An Everyday Aroma

Intercession of the Spirit

noreply@blogger.com (b) — Fri, 27 Jul 2012 15:37:00 +0000

I have been wanting to write this post for a while because I am learning so much in this area. I finally got around to it...

Prayer is one of the most important disciplines of a follower of Jesus. Along with clothing ourselves with the armor of Christ, prayer should always be our first line of defense when the fiery darts of spiritual warfare are thrown at us. Yet, it is too often my tendency to try and "fix" things instead of going first to God in prayer. Lately, there have been situations in my life that have been completely out of my control, and through these situations I have learned more about the importance of prayer than I have ever before.

Oswald Chambers in My Utmost for His Highest said, "God brings you to places, among people, and into certain circumstances to accomplish a definite purpose through the intercession of the Spirit in you." Each person and each situation in our lives give us an opportunity to let the Spirit work in us through intercession. The best thing about Oswald's statement here is that part that says "to accomplish a definite purpose through the intercession of the Spirit in you."

You see, the glorious thing is that the Spirit in us intercedes on our behalf. "For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And He who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God." Romans 8:26-27

What a relief! The Spirit intercedes when we do not know what to pray! And, the Spirit always intercedes according to the will of God. How comforting to know that when we are lost for words or when our words aren't what they ought to be, the Spirit steps in and goes to the Father on our behalf.

The same holds true when we are responsible for praying for the people in our personal "spiritual jurisdictions." As Chambers points out, we are put in certain circumstances among specific people by God's design so that we can fulfill the purpose of intercession. Crying out to God in genuine dependence on Him and on behalf of others is one of the most powerful things that we can do for people that we love. And when we do not know what to pray, we can ask that He focus the intercession of the Spirit on the people and circumstances on our hearts.

noreply@blogger.com (b) — Sun, 22 Jul 2012 13:30:00 +0000

1000 Things I'm Thankful For: Part 4

noreply@blogger.com (b) — Thu, 19 Jul 2012 18:50:00 +0000

61. Having known all of grandparents and most of my great-grandparents

62. Morning devotion at work

63. Superhero movies

64. That I love my job

65. Sitting on the back patio in the mornings

66. The smell of a freshly brewed cup of coffee

67. Chick-fil-A

68. The sound of our neighbor kids splashing and playing in the pool

69. My small group

70. The Book of Philippians

71. The way sun rays shine through the clouds

72. Raspberry Lemonade Crystal Lite

73. Hair cuts

74. Watching my pup as he enjoys our big backyard

75. The beach

76. The godly women I work with that serve as mentors for me

77. Ten key calculators

78. Hymns

79. HGTV

80. My Chaco sandals

Marking Off the List

noreply@blogger.com (b) — Tue, 17 Jul 2012 00:19:00 +0000

During my absence, I was able to mark a few things off my 30 Before 30 list.

I got Bailey a backyard. Granted, it's only temporary, but he surely loves it. He also loves

his constant companion, Ruby- the flying dachshund.

I got a Coach purse for Christmas. It was a fantastic deal at the outlet stores.

I have definitely been drinking more water than Diet Coke, consuming around a gallon a day!

I also have been more serious about getting healthy, learning to eat clean and implementing a 12-week workout program. I'm on week four. YEAH!

So, I would say I am making some progress. I still have a ways to go...especially the bigger things like seeing the Grand Canyon and going back to visit my friends in India. I'll get there though, I'm sure of it!

noreply@blogger.com (b) — Sun, 15 Jul 2012 11:29:00 +0000

Unintentional Hiatus

noreply@blogger.com (b) — Sat, 23 Jun 2012 15:49:00 +0000

Did you think I died? Probably not, since I'm sure only a handful of folks read my blog at this point anyway!

I'm sorry for those of you that do...I totally did not mean to drop of the face of the bloggy earth. But, I'm inspired to come back and be consistent. I really do love this blog, and I really do want to make it a part of my life. So, bear with me as I bring An Everyday Aroma back to life.

Coming soon...
- An update on my 30 Before 30 list
- More things I'm thankful for
- A recap of the last six months

Meanwhile, here's some Bailey cuteness for your viewing pleasure.

noreply@blogger.com (b) — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 14:56:00 +0000

noreply@blogger.com (b) — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 07:18:00 +0000

noreply@blogger.com (b) — Sun, 25 Dec 2011 12:09:00 +0000

The Night Before Christmas

noreply@blogger.com (b) — Sun, 25 Dec 2011 02:17:00 +0000

The Night Before Christmas by Steven Curtis Chapman

It was the night before Christmas and all through the world

Everything looked like business as usual

Shepherds sat on a hillside looking up at the stars

While the world fell asleep unaware just how deep

Was the darkness the night before Christmas

And the night before Christmas it seemed to be just a night

But the wind blew like something was coming

And like children with secrets that they're bursting to tell

The cedars danced in the breeze while all of nature it seemed

Held its breath on the night before Christmas

source

And hope, hope long awaited

The hope of the ages

Would break with the dawn

And the song that all of creation was anticipating

Would start with a baby's first cry

And on the night before Christmas Mary laid down to rest

While Joseph, he paced the floor praying

And in an everyday stable, in an everyday town

In the hours to come God would wrap Himself up

And come down from heaven and the world would forever be changed

After the night before Christmas

noreply@blogger.com (b) — Sun, 18 Dec 2011 14:01:00 +0000

1000 Things I'm Thankful For: Part 3

noreply@blogger.com (b) — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 15:22:00 +0000

