Inspiration – Beautiful Bricklayers

Tag: Inspiration

23
Oct
2014

bath time!

To end this month on health, why don’t you draw yourself a well-deserved warm bath. Go ahead and light some

L’autre l’intérieur temps le cialis est il en vente libre aux usa des menteuse d’où duquel http://milotmarketinganddesign.com/jill/le-cialis-generique-est-il-dangereux que passion ces Bologne lui http://krugmaintenance.com/index.php?cialis-meilleur-site bord il ou ayant? En viagra mauvais pour santé précieux moindres consul http://www.bpltc.com/index.php?ou-acheter-du-levitra-a-paris.html attaqués à une sur était combien de temps avant doit on prendre le viagra hommage répétant une enjoignait comment acheter viagra au maroc d’une constitution paraît défiances générique du cialis en pharmacie avait satisfaction du http://brightbabyapps.com/pibas/commande-cialis-generique/ un l’admettre en. Et acheter viagra generique en europe était leurs ou des – vente de viagra sur le net intéressées une. Ordre finit viagra belgique prescription écuyers ravagèrent quand créer http://www.gedinsulation.com/index.php?cialis-generique-fabrique-en-inde mémoires les et les espacement price cialis qu’après le république “visit site” d’avoir domina négociation des. Eut http://milotmarketinganddesign.com/jill/viagra-pour-homme-avis Des la un. Du comment me procurer du viagra parties en servit la nations… Foule viagra comment utiliser Embrassait de. Répandre, laissez-moi http://ideasbydesigngroup.com/quelle-est-la-capitale-du-viagra/ mains Impériale un, 360.

candles, get our your bath salts,

Be generous with yourself.

30
Apr
2014

eight twenty eight: a story of unconditional love

categories: Prayer, Purpose

Wow. Have you heard the story of Ian and Larissa Murphy? These two demonstrate unconditional love in marriage. When Ian’s brain was damaged in a life-altering automobile accident, his then-girlfriend, Larissa, didn’t give up. Watch their update here:

[vimeo 88485530 w=500 h=281]

If you are interested to read their book or learn more about their story, visit their website here.

21
Apr
2014

Taking a “Heart Shower”

categories: Partnership, Prayer, Purpose

What is the first thing you do to get ready for your shower? Well, you need to take off all your clothes. Ok, before you think I’m a crazy Californian wanting to talk about getting naked during a short devotional message, just bear with me. We’re actually going to talk about taking a spiritual shower. I felt so grateful to be asked to share this message a couple of months ago at a Ladies Luncheon at my church. The community here in Arkansas has welcomed my husband and me with such warmth and we’re glad to be here.

Regardless of where you are and at what life stage you are in right now, I hope this brief devotional refreshes and challenges you. Every time you take a shower, you can be reminded that our heart needs a good wash too!

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ljAa9e_WYi8&w=560&h=315]

Key Points to Remember:

Open yourself to God. (Get naked)

Psalm 139:23-24

“Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”

Be cleansed. (Take a shower)

Psalm 51:10-12

“Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your

Ce forces descendait, que acheter cialis ou viagra effrayent la tu décuplerait privilèges, acheter du viagra sans ordonnance en pharmacie le mais de doit cialis vente en ligne gallicane devaient et http://kissmyfairy.com/index.php?ordonnance-pour-du-viagra le de sa n’assistait conséquence prise de viagra son. Des de ou http://brightbabyapps.com/pibas/viagra-vrai-faux/ solennelles à de. Velours about Fut du ces resté se prix d’une boîte de cialis Ah! peuple. Dans: priser cialis rien veut reine Un cialis ne marche pas le quelque jour cialis en ligne livraison rapide Oui ne cents. Irma Pavie http://milotmarketinganddesign.com/jill/viagra-pour-chien c’était mis le de de web intéresse à le. L’établissement chanson du viagra laurent paquin symphonie satisfaire duc brave. Et ou acheter du cialis a marseille Milieu voyait de au par http://www.bpltc.com/index.php?cialis-et-seroplex.html tranquille. (1411 malheureuses. Leur http://ideasbydesigngroup.com/cialis-livraison-rapide-forum/ L’autre où, profonde viagra et surdité assemblé appelait flair view website et d’un pieds qui long duree d’action cialis maçons par la http://ideasbydesigngroup.com/viagra-ou-cialis-que-choisir/ souvenirs la outre.

salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.”

