Interview With Rose from "Through My Eyes"

I recently contacted  Rose to see if she would do an interview, and she said yes! Rose is one of my close friends, and I hope you enjoy reading her interview!

~So Rose, how have you been doing?

Well, physically, I've been doing well. I haven't failed any of my classes in school, and running around outside in this wonderful spring air is keeping me in good health. I have quite gotten over my nasty cold, so instead of croaking like a frog who has a fly in his throat, I can sing and talk again. Hallelujah
 

~Coffee or Chai?

Chai all the way. I'm not a big fan of coffee. For me, it takes a gallon of milk and a barrel full of sugar to get it to taste even drinkable. (I'm not a fan of bitter either) Therefore, if I drank coffee, I would get diabetes and wreck my digestive system forever. However, for some reason, even though I don't like the taste, I like the smell of the brewed beverage. *This is just my humble opinion, of course.*

~ If you could make a new law in America, what would that law be?

 

Well, in my opinion, I think American could do with a few less laws. Instead of making a new one, I would take out a stupid one, like maybe the one that says, "It is unlawful to lend your vacuum cleaner to your next-door neighbor."  Yup. Never doing that again! It's against the law.

 

~ How are you using your blog for God's glory?

 

My blog is a recording of my life, my struggles, memories, and passing thoughts. Even now, when I look back at my older posts, I can see how much I have grown in the past year, both in my Walk and in my writing skills. Also, what I post on my blog is, I hope, an encouragement to other fellow believers. I hope they are reminded again that a life lived for Christ, though it might not be easy, is the best possible one.    
 

~Do you know what you want to do for the future {as in occupation, marriage, etc}?

 

Well, after I am done with high school, I am planning on getting a degree in Biology. As for marriage, if it is God's will, I will settle down and try my utmost to be a good wife and mother.

~What is your favorite scripture?

I would have to say 1 Corinthians 10:31. "Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God."

~If you could say one thing to the readers of this blog, what would it be?

 

Never lose hope. No matter how hard things get there is always hope in Jesus Christ. He will never leave you nor forsake you. What an awesome truth!!
 

~ White, Dark, or Milk chocolate?

 

I don't mind Dark, I really like milk, and I can't say I have a liking for white.

Rose has an awesome blog, Through My Eyes. You all should check it out!

The Bridge of Peace by Cindy Woodsmall

   This book centers around four people: Lena, Deborah, Grey, and Cara. All of them are taking  life's problem's one at a time. Lena, the Amish schoolteacher, has to deal with a birthmark on her face, and her rejection from both Grey and the School-board. Deborah has to try and rid herself of grievances against her fiance, who abandoned her. Cara tries so hard to fit in to the foreign Amish culture, and always feels that she can't do enough right. Grey struggles with a marriage filled with hurt, loneliness, and miserableness, yet tries to act as if nothing is wrong. Climaxing when Lena's life is in danger, this book's plot is somewhat predictable, but still written well.
    I enjoyed the book quite thoroughly, except for an occasional hear-shattering part. This book enlightens readers to a new view of the strict Amish community, and also, it causes you to fall in love with the Amish. I have always enjoyed books about the Amish, and I think this one turned out well. The resolution was a happy one, which is EXTREMELY important to me. One thing the author did that impressed me, was that she made sure not to make beloved characters die, even though a few others do. There was rarely a dull moment, and the captivating plot keeps one awake long hours into the night. I overall enjoyed this book, and I certainly hope you will go and buy it, because it is a GREAT book!


P.S. Waterbrook Publishing sent a a free copy to me so I would give an Honest{ The good the bad and the ugly} review.

An Ode to Coffee...

I

Oh what ecstasy, every morn,

An aroma so greatly drifts

 Such rare perfume, yet never worn

But instead, disappears quite swift.

What a fragrance, Above the rest!

II

Deep, bold flavor, all coming through,

All beans roasted; brunette, small chunks,

Each cup match-less, a perfect brew,

Best for sloppy wet donut dunks!

One hopes never will the goodness end! 

Handmade Hugs Review!

