Thursday, May 26, 2011

Barbie: FALSE definition of beauty for young girls?

What do you first think of when you think of Barbie? Perhaps you remember the hours you spent playing with Barbie, combing her hair, playing with her stylish clothes and shoes or perhaps, you remember the beloved sweethearts, Barbie and Ken? I loved Barbies as a young girl and am just curious as to if Barbie has created a false definition of what "true" beauty is? I have nothing against Barbie---I'm sure my daughter will play with them someday; I'm merely digging deeper on what our society has taught the young girls about the way they SHOULD look and the clothes and makeup they SHOULD wear? Barbie has a "perfect" body in a merely imperfect world. None of us will have "perfect" bodies - for we are all sinful and have imperfections of different kinds (Romans 3:10).

1 Peter 3:3-4:



Watch this video on girl's self-esteem nowadays, it's definitely something we should explore and continue to encourage and work with the young girls that surround us ....

As you can see, self-esteem (or lack thereof) is an issue that dwells within most women in today's society. Maybe you are on who is struggling with it (I know I do) - 1 Peter 3:3-4 all the way!


Monday, May 23, 2011

Hurting people in a broken world ...

Psalm 10:17
LORD, you know the hopes of the helpless. Surely you will hear their cries and comfort them. (NIV)


Faces of sadness and fear surround us. There are people all around us who live in complete and utter misery. Maybe you are one of them? I pray not, but if you are, there is hope in Jesus Christ!



I'm sitting here doing counseling homework and my mind is saddened by some statistics I've just stumbled upon in my textbook, "Competent Christian Counseling." The statistics are dated back to 1992 - which I'm sure has skyrocketed in present day.

Every single day in America the following events occur:
  • six teens commit suicide
  • seven kids, ages 10-19, are murdered
  • seven juveniles, ages 17 and under, are arrested for murder
  • eighty teens are raped
  • five hundred teens begin using drugs
  • one thousand teens begin using alcohol
  • one thousand unwed teenage girls have a baby
  • more than one thousand teenage girls get an abortion
  • more than twenty-seven hundred kids watch their parents separate or divorce
  • more than one hundred thousand kids bring a gun or other weapon to school
These are just SOME of the events of grief and tragedy that occur on a daily basis in America. I don't list these to sadden you ... but to help us, as Christians, realize that now, more than ever, we are being called to help these grieving people going through life-changing and life-altering events. Now, more than ever, people going through all of the events listed above (and beyond) are looking for something missing in their lives ... they are looking for something to fill the void. Drugs and alcohol can not fill their "void" ... only Jesus Chist can! There is an abundance of Bible verses that can offer hope and help even us, as Christians, cope with whatever you may be dealing with at this very moment. Cling to these verses - hang them up on your wall, write them on an index card - keep them in your purse and keep them handy! Satan will try and attack us --- we must be prepared!

I encourage you to seek people in your life who may be going through a period of grief, trauma and looking to fill that "void." Do not be afraid to let God speak in and through you. To be honest, this is something I'm trying to work on myself; it's so easy to get consumed with the busyness of life and forget those around me----I don't want to forget - they are His beloved children!

Psalm 34:18
The LORD is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed. (NLT)


Proverbs 18:10
The name of the Lord is a strong fortress; the godly run to him and are safe.
(NLT)

Isaiah 40:31
But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
(KJV)

Isaiah 43:2
When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you.
(NLT)

Lamentations 3:22-24
The unfailing love of the LORD never ends! By his mercies we have been kept from complete destruction. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each day. I say to myself, "The LORD is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in him!"
(NASB)

Sunday, May 22, 2011

Divine Invitation Retreat Promo Video

Watch this video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jtPh7qlR4Y8&feature=player_embedded

I hope you can join us ... register before it's too late!

The Divine Invitation: RSVP to God's Call
Keynote Speaker: Janell Rardon (www.janellrardon.com)
Retreat for Mothers/Daughters (4th-8th grade)
Visit: www.4theharvest.org
To register, contact: tvillorente@4theharvest.org
For detailed information, visit: http://www.4theharvest.org/events.html

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Mary Kay Product Of The Week

If you didn't know, I have been a MK Consultant for a little over 2 months. I don't normally post a lot about Mary Kay ... there are several products I'd like to recommend, but I will only recommend one for now. It's been in my life for about 3 weeks and I love it! It's the "Clarifying Mask 3." Although it may look like clown face paint for a few minutes, it leaves your face feeling so refreshed. I love it! It has worked wonders on some of my blemishes - giving me cleaner, clearer skin! FYI - for those who have sensitive skin - I'm in the same boat and this product didn't irritate my face one bit!



Product Description:
Clarifying Mask 3
Specially formulated for oily or blemish-prone skin, this clarifying mask clears away excess surface oils as it gently exfoliates skin. It leaves skin with a soft, matte finish. It's fragrance-free, non-comedogenic and clinically tested for skin irritancy and allergy.

You can order HERE if you'd like to try it:
http://www.marykay.com/lizzychristian/skincare/classicbasicskincare/10347300/10347300/default.aspx

Also, I'm having a "FABULOUS FRIDAY EXTRAVAGANZA" - online ordering special this Friday:


For more information or to book a party/show, please email me at: lizzychristian@marykay.com
I will try to keep my readers up to date on upcoming specials!

