Blessed to Be a Blessing

Blessing Bags How To



Have you ever come across a homeless individual and felt totally uncomfortable?


You see them and you know they are in need, but you are not sure what to do. You know that handing them money is not the best thing. But, you also see that they clearly have some needs. Their lips are chapped. They are hungry. They are thirsty. They are asking for help.


I always have this train of thought: Do I hand him money? But then what will he spend it on? Do I drive through that McDonald's and buy him some lunch instead? Are they even homeless, because their clothes don't look shabby. Maybe it's just a scam. Maybe I better roll up my windows and hit the lock button on the doors.


I hate that line of thinking. But I love the idea I read about from Leslie's blog that her church came up with to help. The idea was to make up kits in plastic zipper bags to keep in your car and hand out when you came across a needy person in the community. The bags contain all sorts of necessities. And every one of those necessities is something I take for granted.

They call them "Blessed to Bless Bags." What a GREAT idea!

Here's how to make your own:



Suggested Items:
1 gallon Ziploc bag
1 Juice box
Throat lozenges
Trial size Ibuprofen/Acetaminophen
hand sanitizer
hand or face lotion
packaged hand wipes
chap stick
comb
mouthwash
soap/shampoo
Small selection of ready-to-eat protein rich food such as:
Cheese and crackers
Power bar
Tuna in a bag (no cans requiring an opener)
Granola bar
Beef jerky
One sweet item such as canned fruit or pudding
Plastic utensils and napkin
Washcloth
Small bible, bible tract, or note of encouragement
Prepaid phone card
Gloves/ knit beanie (someone found them for $4/ea at Walmart)
Resource list for the homeless
you could also put in a warm pair of socks, and maybe a gift card


Assemble all the items in the bags and throw in a note of encouragement and/or a small bible. Seal the bags and stow in your car for a moment of providence.

I hope to make a few blessing bags to have in my car and would love for you join me! I would also love to hear your own ideas on how to be a blessing to others!


Let's be God's hands, opening our own, remembering all our blessings are from Him to begin with.


From everyone who has been given much, much will be required; and to whom they entrusted much, of him they will ask all the more. -Luke 12:48

Exciting news!

Tyler and I are so excited to share with you some exciting news.... 

We are having a baby!!

.Pause.

A baby puppy that is... ;) 

Haha! We have finally ended the search for a fabulous new family member. We found the perfect Cavalier King Charles Spaniel that melted our hearts away! We are so excited to get a puppy of our very own. Her name is Darling.

 We have put a deposit down for her and she is reserved for us! She is still with her momma dog until she is 8 weeks old, but we cannot wait to pick her up!!

Here are some pics of our new furry friend!

Here she is playing with her brother! Look at her beautiful markings!

Isn't she darling??!!

The Journey.

Blessed are they who keep his statutes
and seek him with all their heart.

How can a young man keep his way pure?
By living according to your word.

I seek you with all my heart;
do not let me stray from your commands.

I have hidden your word in my heart
that I might not sin against you.

Open my eyes that I may see
wonderful things in your law.

My soul is weary with sorrow;
strengthen me according to your word.

I run in the path of your commands,
for you have set my heart free.

Direct me in the path of your commands,
for there I find delight.

May your unfailing love come to me, O Lord, your salvation according to your promise; I have sought your face with all my heart; be gracious to me according to your promise.

I have considered my ways and have turned my steps to your statutes. (Psalm 119)

During this transition in my life, God is my constant. He is my identity, he gives me hope. The transition has been wonderful with God by my side. With my surroundings and circumstances changing around me, (new marriage, new home, leaving my family and college friends, making new friends etc) God has been my anchor and my refuge. I read these verses this morning and they really stuck out to me. I want these words to be more true of my life. I want to read more of Gods word and apply it to my life. i want to be lead by God into the right paths he has for me. I want to seek The Lord even more and follow His commands, for there I will find delight.
It is so neat to think that he already knows the plans for my life (and yours) and he just wants us to put Him first and trust in Him and follow Him wherever he leads, even if it is not what you originally had planned! He ultimately knows the best direction we should go. If you are caught in a place of struggle or helplessness, call on Jesus, and simply ask for wisdom and believe. He will direct your paths.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart

and lean not on your own understanding;

in all your ways acknowledge him,

and he will make your paths straight. (Proverbs 3:5, 6)

In all our ways we are to acknowledge him. Lets stop there. What does that exactly mean?