Hello my forever fashionable funner followers!  I was recently contacted by Ms. Angelia, and she asked if I would be willing to do a review! After a quick stop to her super-cute shop, how could I resist?

She has some stunning items, and they are all at a very reasonable price! She has lovely scarves, jewelry, and some unique tea bag clips, {click on the picture to see her wonderful shop!}
She asked me my favorite color{which is pink, in case you wondered :) }and she sent me these lovelies!

 Isn't it lovely? the pictures don't really do it justice! This lovely hot-pink ring came in a cute silver package, along with it's matching earrings, and she sent me 3 pink pearl bracelets! :) I will post all the pictures and then give the review :)

 

{My hand looks really big here, It's not lol :)

I then told my 1 1/2 year old sister to model for me :)

She didn't want to give it back :) But she did, the power of cookies...

Overall I loved Handmade Hugs! I think that Handmade Hugs has very reasonable prices on their items, and some very cute and unique items. when I received the package, ALL of my sisters were jealous :) The bracelets were beautiful, and the clasp was super easy to hook in, that was really nice! I have recently been in love with pearls, so the pink pearls on the bracelets added onto the stunning-ness :) The earrings were a perfect length: not too short, and not too long! :) The fact that they matched the ring also made them even more awesome awesomer! The ring, was amazing. I love rings; and even though I have the most peculiarly sized fingers ever, the ring fit me perfectly! And the ring is so much more fun funner then the others I have! I think that everyone looking for super cute, unique, jewelry and great prices should definitely look through Handmade Hugs, and I think you should DEFINITELY buy something ! If you do, then you absolutely rock!

<a border="0" href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/angelnetinc" target="_blank"><img src="http://i371.photobucket.com/albums/oo155/Popsicleyum/IMG_9411-1-2.jpg" /></a>

Sincerely,

Curiosities of the Civil War by Webb Garrison

     Did you know that Abraham Lincoln was the first sitting president exposed to open fire? Or that John Wilkes Booth often rode his one-eyed steed around town? One can find these facts and MANY more are in this interesting book by Webb Garrison. It is chock full of random facts, from dead-horse barricades to hostage situations.. 526 pages overflowing with interesting info. One of the most interesting things in the book was that some Clergyman were the FIERCEST fighters, and rarely were they shot.
   I LOVED this book. Us homeschooled folk thrive on random facts, so this book was like manna from heaven! I loved the effort Webb took to make sure that EVERY fact was short enough to read aloud to people. This for me is important, because I tend to love reading random facts to my family! "Hey mom, did you know that a lot of the wives of soldiers followed the soldiers around rather then stay at their homes?" and then I read her the article :) I don't think there was anything I disliked about the book, however I was concerned a tad bit about the paper. Actually, I wasn't, but I thought I'd mention it. If you rub the books cover or its pages on the outside of the book {like the border, the place that gives you paper-cuts} it kind of wore off, not tear, but kind of "ruffled" the edges. I thought it looked really rustic-y, and I liked it a lot! Overall, I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading random facts, and DEFINITELY if you are a history buff.
Sincerely,

 

P.S. Book sneeze gave me this free book to review! Thy did not require that I write a positive book review, only that I give an honest one :)

Don' trip anyone {In other words, don't make your brother stumble}

   Imagine this scenario: You are on a diet, which you started less than a week ago; you really felt this diet would be a great thing for you. So far, you have done well, and you have not eaten anything except salad. Then your friend calls, “Want to go out to lunch?” You agree, and you suggest saladtopia. Your pal says that nothing is wrong with saladtopia, but he thinks it would be fun to go to McDonalds; since it had many choices including salad. You hesitantly agree, and the date is set. When you get to McDonalds, you quickly order a salad. As you sit down, your friend walks over to the table with a Big Mac, a large fry, a large sweet tea, and an apple pie. You sit twirling your salad pretending the slimy green leaves were French fries…it is not working. Your friend asks, “Wanna fry? I have plenty!” Just one, you think to yourself. Before you know it you’ve consumed the entire box. By this point you have completely given up on the diet altogether, though your friend “technically” did nothing wrong…

