Week Recap; Beauty & Love Through God's Eyes

Happy Weekend Loves!

It has been over a week since I posted anything on my blog! It has felt like a lifetime to be honest. A lot has been going on. I'll give an update on my past week and I also want to write about what God had showed me this last weekend and what I am currently learning about His kind of Love. 

Recap:

This last week has been hard for me because only after 2 months of saying goodbye to one of my dogs, Isabel, we had to say goodbye to my other doggy, Josie. It was unexpected- she was a totally healthy dog but beginning a couple weeks ago she got sick. She hadn't been herself (we assumed it was because she missed Isabel) but then she got sick and it became too much for her. It was a hard decision but I am hopeful that they are in Heaven happy to see each other again. Dogs- well animals in general- almost stop being viewed as a just an animal.. but a family member and friend. Whenever I thought of what true love looked like, I would look at my dogs. Always forgiving, always looking for you, always happy to see you, always kind and joyful, never boastful- they have pure, genuine love for you. I always joke that 'DOG' is spelled 'GOD' backwards for a reason. Because they truly show a love that many humans are incapable of showing. If you had or have a dog... you know what I am talking about. Missing them is the hardest part for me- because they were very special.

Through this hard time, Jesus still remained by my side- as he always does. At church we have been learning a lot about God's love and what He expects from us. And it has opened my heart.

All my life I have felt like I wasn't worthy of being loved. Not by others, and not from God. Why you ask? Because in my life certain people have showed such conditional love that I could never satisfy and I couldn't imagine being loved by a Holy God when I make so many mistakes. And sometimes, I would show conditional love to others... so how could I expect that love in return? I had built up all these walls of protection, but then the love I had couldn't get out over the walls I had built. My heart was bitter and revengeful. I would say things to hurt people because I wanted them to feel my pain. This is human love.

But Jesus has shown me that love isn't an emotion or temporary feeling. 
Divine love is a way of life, it's a gift from God, it's who God is and commands us to be: love. As God is Love we need to be love because as the bible says, without love, we are nothing. Love is a principle. 

"If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing."- 1 Corinthians 13:1-3 

This scripture is talking about how love is more important that all the spiritual gifts exercised in the church body. Great faith, acts of dedication or sacrifice, and miracle working power produce very little without love. Love makes our actions and gifts useful. And although people have different gifts, love is available to everyone. Love is the most important thing anyone could ever show another person.

The world had become full of lust and was without love.. so God sent His Son Jesus to be the perfect example of what love is. Because we have this example now, we have no excuse of not knowing what true love means or what someone with true love acts like. 

Continuing 1 Corinthians 13, Paul gives a definition of what love is (Charity means love):

"Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up. Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away."

This passage gives us the true definition of what love is. And Jesus was the perfect example of that. It shows that God's love, or divine love, is directed out towards others, not inward toward ourselves. It us utterly unselfish. This kind of love goes against our natural inclinations. It is possibly only if God helps us set aside our own desires and instincts so that we can give love while expecting nothing in return. Thus- the closer we come to Christ, the more love we will show others! That is beautiful, isn't it?? 

Having a relationship and most importantly, a fellowship with Christ is so important! I know God continually reminds me to love- and when I mess up, He shows me continual patience because HE IS LOVE. He first loved us.. so no matter how much we mess up or show God we love Him- His love with never change because that's who He is and He first loved us before anything we ever did. 

But it is important to love others because Jesus commanded it. As Matthew 22:36 says:

"Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment.  And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself'. All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

John 13:34-35 states

 “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

Love is the most important thing to Jesus! As shown in  Peter 4:8: 

“Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.”

When you love, you don't dwell on peoples mistakes because you are too busy trying to show them love!: Kindness, Patience, Trust, Hope, Truth, Humbleness, Joy, Perseverance.. the list goes on. 

