Where's Waldo Halloween Costume

Hey Everybody! Halloween is in just a few days so I thought it would be appropriate to do a post on my Halloween costume. This is a super easy, cheap, and MODEST costume! -Maddie

What I wore: 

•Denim, dark blue jeans

•Black converse 

•A red shirt. I couldn't find a striped shirt so I took a normal red long sleeve tshirt and made stripes w/ white ductape. Most people couldn't even tell it wasn't a normal shirt. 

•"Nerd" glasses.

•Film Camera (can use any type of camera) on a strap.

•Across the shoulder small brown purse. 

•Where's Waldo Hat. I crocheted and knitted mine but amazon has hats very similar for an inexpensive price.

•Red nail polish. Mine was from ELF.

•Red Lipstick. Mine was from Sephora. 

{special thanks to my brother, Conner, for taking these pictures for me at my church!}

Walk the Talk

Hey guys! This is a collab w/  @godsgotyouinhishands on Instagram! Their account is absolutely amazing and I'm completely in love with it! Y'all should totally go follow them if you're not already! 

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Many people claim to be Christians. However, not many of those people act like it, they don't walk the talk. Now, we are not expected to be perfect. However, we should strive to be like Christ in all we do. How do we do this? By acting on our faith! Many people say, "Well I believe in God. Isn't that enough?" Here comes the hard truth, it's not. This topic is discussed in James 2:14-26. It says that even demons know who God is! That faith without good deeds is dead. Another thing people say is, "God accepts me as I am, so it's ok." Yes, while God does accept you the way you are, He loves you enough not to let you stay the same. While believing God is important, it doesn't end there! You have to change your actions! To fulfill God's plan for each one of our lives we must act upon our faith and and pursue becoming more like Him. Remember, Jesus died for you in public, so don't live for Him in private. Let's begin to "Walk the Talk"

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James 2:19-20 “You say you have faith, for you believe that there is one God. Good for you! Even the demons believe this, and they tremble in terror. How foolish! Can’t you see that faith without good deeds is useless?”

James 2:26 "Just as the body is dead without breath, so also faith is dead without good works.”

Don’t be afraid! Speak out! Don’t be silent!

Hebrews 13:16 -And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.

This week I took the PSAT. As I'm sure many of you did. However, if you didn't, let me inform you of what happened.       Before the test actually began, you had to fill out about 9,000 pages of information about yourself (totally not exaggerating). One of the boxes asked for your religious preference. There was this super long list of religions, denominations, a space marked "none", and "other". There was also a space marked, "Don't wish to give info" or something like that. That space really made me think. Have we become so ashamed of God and the Bible that even on a test we are afraid to proclaim Jesus? There is a scripture that I turn to whenever I feel like stepping back and hiding. 

.     Acts 18:9 -"One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision and told him, “Don’t be afraid! Speak out! Don’t be silent!" This is such a powerful verse that convicts me often. When I feel myself shirking back instead of standing up, I remember that even if people judge you, which they will, even if people hate you, mock you, and turn away the truth, they are not turning away us, they are turning away, judging, hating, or mocking God.       Matthew 10:22 -You will be hated by everyone because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.  This verse clearly tells us that we will not be accepted by everyone. Just the other week people were shot and killed at a college in Oregon from standing up for Christ and saying "Yes, I'm a Christian." You can see in America alone that being a follower of Christ is not a popular choice. However, being Jesus wasn't popular either. In fact, HE WAS KILLED! FOR YOU! Let that sink in. If Jesus Christ would die for you, shouldn't it be a joy to proclaim Him to the world?  Psalms 96:2 -Sing to the LORD; praise his name. Each day proclaim the good news that he saves.  

       Here's another verse that convicts me personally to live a life free of fear and shame. It's a very popular verse that many followers of Jesus have taken as their personal testimony. However, when things happen it's sometimes hard to stand by our convictions. Remember, if you don't stick to your values and beliefs while tested, they are not values or beliefs, they're hobbies. 

Romans 1:16 -For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes—the Jew first and also the Gentile.

Are we an ashamed people? Are we afraid to stand up for Christ? Think about what you just a read over the next week and look for ways in which you can stand up and not be ashamed. Again, never forget the words of Luke in Acts, “Don’t be afraid! Speak out! Don’t be silent!" Thanks for reading! -Maddie