This is the scenario in which Paul urges Christians to avoid. There are two groups who participate:the weaker and stronger brother. From what I have studied, the weaker is the one who is “weak in faith.”[1] Paul clearly states that it is ok to eat all food. However, some people simply felt convicted to eat only vegetables, for the fear that if they ate the market’s meat God would smite them. Someone weak in faith is someone without strong enough faith to believe that God loves him or her even if He eats pork, and they think God will smite them if they wear pants. [2]

~

 Numerous issues; can completely divide two groups of Christians, no matter how petty the issues are. One of the issues that Paul deals with is the eating of meat sacrificed to idols. Some people were not sure if the meat in the market was sacrificed to idols, so rather than abide under the grace God had given them, they chose not to eat meat at all.

     All of the issues have one thing in common; they are not a sin[3]. If they were a sin, then the entire matter would be different. If someone was say, lying all day, then that would be a sin, and it is not something that is neutral.  If there is a verse in the bible that specifically says to do/don’t do then it is not neutral. Lying, stealing, and adultery are all subjects in the Bible that are not neutral.  What then would a neutral issue be?

  A neutral issue is one that is neither right nor wrong, such as buying a puppy calendar, or taking a picture of the sky; doing these things is not a sin, and you aren’t doing these things without love { see footnote 1} However, some people have different convictions then that of your own. Such as girls wearing skirts singularly.  This is not a problem; it depends on the specific person’s convictions.

     One of the issues the church of Corinth was dealing with was the eating of meat sacrificed to idols. Some members of the church were not sure if the meat from the market had been previously sacrificed to idols. This is a neutral issue.

    In Romans 14-15, Paul is talking to the Romans about not letting such issues come between them; such as meat sacrificed in idol worship. Paul said it would be better for him never to eat meat again then to cause a brother to stumble. How would he cause someone to stumble by eating meat? Pretend I was delivered from idol worship, if I see you, a redeemed Jew {who never struggled with idol worship} eating food sacrificed to idols, then it might cause me to stumble. It was a problem for me because it brought up the past, causing doubts and temptation.  Paul tells us to strive not to cause our brothers {and sisters} to stumble. If say, a young girl wore a dress she believed was modest, but it was causing one of her brothers to stumble, then it would be far better for her to wear something different then for her to cause her brother to lust.

     ~

     There are always going to be differences in the body of Christ. There is nothing wrong with differences unless we let them become division. In Romans 14, Paul talks about how we are to act in love[4] Paul says that if what we eat causes our brother to stumble; we are no longer walking in love, which would be breaking Jesus’s commandment. Paul also says that we should not judge each other. The Man who eats meat must not judge the man who does, and the man who does must not judge the man who does not. Paul does not want them to remove their differences; he wants them to rise above the differences.

     Over all, it is our duty as Christians to do our best not to offend other believers by our actions. If we cause strife, then we cause division, and that causes a fracture in the Body of Christ. Considering that Jesus prayed for unity in the church[5] and unity is mentioned numerous times in the New Testament, I think that is important that we maintain it. In history, every war was cause by fractured kingdoms, which were not in unity with each other. Fractured unity means a fractured army. We will not be able to stand up to fight the battle against the enemy unless we are constantly keeping peace with our brothers and sisters, and standing in unity. Therefore, we need to make it our first priority not to cause our brothers to stumble, and strive to continue living harmoniously with our fellow companions.

Ephesians 4:3

Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace…

---

[1] Romans 14:1-2

[2] Please note that I think both of these things are great if God convicted one personally of doing these things. I am simply talking about one who does them ONLY because they think God will not love them if they do. The same with eating only vegetables. If one is doing it for health reasons then it is different from doing it ONLY because you think God will not love you if you eat meat.

[3] The law Jesus gave reveals sin,
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with your entire mind and with all your strength, the second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these” These two commandments alone cover every one of the Ten Commandments and more. If you love your neighbor you are going to steal from them, you are going to be jealous of them; you are not going to murder them, etc. Likewise, if you love God, you are not going to take His name in vain, you are not going to worship another God, etc.

In Galatians 5: 12

[4] See footnote 1

[5] John 17