The Heresy of Humanism

As a Christian, I'm often asked if I am religious. It's quite difficult to answer that question. I believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, but I like to be considered "religious."
Being religious simply means that by "doing" things that you ought to, will somehow get you closer to God. It's not about what you can do to please God, it's about knowing Him, having the desire to want a relationship with Him. I want to desire to be "sold out" in establishing a loving relationship with my Savior, not continually do things that, in my opinion, will make Him happy.

This is where humanism comes into play. I'd like to offer you a quick definition:

 "... a group of philosophies and ethical perspectives which emphasize the value and agency of human beings, individually and collectively, and generally prefers individual thought and evidence." 

The Apostle Paul warns us in Colossians 2:8, to beware of men who draw you in with their philosophical ramblings. He tells us to watch for people who put an emphasis on human tradition and basic principles of the world, rather than on Christ. Human traditions often become "religion." In many places, these traditions become more binding and more all-known than the scriptures themselves! What are some traditions that have become a "religion" to you?
Here are some examples:

Astrology

Sun & Moon Worship

Crystals

Symbols

Good Luck Charms or practices

Horoscopes

Base your faith in Jesus Christ within Whom lives all the fullness and deity in one person. In Christ, you will have the fullness of God and won't need a good luck charm or a horoscope! Besides, Jesus is the head over every tradition and all the principles of this world, so why would you try anything else? 

"See to it that no one takes you captive through tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ." ~ Col. 2:8

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When thinking about earning a little extra $$ for the holidays, consider Thirty-One Gifts. What have you got to lose? There sure is a lot to gain! 

Thirty-One's Sept 2012 Monthly Customer Special

Don't End Summer Unprepared!

It’s time to start planning because soon you’ll have to put away Summery things. Odds are your family’s not done with outdoor toys and summer clothes just yet, but that’s why now is the perfect time to get ready! Don’t wait until fall starts to plan for storing your family’s summer stuff. Thirty-One has some great solutions to make storage neat, simple, and effective.  

Why worry about hunting a bulky box of summer clothes out of the attic or garage next year when you can just slide a discreet Thirty-One Oversized Storage Organizer under each of your kids’ beds?  Use the Oversized Storage Organizer to keep summer clothes from being lost in the bottoms of closets. You can neatly fit lots of summer clothes in a single organizer, and

 since it’s only 8” tall, it slides under almost any bed!

You’ve probably got some summer toys to put away, too: outdoor nets, rackets, balls, and swimming accessories. Don’t shove them into a plastic storage bin and hope that nothing makes a hole in your inflatable raft or tube. Smaller inflatables and toys can fit into a Zipper Pouch – like arm floaties, diving sticks, etc. For larger inflatable pool rafts or lounges, the Expand-a-tote Day Extender expands to 20.5”high by 17” wide with 8.5” deep with a zip closure. Be sure that your inflatable poolitems are completely dry and deflated before you start folding or rolling them up. Not only are you protecting your pool or beach toys for next year, but your storage space will look much more attractive filled with Thirty-One prints!

Get a Donate Bag.

While you start getting your home organized for the upcoming school year, remember to donate things that you and your family no longer need or want. Try setting up a Large Utility Tote in your laundry room or the garage. Tell your family that it is your “Donation Bag.” When it gets full, transfer the contents to a plastic bag and drop it off at your local donation center.  As your kids get new school clothes, have them clean out anything from last year that doesn’t fit or that they just don’t like to wear.  Don’t forget to check your closet too!

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Goals

What are your goals? Have you ever stopped to think about where you wanted to be in life, in 5 or maybe 10 years? Many people feel as if they are running and running, but their steps are taking them no where. The reason? They haven't spent enough time thinking about what they want in life and haven't set formal goals for themselves.

Goal setting is a powerful process for thinking about your ideal future, and for motivating yourself to turn a vision into reality. By knowing precisely what you want to achieve, you know where you have to concentrate your efforts. You'll also quickly spot the distractions that can, so easily, lead you astray. 

As many of you know, I attended Thirty-One's National Conference a few weeks ago. It was my first time attending and it was an eye opening experience! 

What I saw was not only fellow sisters commiserating, laughing and having a fantastic time, but I also saw women, much like myself, who set those precise goals and let nothing stand in their way of achieving those goals. 