Monday, May 16, 2011

Showers + Power = OVERLOOKED BLESSINGS!

Don't take hot showers or power for granted ...

While on our campout in Abington, VA on the Damascus "Trail Days" mission trip, the Lord reminded us of something very important - not to take the little things for granted. Throughout the up's and down's of no power and water/hot water throughout the trip, I feel this was God's very loving, kind reminder that we are so abundantly blessed (and spoiled)! There are so many people around the world who live in cardboard boxes, walk the streets and search the dumpsters looking for food and here we are, begging for the hot water to come on! I have to be honest...I enjoy my hot showers every day and was reminded of how I take so many things for granted. We are so blessed ... we have hot water, food, electricity, air condition, a warm bed, cell phones, and so many other things that people around the world have yet to experience. I was reminded of Thailand. While visiting the slums there in December, people literally had nothing, but they were the sweetest, most thankful people I'd ever met. Let this be a reminder not to take the small things for granted - water, food, shelter. I was also reminded of the sweetest, most adorable little 5-year old girl I had ever seen. While distributing Bibles one night, she was going around with her two small siblings selling light-up bouncy balls for a few cents. We were told she was walking the dark streets with no supervision because she was out trying to make food money for her family. Can you imagine sending your 5-year old along the dark, abandoned streets ALONE asking strangers to buy bouncy balls? This still brings tears to my eyes..... let us not forget how extremely blessed we are and pass along the blessing to those around us.

Saturday, May 14, 2011

Reflection: Comfort Zones!?

Currently, I'm sitting in the church van, the rain is pouring, the mountains surround us and I'm reflecting on a Christian's comfort zone. We've been on a mission trip in Damascus for a few days and the Lord revealed something to me that I think we all as Christians need to reflect upon. Often times, we get comfortable with our lives - our jobs, friends, church activities, outside activities, etc. Everything becomes ritualistic and routine. I know for me, I struggle with going OUT of my way to share the love of Jesus. How many times do I invite the Starbucks barista to church, carry someone's groceries or just randomly befriend someone just because I want to show the love of Jesus? Not enough. I know I like to be "comfortable," but it's time to step up and stop just being comfortable and show the love of Jesus! Jesus didn't sit back and wait for everyone to come to Him and ask questions, He was always out feeding the poor, helping the sick and comforting the hurting. He is the ultimate example of what we should strive to be. How will they know if we don't tell them?

I want to leave you with this quote to reflect on, "Love is the grace-enabled impulse to expand your joy in God by extending it to others." -John Piper

This is a call for us to show Jesus how much we love Him by extending love and compassion to others in Jesus' name.

Praying for you also as you seek the Lord's will and step out of your comfort zone to help reach our world in need.

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Girl, this is gonna make you stronger!

Enjoy this beautiful song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=emgv-VRtMEU

I don't know about you, but this song has been on repeat on my ipod since I first heard it! Thank you, Mandisa! It's such an encouraging, uplifting song...and a reminder that God is going to help you through WHATEVER you may in the midst of right now! Maybe you are overwhelmed by the world's tragedies, sickness, perhaps you've recently lost someone close to you ... or maybe you are just trying to juggle work, school, church activities, kids, and other commitments. Just a reminder - God is right here... "When the waves are taking you under, hold on just a little bit longer, He knows this is going to make you stronger...The pain ain't going to last forever, things can only get better, this is going to make you stronger."

Trust God. Lean on Him through the high's and low's. Hold on to HIM. He will help you through whatever commitments, tragedies or praises that you are experiencing at this very moment in your life. Perhaps you are feeling down - something to lift your spirits - the Almighty God is right there with you and His arms are wide open, ready to take you under His wings and love on you.

So, are you going to let Him be your Strong Tower?

Monday, May 2, 2011

Tamar Cards: Make a difference financially and spiritually!

While in Pattaya, Thailand on a mission trip, we had the honor and privilege of visiting the "Tamar Cards Center," a place that offers hope (spiritually and financially) to former bar girls.

Tamar Cards is a non-profit organization located in Pattaya, Thailand, approximately 1.5 hours south of Bangkok. A ministry of "Project L.I.F.E.'s, "Tamar Center," which is a prostitution recovery ministry based in Pattaya as well.

Tamar Cards provides employment and opportunity to Thai women by training them in the art of making hand-crafted, original Thai style cards. "At any given time, Tamar Cards employs between 10-20 women who primarily come from the northeast of Thailand, the country's poorest and least developed region. For many women, the "beer bars" of Pattaya seem to offer a way out of their poverty. These women end up selling themselves to make ends meet enabling them to send money back home to help support their families.Tamar Center seeks to offer alternative employment to these women, giving them a skill and a chance to earn money while getting them off the streets and out of the bars. At the same time, Tamar Center offers them a chance to discover Jesus, learn about the Word of God and be discipled in their faith in a loving Christian community."

If you purchase any of the reasonably priced Tamar Cards products, YOU are investing in more that a beautiful, hand-made card, but you are making a DIFFERENCE in the lives of these beautiful Thai woman. All proceeds go to supporting these women and the life-changing work of the Tamar Center.

Link to purchase Tamar Cards: http://www.tamarcards.com/

Here are a few sample products they offer - including: cards, notebooks, giftbags, candles, photo frames & much more!





Help make a difference by purchasing some of their hand-made products or by making a donation directly to the Center. ENJOY! xoxoxo