This brings me to what God has showed me this past weekend. It was too amazing not to share: 

As I walked into church last weekend, it was like people were shining, or glistening. Each and every person I looked at. I didnt know what it meant but I didn't feel crazy or anything because it was so beautiful. I was enjoying each person's beauty. As I was in praise service, I all of a sudden felt every negative thing fall off my shoulders as if I could feel the rubble falling down my skin. I felt complete peace and love. There was no stress or negativity whatsoever, just love and peace. The negative perceptions I may have had of some people were completely gone and all I could feel when I looked at them was love and happiness. Jesus all of a sudden said "Do you see all of those beautiful faces? Do you see it? How beautiful these people are?" In my head I was replying yes Jesus I see it. He continued to say "This is how I view my children. I love them so much and they are so beautiful to me. I always see the good in my children because I love them so. They are so beautiful because I love them. They are always so beautiful to me. This is how I command my children to be with one another. Love." 

At this point I was tearing up because I was so rejoiceful that God chose me to see people through His eyes. It was unexplainable how much love I felt and saw in each person. I could only see the good in them. 

God is His word. He cant help it! He is love! Everything He says to us in His Word, He does Himself! He cannot deny Himself because He is so FAITHFUL! Even when we arent faithful, He cannot help but be Faithful! Because Love is Faithful and He is Love! 

I could scream and shout it for days how Mighty our God is. But He has requirements of us. The first to love him and the second most important is to love each other. Both of those statements have love. We must love. 

So my challenge to you today is to work on showing divine love all day to each and every person you encounter and see. I can guarantee you that if you do your heart will feel different at the end of it. 

I hope this was helpful for you on how love is so important and how loving people pleases our Father. You are worthy of love because God first loved us- before anything we did or said. He first loved us. Tell yourself that the next time you find yourself saying you dont deserve love. Its not about deserving it... its that God cant help himself and there is nothing we could ever do to deserve His love because He loved us before we could get a chance to deserve it or not to deserve it. 

He is so good! So faithful! So Mighty! We ought to rejoice today because WE ARE LOVED! 

Enjoy your weekend and please comment below if this reading helped you today. It helps me stay encouraged that you are reading and gaining something form what I write. If you don't want to share who you are, you can choose to write anonymously. 

Love you all!

Fall Forward

Fall Forward by aishalc featuring a sleeveless chiffon blouse

Fall Lookbook

Consercative Fall by aishalc featuring White House Black Market pants

Fall Jacket Cravings

Fall Jacket Cravings by aishalc featuring a snap coin purse

MBFW Recap, OOTD & Testimony

Hey Everyone! 

Happy Tuesday! 

Its been a minute since I have written a blog post- work has been really busy & somewhat overwhelming. Along with life in general just being busy. 

I couldnt wait to talk about Mercedes Benz Fashion Week! So many great collections this season and I cannot wait to see the celebs wear them. 

My Winner for Best Fashion during MBFW is... [drumroll]

Bagdley Mischka!

They did such a nice job with the presentation and the design! I couldnt get enough!

So much detail and timeless looks.

I am excited London Fashion Week will show! Now that fashion week in NYC is over, its time for me to go shopping for some winter clothes. It has been chilly this week- its getting to that time! But since it ended up being in the sixty's toward the afternoon, I figured to try to fit in a couple more days of summer skirts.

So I dragged out one of my faves! Knee length high-low skirt

Skirt: Target Shirt: Forever 21 Belt: Target Necklace:Charming Charlie

I also have worn the skirt with this:

Shirt: Forever 21 Belt: Pimkie  Shoes: Target Watch: Michael Kors 

Along with enjoying fashion and the last few days of summer here in Minnesota-

I also would like to share a testimony on how Jesus continues to work in my life- and my family's life. 

I dont know about you, but sometimes- especially when I mess up- I feel down and start feeling lost in who I am, and in my faith. 

Jesus once told me that I would be a light to people and lead them to Him, but I found myself telling Him that I dont feel like a light and how could I possibly ever become one when I mess up a lot or that i hear from people Im close to some pretty negative things. Or they get mad that I talk about Jesus so much. 

Jesus reminded me that even the devil will use family members to bring you down- but to remember that people hated Jesus too- and those people who hated Him were part of the church. He is so faithful to me and He is such an Encourager that I just thanked Him and continued to try to be better.