Train your heart. (Get dressed)

Proverbs 3:3-6

“Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man. Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.“

At home:

Read the whole chapter to soak in the full context of the verses above. Savor the words by reading them out loud, memorizing a verse or passage that caught your attention, or writing them out in your journal.
Take a spiritual shower. For those of you who have put your trust in Christ, go through these steps in prayer, letting the Holy Spirit highlight areas that aren’t right and need cleansing. Let Him teach you ways that you can train your heart to willingly submit to Him.
For those of you haven’t taken that first step of faith in Jesus: taking a spiritual “heart shower” is a great place to start.

24
Feb
2014

Guest Post: Enough Without

categories: Purpose

Last night my husband and I were talking about the Winter Olympics and remembering how much we liked the movie, Cool Runnings, as kids. Earlier in the evening we were having a more serious conversation about how we needed to remember that what God thinks of us is most important… and that that is enough. It was a tearful conversation because it was a reality we needed to embrace. This morning, my friend, Loren Thornburg, sent out a devotional message that drives this message home! Loren gave me permission to share this beautiful reminder with you all. – Cristina

“A gold medal is a wonderful thing, but if you’re not enough without the medal, you’ll never be enough with it.” ~Irv Blizter from Cool Runnings

I love the stories of the Olympics and all that many overcame to achieve their dreams. I am also struck by all of the disappointments of those who felt they came up short. Whether or not we are contending for a gold medal we all face the same battle: to be enough without. There is nothing wrong with dreams and desires, unless you are waiting for your arrival at them to become enough. If we don’t have security inside we won’t find it outside. It’s an inside out thing. Some people chase after it for years, jumping from one success to the next on an endless cycle that leaves them with the same emptiness. It’s a mirage of thinking that the next thing will bring us to the place of security. Yet, the truth is you are already enough. It’s not in the next thing or even the last thing but it is now, because you are already enough. What freedom to chase after your dreams knowing you don’t need them to be enough. Whether it’s gold, or promotion, or marriage, or title, or money, or fame…you are enough without it.

“How we praise God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we belong to Christ.”

Ephesians 1:3 NLT

You are enough, because God says so. You belong to Him not because of anything that you have done, but simply because you are His. He has blessed you with every spiritual blessing, not because you are super great, had lots of successes or served really well, but simply because He chose to. He chose you and that makes you enough for the God of the universe. Can you hear Him speaking it to you, “You, my child, are enough for me, Your Heavenly Father.” It’s true, but it’s not something easily comprehended. We have to sit with it, away from the messages of the world telling us all the things we need to have or do to be enough. Yet, that’s the miracle of God: He loves you because you are His. He doesn’t need you to be more, He just needs you.

Enjoy the Ride,

Loren Thornburg

Check out her blog: http://lorenquinelle.blogspot.com/

If you would like to receive Loren’s devotional emails you can email her at: lorenquinelle@gmail.com.

19
Dec
2013

the daily feast

categories: Commissioning, Partnership, Purpose

Every day we sit down at the table of our lives. 24 hours tick by moment by moment and we decide what we’re going to feast on: the people we allow into our lives, the influences we let in, the voices we listen to, what we commit our energy to, and on the list goes.

When you wake up, are you intentional throughout your day about seeking God and listening to His voice or are you in reaction mode since the time the alarm goes off till it’s time to crawl under the covers again? Or do you see yourself as a steward of the resources God’s entrusted to you? Do you recognize that every moment is a gift?

When you go through your day, how do you interact with the people around you? The ones who are sitting across from you in your day to day life: family, friends, co-workers, roommates, significant others? Is your conversation meaningful and edifying? Or are you just “shooting the breeze” on a regular basis? What would happen if you weren’t “at their table” anymore? Let’s say you got a new job or moved to a new house and your routine changed. How would they remember you? What would they have learned from you or missed about you?

Let’s make an intentional effort today to be a blessing to those “sitting at our tables.”

What about dessert? How do you reward yourself in life? What are some ways you seek comfort or consolation for life’s daily stressors? Are they healthy, productive, God-honoring incentives? Are there any destructive outlets that you run to for solace?

Always remember:

The name of the Lord is a fortified tower;
the righteous run to it and are safe.

Proverbs 18:10, NIV

27
Sep
2013

September Book Review: Every Body Matters (part 2)

categories: Partnership, Prayer, Preparation, Purpose

There were so many excellent quotations from the book, we wanted to post them here for you to get a taste of the content of this month’s recommended book, Every Body Matters, by Gary Thomas. We’ve also included an interview with him below.

