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Thursday, July 31, 2014

Just Say Sorry//LYLS Thursday Link Up!

-Hey Everyone-

So.. yes. It has been a week since I posted. I have been horrible. But to be honest, it's really because when I write things on my blog, I want it to be meaningful things, things that will help people and for the last few weeks, I have been beyond stressed out at work that I just haven't felt I had meaningful things to say. Work has honestly been getting the best of me lately but it's time to stop moping around and letting it effect me so I can get back into the things I love, like blogging.

So if you read my blog regularly, you would know that I have written about how I used to be an angry person and a really controlling person. God has since released me from that but sometimes, those old habits from my old self still come out.

The "do I really have to apologize? face"

Do you ever have it that sometimes you get so deep in your anger that you want to do things in spite, or say things that are meaningless and just hurtful? I will raise my hand high on that. I can get so angry sometimes that even though I know what I am doing is wrong, I still do it just because my anger has control over me. When one part of me is telling me to stop and just apologize, the other part of me wants to show the anger and prove my point (although, let's be honest, does showing anger really ever prove your point?)

I can be so stubborn that I won't apologize because the anger hardens my heart. And then, by the time I realize I took it wayyy too far and it did nothing good, I feel stupid apologizing after that. And to top it off, I feel disconnected from that person, and even God. Knowing I have sinned and let my heart be so hardened that I did/said things without purpose is hard to swallow. It is hard to explain, but apologizing and humbling yourself can just be SO hard sometimes.

I start to feel like I don't deserve forgiveness from God or that person because I was just plain foolish for getting that upset and to be completely frank, I know better than to let myself get too upset. But through growing a relationship with Christ, I know that He has already forgiven me, He just wants to help me get back on track.

The "that actually made me feel a lot better" face.

The first step to do that is repentance. 

So- just last night I sat in my car and just apologized to God. I humbled myself and just spoke to Him about what I did and why I am sorry & what I need help with. It's amazing by simply saying sorry how quickly your heart un-hardens and how good it feels. It's like, I go into saying sorry feeling stupid and come out feeling refreshed. Weird? maybe. But who knew humbling yourself and showing your faults can feel so good.

After that, I knew I had to apologize to that person. So- I laid out everything I was sorry for- it didn't even matter what they did that maybe they needed to say sorry for- because like the Bible says, I needed to take the plank out of my own eye before ever trying to take the plank out of someone else's eye (Matthew 7:3). After apologizing, I felt relaxed and rested. Just confessing what I did wrong lifted the weight off my shoulders. It lifted the control I thought I needed to have, any hard feelings, and gave me the thoughts of moving forward, instead of being stuck in the moment.

It's like when you finally repent or apologize, you are cleansing all the bad, the negative and the ugly and welcoming for good to poor in where the bad was. It also helps bring God's will back into the forefront of my mind. If I can bring God the worst, then I can bring God anything I am dealing with.

I want to challenge you that if you have something you could apologize to someone for, do it! It not only makes you feel better, it makes them feel better, too. Let's put love first in line, again- one by one! :)

The "now I just want to love and kiss you" face.

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

"Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up. "
James 4:10

"Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord.."
Acts 3:19

Today is
Let Your Light Shine Thursdays!
Thanks so much for all of you that linked up last week!
Me and Jena loved seeing all of your posts!

Our favorite from last week's link-up was from Shannon from Shannon Nicole!

She gives such wisdom and inspiration through her posts on faith, love, and life. This one here from last week was so good and uplifting. 

Thanks again for all of you who participated! Now it's time to link up again :)

RULES: 
1. Link up your favorite post this week - It can be related to faith, fashion, food, family, or whatever else you would like to share that helped you shine your light from the week!

Don't worry if you don't have a blog to link up - just leave a comment with how you let your light shine this week!

2. Follow I'm Perfectly Human & True Soul & Spirit on Bloglovin, or any other social media outlet (FB, Twitter, Instagram, or GFC)

3. Link back by using the button above or your own link.

4. Visit other blogs and meet new blogger friends!

Each week we will be choosing our favorite posts to feature and share with you all!