According to the words in the original text, a "way" is
1) way, road, distance, journey, manner
a) road, way, path
b) journey
c) direction
d) manner, habit, way
e) of course of life (fig.)
f) of moral character (fig.)

So if in all our "WAYS" or "journey, direction, manner, habits, course or life, or moral character" we "ACKNOWLEDGE" him, he promises he will make our paths straight.

So how do we acknowledge him with all our "ways?" Well we know acknowledge means:

1. to admit to be real or true; recognize the existence, truth, or fact of
2. to show or express recognition or realization of
3. to recognize the authority, validity, or claims of

We must acknowledge he exists, show him our recognition, recognize His authority in our lives, and the validity and claims of his word.

Hebrews 11:6 says "And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him."

We must first believe that He exists, that God is the creator of the universe, who out of deep love sent His son Jesus to die for our sins and paid the penalty we should have paid. In order that we may KNOW God better and be able to have a relationship with Him through Jesus. We will not know which way to go or be able to please God without acknowledging Jesus as our savior and Lord and following His word. And we can't follow his words, unless we read them and have them in our heart!

Knowing and acknowledging God will affect our ways, our journey, our habits, and our character. It will affect our entire way of life.

Are you acknowledging or recognizing God in all your ways? As you go about life do you neglect Gods existence or just forget he is there?

If you are like me, we can get so caught up in the day to day of life and forget why we were put on this earth. Maybe we know why we are on this earth and we know we each have a purpose, but are distracted by things of this world that steal your affections from God. Sometimes it's not even things that are "sin" or necessarily "bad" that steal your affections, but maybe they are good, even God-given, but they have just become the focus of your life, put before God and it has become an idol. It could be a person, a job, a career path, a dream you had for yourself. Ask yourself if you have acknowledged God is this area of your life and make the necessary adjustments in order to bring God back into the focus of your life. Gods greatest command is the "Love The Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength. And to love your neighbor as yourself."

Lets seek God out more by reading his word and asking him for direction in every area of our lives! He will make our paths straight and He rewards those who earnestly seek Him. His promises are always true, as we serve a faithful God.

Dear Lord, help me to seek you more everyday. To truly acknowledge you on my journey through life. Give me understanding through your word, help me to obey your commands and to always recognize the work you are doing in my life and around me. I put my trust in you and acknowledge you exist and that you will make known to me the path of life and will reward all who put their faith in you. Help me get rid of distractions or anything that displeases you. I love you!

In Jesus name I pray. Amen.

First Blog Post!

Hey guys! SOOO, I haven been thinking about it for a while and I finally decided to jump in and start my own blog!!! Why not, right??

This blog will be about recipes, fashion advice, healthy living, spiritual encouragement and my journey to be a godly woman and wife. I am DEFINITELY far from having it all together... but I hope my life can be an encouragement to you in some way. 

First and foremost, I am a Christian. While I may spend a lot of time talking about fashion, decor, beauty, fitness, food, artsy things. . .(are you catching my drift?), I know that my worth is in Christ. God has given me a passion for all of these things, and I intend to use it, and share it with you all! So what I'm trying to say here is this: don't look for your value or identity in how good you look, or how talented you are at something. Nothing will fill you like the love of Christ.

The name of my blog was inspired by the idea that every human being has been made in the image of God and we are all created with dignity. Our ultimate Designer has a plan, purpose and a future for our lives. If you put your faith and trust in Jesus, ask forgiveness of your sins, and seek Him first in your life he will take a heart of stone, give you are heart of flesh and make you a new creation in Him (2 Cor. 5:17). I hope every person comes to know this truth and believes in the Ultimate Designer who can make you "clothed with STRENTH and DIGNITY" and make you able to "laugh without fear of the future." 

It is my hope that our marriage, life and yes, even this blog can be used for His glory. 

With dignity from my Designer, 

Dorothy