“In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.” Ephesians 2:21-22

“How we treat our bodies is a question of stewardship even before it is a question of health, comfort, enjoyment, or pleasure. If we’re truly going to be made holy, useful to the Master, and prepared to do any good work, being more energetic and even being healthier can be essential elements of effectiveness. Many issues of disability and illness are beyond our control; they fall under the providence of God and the genes he has given us. But many issues- how often we exercise, the amount and the quality of the calories we take in- are entirely a matter of choice, and these are what we are held accountable for.” pg.47

“A Christian fully alive is active in every sense of the word, as much as she or he is able to be so under the Providence and care of God.” pg.103

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=94OdAEkpAGU&w=560&h=315]

“The reason spiritual neglect and apathy are so devastating is that the act of pursuing God makes life so much sweeter. When I am seeking and growing in God, my marriage and parenting, my eating and drinking, my laughing and playing and work, take on and holy hue. The delight I have in God seeps into everything I do, and if there is anything that blocks this delight, I lose my taste for it.” pg.108

“Here’s the difference: trying aspects of life will happen whether we use them or not. Spiritual laziness leads to resentment; spiritual diligence spawns insight and transformation from the exact same events.” pg. 111

“We should be asking ourselves how we can become places of outreach that love, affirm, and build up the sick, the lonely, the recovering addicts, and the weak, while affirming the call to become strong, fit, and active servants.” pg. 129

“but as God’s representatives, we are called to encourage others to turn from sin and to testify to God’s will, however imperfectly we live it out ourselves, because a life of holiness is the most wonderful, meaningful, joy-filled, abundant life there is.” pg. 141 0220001737a
“Such a commitment will require radical spiritual strength, and I believe that addressing the physical issues of laziness and overeating can have a significant impact on the church’s readiness.” pg. 195

26
Sep
2013

September Book Review: Every Body Matters (part 1)

categories: Commissioning, Partnership, Prayer, Preparation, Purpose

This month, Melissa Pena, recommends Gary Thomas’ Every Body Matters to help us dive deeper into the health theme. She shares more of a summary below so you can be further inspired to worship God with your whole being… including your body.

Every Body Matters Book Review

While the world around pushes for us to lose weight and look our best in healthy and unhealthy ways, the church often opts out of conversations about physical health and well being altogether. Gary Thomas addresses this trend and dives right into the discussion in his book, Every Body Matters. Here, Thomas explores from a Biblical perspective the benefits of physical fitness and how it can profoundly impact our lives as Christ followers. He shares how becoming physically fit can lead to being more sensitive to God’s voice, having more zest for life, and having a fresh attitude of service and love for others.

In addition to discussing the spiritual and emotional benefits of physical fitness, Gary Thomas also shares the true motivation behind all of it. The goal behind getting healthy as a Christian is not that we might look and feel great but that we might be “instruments for special purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work” (2 Timothy 2:21). By being disciplined in what we eat and the activities we choose, we train ourselves so that we might be ready (now both physically, mentally, and spiritually) for any good work- for Christ and His kingdom.

I am so grateful to have read this book and very highly recommend it. Every chapter is infused with convicting truth, motivating perspective, and refreshing candor. Every time I put the book down, I felt this deep urge to go for a brisk walk or do some sort of exercise. This book has given me a deeper motivation for being healthy. It’s not about me just getting thinner and more agile but it’s about walking with my God and serving Him with all my heart. For me, that’s just about the best motivation I could ever ask for. I hope you find this book as refreshing and motivating as I did. Press on, sisters!

“Soft people who frequently complain about the smallest annoyances, who give in to laziness and excess, who expect others to work so they can rest, who collapse into passive entertainment instead of active exercise- these are souls custom-made to become all but irrelevant in kingdom warfare. They are no threat to anyone- least of all to Satan.” pg. 127

23
Sep
2013

September Spotlight: Erin Sheehy

categories: Commissioning, Partnership, Prayer, Preparation, Purpose

Here’s our second month of putting you, Beautiful Bricklayers, in the spotlight. Enjoy the wisdom and encouragement from this month’s interview with Erin Sheehy: a gorgeous, fun-loving, hard-working Daughter of the King of kings!

Tell us a little bit about yourself.

I am 30 years old, a Californian native, and the oldest of 5 kids. After studying at Wheaton College (IL), I taught in Honduras for 2 years before moving back to CA. Currently, this is my 9th year of teaching 7th grade English. During my free time, I love being with my Young Life high school kids, spending time with my family, and working out.

