11th Day of Christmas

Hey Guys, I know this is up late, so sorry! Blogger wouldn't let me post my stuff for some reason. For the 11th day of Christmas I'm doing an easy, inexpensive gift idea. 

The first item I put in the bag was this notebook: 

I bought it at Target for $1.00! It is super cute but not going to break your wallet. 

Next we have this hand lotion: 

These hand lotions were at Joann's Craft Store for $2.00 each. I chose a Christmassy scent for this occasion.

Then I added a mini candle: 

It was $0.94 at Walmart. I made some really cute decorations for it in a previous days of Christmas blog post. 

The next few items were placed inside this stocking: 

This adorable stocking was at Khol's for $2.50. I was giving this gift to my friend, Harley. So I chose the one with the "H" embroidered on it. 

One of the items placed in the stocking was a makeup sponge: 

These were also found at Khol's for $6.00 on Black Friday. Since there were two, I was able to give on in this gift and another in a different gift. 

The last thing in this gift was headbands:

My friend loves sports headbands and these seemed perfect. These have 4 in a package. I put two in this gift and two in another. The package was $4.00 at Target. 

Hope you enjoyed this gift idea! 

 

We are called...To be LIGHT

We are called. We are called to be many things. However, today we will be focusing on being called to be LIGHT. Here are two of many verses that call us to be the light: 

Ephesians 5:8  “For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light!”

Acts 13:47 “For the Lord gave us this command when he said, ‘I have made you a light to the Gentiles, to bring salvation to the farthest corners of the earth.”

Light is needed because we live in a dark world. Just look around, it's everywhere. Death, oppression, racism, tyranny, rape, abuse... The list goes on and on and on. However it takes just one person to pierce the darkness. 

       This past summer I attended a conference in which it was completely dark in the arena. We were wearing bracelets that lit up during different parts of the service for interactive activities. Everyone was singing Amazing Grace,  it was pitch black. One by one each bracelet lit up. Even though there were 7,000 people in the room, that first lit bracelet was seen by everyone. It made an impact. Soon the whole room was lit by each persons bracelet. It is an amazing example of how it is in life. 

      John 9:5 says, “But while I am here in the world, I am the light of the world.”  Jesus is the light. However He isn't in the world physically at this moment. So we must be the light portraying Christ to the world. 

YOU are the Bible the world is reading. 

John 11:10 says, “But at night there is danger of stumbling because they have no light.” If we allow the darkness (sin) to rule in our lives, it will be easy to fall away from the Lord.  

     As shown in the first two verses mentioned, we are called to be the light. Why? Isaiah 60:3 answers that question pretty well. “All nations will come to your light; mighty kings will come to see your radiance.” By being the light to the world, by shining Gods amazing glory and love to the people lost in the darkness, we will make God and His love known. 

Mark 4:21 “Then Jesus asked them, “Would anyone light a lamp and then put it under a basket or under a bed? Of course not! A lamp is placed on a stand, where its light will shine.” We have the knowledge of an awesome God! We know His love and have salvation from the darkness. Why on earth would we hide that from anyone?! We need to place ourselves (a lamp) in a way so that we proclaim the Lord and be His example to the world.

     Will we be seen as different? Of course! But here's the thing: 

God NEVER called us to fit in, He called us to be like Him!

The word "Christian" literally means "little Christ" therefore, we should constantly be trying to become more like Him every day. We need to stop acting like other Christians and start acting like Christ! At first the world won't understand. We will be thought of as "weird". But read this quote: 

"Something is wrong when our lives make sense to unbelievers" -Francis Chan 

.   

So now that we know that we are called to be light, lets obey that calling and become what the Lord knows we can be and accomplish what He has planned! 

-Maddie🌻

Day 10; Christmas Scriptures

I love reading about Jesus's birth! I found this amazing list of scriptures perfect for Christmas. Even tho it is a 24 day thing, i just pick a few from the list to read each day. Enjoy! 

Day 9; Phone Christmas Wallpapers

Here and a few Christmas wallpaper to get festive for the season!! 

Day 8; DIY Ornament

I found this cute and easy tutorial on pintrest for and easy Christmas ornament.  Enjoy! 

7th Day of Christmas

Hey Guys! For the 7th day of Christmas we are going to be a Christmas card tutorial.

First you are going to need a green paint chip sheet, a brown paint chip sheet, and a 8x11 piece of cardstock. 

First fold the paper in half hamburger style. Next, cut out each paint color individually. Take the darkest brown and cut a tiny rectangle as the trunk of the tree. Place it where you wish. Next cut out the greens getting smaller as you get lighter. Arrange them as desired and glue them in final positions. 

Christmas Devotion: 

"Each of us is an innkeeper who decides if there is room for Jesus." -Neal A. Maxwell

{Luke 2:7} "And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn."

We don't have any information about the innkeeper who turned Mary and Joseph away. However, we can apply this verse to our lives. Are our hearts too full with other things to pay attention to Jesus? I like to think of it this way, if Jesus came up to me today, how would I receive Him? Is there room for Jesus in our lives this Christmas? If not, spend some time with the Lord and seek His guidance for how to improve on opening your heart to Jesus. Merry Christmas! 

6th Day of Christmas

Hey Guys, here is a super cute and easy Christmas DIY that can be a gift or as personal decoration!

First you will need a mini red candle. 

This apple pumpkin candle smells amazing and was only $0.99 on Black Friday at Walmart. First, take of the sticker. I placed it on the bottom of the candle so the person receiving it would know the scent and brand. 

Next, cut a strip of black construction paper out. Make sure it fits around the candle. Secure it by glue or tape. 

Then you are going to cut out a rectangle of yellow felt or construction paper. (I used felt) cut out a rectangle in the center of the previous rectangle to creat the belt buckle look. Finally, glue the belt buckle on top of the black piece of paper. Ta-da! Finished! 

Christmas Devotion: 

Luke 2:15-20 "And it came to pass, when the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing that is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. And they came with haste, and found both Mary and Joseph, and the babe lying in the manger. And when they saw it, they made known concerning the saying which was spoken to them about this child. And all that heard it wondered at the things which were spoken unto them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these sayings, pondering them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, even as it was spoken unto them." 

Angels appeared to the shepherds and told them the good news of Jesus Christ. They went to the stable where Jesus was. IMMEDIATELY after the shepherds saw Jesus they went proclaiming and praising God. The told everyone who would listen about the Messiah. I often think about my life and what I've accomplished. I believe that if I would be more like the simple shepherds that I would accomplish so much more in the name of the Lord. Merry Christmas!