words did. Then it hit me, what a good blog challenge that would be!
For the next five days I am going to be defining myself with a new word and...
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Valentine's Day Recap
For me, yesterday was less than terrific. Unfortunately, I find myself wanting a Valentine’s do-over. I woke up that morning feeling sad and discouraged, thanks to the work of the enemy I’m sure, and ended up crying because of it. After a while, I was able to compose myself and go about the afternoon. I got to catch up on a missed episode of Pretty Little Liars, which was somewhat...
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Good vs. Evil
An excerpt from the book The Gospel According to Harry Potter By: Connie Neal
Even now, with the terrorism, wars, and poverty in our world, it may seem that evil has the upper hand. However, we are called to act like Harry and his friends did and to keep focused on fighting evil, even if it seems like evil is winning. Things can change suddenly in such battles. When it comes down to the final...
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“Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord...”
– Psalm 20:7
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Save The Bookstores
I’m a sucker for a good book. Not just the read, but the physical copy of a book. I have yet to jump on the ebook band wagon, and I’m not going to for as long as I can. There is nothing like walking into a bookstore or library and being able to pick up a book, read the back cover, judge it by its front cover, and take it home with you. Then, when you finish reading it, it can sit on...
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“The dark mark of our past does not have to brand our future.”
– Connie Neal, The Gospel According to Harry Potter
January 2012
15 posts
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January Book Haul
The Great Dinosaur Mystery Solved! By: Ken Ham This book was a really quick read, actually it only took me one day to finish it. I’m kind of a nerd in that I’ve always found the existence of dinosaurs to be fascinating. But I’m also one of those people that had been so desensitized by movies and television in terms of dinosaurs, that they were always kind of mythical creatures...
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“A person who is obsessed with Jesus is more concerned with his or her character...”
– Francis Chan, Crazy Love
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“I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in Me and I in him, he...”
– John 15:5
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Jars of Clay (Feat. Mike Donehey)-Out of My...
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“The Uncle Vernons of the world say, “seeing is believing.” Faith...”
– Connie Neal, The Gospel According to Harry Potter
Favorites
Stars | Dutch Blitz | Berries | Bejeweled | YA books | Watching movies with my niece | Using my imagination | Watching re-runs of Gilmore Girls | Chocolate | Trying out new recipes | Cool breezes | Staying up late | Dry erase boards | The way the ocean sparkles when the sun is going down | Pretty Little Liars (who the heck is “A”?!) | Doing devotions with my hubby every night |...
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Dedicated
An excerpt from the book Crazy Love By: Francis Chan
Have you ever been in really good physical shape at some point in your life? If you aren’t at that same level of fitness today, you probably know that it didn’t “just happen”; you didn’t lose your six-pack or your ability to run eight miles overnight. You stopped running regularly, or you quit lifting weights...
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Tuscan Ravioli with Tomato Basil Cream
This recipe just became one of my husband’s “top 10” favorite dishes I make. So, I thought I’d share it with you…it really is delicious, and easy!
1 (20 oz.) package refrigerated cheese ravioli
1 (16oz.) jar Alfredo sauce
2 T.-chicken broth
2 medium fresh tomatoes, chopped
1 T.-dried basil
Prepare pasta according to package directions.
Meanwhile,...
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“I wish friends held hands more often, like the children I see on the streets...”
– Stephanie Perkins, Anna and the French Kiss
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Salt
An excerpt from the book Crazy Love By: Francis Chan
Jesus asks for everything. But we try to give Him less. Jesus said,
Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is fit neither for the soil nor for the manure pile; it is thrown out. -Luke 14:34-35
Jesus isn’t making a cute little analogy here. He is addressing those who aren’t willing to...
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“I know that love is unconditional. But I also know it can be unpredictable,...”
– Claire Danes, Stardust
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Potterrific!
As many of you Potterheads out there know, Universal Studios has announced that they are making another Wizarding World in Hollywood, as well as expanding the current one in Orlando! When I heard this, it was like Christmas and my birthday, all wrapped into one exciting present. I’ve been to the Wizarding World in Orlando twice in 2011, and both times were utterly brilliant, and are thus far...
December 2011
11 posts
7 tags
Book Review
The One Year Worship the King Devotional By: Chris Tiegreen
First things first, this book changed my life. I began reading it at the beginning of the year, at a time that I really needed guidance in my devotions. It had gotten to the point that I was doing them out of habit and not out of a desire to glean from the Word and learn. Within the first week of starting this devotional, I was...
