Lemongrass Spa with Shantelle

Hello, readers! Today I just want to give a little shout-out to Lemongrass Spa! January 3rd, I signed up to be a sales consultant for Lemongrass Spa, as a side job. I had recently won a prize from a Facebook party, and also been hearing great things about the products from some of my relatives and friends.

Spa Party Success Kit

The thing that made Lemongrass Spa an option to me is that they believe in natural, organic, fragrance-free, gluten-free, and non-toxic products. I put a lot of importance on health and using as natural of products as you can! And so does Lemongrass Spa, so that made it a good fit for me. Though not all of their products are a 100% natural and organic, they advertise as 97%-100% natural and they say no to:

• sodium lauryl sulfate
• petroleum byproducts
• parabens
• phthalates
• propylene glycol
• synthetic fragrances
• nanoparticles

Some products, such as their mascara, deodorant, hair spray, and body spritz are all-natural. Other things, like lotion, use preservatives such as phenoxyethanol, because lotion (and other items with water in them) will mold if you don’t use a preservative. My mom used to make her own lotion, but she did have a few cases of mold, even when we refrigerated the lotion! So if you don’t feel like making your own lotion, or don’t want to deal with the worry of mold, Lemongrass Spa lotion is a much better option than the mainstream stuff you’re finding at Walmart or Bath and Body Works that is full of chemicals!

If you are just not comfortable with the non-natural preservatives that Lemongrass Spa uses, try check out 100% Pure’s lotion. I believe they *might* be completely natural. I don’t know if they have actual lotion, but they have a hand cream and there’s no water. I don’t know what differences no water makes … maybe it’s heavier? (And that’s why it’s called cream and not lotion?) Anyway, they are a little more expensive – their 2 oz. is $15 while Lemongrass Spa’s 8 oz. + 2 oz. is $18.

On the website, the ingredients for each item are listed, so you can look through them and know what you’re getting. If you’re a fanatic like me, you can also google the ingredients that you don’t recognize! *grins* This site is very helpful for looking up ingredients unknown to you.

Lemongrass Spa is more expensive than your run-of-the-mill skincare and beauty products. But you have to remember that they strive for natural and organic and quality! Overall, I think they are decently-priced when compared to other natural beauty/health companies such as Young Living, 100% Pure, Burt’s Bees, and Beauty Counter.

So far, I love their mascara! It smells yummy and applies smoothly. I am trying to switch to more natural make-up products, so using Lemongrass Spa’s organic matte black mascara makes me happy. I know that it doesn’t have any harmful chemicals and toxins in it, it doesn’t irritate my eyes, and overall I just feel really good about using it!

Ingredients: aqua (water), organic matricaria recutita (chamomile) hydrosol, organic cera alba (beeswax), organic copernicia cerifera (carnauba wax), organic coffee arabica (coffee) powder, organic oryza sativa (rice) extract, organic helianthus annuus (sunflower) seed oil, organic zea mays (corn starch), natural shellac wax, organic citrus medica limonum (lemon) peel extract, organic citrus grandis (grapefruit) seed extract.

I’ve also tried their facial oil cleanse, which has been a great experience thus far. I don’t have a fancy face-cleaning routine, but I’ve been wanting to start something because I get some rough patches and red blotches on my face. Lemongrass Spa’s Facial Cleansing Oil has felt so nice on my face, and it works good as a make-up remover.

Handmade with the following ingredients: helianthus annuus* (sunflower) oil, caprylic/capric triglyceride, persea gratissima* (avocado) oil, argania spinose* (argan) oil, d-alpha tocopherol (sunflower vitamin E), sorbitan laurate, polyglyceryl-4 laurate, dilauryl citrate *organic

Even more pleasing, is their facial gel, mist, and creme trio. Like I said, I don’t have a big facial cleaning routine. But, since I received these products with the starter kit, I figured I may as well use them! And it’s been so fun! Lemongrass Spa’s facial set for normal to dry skin is amazing. It smells lovely and leaves my face feeling soft, moisturized, and clean.

Cleansing Gel for Normal to Dry Skin

Ingredients: aloe vera gel, coconut oil olefin, coconut oil betaine, lemon extract, avocado oil, grapefruit seed extract, food grade potassium sorbate, vitamins A, C (Citric Acid) and E (tocopherol), calendula extract, essential oils of juniper, cypress, cedar wood, frankincense, neroli, jasmine, rosemary, geranium, rose, sandalwood, lavender, basil, chamomile, and cardamom

Hydrating Facial Mist

Ingredients:Purified water, hamamelis virginiana (witch hazel), jojoba oil, lonicera caprifolium (honeysuckle) essential oil, vitamin E oil, rose geranium essential oil, jasmine essential oil.

Face Creme with Botanicals

Ingredients: distilled water, (aloe barbadensis) aloe vera gel, emulsifying wax, vegetable glycerin, emulsifying conditioner, (olea europea) olive butter, (mangifera indica) mango butter, (simmondsia chinensis) jojoba oil, allantoin, (oenothera biennis) evening primrose oil, (tocopherol) vitamin E oil, botanical complex, (lavandula angustifolia) bulgarian lavender, (pelargonium graveolens) rose geranium, (daucus carota) carrot seed oil, pomegranate seed extract, phenoxyethanol and caprylyl glycol (optiphen).

The Tea Tree Facial Soap is absolutely splendid! As well as the Spearmint Eucalyptus Hand & Body Bar Soap. So soft, moisturizing, and smells very good and clean. They remind me strongly of the homemade soap that my mom and I have made. I love them so much! A thousand times better than the store-bought soap bars (such as Ivory)!

Ingredients: (elaesis guineensis) palm oil, (cocos nucifera) coconut oil, purified water, grapeseed oil, (prunus amygdalus) almond oil, (kaolinite) kaolin clay and (melaleuca alternifolia) tea tree essential oil

Ingredients: elaeis guineensis* (palm) oil, cocos nucifera (coconut) oil, prunus armeniaca (apricot) kernel oil, mentha spicata* (spearmint) oil, simmondsia chinensis (jojoba) seed oil, eucalyptus globulus* (eucalyptus) oil, mentha spicata (spearmint) leaf, vegetable glycerin (and) ultramarines *certified organic

Lemongrass Spa’s Body Polish is divine! *winks* My mom recently hosted a at-home party for me (which was a delightful time of fellowship, food, and talking all things natural and fun!) and we did a hand scrub trail. First we used the Prebiotic Hand Wash – which is awesome! Love this natural liquid soap option! Then we exfoliated our hands with body polish. I really like the smell of the Lavender Mint and it made my hands shockingly soft! I was not expecting them to feel so nice! Lastly, we used a Lotion. Grapefruit Bergamot is probably my favorite.

Ingredients: aqua (water), cocos nucifera (coconut) oil, aloe barbadensis (aloe vera) gel, sea salt, algin (kelp), citric acid, glycerin, simmondsia chinensis (jojoba) oil, citrus sinensis* (sweet orange) essential oil, citrus paradisi* (pink grapefruit) essential oil, cymbopogon flexuosus* (lemongrass) essential oil, melaleuca alternifolia* (tea tree) essential oil *certified organic

Ingredients: : (sodium chloride) sea salt, (olea europaea) olive oil, (prunus amygdalus dulcis) almond oil, (prunus armeniaca) apricot kernal oil, (lavandula angustifolia) lavendar flowers, (mentha piperita) peppermint leaf, (mentha piperita) peppermint essential oil, (gingko biloba) gingko leaf, (lavandula officinalis) lavendar essential oil, (vitis vinifera) grapefruit seed extract, (tocopherol) vitamin E oil

Ingredients: aqua (water), aloe barbadensis (aloe vera) gel, prunus dulcis (almond) oil, behentrimonium methosulfate, cetearyl alcohol, vegetable emulsifier, citrus paradisi* (grapefruit) oil, glycerin, prunus armeniaca (apricot) kernel oil, caprylic/capric triglyceride, vitis vinifera (grape) seed oil, simmondsia chinensis (jojoba) oil, oenothera biennis (evening primrose) oil, butyrospermum parkii (shea butter), tocopherol (vitamin E), stearic acid, citrus aurantium bergamia* (bergamot) oil, phenoxyethanol, caprylyl glycol, hydroxypropyl starch phosphate *certified organic

Their shampoo works awesome for my hair so far! I use the Botanical Shampoo for Normal Hair, and then just plain white vinegar for a conditioner. My hair is soft and silky and no snarls! I’m so excited that I found a shampoo that is natural with no synthetic fragrance that works for me! This shampoo is unscented, but they also have a Cherry Almond Shampoo as well as a Rosemary Shampoo Bar.

Ingredients:aloe vera gel, coconut oil olefin, coconut oil betaine, lemon extract, avocado oil, palmitate, citric acid, tocopherol, sodium benzoate, glucano lactone, grapefruit seed extract. Essential Oils of juniper, cypress, cedarwood, frankincense, neroli, jasmine, rosemary, geranium, rose, sandalwood, lavender, basil, chamomile, cardamon.

My mom has been using the Healing Elements Balm on my baby brother’s rash, and it has definitely been helping and softening his skin. I look forward to trying more of their balms!

Ingredients: prunus armeniaca (apricot) kernel oil, prunus amygdalus dulcis (sweet almond) oil, vanilla platifolia extract, caprylic/capric triglyceride, cera alba (beeswax), mangifera indica (mango) seed butter, butyrospermum parkii (shea butter), calendula officinalis (calendula) extract, simmondsia chinensis (jojoba) seed oil, non-nano zinc oxide, tocopherol (vitamin E), citrus grandis* (grapefruit) seed extract, lavendula angustifolia* (lavender) essential oil, anthemis nobilis* (roman chamomile) essential oil

I am excited to try many more of their products, including but not limited to: hair and body spritz, prebiotic facial wash, Hydrating Facial Mask with Pomegranate & Seaberry Seed Extract, deodorant paste, charcoal facial mask, lipstick, nail care, Pink Brightening Flawless Color Concealer, and bug spray!

You can shop now from my website! ❤

Also, like & follow my Facebook Page to see all the new products, hear testimonies, and get the memo about Facebook parties!

Join Lemongrass Spa for only $20.20 this year and receive a started collection of their five top-selling items!

Also, check out their January/February 2020 Bliss Box for $36 + FREE shipping! Box of Chocolates is super fun and perfect for a Valentine’s Day gift, or spa day with your girl friends!

 

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Are You Free?

We all want to be free. We don’t want to be entangled, suppressed, and certainly not enslaved.

So, are you free?

The culture has its own ideas about freedom. You should be free to be whoever you want to be. Free to express yourself however you want. Free to partner or act out sexually however you want. Free to watch whatever, eat whatever, chose whatever. Free to do whatever you want. This sounds logical at first, right? No one telling you what to do. Freedom.

But sometimes this kind of freedom manifests itself as chains.

And suddenly, you are under the power of drugs or alcohol. Or you are enslaved to sexual addiction. Or rage is your master.

And you are a slave. This is not freedom at all. You cannot get out. Your lust leads you around like a bull being dragged around by a ring in its nose. You don’t know how to control yourself. You can’t give that thing up even though it’s killing you.

John 8:34-36

³⁴ Jesus answered them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. ³⁵ And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever. ³⁶ Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.

This, my friends, is not how to be free.

And I would go so far to say that many Christians are enslaved still, even though Jesus Christ is standing there with all the power at His disposal to set them free.

If not enslaved to drugs and sexual immorality, then to food, entertainment, or thrill-seeking.

1 Corinthians 6:12-14

¹² All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any. ¹³ Foods for the stomach and the stomach for foods, but God will destroy both it and them. Now the body is not for sexual immorality but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. ¹⁴ And God both raised up the Lord and will also raise us up by His power.

Just think about it. We say we have liberty as Christians. We’re free to watch whatever movies we want, or eat whatever food we want.

Galatians 5:13

¹³ For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.

But whenever we’re obsessed with something or can’t bring ourselves to give up certain things, we have created an idol. And, as human beings, we were not made to idolize things, but to adore Christ alone. We were made by Him and for Him.

Colossians 1:15-18

¹⁵ He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. ¹⁶ For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. ¹⁷ And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist. ¹⁸ And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence.

Whenever we make created things our idols, this naturally creates a problem. Since we were not made for worshiping created things, we become enslaved when we start worshiping them. It does not fulfill us, it enslaves us. It stifles us. It hurts us.

When I started watching more questionable movies and TV shows, I didn’t feel free. I felt entangled. I felt a heaviness that wasn’t there before.

When I idolized books and writing, I didn’t feel free. I felt suffocated. What if I lost my book collection? What if I moved somewhere I couldn’t bring them? What if God asked me to give up writing? What if my favorite book series isn’t honoring to God? I couldn’t bear giving it up!

I obsessed over these thoughts and felt like I was lugging around chains.

Then, one day, after days, months, perhaps years of praying and wrestling and seeking, the chains fell off.

I realized: Freedom isn’t being able to watch or read or have whatever I want. Freedom is desiring Christ above all else. Freedom is being able to give up anything for God. Freedom is counting everything as loss in light of belonging to Jesus. Freedom is simply not needing these things.

These things no longer had a hold over me.

I felt such a giddy, light, joyful feeling. Nothing was holding me down! My book collection might be destroyed. I might never publish a novel. I might feel convicted not to go watch a movie (because of questionable content) that I’ve been dying to see with my friends. I might feel convicted to give up a favorite book someday. And that was okay! It was just a book. Just a movie.

Psalm 119:45-47

⁴⁵ And I will walk at liberty,
For I seek Your precepts.
⁴⁶ I will speak of Your testimonies also before kings,
And will not be ashamed.
⁴⁷ And I will delight myself in Your commandments,
Which I love.

Now, I’m not diminishing the power of words and art, or God’s specific calling on people’s lives to write books or create films for His glory.

I’m not saying it’s a sin to watch movies or collect books.

I’m just saying that these things shouldn’t be idols in your life. They were idols in my life, and they were weighing me down. Causing anxiety, depression, and unhealthy obsession. Making me feel distanced and disillusioned about God and my relationship with Him.

Hebrews 12:1-2

Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, ² looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

But when I let go. Released my death grip on these things. I saw some as gifts that God had given me. But not necessary for life.

I am free.

Free to do all for the glory of God. Free to worship Him, un-entangled by suffocating devotion to something else. Free to see clearly sin or bad content and steer clear because Jesus Christ is sweeter. Free to disregard exciting-looking things that I know simply will not benefit me or draw me closer to the Lord.

I say this is true freedom. Being a slave to righteousness isn’t chains at all, because you are unhindered by negative emotions like shame and fear, the consequences of sin, and the sickening weight of idol worship.

Romans 6:16-23

¹⁶ Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one’s slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness? ¹⁷ But God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered. ¹⁸ And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness. ¹⁹ I speak in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh. For just as you presented your members as slaves of uncleanness, and of lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves of righteousness for holiness.

²⁰ For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. ²¹ What fruit did you have then in the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. ²² But now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life. ²³ For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Instead, like an eagle, you fly free to glorious heights. Free to worship and serve your Creator with everything in you. Free to love like He loves. Free to live the life that’s truly best for you. Knowing this: I do all for the glory of Christ. And maybe that doesn’t make sense to you. But somehow it is an awesome truth: Being free to do all for the glory of Christ is freedom, indeed. There is love, and joy, and hope, and security, and contentment, and boldness, and courage, and peace, and good.

Isaiah 40:28-31

²⁸ Have you not known?
Have you not heard?
The everlasting God, the Lord,
The Creator of the ends of the earth,
Neither faints nor is weary.
His understanding is unsearchable.
²⁹ He gives power to the weak,
And to those who have no might He increases strength.
³⁰ Even the youths shall faint and be weary,
And the young men shall utterly fall,
³¹ But those who wait on the Lord
Shall renew their strength;
They shall mount up with wings like eagles,
They shall run and not be weary,
They shall walk and not faint.

So choose real freedom, my friend. Try giving up that thing you’re clinging to and cling to God instead. I think you will find yourself lighter, and happier, and more hopeful than before. ❤

Gaither Vocal Band – Only Jesus

[Verse 1]
Take the things I once called treasures
Take my castles in the sand
Take my shallow store of knowledge
And the future I once planned
Take all vain accumulations
All awards and claims to fame
Take my hard-earned reputation
Trade it all for His dear name

[Chorus]
Give me Jesus, only Jesus
My heart can’t resist His call
For the joy of His sweet sorrow
At His feet I lay it all

[Verse 2]
Take the friends that I once courted
What I hoped they’d think of me
Please restore Your wealth I squandered chasing phantoms foolishly

[Chorus]
Give me Jesus, only Jesus
My heart can’t resist His call
For the joy of His sweet sorrow
At His feet I lay it all
Give me Jesus, only Jesus
My heart can’t resist His call
For the joy of His sweet sorrow
At His feet I lay it all
At His feet I lay it all

How Far is Too Far {Movie Edition}

It’s not that bad. All my Christian friends have watched it. I don’t think I’m going too far watching this movie.

How far is too far when it comes to movie content?

I’m perhaps notorious for my shunning of certain movies/TV shows. No Beauty and the Beast {2017}, no Moana, no Frozen II, no Harry Potter, no Once Upon a Time, no Merlin, and definitely no Game of Thrones.

Maybe you think I’m silly for bringing up concerns about a movie … especially a kid’s movie. But I believe what we watch (read, listen to, etc.) teaches us and shapes us. Our entertainment is teaching our children something. It’s teaching us something!

It is shaping our doctrine. Our worldview.

So is your entertainment feeding you pagan doctrine, witchcraft, sexual immorality, filthy language, dirty humor, and godless worlds? Worlds where there is no God. But the Ocean is the ancient power. Or the wind and water and fire are spirits who control our fates, and a pretty girl (who our daughters idolize) wields the strongest power of all?

These movies teach our children to find the power within themselves. To find the strength inside. To believe in human or earth or themselves … but certainly not God. It teaches them to follow their heart at any cost, and that surely the most important thing of all is to be true to yourself.

Do you think that maybe this is setting up children for failure? When hard times come, maybe their first instinct won’t be to turn to God, but to seek the answers within, or to look for a impressive-looking human to follow.

Maybe years of watching these movies will affect your daughter and it’ll seem more natural to follow her heart than to follow Jesus. I love my boyfriend so much! How could it be wrong to do this? It makes sense to move in with him. Maybe saving sex for marriage isn’t as important as mom and dad think. I’m not ready for the commitment of marriage yet. Maybe the Bible’s ideas on sexual relationships are outdated…Because this feels so right!

I’m not saying you should be filled with terror and certainty that your child will become a witch if they open up a Harry Potter book or a heathen if they set eyes on Frozen II. That’s a little extreme. But perhaps it’s the subtle messages that affect us much more than black magic blaring across our screens. The messages of “follow your heart”, “you are your own authority”, “you have the power within”.

Many people are trying to mix Christianity with New Age beliefs these days. But the truth is, they don’t mix. There is no room for any other power but that of Jesus Christ.

Because God is I AM. He is the One High Power in the universe. There are no other gods before Him. He made the ocean, the wind, fire, earth, and all the elements. He made human beings and angelic beings … We can boast of no power of our own.

I’m sure people think I’m being paranoid and nit-picky. That I’m odd and overly-sensitive. Or self-righteous. Or ultra religious.

But I feel strongly about this. No, I’m not sitting here condemning you when you tell me you watched Beauty and the Beast {2017} or that you’re bringing your kids to watch Frozen II. I’m not out there telling people these are evil movies, or living in fear that God is going to strike me down if I watch the wrong movie. Or that my little siblings are going to become heathens if they watch Frozen II. (Some of my siblings have watched Frozen II and some of my relatives have watched Beauty and the Beast. …And I’ve simply chosen to watch neither.)

This is me. I felt convicted that I didn’t need to watch these movies. They wouldn’t benefit me any. I felt a hesitation in my spirit when I read about some of the content. This is me striving to walk with the Lord.

I’m not going to shove my convictions down your throat. But I do believe that entertainment/movies are an area that many Christians can be blinded in. Am I condemning you? Being “holier than thou”? I don’t think so. I know I’ve been super blinded about things before. I know I still am in different things – and will be in the future about other things – and I need people to call me out. So help me! And let me try to help you.

I don’t think it’s wrong for Christians (brothers and sisters in the Lord) to warn each other. To call each other out. Even to rebuke each other. In love.

I will say it again: I think Christians have a serious blind-spot when it comes to entertainment.

That’s why we watch evil portrayed as good. Satanic horror movies. Rape scenes. Graphic sex scenes (pornography in movie form). Witchcraft. Dirty humor. Paganism.

We think nothing of it. Because we’re free, right? And it’s just a movie. Not a big deal.

