Time and Passion, Please

Another hour has passed and your schoolwork isn't done and the pile of chores you know needs done still looms over you like a gray cloud. Instead of being productive, you feel yourself in a tale spin of social media, Internet surfing, game playing, and time-consuming little projects. At the end of the day, what have you accomplished other than witty memes, and "liking" a thousand things?

Time is one of the most precious gifts we are given. And just as with money, we need to learn how to give, spend, and save it. You may not have any money in your life right now, but you do have time that needs managing. So how are you investing your time? Is it in a job? Bad friendships? Helping others?

Look at your time in the perspective of eternity! Our time on earth is very short -- 80 or 100 years max. What we do with our time here will follow us through eternity. So when we stand before God, what shall we say? I had the best pinterest account ever or I knitted 100 scarves?

Now, am I implying that you leave everything you have and go live in Africa? No. I'm saying use your gifting, find your passion, use it to the glory of Christ.

It's just that simple and it's just that hard.

If you knit, then find a group of people who would benefit from your skills, like a pregnancy crisis center. Then make an impact on the Kingdom to come by knitting for unborn babies.

Get creative! Ask for passion from the Lord! Learn what Jeremiah is speaking of when he said there was fire in his bones. Get started on the road God has mapped out for you and your special calling -- be it singing, writing, teaching, or working on cars. As you go through your day, you may start out with passion and drive, but remember this verse:

So I find it to be a law (rule of action of my being) that when I want to do what is right and good, evil is ever present with me and I am subject to its insistent demands.

Romans 7:21

Evil will come against you and you will be tempted. Facebook will call you back for hours of scrolling a newsfeed. Your favorite show will have a marathon beckoning you to sit and forget the tasks you need to accomplish. Spend your time wisely! Give to others, spend it productively, and save some time for relaxation and relationships.

Upcycle of the Week

Many of us have old broken jewelry laying around the house, so put it to use! Here are a few ideas on how to make your broken pieces into treasure once more!

Defining Success: Part Two

   

     As you may have read, my last post was about the true meaning of success. Well, last week, just as I was having a rough day and wasn't feeling all that successful, a song came on the radio that changed my mood around. It's called "Don't Have Love" by Holly Starr, and it's all about how if you don't live in God's love, then it doesn't matter how much fame you have, or if you've got the best of everything. You can have everything you've ever wanted and be the most successful person around, but if He's not in it, then in the long run it doesn't really count. So I'm going to share this song with you and you can share it with others. Because everyone needs God's love.

Don't Have Love

by: Holly Starr

Advice from Crown

Video by Crown Financial Ministries

Money Love

Have you ever heard the saying, "Money is the root of all evil"? Well, I want to tell you a truth. This statement is incorrect. This is the real statement.

"For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils."
1 Timothy 6:10

Money is not evil, but the love of it is, because loving wealth oftentimes leads us far away from loving Christ.

"He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves wealth with his income; this also is vanity."

Ecclesiastes 5:10

So how do you know if you love it? 

Answer honestly.

1. Do you view money as yours and it's 
only your business in the way you use it?

2. When you get extra money, 
do you already know what you are spending it on?

3. Are you saving for your comfortable, cushy retirement?

4. Is giving a tithe to your church optional?

5. When you give, do you expect blessings?

6. Do you think money is important?

If you answered yes to Numbers 1 through 5, then you might be in love with the stuff. Number 6 was a trick question -- if you answered yes, then you are correct. Money is VERY important. I recently was under the teaching of Dr. Michael Oh, and he put it very precisely. He believes the church doesn't stress the importance of money enough. As he so well put, money is the blood that flows through the body of Christ. And just as when blood doesn't flow through a body, the body dies.

Now does God need our money to do His good work? Absolutely not, but why would we want to miss out on being part of His work? The first step in not being a lover of money is realizing that money, no matter how large or small the amount, does not belong to us. We are just managers or stewards of what God charges to us.

So our first question is debunked. It's not your money, not your business in how you use it.

"As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace..."
1 Peter 4:10

Looking Back...

Today, instead of writing a new post I have posted some links to a few of the old posts I've done in the past years. Enjoy!

~ Make Your Own Facial Products

~ Double Chocolate Muffins

~ Fighting Off the Sniffles

~ My Gluten-Free Journey

~ How to Make Laundry Detergent

~ Juicing for Life

~ Of Sunshine and Green Thumbs

~ The Wonderful World of Smoothies

~ The Benefits of... Lemons!

Upcycle of the Week

Instead of spending for the Buy of the Week, what about turning something ordinary around the house into a new free style? It's call upcycling and it's becoming very popular. This week take a look at this project!

Beach Bag

Beach bags are super to have around, not only for the beach, but for shopping days at your local market. Everyone has old plastic bags around the house, and with a little knowledge of how to crochet, you can turn those old bags into a new large tote. Below is how you can create the "yarn" from your plastic bags.

Happy crocheting!

F.S. ~ Review and Q&A

It has been quite a while since we have glanced back for a Finishing School Review. Before we proceed any further, it is time to look back at autumn and winter.

In October we had Tips on Punctuality. Remember that it is important to show courtesy in being on time, not too late and not too early!

We also looked at a video from Emily Post on proper table manners. When in doubt, watch the hostess!

In November, soup was on! Be sure to remember that the proper way to eat soup is to push the spoon away from you, never slurp, and do not blow on your soup.

Later in November, we had hot tea. Just as with soup, it is not polite to blow or slurp your tea.

In December we had Emily Post's five tips on giving gifts:

1. Get their wish list.

2. Trust your judgment.

3. Stick to your budget.

4. Buy it when you see it.

5. Start a gift closet.

Later in December was the importance of a mending kit. Sooner or later, you will be grateful for it!

Two Thousand Thirteen began with a post on phone etiquette.

Here are the basics:

1. Don't forget to give your name.

2. Be careful of the tone of your voice.

3. Focus on your call.

4. Speak clearly and not too fast.

5. Have respect.

Then began the Wedding series...

How to be a wonderful bridesmaid followed by how to be a wonderful wedding guest. Finally, the wedding attire chart.

Do you have an etiquette question? Send your question to seasonsinclair@gmail.com or leave it in a comment to this post. I will choose several questions to answer in the next few posts!

Money Saving March

Money makes the world go around. Or so it's been said...

So let's talk about spending, saving, and giving the green stuff this month. How a girl can spend wisely. How to shop savvy for clothing. Finding the difference between need and want. And the importance of biblical giving! We can't wait to see what the Lord will do!

P.S. Today is the last day to enter the Sundee Best Challenge!

Everyday Style ~ Spring Fever

I love a good pattern combination. Mixing two of the following -- stripes, dots, ginghams, or florals -- will always give your outfit a fun flair!

This time of year is definitely difficult as we go from a winter wardrobe to a spring one. Having a slightly springy look of pastel colors, paired with a fuzzier cobalt blue sweater, works really well as a blend.

This outfit has a most assuredly preppy flair with the gingham blouse, boyfriend cardigan, pencil skirt, and pearls. I hope it inspires you to try mixing some patterns of your own! 

I have spring fever. Don't you?!?!?!

Wedding Attire - Part 3