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Favorites-CHRISTMAS EDITION
Celebrating Jesus’ birthday | Snow | Twinkle lights | Peppermint | Hot cocoa | Watching How the Grinch Stole Christmas (the Jim Carrey version) | Baubles | Mistletoe | Red and green everything | The smell of pine | Ornament wreaths | Baking, icing, and eating Christmas cookies | Spending invaluable time with family | Traditions | Making memories | Watching people open presents | Stockings |...
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Parmesan Chicken Meatloaf
1 lb ground chicken
1 egg
1/4 cup plain breadcrumbs
1/2 teaspoon dried basil
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1-2 cloves garlic, minced
1 small onion, grated
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 cup pasta sauce
1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Directions Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease a loaf...
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“Perhaps only when human effort has done it’s best and failed, will...”
– Corrie Ten Boom, “The Hiding Place”
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Style Spotlight
There’s nothing like a good accessory. That’s why I want to bring your attention to Kiel James Patrick. They sell head bands, earrings, bow ties, and their biggest selling item; bracelets. I am absolutely IN LOVE with the inspiration (classic New England). The style of these items are right up my alley, they scream casual prep. Check out the website! If you’re like me, it...
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“Books do not age as you and I do. They will speak still when we are gone, to...”
– Corrie Ten Boom, “The Hiding Place”
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Mat Kearney-Ships In The Night
Like ships in...
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A Confident Stand
Read: Zechariah 14
“In the first advent, God veiled His divinity to prove the faithful; in the second advent He will manifest His glory to reward their faith.”-John Chrysostom
God will establish Himself visibly as King over all the earth (v. 9). In that day, even His enemies will worship Him. It may not be an enthusiastic worship, but it will be consistent. Those who once attacked...
November 2011
8 posts
4 tags
Dear Mr. Potter
As most people know, I’m slightly obsessed with Harry Potter. Just kidding, slightly is an understatement. Anyways, there’s a book entitled Dear Mr. Potter, and it’s comprised of fan letters written to Harry Potter. Since the release of the book, they’ve opened a website to allow other fans to submit their own letters to Harry, and then they post a few of them everyday....
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Be Thankful
A thankful heart prepares the way for the Lord.
Give thanks today, not just for your bread, but for everything. Look out a window and thank Him for light. Look at yourself and thank Him for life. Most of all, look at Jesus and thank Him for the body and the blood which He gave for us.
I’m thankful for so many things everyday, but today, I am especially thankful for these things:
FOOD!!!...
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“But, this is what the past is for! Every experience God gives us, every person...”
– Corrie Ten Boom
Favorites
Odwalla bars | Leg warmers | gopicnic | Monkey Bread | Food Network | goodreads | Paula Dean and all her butter | Aaron Shust’s CD “This Is What We Believe” | Coupons | Staying in sweat pants all day | Fun size candy | Homemade applesauce | Going grocery shopping | Spending the day cooking | Leggings | The new David Crowder Band single | Cooking Channel | All the special features...
Top Five
I’ll admit it, I am a TV junkie. I love a solid television series with intriguing characters and a thick plot. Unfortunately, I’m plagued with the ability to waste many hours sitting and watching this type of television. And there are so many good shows on right now.
So without further ado, here are my Top Five favorite TV shows of the moment:
5.) Dirty Soap-This is simply a...
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Aaron Shust-Greater Is He
By the power of Jesus...
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Easy and Yummy
Fresh Apple Cake (I love this recipe because not only does it taste great for breakfast or dessert, but it doesn’t have any butter so you don’t have to feel bad about eating it!)
3 medium sized baking apples, peeled and finely chopped (Granny Smith or Jonathan apples are good for this)
1 cup-vegetable oil
1 1/2 cups-sugar
3 eggs
1 tsp.-vanilla
2 cups-flour, divided
2...
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3 Things We Have To Stop Doing
I heard a teaching the other day about the 3 things we as Christians need to stop doing in order to grow closer to Jesus and to allow our lives to be a witness to others.
Stop complaining about your life, about the way you look, about your family, whatever it may be, stop! God has created you exactly the way He wants you to be and if you’re walking in His will then he has placed you in...
October 2011
7 posts
1 tag