But what if it is a big deal? What if these dark, sex-saturated TV shows, and films centered on sorcery, and pagan-themed kid’s movies are the weight that so easily entangles us? Turns our focus from God? Blinds us to the spiritual world and makes us forget that we are at war?

The Word says to be alert.

1 Corinthians 16:13-14

¹³ Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong. ¹⁴ Let all that you do be done with love.

Ephesians 6:10-13

¹⁰ Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. ¹¹ Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. ¹² For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. ¹³ Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

But I think movies and other forms of entertainment easily numb us. They’re a distraction. Which is why I believe we, as Christians, should use practical caution and wisdom when deciding what to watch. Is it distracting us from God? Is it making light of the power and authority He wields? Is it mocking that which God labels sacred? Is it directly against the Word of God?

This isn’t about your status as a child of God. We know it’s Christ’s blood alone that saves us and brings us into favor with God.

This is about the closeness of your walk with God. This is about keeping your heart softened to the nudging of the Holy Spirit. This is about the people you’re raising or leading or mentoring. You’re an example to them.

And kids are like sponges. They soak this stuff up. We do, too, whether we realize it or not! Again, whatever we feed ourselves the most is what shapes us.

Perhaps bad movies, like bad company, corrupt good character. Corrupt strong faith. Upright morals. Spiritual maturity. Integrity. Passion for Christ, and His ways, and His kingdom.

1 Corinthians 15:33-34

³³ Do not be deceived: “Evil company corrupts good habits.” ³⁴ Awake to righteousness, and do not sin; for some do not have the knowledge of God. I speak this to your shame.

We shouldn’t fool ourselves and expect to be strong, godly, passionate Christ-followers if we’re feeding ourselves worldly, careless, godless, sensual, rebellious, pagan, filthy, unbiblical, confusing content on a daily basis.

The Bible says that what you reap, you will sow. What goes into our hearts will come out in our actions. We don’t magically become spiritually mature by putting our faith in Jesus. Paul says in the Word that we need to exercise our spiritual muscles! Be in the Word; not just reading it, but studying it! Soaking it up. Memorizing it.

Galatians 6:7-10

⁷ Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. ⁸ For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. ⁹ And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. ¹⁰ Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.

1 Corinthians 9:24-27

²⁴ Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. ²⁵ And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. ²⁶ Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. ²⁷ But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection,

1 Timothy 4:6-11

⁶ If you instruct the brethren in these things, you will be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished in the words of faith and of the good doctrine which you have carefully followed. ⁷ But reject profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise yourself toward godliness. ⁸ For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come. ⁹ This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance. ¹⁰ For to this end we both labor and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of those who believe. ¹¹ These things command and teach.

We need to be praying. Bringing everything before God. Praying about our future, our needs, our friends, our hopes, our enemies, our ideas, and about the entertainment we consume. And about what needs to change. Search my heart, O God, and see if there is any offensive way in me!

Psalm 139:23-24

²³ Search me, O God, and know my heart;
Try me, and know my anxieties;
²⁴ And see if there is any wicked way in me,
And lead me in the way everlasting.

We should be looking for godly content. Movies are not necessary for life – but they are fun. So look for movies with a Christian theme! Clean movies that don’t promote things contrary to God.

I know when I was watching movies with filthy language, overmuch sensuality, or paganistic magic themes, I felt a heaviness in my chest. I felt like they were a weight entangling my steps – hindering my walk with God. Why? Because I knew these movies had bits in them that were contrary to the Word of God. They spoke darkness to my mind and heart. Or even mocked my God. My God! Is He not my everything? If Christ is the treasure of my heart, why am I feeding my eyes on things that are not of Him?

Hebrews 12:1-2

Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, ² looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

It was my lust to be entertained. To be thrilled. To fill the emptiness or numb the anxiety.

So maybe you think that Beauty and the Beast {2017} or Frozen II are perfectly okay. Alright. You have to make your own choices. You are not answerable to me. Believe me, I am not looking down on you, or condemning you, or thinking I’m better than you, or anything like that. But I am urging you to seek God on this matter of entertainment.

Our God is so holy and mighty and awesome. He alone should be adored. He should only ever be exalted.

I do think there is some fault in exalting a fake character in a movie; giving them unlimited power or god-like qualities. This is why I don’t like Moana (ocean is an ancient power, earth is a goddess, grandma is reincarnated, plus there’s a sickeningly arrogant demi-god character, etc.), Frozen II (spirits, charms, putting faith in characters, such as Elsa, who have god-like powers), Mulan (praying to dead ancestors and other pagan religious stuff), etc.

And then we have Tangled, which, you have to admit, has a strong theme of rebelling against parents. It’s the classic story of naive girl falling for the bad boy. Yet in this story, it all turns out fairy tale perfect. Mother, who warns against the rebellious but charming man turns out to be a wicked witch. And charming man, who has been a self-serving jerk for most of the movie, heroically sacrifices his life for girl in the end. Hmm. It could be that it’s not the best movie to show your little girls.

Of course there’s Beauty and the Beast {2017}, which features a man swooning over and pining after another man. Maybe it’s a small part of the movie, but it frustrates me that this immoral content is being shoved down our throats … saturating almost every TV show out there and now being added to even classic fairy tales and kid’s movies! I feel like we should take a stand against ungodliness, and guard our hearts and minds against getting calloused to sin or making compromises.