Let Your Light Shine Thursdays


Follow me: Facebook || Instagram || Twitter || Pinterest || Bloglovin 



Thursday, July 24, 2014

With Every Act of Love//LYLS Link Up LIVE!



Happy Thursday Everyone!

This morning, I was reading my daily devotional and something stuck out to me that I thought I would share!

In the reading, the author put the reader to a challenge to make it a focus today to treat everyone with love and kindness. It continued to say:

"Don't focus on how you change them, but how what you do changes YOU!" 

I love that! I love it because it helps you not be shaken by the things and people around you and it helps you focus on the good and beauty in everyday! I'm gonna do this challenge today... why don't you try it?!

It also reminded me of a great song that goes along with that devotional.. Check it out!




Today is
Let Your Light Shine Thursdays!
Thanks so much for all of you that linked up last week!
Me and Jena loved seeing all of your posts!

Our favorite from last week's link-up was from Bogi @ Red Reticule!


She has AWESOME perspectives on fashion and shows off her style with every post! Check her out!

Thanks again for all of you who participated! Now it's time to link up again :)

RULES: 
1. Link up your favorite post this week - It can be related to faith, fashion, food, family, or whatever else you would like to share that helped you shine your light from the week!

Don't worry if you don't have a blog to link up - just leave a comment with how you let your light shine this week!

2. Follow I'm Perfectly Human & True Soul & Spirit on Bloglovin, or any other social media outlet (FB, Twitter, Instagram, or GFC)

3. Link back by using the button above or your own link.

4. Visit other blogs and meet new blogger friends!

Each week we will be choosing our favorite posts to feature and share with you all!


Let Your Light Shine Thursdays


Follow me: Facebook || Instagram || Twitter || Pinterest || Bloglovin 



Monday, July 21, 2014

Pray A Latte// $150 Cash Giveaway!!

Hi Everyone!

Well it's Monday again- but that means it's one day closer to the coming weekend (trying to look on the bright side, lol).

Well, this weekend I became really inspired. There were such great teachings at church this week and also I got in touch with someone who I considered my second mom growing up. There are so many changes that come with the different seasons of life- some great some not so great, some hard, some not so hard. She spoke so much wisdom to me that I have a whole new perspective on my current season. 

I know that no matter what it seems to be now, if I rely on Jesus, all will be well in the season to come! 

#christian quotes/ #bible verse #faithlauncher

In the meantime, I will take this cup of coffee and the advice it offers- to pray a latte, to pray continuously and keep my eyes fixed on my Creator!



I am going to continue with the Power Series next week, because this week  I've teamed up with some beautiful bloggers to bring a $150 cash giveaway to two lucky readers. Each winner will receive $75 cash from all of us! After you enter be sure to check out each of the other lovely ladies involved.

Make sure to enter! It is super easy!


 Jewel // Leah // Ashley // Clara
Laura // Alex // Iris // Liz










Friday, July 18, 2014

A Day Without Jesus..

Hey Everyone!

I hope everyone had a great week. I feel I have been somewhat disconnected from blogging the last couple weeks. Well I am going to change that! The last couple weeks have been really hard weeks for me. I seriously thought I may have a mental breakdown this week! Work is so busy and stressful, I feel I am getting to my limit!

But thank Jesus, He has been holding me together. I keep giving Him one thing after the other which puts my mind at ease and gives me rest I so much need! 

It's not always easy for me to give God stuff that is going on because I guess it's that feeling of needing to be in control of the situations- but as I have learned, feeling the need of having that control is not putting your faith in Jesus. (see here!)

That is why no matter what I am feeling, I know my life (and all the situations that come with it) is in good hands. I need only to be still. (see here!)

My sister sent this to me and it totally sums up what my life would be like without Jesus. Sometimes when I am talking to Him, I tell Him I can't imagine what my life would be like without Him because He is truly my light in each day! All the things I go through on a daily basis, I would not be able to conquer without Him. He is altogether lovely, all together worthy. And I am nothing without my Jesus.