When asked how to "get started" in setting such high standards, one Senior Executive Director (the highest paid consultant status), write your specific goals down, breaking each goal down into smaller "pieces" and put a date in which you want to achieve each piece. She also mentioned sharing your goal with others, so they will help hold you accountable.

So, let's break this goal setting idea down into levels. 

• First, create a "big picture" of what you want to do with your personal life, in the next 5, or maybe 10 years. Identify the large-scale goals that you want to achieve.
• Second, break those goals down into smaller "chunks", that you must hit to reach your long term goals.
• Third, once you've broken down those "chunks", start working on them!

Setting a big picture goal, breaking that goal down into smaller, more obtainable goals and moving up the scale piece by piece. 

To give a broad, balanced coverage of all the important areas in your life, try to set goals in some of the following categories:

• Career - what level of the corporate ladder do you want to reach?
• Financial - How much money do you want to earn in what period of time?
• Education - What skills would you like to learn that you've been putting off because you have "no time?"
• Family - Do you want to have children? What do you have to do to prepare yourself and your home prior to doing so?
• Physical - Are there athletic goals that you'd like to achieve? Have you always wanted to run a 10K?
• Vacation - Where have you always wanted to travel to? Where would you like to go as a family to celebrate one another?

Take some time to think on these categories or maybe you have a goal that isn't listed above. What smaller goals can you set to achieve on the road to your "big picture?" 

Make sure the goals you set are your own and not a reflection of what someone else what's you to achieve. This journey needs to be one you've set for yourself, with the HELP of those around you. Share your "big picture" with your spouse, friends, family and co-workers. Send your goals to me, if you need to! I'd be thrilled to encourage you every step of the way! Make a graph of the steps you will take to reach the end result and post that graph somewhere you will be able to see everyday until that "big picture" is a reality. 

Gook luck and have a great journey!

Summertime Dresses

Have any of you noticed the cute dresses that have been "in" this summer? I had to do some major shopping for a trip to Atlanta and I was totally overwhelmed, but in a good way! I looked online and in the stores and there is something for EVERYONE; whether you're small, medium or large. There are maxi dresses, party dresses, convertible dresses and the list goes on. 

I found several cute dresses online at http://www.goddiva.co.uk. For example, check out the High-Low-Floaty-Chiffon-Dress which could be dressed up for a special occasion or worn for quick trip to the shopping mall.  For a more formal occasion, the Embellished-Evening-Mini-Dress is so simple and unique.

I had thought that dresses were a thing of the past, but I'm thinking my logic was a little off. Take a trip to your favorite clothing store and see what bargains you can find; in dresses. I think you're going to be surprised to find stylish and affordability!

2012 Summer Retirement List - Thirty-One

Straight from the Heart of Thirty-One

The Sun

Hot. Hot and dry. That pretty much sums up the local weather. I don't remember the last time it rained significantly enough to thoroughly soak the ground. The sun has been shone brilliantly in the bright blue sky, though, which makes me forget about the heat. The sun, however, can wreck havoc on your skin, causing wrinkles, freckles (sometimes referred to as sun spots) and sunburns. Your eyes can be damaged by the UV rays as well.
Taking precautions when you're out and about is very necessary; using sunscreen is a must. But, what can be done about protecting your eyes? Funny you should ask! Sometimes we forget just how much protection we receive just by wearing sunglasses. Yes, you read correctly. Sunglasses. When working outside and/or driving, the brightness of the sun causes us to squint, which leads to wrinkles and I, for one, don't need any more wrinkles.
I've been known to purchase cheap-o glasses, until my husband purchased and gifted to me a gift card to pick out a pair of Ray-Ban sunglasses. I must admit, Ray-Bans are expensive, but oh, the cost is so worth it!
I visited a website Red Hot Sunglasses and found out there are over 200 different styles of Ray-Bans alone! You can also view different styles at   www.my-wardrobe.com/ray-ban and HappyGlasses
I decided to read up on just how Ray-Bans got started and what makes them so popular and better than other high end sunglasses. I found out that Ray-Bans were developed by Bausch and Lomb at the request of an Army Lieutenant, who's eyes were damaged by the sun. This Lieutenant wanted a pair of sunglasses that would provide protection and look sophisticated. Bausch and Lomb created a prototype known as Anti-Glare. The green lenses that are so well known are actually made of mineral glass that filters the ultraviolet rays that can damage your skin and eyes.
I'm not going to bore you with more details, but if you're interested, you can visit YouTube  and watch a video at your leisure.
Protect your eyes with good quality sunglasses. Don't be like me and settle for the cheap-o ones that don't do anything, but maybe look good on your face! Check out both Red Hot Sunglasses and www.raybanukglasses.co.uk to get a feel for the cost. It will be money very well spent.