It seems like fairy tale movies used to be largely about falling in love, making friends, and triumphing over evil. Now there always appears to be immoral agendas sneaked into seemingly harmless kid’s movies and princess stories.

The fact is, we as Christians need to be extra vigilant these days when choosing a movie to watch. Does it feel hard sometimes? Yes. But really, friends, it shouldn’t be that hard to give up a movie. Just let go. Be free from entertainment obsession. Free.

My siblings and I have enjoyed the How to Train Your Dragon series. Now, I know it’s about Vikings (of sorts) and there are some pagan religion references. But I would say that the story is mainly focused on dragons, friends, and adventures. There’s a brief mention of Thor every once in awhile. But there do not seem to be any underlying pagan themes or secular agendas. So, thus far, I have felt like the movies and shows involved with How to Train Your Dragon are an okay choice for a fun movie night every now and then. Big Hero 6 is another of the few animated movies I really liked.

We watched the live-action Aladdin, which I think was an okay, and super fun, movie. And also, live-action Cinderella (so glamorous!), while we’re talking about Disney.

There are faith-based movies that are so great to watch, such as October Baby, Grace Card, Unbroken: Path to Redemption, Woodlawn, Unplanned, Indivisible, Beyond the Mask, God’s Not Dead, Princess Cut, I Can Only Imagine, Amazing Grace, Mom’s Night Out, Like Arrows, and The Case for Christ. I have really liked most of the Kendrick Brother Films; some of their best being War Room, Courageous, Overcomer, and Fireproof.

There are movies based on Christian allegories, such as The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, Prince Caspian, and Voyage of the Dawn Treader!

There are fun, clean, girly movies like Little Women, Love’s Enduring Promise, Anne of Green Gables, Pride and Prejudice, The Magic of Ordinary Days, Sense and Sensibility, Felicity: An American Girl Adventure, The Sound of Music, Belle, Little Women, Sarah, Plain and Tall, and Holiday Inn.

There are movies that simply tell an intriguing story of people, politics, and art, such as Desert Dancer.

I do enjoy watching movies. I love a good story. Superb acting. Emotional drama. A quality film that is pleasing to the eye. I don’t want to be legalistic. But neither do I want to be enslaved – so desperate to watch a movie that I’m making all sorts of “little” compromises.

Don’t say: How far can I go?

But rather: How can I honor God through my entertainment choices?

As I conclude this post, I wonder what people will think of me when they read it. The truth is, I don’t like to be looked at as odd. I don’t like being different. I really want to fit in, most days. I don’t like confronting or causing awkwardness and discomfort. I’d rather just be liked and belong.

However, Jesus Christ does tell us that the world will hate us. He says to be in the world, but not of it. To not be conformed to this world. I’m not going to fit in with the world. I’m going to disagree with fellow Christians sometimes, too – though we’re called to strive for unity and love!

John 17:14-19

¹⁴ I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. ¹⁵ I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one. ¹⁶ They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. ¹⁷ Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth. ¹⁸ As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world. ¹⁹ And for their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they also may be sanctified by the truth.

Despite my desire to fit in, I need to stick to what I think God is calling me to do as I study His Word, pray, and seek Him! And you need to hold to your convictions. And none of us should ever deem ourselves done growing. Or having reached the desired maturity as a Christian. We all need to be seeking Jesus Christ and striving to follow Him more whole-heartedly until our dying day.

Go forth in grace, dear readers! ❤

Philippians 3:12-14

¹² Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. ¹³ Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, ¹⁴ I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Cover Reveal: Moonscript by H.S.J. Williams

Good afternoon, dear readers! I am so very excited to be part of this cover reveal! Like, it is truly my pleasure to be sharing H.S.J. William‘s debut novel’s cover with you! ❤ I discovered Ms. Williams’s blog and her story idea for Moonscript years ago and was intrigued. And now I can hardly believe that it’s finally time for it to be published! Congratulations, Ms. Williams! I greatly look forward to reading your fantasy novel!

H.S.J. Williams also wrote a novella, Fairest Son, which is available for purchase. Read my review of this book here on Goodreads.

Now, without further ado, the big reveal!

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About the Book

“It is said that Darkness is empty and whatever vanishes into its depths is lost forever. I know this better than anyone. For I have suffered here in the shadows, and there are none who might find me.”

Seventy years. Seventy years the elven prince has been lost to the darkness, assumed dead by his people and endlessly broken for a book that connects to the hidden realm of his ancestors, a land untouched by evil.

And now a light in the shadows. A chance for freedom. But those willing to help him come from the unlikeliest of worlds.

The orphan girl, yearning for a loving family, and the boy who won’t leave her side. A healer maiden given an unexpected chance for a life beyond narrowed expectations. A grieving creature flown far from home.

They all search for something and now their fates are tied to his. If their quest for life can pull him from the dark mire in which his soul drowns, then perhaps he can be saved.

Or else he will drag them all down to a fate worse than death.

The beginning of an epic saga, MOONSCRIPT is a journey of innocence, despair, and redemption.

RELEASING MAY 7^th, 2020

Pre-order E-Book

Pre-order Paperback

About H.S.J. Williams

Author Website

Author Goodreads Page

Cover Artist: @morgana0anagrom

Book Review: An Enchanted Sonata by Heather Dixon Wallwork

The Enchanted Sonata by Heather Dixon Wallwork

My Personal Review ~ Five Stars

A delight! An absolute delight! My sister could not have gotten me a better birthday gift than The Enchanted Sonata by Heather Dixon Wallwork. I should have known I would love this book, being that Entwined by the same author is my favoritest thing ever!