Have a great weekend everyone!!

Aisha

Thursday, July 17, 2014

LYLS Thursday Link Up!

Happy Thursday, loves! 

As I always say, thank God the weekend is near! 

Today I wanted to share someone who not only brings the light out in me, but is a huge light in my life.

That's my nephew, Michael. He just turned 2 about 4 days ago and it's so bittersweet because I love seeing him grow up but he's growing up too fast! 

He is now learning how to make jokes by holding is food out to share and right when I'm going to bite down on it, he takes his hand back and says "Psyche!". LOL very funny, Michael.... 

Here are just a few pics of the cutie:











He sure is my little man :)


Today is
Let Your Light Shine Thursdays!
Thanks so much for all of you that linked up last week!
Me and Jena loved seeing all of your posts!

Our favorite from last week's link-up was from Kate @ Kate Style Petite!


She has great posts about fashion, style, recipes, and more! Make sure to check her out :)

Thanks again for all of you who participated! Now it's time to link up again :)

RULES: 
1. Link up your favorite post this week - It can be related to faith, fashion, food, family, or whatever else you would like to share that helped you shine your light from the week!

Don't worry if you don't have a blog to link up - just leave a comment with how you let your light shine this week!

2. Follow I'm Perfectly Human & True Soul & Spirit on Bloglovin, or any other social media outlet (FB, Twitter, Instagram, or GFC)

3. Link back by using the button above or your own link.

4. Visit other blogs and meet new blogger friends!

Each week we will be choosing our favorite posts to feature and share with you all!


Let Your Light Shine Thursdays


Follow me: Facebook || Instagram || Twitter || Pinterest || Bloglovin 



Tuesday, July 15, 2014

Weight Loss Journey 2

Happy Tuesday Everyone! 

I just wanted to write about something quick that I am really excited about!

We all have times that we are super motivated to work out and get fit and then other times when we are straight lazy and just want a burger. 

Well, I found myself yo-yo-ing all the time because I would get sick of the current workouts I was doing and would go on extreme diet and it would get to be too much.

I lost weight, but I would just gain it back after I let myself fall off again.

So this time, I decided to take a different approach. 

Instead of going for a super intense workout ( I was doing insanity before), I decided to do something hard, but not AS hard. 

I went with Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred.


I honestly went in with no expectations but to get a workout in each day to start living a healthier lifestyle. Another thing I did differently this time is I decided not to put myself on a strict diet. I want to focus on moderation. So- if I really feel like ice cream after dinner- then I put in in a small side dish instead of an actual bowl. I was putting in a 1/3 of what I was in the bowl. That in itself amazed me at how big my eyes were compared to my stomach because after eating less that the serving size of ice cream, I was satisfied. So that is my new focus- moderation. If I feel like eating something, I will. I will just do it in small portions. 

Well  I lost an inch around my waist.... in the first week! Definitely wasn't expecting that. I have felt a lot more energy and less bloated but I try to avoid the scale because it seriously begins to haunt me! But seeing even that little bit of weight loss gives me motivation to keep going.

Mirror selfie! LOL 1 inch down around waist

I am almost done with my second week now and then will be moving on to the next level of 30 Day Shred-- my friends say I am going to feel like dying. But that's okay, I have Julian to push me :) I am going to post this update every Tuesday to help keep myself accountable. I am counting on you guys to help me! :) :)




Have a good Tuesday! 

Aisha

Monday, July 14, 2014

The Power Series: God's Love Surrounds

Happy Monday Everyone!

I hope everyone had a wonderful, fun-filled, weekend! My nephew turned 2 this weekend! I am so overjoyed to be able to see him grow into such a wonderful little man! Aren't the children in our lives such a blessing? 