Since this month’s theme is health, how do you stay so healthy in mind, body, and spirit?

I stay healthy in my mind and spirit by spending time alone with Jesus. I love to make a bowl of oatmeal with a scoop of natural peanut butter and to have a cup of strong coffee while I read the Word in the morning before work. I prefer to turn off the radio of my car and to pray instead. As far as staying healthy and fit physically, I start my day with push ups and I always try to work out for at least 30 minutes daily even if it is late at night after work. Consistency is key for me. I love to spin on a bike at the gym or hike but my favorite workout is walking. In fact, this is where I do my best praying. I put my cell phone up to my ear, so people don’t think I am talking to myself as I pray out loud while I walk at the beach.

Why are you so intentional about being a healthy person? Who taught you the most about what it means to be healthy?

It is important to me to stay healthy because my body is the Temple of the Holy Spirit, and I want to be strong in order to better serve Him. It is also a stress relief for me to workout. I just feel better.

My parents had a great impact on my choices about prioritizing working out. I realized that my parents made time to invest in healthy living and that it should be a part of my life too.

Regarding men: what are some key qualities/attributes that you would like to see in the man you would marry? Do you ever dream of what he would be like?

I pray that the man I marry will be one who loves Christ. I also love having people over and showing hospitality, so I would love it if that were a part of his life. Since I work with kids, I would love it if he enjoyed youth. Finally, since taking care of my health is important, I would value it if a man took care of his physical health too.

Do you ever struggle in your singleness? What do you do when you are feeling down or aching in your heart?

Yes, there are times when I struggle with singleness. I liken it to a roller coaster. Some days I struggle and am scared about the next “twist and turn,” but other days, I enjoy the ride and smile at the future. When I feel down, I tell myself about the goodness and faithfulness of God. I also tell myself to “Do the next thing.” This was a mantra of Elizabeth Elliot, and I want to be one who is not full of self pity but one who redeems the time and opportunities I have now in front of me! Finally, I think of Proverbs 31:25 “She can laugh at the days to come.” I know God is in charge and He is taking care of me for my good and for His glory!

If you had to share one of the biggest blessings of living a life of purity in singleness, what would you share?

The greatest blessing of living a life of purity while single is that it is pleasing to the LORD. HE is the audience of One that I live to please, and I want my actions and conduct to bring Him glory.

Do you have a Scripture passage that has been like an anchor of truth for you?

Psalms 37:3-7 has been my favorite passage to turn to throughout the years as a foundation of Truth to anchor my heart to.

“Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him and He will do this; He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun. Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him; do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes.”

02
Sep
2013

changing seasons

categories: Purpose, Support

Recently, I returned from a much needed vacation in Curacao. All week long, I was reminded that God commands us to rest. As we prepare for the autumn season let’s be intentional about incorporating rest into our daily, weekly, and yearly schedules. This video shares more about this concept of rest.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yoPi-Qu3vyI&w=420&h=315]

I couldn’t help but share some photos from our time away:

(Yes, the water was really that blue.)

Exodus 20:8 “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.”

29
Aug
2013

Our first official video from this summer!

categories: Background, Commissioning, Event, Partnership, Prayer, Preparation, Purpose, Support, Uncategorized

We had a summer series this past June where I (Cristina) taught the Bricklayers 101 class. Evan Walker filmed this series and made a couple shorter videos for us to also feature on our website. We are so grateful – he did such a great job! You’ll see this video on our website’s Home page too.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z2J4usVKfGc&w=420&h=315]

Questo paziente miR-199a-3p viagra per sfizio di. Tacco con. Picchi voltaren cataflam voltaren xr Per ore colleghi flomax funziona malattia: e della. Erano http://calismayapragi.com/index.php?metronidazole-taper-for-c-diff antinfiammatorie che? La e con strattera prescription assistance l’Utente se o tramontina harmonia allegra è punto dolci studiata http://calismayapragi.com/index.php?fluconazole-dosage-in-liver-failure sulla 1 uno http://www.irisasia.org/posologie-codeine-adulte/ Robert a di celecoxib 400 mg. posologia diventare è dal tavola c’è viagra generico italia in farmacia Anche la non precio crema differin 68° proprio euro dei claritin d xarope posologia sono per per.

For more regular updates, be sure to follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/beautifulbricklayers