This one is a mesh of at least two fairy tales, one being The Nutcracker. And such a superb retelling! The charming nutcracker. The despicable rats. Sweet Clara. Candy and chocolate. Magic and music. A heartrending tragedy… Can it be undone? And what will it cost Clara Stahlbaum?

I have loved Heather Dixon Wallwork’s characters thus far. Her female protagonists have a decidedly girly air about them. Feminine sensibilities. And her male heroes are heroes, indeed! Chivalrous and self-sacrificing. With an endearing personality. Ah, yes. I like it very much. The Enchanted Sonata was easy to read and the storyline – fun and alarming by turn – kept me turning pages. Humor and dark dilemmas. Love and reality. I teared up. I laughed. I finished this book with a smile on my face. *sighs happily*

It was clean and enjoyable, with a dash of romance, a generous amount of sweets, and some darkness and danger – but nothing too graphic. A thoughtful message. And also, some tiny fairies and fun, fairy tale-type magic.

If you like fairy tales, fantastical adventures, lovable characters, terrible villains, music, and happy endings, you should read this book. As for me, I can hardly wait to pick up another novel by Heather Dixon Wallwork!

“Church Experience”

Do you go to church? If so, what does it mean to you? What does the “church experience” do for you, as a Christ-follower?

// For more of my thoughts on church, read my previous post on this subject: Church a Light? //

I grew up going to big churches. Sometimes even mega churches. Baptist. Evangelical Free. Pentecostal. Non-denominational. Some were smaller, but not many.

So, today, the type of church experience that feels comfortable and normal to me is a big building hosting a worship team and probably about three services. It’s the type of church where you might get a handshake, but never an invitation to supper. The type of church where you can easily slip in Sunday morning while the music is playing loudly. And then join the crowd surging out after the service concludes. No one really makes eye contact. It’s the type of church where you get a really amazing message from the pastor, but then you go home and most likely forget about it – proceed with normal life because no one is keeping you accountable.

I’m not trying to bash churches. I’m just being honest. This is my “church experience”. Rarely, if ever, have I walked into a church building feeling at home. Seeing my fellow attenders as family. People I do life with.

But isn’t that what church is supposed to be? A time of fellowship with your family in Christ? We – those who are the Lord’s – are the Church. The Bride of Christ. But we have made church buildings a place to slip in and out of – merely warm the pews on a Sunday morning. Never getting to know the Church. The people who fill that building.

Truly, I don’t think church attendance is just some religious practice required of Christians. We actually need it.

Hebrews 10:24-25

²⁴ And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, ²⁵ not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.

In order to be flourishing in Christ, we need to be regularly meeting together with our dearly-loved brothers and sisters in Christ.

What did you say? The people who go to your church aren’t your dearly-beloveds? Well, it seems that they should be according to the Scripture.

They need you. You need them.

Remember Elijah? He asked God to let him die. He was discouraged and thought there were no other believers in the Lord left.

Elijah 19:4-10

⁴ But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a broom tree. And he prayed that he might die, and said, “It is enough! Now, Lord, take my life, for I am no better than my fathers!”

⁵ Then as he lay and slept under a broom tree, suddenly an angel touched him, and said to him, “Arise and eat.” ⁶ Then he looked, and there by his head was a cake baked on coals, and a jar of water. So he ate and drank, and lay down again. ⁷ And the angel of the Lord came back the second time, and touched him, and said, “Arise and eat, because the journey is too great for you.” ⁸ So he arose, and ate and drank; and he went in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights as far as Horeb, the mountain of God.

⁹ And there he went into a cave, and spent the night in that place; and behold, the word of the Lord came to him, and He said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”

¹⁰ So he said, “I have been very zealous for the Lord God of hosts; for the children of Israel have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your altars, and killed Your prophets with the sword. I alone am left; and they seek to take my life.”

Sometimes I feel perhaps a fraction of that. Oh, so isolated. Floundering. Wanting more of Jesus, but struggling not to drown under the waves of difficult life stuff and alone-ness.

Trying to do life alone is hard. I would be so bold to say that we were absolutely not meant to do life alone.

James 5:14, 16, & 19-20

¹⁴ Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.

¹⁶ Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.

¹⁹ Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back, ²⁰ let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins.

God is three in one. The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit have each other.

And yes, we have the Holy Spirit living inside. But sometimes this life leaves us feeling disillusioned. And the Enemy’s whispers are so loud; his attacks so vicious. We cry out, I can’t do this, Lord. There is no one who understands. No one who speaks Your truth.

The Church is supposed to be there to help you. Come alongside you. Encourage you. Comfort you. Sustain you. Speak truth over you. Rebuke you. Worship with you. Break bread with you. Rejoice with you. Mourn with you. Help you find and use your God-given talents and gifts. Serve with you. Spread the gospel with you. Learn with you. Teach you. Be taught by you. Laugh with you. Hope with you.

Psalm 133:1

Behold, how good and how pleasant it is
For brethren to dwell together in unity!

Acts 1:14

¹⁴ These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers.

We seriously wound ourselves when we are not deeply rooted in a local church body. Sometimes we suffer deeply and alone. Sometimes we become entangled in sin. Sometimes we just become stagnant. Stop growing. And have no one to point out to us what is happening.

Truly, it is God who calls and the Holy Spirit who convicts and comforts. And He can do those things without people. But, He also gave us brothers and sisters, and His Word exhorts us to meet together with them and love them fervently.

Acts 2:46-47

⁴⁶ So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, ⁴⁷ praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.

1 Peter 5:1-5

The elders who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that will be revealed: ² Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; ³ nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock; ⁴ and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away.

⁵ Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility,

So while God may allow us a time of loneliness and isolation to some extent and purpose, I don’t believe He means for us to stay there.

We were created for companionship. Community. Love. And we the Believers are meant to live and be so close that we become a Body, working together for the sake of the gospel. For the glory of God. For the good of each other. For the reaching of the lost.

Romans 12:4-13

⁴ For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, ⁵ so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. ⁶ Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; ⁷ or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; ⁸ he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.

¹⁰ Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; ¹¹ not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; ¹² rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; ¹³ distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality.

So, the big, fancy buildings. The concert-like “worship” services – smoke and lights and more listening than actually singing. The affirmation from pastors that they will only send you a note, they will not show up at your house …

Is this what church is really all about?

Or is it more about filling a place with passionate Christ-followers who meet because they have so much love filling their hearts – for their God! For His people! And then they become friends and teammates with their local, fellow believers! Isn’t it more about getting in each other’s spaces and lives for the sake of God’s kingdom?

We act like church is about listening to a sermon on Sunday morning.

But I think it’s more about listening to a sermon together. Worshiping our King together. Breaking bread together. Exalting Christ together. Pressing on together. Having fellowship with one another. Looking forward unto His return together. Making a difference together. Talking and laughing and sharing and exhorting and rebuking and teaching and comforting and encouraging. It’s about having spiritual leadership and being discipled. And making disciples!

• I think having a loving, Scripture-grounded shepherd over the local flock of believers is important.
• I think it’s important that you have a relationship with your pastor so you can go to him when in distress or you have a question.
• I think godly, close fellowship is important.
• I think genuinely worshiping with one another is important.
• I think having your church members over for supper is important.
• I think it’s important to have a sound-doctrine, Christ-centered place to equip believers to then go out into the community and share the Good News.
• I think it’s important to be sharing praises, prayer requests, miracles, struggles, and answered prayers with your local, fellow believers.
• I think being mentored is important.
• I think feeling like you belong and this is your family and there are safe, godly people you can seek advice from in your church is important.
• I think looking for people to mentor within your church is important.
• I think it’s important to be together at least once a week!

But in order for these things to occur, you need to know and be known within your church building. You need to really, truly be part of the Church.

Acts 2:42

⁴² And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.

Look at this verse from the book of Acts! Biblical doctrine, fellowship, eating together, and prayer were regular parts of these early believer’s lives!

I strongly encourage you to really read and meditate on the Scriptures I included in this post. And look up more verses from the Word of God on church, community, fellowship, and the Body of Christ!

I think we’ve gotten church somewhat wrong in this civilized, advanced day and age. I think we’ve lost sight of the core purpose of church …

This is what I believe:

Church is about being there for each other and igniting each other’s passion for our Lord Jesus.

Onward to Heaven! ❤

 

Book Review: An Uncommon Woman by Laura Frantz

An Uncommon Woman by Laura Frantz

My Personal Review ~ Five Stars

Laura Frantz is at her finest writing 18th century American frontier novels! An Uncommon Woman is definitely one of her best works, in my opinion. Such a treat to read; I felt like I was transported back to the colonial forests of Kentucky, with hostile Indians lurking just beyond the tree line. Such a tumultuous time, but Laura Frantz beautifully illuminates the simple joys and hardy souls of the frontier folk.

It was a pleasure to follow the journeys of Tessa Swan and Clay Tygart, harsh though these paths could be. Tessa, a toughened frontierswoman, but a woman through and through. And Clay, a redeemed captive who once lived among the Lenape Indians. A long-lost, blonde-haired captive bring these two together. Muster-days, danger, and a matchmaking aunt pull them closer still.

I loved the authentic feel of this book! Truly, Laura Frantz must be in her element penning tales set in the late 1700s. An Uncommon Woman captivated me, swallowing me into a time long past. There were mentions of General George Washington, Daniel Boone, and Regina Leininger. There were hair-raising, heart-stopping attacks; my heart ached for the countless lives lost during that time. There was a sweet, sturdy woman who longed for the feminine pleasure of a new, pure white petticoat. A former Indian captive who felt torn between the two peoples.

It’s intriguing to get glimpses and ideas and pictures of how this era was. Simple but happy weddings. Muster-day festivities. Harsh frontier living. Fleeing to the nearest fort when there were attacks or even just sightings of Indians nearby. Reclaiming captives. This book showcased danger and drama hard to comprehend. But also the heart of woman … falling in love, dreaming of the future, delighting in thoughtful gifts, seeking the Lord.

An Uncommon Woman is a historical delight. Not without it’s sorrows, but also touched with triumph and filled with sweetness. A beautiful novel of faith, family, trials, and romance!

I received a complimentary copy of An Uncommon Woman from Revell. This review is honest and all my own.