28 Days of Thanksgiving

November is almost over and Thanksgiving Day is here. It’s hard to believe Christmas is less than a month away now.

I've so enjoyed seeing everyone’s thankful posts on Facebook these past few weeks. We all have so much to be thankful for. But once November is over, let’s not forget to be just as grateful all the other months of the year! Since Thanksgiving is on the 28th this year, I've made a list of 28 things I’m thankful for.

1. A God and Father who loves me like nobody’s business.
2. A Savior and Friend who gave His life for me to set me free from sin so I can live my life for Him and someday live with Him in heaven.
3. Christian parents who are always there for me no matter what.
4. Four awesome siblings that get on my nerves like no one else can, but I love more than anyone else will. And I wouldn’t trade them for anything in this world.
5. The best grandparents I could ask for.
6. Aunts, uncles, and cousins who are just plain awesome.
7. The most wonderful friend in the world, someone who loves me, laughs with me, listens, and helps me grow closer to God everyday. You mean so much to me.
8. Good Christian friends that I know are there for me, rain or shine. I’m so blessed to call you my brothers and sisters.
9. My jobs and the people I work for/with. Such a blessing!
10. The freedom we have in this country. America is far from perfect, but I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else.
11. Fall. I just love the crispness of the cool air, the beautiful changing colors of the leaves on the trees, and the breath-taking sunsets each evening.
12. Gas prices that are lower than they have been in quite a while. It may not last long, but whatever. They’re nice while they last.
13. Boots. I just adore boots.
14. Good food and great cooks.
15. Water, electricity, a warm home, and transportation.
16. Books—lots of them—and the fact that I can read! I would be bored out of my mind if I didn’t have books and didn’t know how to read anything.
17. Smiles! From family, from friends, from toothless babies, and from total strangers. A smile is so powerful it can turn a whole day around, and is pretty much impossible not to give in return after having received one. Send a little sunshine someone’s way, and make their day!
18. Hugs! I love hugs. They simply make the world a better place.
19. Music—it makes the heart glad.
20. Girl talk. Couldn’t live without it.
21. Kittens. We have three cats and they are just so cute. SO cute.
22. The color yellow. God must have been in a REALLY good mood when He made that wonderful happy color, don’t you think?
23. Notebooks and pens for whenever inspiration kicks in.
24. Art.
25. Rainy days, tin roofs, and relaxing. If that isn’t homey, I don’t know what is.
26. Challenges, because that’s when I learn the most.
27. Chapstick.
28. Coffee! Definitely coffee. 

Every day is a blessing and there is always something to be thankful for.

“Every day I will bless You,

And I will praise Your name forever and ever.

Great is the LORD, and highly to be praised,

And His greatness is unsearchable.”

(Psalm 145:2-3)

“Rejoice always; pray without ceasing;

In everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

(1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)

Have a blessed Thanksgiving Day!

~Courtney

Eight Reasons to Be T-H-A-N-K-F-U-L

We are...

Taken care of – 

“And my God will supply every need of yours according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” 

(Philippians 4:19)

Heirs – 

“And if children, then heirs--heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with Him in order that we may also be glorified with Him.” 

(Romans 8:17)

Adopted – 

“So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.” 

(Galatians 4:7)

New creation – 

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation..." 

(2 Corinthians 5:17)

Kept safe – 

“The LORD is your keeper; the LORD is your shade on your right hand.” 

(Psalm 121:5)

Free –

“So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” 

(John 8:36)

Unashamed – 

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes…” 

(Romans 1:16)

Loved – 

“In this is love, not that we have loved God but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.” 

(1 John 4:10)

Happy Thanksgiving!

~Courtney

heavenlyprincess18@gmail.com

Mirror, Mirror On the Wall

"Mirror, mirror on the wall, have I got it?
'Cause, mirror, you've always told me who I am.
I'm finding it's not easy to be perfect
So, sorry; you won't define me.
Sorry; you don't own me.
Who are you to tell me
That I'm less than what I should be?
Who are you, who are you?
I don't need to listen to the list of things I should do;
I won't try, no, I won't try."

(BarlowGirl, "Mirror")

Beauty. What is your definition of beauty? Is your idea of true beauty based on what the world has been telling us? The world tells us that you must have perfect hair cut just right, flawlessly tanned skin, lots of makeup, fashionable size-0 clothes, a cool phone and all the latest gadgets, and a hunk of a boyfriend every weekend (even if it's not the same boyfriend every weekend), etc. in order to be "beautiful."

But what does GOD think about true beauty? Shouldn't His opinion matter more than anyone else's? I mean, after all, He is the Inventor of beauty; He created us! 

"For You formed my inward parts; You wove me in my mother's womb. I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; wonderful are Your works, and my soul knows it very well." (Psalm 139:13-14) 

So, what does the Bible say about beauty?

"Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;" (Proverbs 31:30a NIV)

"Physical beauty will fade," is basically what this is saying. But what is true, lasting beauty? The end of this verse explains it this way:

"but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised." (Proverbs 31:30b NIV)

"A woman who fears the LORD" is beautiful. That kind of beauty (good character/beliefs) doesn't fade away.

"Likewise, I want women to adorn themselves with proper clothing, modestly and  discreetly, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly garments, but rather by means of good works, as is proper for women making a claim to godliness. Women must likewise be dignified, not malicious gossips, but temperate, faithful in all things." (1 Timothy 2:9-10; 3:11 NASB)

"Your adornment must not be merely external—braiding the hair, and wearing gold jewelry, or putting on dresses; but let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God." (1 Peter 3:3-4 NASB)

Think about the women of the Bible for a minute. