This weeks photo challenge is Halloween Dress Up.  We don't really celebrate Halloween but I always like to dress up!

Here is my self portrait from two years ago.  Our church had a Halloween alternative party, we called it a Hallelujah party. 

So I went as Audrey Hepburn.  I think it was a great outfit!  So fun!

Stephanie

He who observes the day, observes it to the Lord; and he who does not observe the day, to the Lord he does not observe it. He who eats, eats to the Lord, for he gives God thanks; and he who does not eat, to the Lord he does not eat, and gives God thanks. 

For none of us lives to himself, and no one dies to himself.  For if we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord.

Therefore, whether we live or die, we are the Lord's. 

For to this end Christ died and rose and lived again, that He might be Lord of both the dead and the living. 

But why do you judge your brother?

Or why do you show contempt for your brother?

For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.

For it is written: "As I live, says the LORD, Every knee shall bow to Me, And every tongue shall confess to God."  So then each of us shall give account of himself to God. 

Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather resolve this, not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brother's way.  I know and am convinced by the Lord Jesus that there is nothing unclean of itself; but to him who considers anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean. 

Yet if your brother is grieved because of your food, you are no longer walking in love. Do not destroy with your food the one for whom Christ died. 

Therefore do not let your good be spoken of as evil; for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. 

For he who serves Christ in these things is acceptable to God and approved by men. 

Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another.  Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All things indeed are pure, but it is evil for the man who eats with offense. 

It is good neither to eat meat nor drink wine nor do anything by which your brother stumbles or is offended or is made weak. 

Do you have faith?  

Have it to yourself before God. 

Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves. 

But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because he does not eat from faith; for whatever is not from faith is sin.                    Romans 14:6-23

Need I say more?  These verses really stand out to me.  Every time I read them it convicts me of how often I condemn others and myself by what I approve.  I don't even realize that I am thinking in those thoughts.  Then I reflect my feelings, and see how wrong I am.  I don't want to make my brothers and sisters stumble in any way.  It's something I pray that God will give me wisdom in.  I don't ever wish to offend or sound judgemental. 

But yet I do.  So often. 

So I'm constantly praying that God will help me see in situations what to say.  How to say it.  And most importantly, what not to say.

Being selfless is another thing I'm working on.  Dying to one's self isn't easy.  But to die to yourself is to live in Christ Jesus.  

The bible said; For if we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord.  Therefore, whether we live or die, we are the Lord's. 

Isn't that an awesome thought?!  Live or die we... I!... am the Lords!  I want to be all His all the time!  It's not easy.  He never said it would be.  But it is definitely worth the effort!  I just love finding verses that help me and encourage me! 

But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty.       1 Corinthians 1:27

He has chosen me!  Me... this foolish thing!  :)  If only I could give out the grace that Jesus gives us all the time!  Having grace, being kind and slow to anger.  Those are kind of my "Faults of the month" I'm working on.  I started reading Feminine Appeal and it really made me strive to be more then what I am.  It's mostly a book for wives and mothers, but it does speak to young single women too.  It has made me see things that I could work on before I get married and have kids.  Things I want to be aware of and kind of understand before I have a family. 

So continues the ever-long journey of being like Christ.  And someday be perfect in His presence.  

The most important thing in our lives isn't to please what the world expects of us, the worlds view is not the Lords view.  The most important thing is for us to live and to just be what the Lord would have us be. 

Who cares what the world thinks!  Does it really matter in the end?  Who's opinion really matters when we face Jesus?  Not peoples opinion. 

There is only One who's opinion matters.  Jesus our Lord and Savior.  Hmm....can I live with that thought in mind everyday? 

Seeking the approval of God and not man?? 

Well, thats one of the journeys of life, something that He teaches me how to do one day at a time.  But my life in Him is all that matters.  Nothing else. 

O Lord, I pray to You for wisdom.  Please give me understanding in how to live in this sinful world.  How to live in You.  Love through You.  Have grace by You.  I thank You Lord for your grace you have given me, an awful sinner, for by Your grace I have been saved.  Thank You for the life You have given me, the family You have given me and the friends you have given me.  I have been so blessed with a wonderful family that loves me in spite of myself, and whom I love to be with and have adventures with.  I have been blessed with wonderful friends who make life so joyful!  Thank you Lord!   Love you Lord.

Stephanie

My dear sweet and beautiful friend Cassie!  How I love her and cherish her friendship!  Blue is a awesome color on her!  Totally brings out her eyes!  (If she would look at the camera once in awhile.....;) 

Love ya Cassie!

Stephanie