The Word says that God will confirm is Word in two or three ways. Well, I was talking to someone about things that they were going through and I was just trying my best to be a shoulder for them. They turned to me and said "You know what? Sometimes you are the only light I see sometimes" and even though she didn't know it, she was confirming something for me as I was helping her. And then over the weekend I continued to have people say how much of a light I actually am. I was so thankful because I really needed that lift in my spirits. And I definitely got more than three confirmations! HE IS ALWAYS LISTENING! I love Him so much!

Thats what Jesus does- He brings us together to love, each other, build each other up, and bring us each closer to Him. He is so worthy, isnt He?

The Word says to turn the other cheek, and to be slow to speak, slow to anger, and quick to hear. So even if someone you love is putting you down, just remember by following what Jesus says, you will prosper, no matter what people think. Its about what Jesus thinks! & He always looks at the best in us- He is so good!  & if you do mess up, say some things you probably shouldnt have said, or reacted in ways that arent the best- ask for forgiveness and help to do better. Jesus is always there to forgive and help ANYONE. 

And thats why I call Him my Father- because I simply cant find any fault- & He is so good to me!

Hope you have all had a great week thus far- Talk to you soon :)

Weekend Recap

Hey Loves! 

Happy Sunday!

I hope you had a great weekend.

As every weekend seems- it went by so fast. But I love weekends like these. No plans, spending time with friends and family, and an added bonus of shopping! 

My weekend started out with having some girl time! my favorite girls & I met up for some good breakfast at our favorite place, Fat Nat's Eggs!

best coffee in the twin cities!

After I got to do some shopping with them and found some goodies!

I got a new jean jacket, some new jeans and a winter cardigan. I can never have too many cardigans- I have a feeling this one is going to be worn ALOT!

Both Jeans and Sweater from Len.

But the jackpot came when we looked at shoes. I fell in love with three pairs from Aldo and I am debating on going back and buying them all! Which would you choose? I have favor towards the leopard print... what do you think?

I think all of them would look really good for the fall season! I could definitely picture wearing the red pair and leopard pair to work all the time, hehe.

I am sad I missed church today, but I got to spend some quality time with my family- which is hard to do during the week! Michael, my nephew, got to meet his great uncle and aunt from Iran which was really fun to see!

My sister and I ended the night cooking some yummy Chicken Marsala! Took only about 30 minutes to make!

We made it with some zucchini, asparagus and rice. Nice and balanced! 

Im excited I have leftovers for tomorrow's lunch!

All in all, it was a great weekend! 

I hope you all had a great weekend and have a great week! 

MBFW is going on now and I cant wait to do a post on my favorite designs for the upcoming season!

So stay tuned for that! 

xoxo,

Forgiveness, Moving Forward and Finding Joy

I feel led to talk about what I am sure all have heard: Forgiveness.

Personal Testimony:

Today on the bus, I was thanking Jesus for a great day and showing me His Presence (I like to spend time with Him on the bus lol) when all of a sudden a really bad thought came into my mind about a past thing that someone I loved did to me- random right?! No. It is spoken that whenever good is happening, the devil will try and take that good away from you. So even though I knew what was happening, I was having a hard time defying it. I could feel all my negative emotions rising up inside of me- and it made me have negative feelings for someone I love dearly. Thankfully Jesus stepped in and reminded me I can lean on Him.

I prayed to Him that He help forget these thoughts and remind me of the forgiveness I have chosen to give this person. I also prayed that He push the devil out of my mind because He does not belong there.

Sure enough, it stopped. Jesus told me to start thanking Him for all His blessings in that particular relationship- and to speak the Word to remind myself of forgiveness.

And it worked! I went on choosing to forgive and to love that person as Jesus loves me... 

Learning to TRULY Forgive:

"Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour."- 1 Peter 5:8

Have you had anything similar happen to you above but you cant seem to get over it? 

You're not the only one. 