The innocence they show, the love they have for people, and the trust they give us in knowing they will be taken care of is truly amazing. It reminds me how God asks us to be with Him- to have child-like faith! Because a child doesn't need to know details in order to "do" things or listen or trust- they just trust and listen (well we would like to think so! LOL)

I was going to write about something totally different today (God has been giving me so much!) but I decided to go more simple today. It came from a movie I watched last night that I LOVE! 

A Walk To Remember
Have you seen it? It is seriously one of the best movies I have seen. LOL some may disagree because it's a love story but it is also a story of faith. & it shows how if you just believe, things can happen for you!

But that is not the point I wanted to make in watching the movie. 
During the movie, Jamie (Mandy Moore) made a statement that got me thinking. She said:
" God's love is like the wind. I can't see it, but I can feel it."



It right away got me to say "that's a great analogy of God's love" but then I started thinking about it more and I realized-
 We can see God's love around us everyday. It's a matter if we can see passed the first layer.

For example. One way God shows his love is through the rising sun. 

"..because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven"- Luke 1:78

We can see the sun. But do we just see the sun? Or do we see what the sun symbolizes?

A parent loves their child regardless of what they do. The love is not explainable. Their forgiveness cannot be described. 

Do we just see our parent's love? Or a glimpse God's love for us displayed through our parents? 

Or how about when someone gets you flowers- it's a way to show love, isn't it? & we always think it's so sweet to get flowers from our loved ones. 

There are flowers all around us that bloom all across the earth. Do we just see flowers? Or do we see the gift God gives to us freely for us to enjoy? 

This reminds me of the scripture from Jeremiah 29:13:

"When you seek me, you will find me, when you seek me with all your heart."

We don't have to wait for a miracle to happen to see God- because He is disguising himself in our everyday life through the earth, through the people we encounter, through the things in our life. When you seek Him in your everyday life, you will surely see Him. 



God isn't hiding our love from us, He's all around us showing us His love, mercy and glory!

God uses us to show people his love. We are a vessel for people to not only experience His love, but see His love work through flesh-- something we can see!

"The LORD your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing". Zephaniah 3:17

"For I am convinced Nothing can separate us from the love of God." Romans 8:38-39

We may not be able to see every part of God's love, it may be like the wind- only something we can feel- but there is evidence that God's love is all around us- & we can't escape it!

Have a WONDERFUL Day!
-Aisha



Further Reading:

"Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? As it is written, “For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.” No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord." - full explanation from Romans 8

But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9

And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you. Joshua 14:16-17


Thursday, July 10, 2014

LYLS Thursday Link Up!


Today is
Let Your Light Shine Thursdays!
Thanks so much for all of you that linked up last week!
Me and Jena loved seeing all of your posts!

Our favorite from last week's link-up was from Kimberly @ Diary of  a Brown Eyed Girl


She posts about a great story and reminder, that God is ALWAYS there.

Thanks again for all of you who participated! Now it's time to link up again :)

RULES: 
1. Link up your favorite post this week - It can be related to faith, fashion, food, family, or whatever else you would like to share that helped you shine your light from the week!

Don't worry if you don't have a blog to link up - just leave a comment with how you let your light shine this week!

2. Follow I'm Perfectly Human & True Soul & Spirit on Bloglovin, or any other social media outlet (FB, Twitter, Instagram, or GFC)

3. Link back by using the button above or your own link.

4. Visit other blogs and meet new blogger friends!

Each week we will be choosing our favorite posts to feature and share with you all!


Let Your Light Shine Thursdays


Follow me: Facebook || Instagram || Twitter || Pinterest || Bloglovin 



Monday, July 7, 2014

The Power Series: A Jesus Girl

I hope everyone had an awesome weekend! 

It was so nice to have a 4 day weekend. It was much needed. Sometimes work can be overwhelming and the only thing that can cure it is some rest! 

One of the highlights of the weekend was that my good friend got married! Weddings are always a good time so of course this one was no different. The best part? I got W to dance! Ha!



I think what's so fun about weddings is that its a celebration of love. You don't think of your worries or dislikes that day, you just think about how you are excited to love your partner and spend the rest of your life with them.