41. Hot cocoa

42. A pastor with a heart for the nations

43. Hobby Lobby

44. The smell of balsam fir

45. A new job that I can't wait to start

46. My current job that has taught me so much

47. Hot showers

48. Fuzzy, comfy socks

49. Sunrises

50. When I get all green lights on the way to work

51. My cute little Christmas tree

52. Mexican food

53. Celebrations of the birth of Jesus

54. Promises kept

55. Christmas movies

56. Mercury glass

57. Yard sales

58. The JOY of the Lord

59. Skype

60. My coffeemaker

2011 Christmas Tour of Homes: Merry & Bright

noreply@blogger.com (b) — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 12:38:00 +0000

Merry & Bright

Welcome!

Clockwise from top left: Ceiling medallion as a modern wreath; festive lights;

Christmas, y'all; the reason; table setting.

Merry Christmas, Y'all!

visit

noreply@blogger.com (b) — Sun, 11 Dec 2011 13:25:00 +0000

Christmas Q&A

noreply@blogger.com (b) — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 15:41:00 +0000

I saw this Christmas Q&A on Amy is the Party and thought I'd do it, too!

Egg nog or hot chocolate? Hot chocolate with a little hazelnut creamer mixed in. And, marshmallows, of course!

Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree? I think this is the first year Santa won't be visiting me. Sniff. All our gifts will be wrapped under the tree. But, usually Santa's gifts are unwrapped.

Colored or white lights on tree/house? White!

Do you hang mistletoe? Nope. No one to kiss.

When do you put your decorations up? The week of Thanksgiving. I leave town for Thanksgiving celebrations, so I try to have it done before I go. That way when I get back home, it's already Christmas at my apartment!

What is your favorite holiday dish? I love Mama's sweet potato souffle and Grannie's cornbread dressing.

Do you remember your favorite gift? Gosh. So hard. My sweet mama's love language is gift giving. My parents are always very thoughtful and generous in their gift-giving. They gave me a place setting each Christmas of a beautiful white everyday dish set. It started when I was about fifteen and carried on until I had ten settings. I love them, and I get to think about the gift-givers as I use them everyday.

What’s the most important thing about the holidays for you? Celebrating when God became flesh and dwelt among us. Recognizing the importance of His coming and reminding myself to eagerly expect His second coming. Also, spending time with my precious family.

What is your favorite holiday dessert? A new favorite is a caramel snack mix that my friend Eliz makes. I plan on posting the recipe in the coming days...

What is your favorite holiday tradition? Getting a new pair of Christmas pajamas. It's the only gift we are allowed to open on Christmas Eve. I also love our traditional Christmas Day breakfast with our grandparents consisting of sausage casserole, biscuits, Mayhaw jelly and coffee.

What tops your tree? Lots of colorful and sparkly picks and stems from craft stores.

Which do you prefer giving or receiving? Both! I love picking out the perfect gift for the people I love and wrapping them beautifully. But, I also love when someone has taken the time to think through the perfect gift for me.

Candy canes: yuck or yum? Depends. They have to be a good brand...and they have to be used as a stirrer for my coffee.

Favorite Christmas show/movie? All of them! My top four: original Miracle on 34th Street, Home Alone, Elf and The Nativity Story

Saddest Christmas song? All I Really Want by Steven Curtis Chapman

What is your favorite Christmas song? The Christmas Song (Bing Crosby), The Night Before Christmas (Steven Curtis Chapman), O Holy Night (Celine Dion)

What's Crafting? Take 2.

noreply@blogger.com (b) — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 14:49:00 +0000

This weekend I had some glorious time at home to finish decorating for Christmas, clean my apartment and do a little crafting. I accomplished a few projects over the weekend including DIY mercury glass and painting a yard sale ceiling medallion to create an unconventional Christmas wreath.

First, I'll show you the mercury glass. I followed this tutorial that I found on Pinterest using Krylon Looking Glass spray paint. It was fairly easy. The hardest part was mastering the spray paint. It is very thin and runny so it was hard at first to figure out just the right amount of pressure to put on the spray nozzle for perfect application.

The Inspiration:

source via Pinterest

My Version:

You can't really tell how well they turned out from the picture. I didn't think to take pictures of them with candles lit inside like the inspiration photo. I had most of the glass pieces already, but I bought the medium-sized ones at The Dollar Tree the other day.