Enjoy the sun, but take care in protecting your skin and eyes!

Beauty and Faith: How to Keep Your Hands Healthy

Beauty and Faith: How to Keep Your Hands Healthy

Matt Redman - 10,000 Reasons

Good skin care and a healthy lifestyle can help delay the natural aging process. I, for one, don't want to grow older any faster than I already am!
A weekly facial prevents the clogged pores and dull skin that come from heat, sweat and sunscreen. Below are some tips on how you can save money by giving yourself this daily treat. A facial should be given after you shower, while your skin is still damp, to achieve the best results.

1. Exfoliate clean skin with a sugar (or salt) scrub. The crystals are gentle because they dissolve quickly, unlike walnut or apricot shells. Sugar and salt are both humectants, so they hydrate. Skip this step if you use an acid or a retinoid daily.

2. Smooth on an algae mask. Packed with antioxidants, algae masks soften skin and boost circulation. Some are made with oil-absorbing clay and others add emollients to moisturize dry skin.

3. Get rid of those blackheads. Don't even think about using your fingers to dislodge a blackhead! Instead, hold two cotton swabs on either side, in a V, then gently press down. If the plug doesn't loosen, don't force it.
Do not, I repeat, do NOT go near red, swollen zits! Instead, cover them with a layer of 2.5% benzoyl peroxide cream followed by 1% hydrocortisone once a day for three days.

4. Apply moisturizer every day. Moisturizers don't just prevent and treat dry skin, they also protect sensitive skin, improve skin tone and texture and mask imperfections. This is an important step after you've removed the dead skin cells and natural moisturizers using the scrub and the mask.


Flawless skin is a thing of beauty. Take care of it!

Thirty-One Gifts and Planned Parenthood

There has been some discussion lately as to whether or not Thirty-One Gifts supports Planned Parenthood.
To be clear, Thirty-One in no way gives donations to support and/or fund PP. Thirty-One does, however, give to these charitable organizations:

• Dress for Success Worldwide
• Blume
• GOGO Gives: Get One Give One Gives
• Safe Horizon
• Domestic Violence Intervention Services
• YWCA of Central Ohio
• Girl Scouts
• Salvation Army
• Project Woman
• Interfaith Hospitality Network
• The Women's Fund of Central Ohio
• ROX ­ Ruling Our Experiences

Some of these organizations do give to Planned Parenthood, but that doesn't directly include Thirty-One Gifts. 

I did a search for companies that directly supported PP and I was quite shocked! If we, as a Christian community, decided to boycott ALL the companies associated with Planned Parenthood, I think we'd be quite limited as to what we bought. 

Just to give you an idea of companies that do indeed send support funds to Planned Parenthood, below is just the tip of the iceberg:

Pernod Ricard (alcoholic beverages, including Absolute, Ballantine's, Beefeater, Bancott Estate, Campo Viejo, Chivas Regal, G.H. Mumm, The Glenlivet, Graffigna, Havana Club, Jacob's Creek, Jameson, Kahlúa, Malibu, Maretll, Mumm, Perrier-Jouët, Ricard, Royal Salute).
TD Bank Group(financial services).
Wyndham Hotels & Resorts(lodging, including Baymont Inn & Suites, Days Inn, Dream Hotels, Hawthorne, Howard Johnson, Knights Inn, Microtel Inns & Suites, Night, Planet Hollywood, Ramada, Super 8, Travelodge, TRYP Hotels, and Wingate).
NACCO Industries (appliance manufacturing, including eclectrics, Hamilton Beach, Proctor Silex, Traditions, TrueAir, plus Kitchen Collection and Le Gourmet Chef stores).
Whole Foods Market
JPMorgan Chase (including Chase Bank, & Bank One).
Bank of America, Lost Arrow(Patagonia)
Danone (Dannon products).
Wells Fargo, Bob Evans (restaurants).
Chevron (includingCaltex, Texaco, Xpress Lube).
eBay (includingPayPal).
Arthur Murray (dance studios).
Bikram's Yoga, Midas (auto care).
Nike
Marriott Hotels & Resorts (lodging, including Courtyard, Fairfield,Renaissance, Ritz-Carlton). 
Johnson & Johnson
Staples (office/school supplies).
Darden Restaurants (eateries, including Bahama Breeze, The Capital Grille, LongHorn Steakhouse, Olive Garden,Red Lobster, Seasons 52).