I could go on and on about how great love is- but that is not the topic of today's post!



Jesus has been teaching me something for awhile now and when pastor touched on it in service this weekend, I thought it would be cool to write about it!

In this journey of faith, I often times find myself getting discouraged if I am not doing things perfect, if I make mistakes, or if I am not being my best self. I find myself going back to the bible's do's and don'ts to just get more discouraged at the mistake I made because the Word of Truth even says its bad! Or I will get so caught up in what I should do and not do that I get overwhelmed and just want to walk away from this "right" path. But Jesus showed me such a simple way of looking at every single situation we encounter- & that is to enter every situation telling myself that I am a Jesus girl. 

Let me explain:

W got on my nerves so bad yesterday! Although it was really just the difference between him being a guy and me being a girl, I let our differences get to me. I started telling myself all these lies that weren't as big as I was making them seem in my head and didn't hold back from telling W how I felt. I wanted him to KNOW how mad I was! 

Looking back it's funny- but because God has released me from is being so angry, I was upset at myself for letting myself go that far. I was mad that I was doing so good and then I messed up! I started quoting scriptures in my head that anger only leads to evil, it doesn't produce the righteousness of God, etc. and I got overwhelmed with guilt that I got so mad. 

So I just stopped. I stopped quoting scripture about what not to do because I had already done it. Instead- I told myself I am a Jesus girl. So I have to do what a Jesus girl would do. So what does that mean?

It means to simply live as Jesus Christ lives. 
Do as Jesus Christ does. It is very similar to What would Jesus do? But sometimes we need something more personal. We need to relate it to ourselves. What better way to do that than to say you are indeed a Jesus person? 

Jesus is a kind, compassionate, loving, forgiving, comforting, patient, understanding, wise, inspiring, trustworthy person. He gave His life so we may live and live freely from death or bondage of sin. He is the ultimate example of how to love!

So although I had already made a mistake, I was able to repent and go back to being a Jesus girl. And being that, I had to apologize to W for letting my temper get out of hand but I also knew I had to treat him with respect and kindness and most importantly- LOVE- going forward. Regardless of my feelings or our differences. I had to remember that with every situation I encounter- I have to kill it with kindness! (remember that post here?).

Jesus calls us to be just like him and has given us the power to do so.

In every difficult situation I encounter, I try to always do what a Jesus girl (or guy) would do- & that's to approach a situation as Jesus would and to respond like Jesus responds. I don't always get it right, but it sure helps! It keeps Jesus at the forefront of everything! I know I have spoken about different ways to keep Jesus at the center of everything, but this is one way that has helped me be more like Him.




There's power in the name of Jesus & there's power being a Jesus person!

Have a great rest of your Monday! :)

Aisha

Thursday, July 3, 2014

#LYLS Thursday Link Up!

Hi Everybody!

I took the day off today so I could work on wedding stuff (good friend getting married) and enjoy the beautiful weather we are having in MN! So I will not be posting anything in addition to the link up! You will def. see something next week ;)

My week's been tough.. so I think this picture is appropriate to sum it up :)

Let Your Light Shine Thursdays!
Thanks so much for all of you that linked up last week!
Me and Jena loved seeing all of your posts!

Our favorite from last week's link-up was:

Ashley from Raspberry Glow!



This is Ashley! Isn't her style cute! She posts a lot of fashion on her blog and has great fashion and beauty tips. Check her out!

Thanks again for all of you who participated! Now it's time to link up again :)

RULES: 
1. Link up your favorite post this week - It can be related to faith, fashion, food, family, or whatever else you would like to share that helped you shine your light from the week!

Don't worry if you don't have a blog to link up - just leave a comment with how you let your light shine this week!

2. Follow I'm Perfectly Human & True Soul & Spirit on Bloglovin, or any other social media outlet (FB, Twitter, Instagram, or GFC)

3. Link back by using the button above or your own link.

4. Visit other blogs and meet new blogger friends!

Each week we will be choosing our favorite posts to feature and share with you all!