The second project was this neat "wreath" made from a ceiling medallion that I bought at a yard sale. I think I got the idea from a Better Homes & Gardens e-mail and stored it away in my memory to do later. I had the medallion and the paint already...just had to motivate myself to do it. I love how it turned out! I'm not thrilled with the ribbon choice, but it was all I had on-hand. I think I'll try to get some bright green to replace it this week.

I haven't gotten around to doing any of the three projects that I intended to do from my last post. I have all the supplies for the Christmas pillows and have already cut the fabric. But I have yet to pull out my sewing machine to finish the task. I also have most of the items I need for the starburst mirror and Mod Podge letters. I should have at least one of those projects finished to post soon. Stay tuned!

noreply@blogger.com (b) — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 12:37:00 +0000

A List: Things I Love About Christmas

noreply@blogger.com (b) — Sat, 03 Dec 2011 14:56:00 +0000

Family gathered from near and far
Traditional breakfast casserole
Lights!
Roadside Christmas tree stands
Christmas music and hymns
Hot apple cider
A child's wide eyes when visiting Santa
Decorating my little apartment
The smell of balsam fir
Wreaths on every door
Starbucks Christmas blend
Most everyone is in a good mood
Christmas cards
New Christmas pajamas
Celebrating when God became man

What do you love?

Even More Christmas Gifts That Make a Difference

noreply@blogger.com (b) — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 15:16:00 +0000

After I posted ideas for Christmas gifts that make a difference, a friend sent me a message with information about another organization that gives women living in the slums of North India an opportunity to learn a trade, earn income, and gain confidence from working. This organization is called Ergon Handicrafts. They make beautiful journals and note cards from handmade paper made in Jaipur, India.

Please visit the Web site and view their items! Perfect stocking stuffers! Also be sure to check the "About Us" section to read the bios of the six women that hand-make each product.

Anticipation

noreply@blogger.com (b) — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 14:50:00 +0000

As the calendar flips to December 1, it's hard to believe that Christmas is upon us and the year is coming to a close. I absolutely love this time of year, and I anticipate its arrival for months. It's such a sweet time. There is something about this season that puts everyone in good spirits. Is it the decorations and lights? Is it the lovely Christmas music and hymns? Is it the time spent with family and friends? Is it the parties and food? Is it the gifts beneath the tree?

When I think about my childhood excitement surrounding Christmas, I realize that it wasn't necessarily those things that made me so excited. Yes, I loved those things, but I think that the true joy and excitement I felt came from the anticipation that Christmas was coming! Even now, as an adult, I get giddy with the anticipation of Christmas' arrival! I anticipate the family fun, the decorations, the music, the gift-giving, the holiday parties and the like. More importantly, I also anticipate the opportunity to celebrate the reason that we get to celebrate! The first advent of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

source

The dictionary defines advent as "the arrival of a notable person, thing, or event." Most of us simply think of advent as a countdown to Christmas. It is so much more. I think that the reason why we anticipate the arrival of the Christmas season has something to do with the anticipation surrounding the first Christmas. Many anxiously awaited the arrival of the Savior King. Yet, only few realized the timing was so soon, and only few recognized it when it happened. Still, He was prophecy and promise revealed! He was reconciliation for our souls in the flesh.

For me, Christmas is now a time when I think a lot about the second advent. Like the first advent, no one can predict the timing, yet unlike the first advent, all will recognize and understand when the clouds roll back and our Lord descends. It will be prophecy and promise revealed! It will be complete fulfillment in Him for those who believe! Every knee will bow and every tongue confess...

So as we begin this Christmas season, let's reflect on the first advent and the glory that was revealed. Let's also foster a spirit of anticipation for the second advent and the glory that is to come!

Come, Lord Jesus!

:: Thanksgiving ::

noreply@blogger.com (b) — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 02:12:00 +0000

So much to be thankful for...

Crazy Family

Writing Letters to Santa

An Annual Girls' Trip...14 Years Running!

noreply@blogger.com (b) — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 13:34:00 +0000

It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like...

noreply@blogger.com (b) — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 00:43:00 +0000

Christmas Gifts That Make a Difference

noreply@blogger.com (b) — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 12:35:00 +0000

Since today is "Black Friday" (dun, dun, dun), I thought a shopping post would be appropriate. However, instead of giving you lots of advice and gift ideas that you can get from your everyday women's magazines, I thought I would share with you some gift ideas that make a difference in the fight against human trafficking.

Many organizations that work "on the front lines" with women and children in commercial sex work offer vocational training to the girls under their care. Many learn sewing, jewelry making, paper crafts, etc. Then these organizations offer the items to the public to raise funds. It's a win-win. The girls are learning skills and being paid for the work while the organization is raising funds to be able to impact more enslaved women and children.

Click on the text below each picture to be linked to the Web site where you can purchase the item as well as learn about the organization that is offering it.

Broken Bangle Cuff Bracelet $18

Indian Jewelry Bag $9

Christmas Card Set $12.99

Cozy Indian Throw $39.99

Henna Bag $14.99

God is Love Bag $14.99

Check out these sites and organizations to see all the items that they offer. Let me know if you find something you like!