I am very pro-life, which means I'm very opposed to abortion, but I've also come to the conclusion that we all have to pick our battles. What will we fight for that will make the most difference in the lives of those around us? In the end, God will have the final judgement. He will reward those who have furthered His Kingdom and He will punish those who haven't done so. 
For me, I will choose not to support Planned Parenthood directly. However, to even begin to boycott ALL the companies that are affiliated with PP, would take up too much of my energy and time and quite frankly, I'd rather spend that extra time loving on my family and showing the love of the Father to those who are lost. 


Until next time....

How to Keep Your Hands Healthy

Our hands broadcast a lot about you - from your marital status to whether you're a Ballet Slippsers or Vamp kind of girl. They can also, at a glance, indicate your real age (or one that's older than our years, due to a hardworking, sun loving lifestyle).
By age 30, skin-cell production decreases by 10%, making your skin less efficient at repairing itself. The tops of the hands, where the skin is thin, can show signs of age first (unlike the thicker-skinned, often-under-cover palms.
Taking care of your most useful appendages requires commitment and a few well-honed tricks!

• Keep lotion everywhere. Place a hand-cream pump at every sink in your house and stash travel-size tubes in your desk drawer and purse so you’ll never forget to moisturize.
• Pamper your cuticles. After showering, use a wet washcloth to push cuticles gently back so they frame the nails. Avoid trimming, which can leave the area open to infection.
• File nails, then cut conservatively. Clipping the whole nail in one fell swoop can be too aggressive, causing it to tear and peel. Instead, use an extra-fine emery board and file to a rounded shape. “Mirror the curve at the base of your nail to get the best natural look,” says Sirot. An additional benefit: Rounded nails are less likely to break than squarer shapes. If you do need to cut, do so in several small snips across the nail.
• Wear gloves while cleaning and washing dishes. Chemicals and hot water can strip away the protective lipid barrier from your skin, making it susceptible to irritation and dryness.
• Raise your hands above your heart for one minute. Dubbed “draining” by hand models, this trick reduces the amount of blood flow to the hands, making them appear less blotchy. “And when your hands need to look their best, minimize your salt, caffeine, and sugar intake to help make veins less prominent,” says Sirot.
• Treat with at-home ingredients. For softer, more hydrated skin, mix raw oatmeal and honey together and apply to hands; let sit for five minutes. Rinse off with warm water.

Read Your Lips

Pinks:

The woman who treasures a pink lip shade possesses a beauty that never goes out of style. Classy and feminine, she’s the measure of a true lady. But don’t be surprised to discover a fun, flirty side winking beneath the pink.

Metals:

A metallic lip luster is the perfect shade for a girl on the cutting edge of fashion. She knows how to add that extra something to make an outfit go from simple to amazing. And when it comes to the next new thing, you can bet she's already there!

Berries:

You'll find shades of berries on the lips of a woman living life to the fullest. She's energetic, enthusiastic and walks into a room with confidence. It's no wonder she's drawn to a lip shade as lively as the life she's leading.

Neutrals:

Don't be fooled by demure lips in neutrals. When it comes to expressing her style, this woman knows how to make a bold statement. Spend an after noon with her and you'll learn to expect the delightfully unexpected.

Chocolates:

Generous and giving, the woman with a loving heart can't resist a lipstick in a warm chocolate shade. She exudes a genuine affection and will make you feel fabulous. And of course, she's sweet as candy.

Tawnies:

For the sophisticated woman, tawnies are the lip shade of choice. Gifted with impeccable taste, she appreciates fine things in life from beautiful art to artisan coffee. When it comes to perfecting her pucker, only a shade of tawnie will do.

Reds:

She's confident and sophisticated. She's glamorous, trendy and classic all at the same time. She's true to the end, and her beauty spans a lifetime. What more can be said of the woman in red!

Need help finding the right shade for you? Visit the Mary Kay website and call me to place an order for you!