Let Your Light Shine Thursdays
xoxo,
A

Follow me: Facebook || Instagram || Twitter || Pinterest || Bloglovin 

Wednesday, July 2, 2014

Kill Them With Kindness//#WIW Wednesday

Happy Humpday, Ya'll!

IDK about you- but my summer is flying by! I wish it would slow down a bit. Luckily, I have a 4 day weekend this weekend to celebrate the 4th so I will actually get to enjoy some of the weather :)

I sometimes catch myself having a bad attitude, or just being unkind for unknown reasons- "because I am crabby". I would sometimes let someone push my buttons so much I would throw kindness and self control out the window. I would add fuel to the fire instead of find a way to put it out. Have you let this happen?  

Well, I think we all probably have.  Sometimes I have let my frustration get so out of control with someone that I end up saying things I don't mean, I yell, or hold bitterness in my heart.. 


One thing God has showed me is something that has to do with a very common phrase. 

"Kill Them With Kindness"

No- not actually kill them- but God helped put it into perspective that you are killing the situation or the negativity with your kindness. Kindness comes from love- I mean its the first word that is described in the definition of love (1 Corinthians 13:4-7). Love is what truly changes things. 



Then I read about the fruit of the spirit:

"But the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control. Against such things there is no law."- Galatians 5:22-23

When you portray yourself as one who bears the fruit of the Spirit, people will not be able to help but see the Spirit within you. Not only that, but the fruit of the Spirit only bears great things- so when you act with the fruit of the Spirit, you too will bear great things. Isn't that amazing?

So I started practicing always showing kindness first. I stayed focused on being the fruit of the Spirit. What amazing results I saw! I started seeking kindness over anger or getting my point across. Not that I always get it right, but I could see how conversations would change, how arguments would simmer, and how I wouldn't want to say things that were nasty- because my focus had changed. It was no longer to "prove" something, but to "be" something- the fruit of the Spirit. 


I saw it's a path that only leads you closer to Christ- & that's what makes it sooo worth it. When you always act on the fruit of the Spirit, you will bear good fruits, that will help you see the beautiful results of God's Word. For me personally, it brought me closer to God because when I saw how His Word was so true in my life, I kept wanting to "kill them with kindness" because I knew the results would be successful. It built my faith in God, my trust in Him, and it ultimately put Him in the middle of every person or situation I encountered. All at the same time being a light and showing the world Christ.

I think it's safe to say God knows what He's doing! :) 


Who knew such a simple phrase could make such a big change. 

It's not always easy. It takes genuine effort to be kind and loving- especially when someone is just pushing your buttons! 

& it's often difficult to practice for everyone-because there are so many different types of people!

Jesus Christ emphasized that we must be kind to everyone, not just our family and friends (Luke 6:31-35). If you do this, “your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For God is kind to [even] the unthankful and evil”


So you heard it- even the Most High is kind to the most unthankful and EVIL. He is perfect and has the right to judge and be angry at all of our wrong deeds- but He chooses to love us and show us kindness. But that is simply why He is all together lovely- because He loves and is kind to everyone! 

So now for me it's not a matter of being kind to get great rewards, it's to please God and to strive to be more like Him.To be in line with His will and purpose. Because He is so wonderful to me when I know I don't deserve this kind of love. 

It's such a blessing we have such an awesome example on how to love, be kind, and live. 

Who knew one word (Kindness) could go SO deep!


Being someone who grew up being an "angry" person, to see where God has brought me from astounds me. & that is why I can't hold back in telling my story on a simple phrase He taught me. How that simple phrase was used for Him to teach me how to block out the anger, negativity, and evil thoughts and instead focus on letting kindness flow out of my heart. I am still learning; I fail - and I will never stop learning, but He has brought me a loooong way and for that I am forever thankful. We truly have a great God!

I hope you guys have a great Wednesday and I hope you link up for Let Your Light Shine Thursday tomorrow!!

xoxo,
Aisha