I used to get to the point of forgiving but then I would know the devil was persuading me otherwise with negative thoughts in my head and trying to convince me that wasn't the best thing to do.

" Are you just going to let them get away with it?" 

"Do you want to live your life wondering 'what if'?

"You're not teaching them a lesson by letting it go!"

"They will just do it again"

They aren't deserving of forgiveness!"

These are just few of the things that would come in my head.

At a point, it took over my life. 

I couldn't be happy because I felt I didn't have the ability to forgive. 

I let the devil devour my thought process and it effected my relationship with certain people in my life.

The Word says that it is our duty as believers to forgive because Jesus forgives us (Mark 11:25; Matthew 6:14-15). 

It wasn't until I really started studying the Word that I truly understood the full meaning of what it says. It seems simple, but how many of us can truly apply it in everyday life?

Whether someone steps on our shoe or says hateful words- you have a choice on how to react: Positively or Negatively. 

Forgiveness is the same way: its a choice. 

You can choose to forgive or choose not to forgive.

Jesus CHOSE to pay the price for our sins and CHOSE to forgive us.

& we all know He didn't have to, but He did.

And that is the way He wants us to think about it. 

You never HAVE to do anything when it comes to forgiving (free will)- but what would be pleasing to God?

Do you want to repay evil with good?
Do you want to stay in bondage or do you want to be happy?

The Bible has countless verses that talk about loving and forgiving and replacing evil with good.

"Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good"- Romans 12:17-21

Jesus wants you to let Him handle it! To pray to Him and ask Him to take care of it- because as humans we can only do so much. But Jesus has the power to turn any situation around for the better good of everyone. Only He can get truly change your heart and mind. 

He changed mine.

" If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." - 1 John 1:9

I started to think about all the things Jesus has forgiven me for where I was no longer held in bondage or felt no more guilt because I knew I was forgiven.

The list was endless. 
And I was forgiven because I just asked. I have done some heinous things in my life but I knew I was forgiven  by Jesus because He shed His blood for us. 

Thats how much He loves us.

To put a list on how much I forgive people isn't fair to them or to God. Christ showed us endless compassion and died for us so we could live- sinning or not. And to know I am already forgiven no matter what I do, I cant help but desire to be the same way towards others. 

Everyone deserves to be forgiven. And to forgive someone no matter the crime they have committed against you and to love them anyway is truly a Christ given gift. And for that I am thankful. 

How when you may not be forgiving, He is there to encourage you and help you make the RIGHT choice- you just have to want it!

Practicing forgiveness has really helped me move forward from the past, and also find joy in life today. I have chosen to turn to Christ instead and trust Him that He will make things good- and he NEVER fails. I am not always perfect at forgiving, but to know I have the best coach in the whole entire universe makes it SO worthwhile to keep going- and keep forgiving. : )

I hope this may have helped your forgive someone today. Because there is so much love and joy to let it go to waste! God Bless.

"In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another."            - 1 John 4:9-11

xoxo, 

Aisha

Labor Day Weekend Highlight

I hope everyone had an awesome labor day weekend!

My weekend was pretty relaxed- I am thankful!

Life is so hectic- so a relaxing 3 day weekend did me good!

One of the highlights of my weekend was date night on Saturday-

My boyfriend and I went to the Melting Pot ( a fondue restaurant) downtown for a night out just us two. It was a blast! Good food and we got our own private booth with a curtain. Very intimate!

Here was my look of the night:

Skirt: Kohl's Tank: Nordstrom Rack Shoes: Rainbow Belt: Dont remember :( Earrings: Francesca's

Here is a similar combination:

I love this looks for a date night because it is sweet and elegant. Its sexy but is classy- you can never go wrong with that! lol

We had a great time. My favorite part was the dessert! It was a chocolate and peanut butter fondue with a bunch a goodies to dip! My favorite was the rice krispies :)

Heres some photos:

All- in- all, it was a great weekend. I got to spend time with the people who matter most and we had a great time relaxing and enjoying each others company!

I hope everyone had a great start to their week! TTYS :)

xoxo,

Aisha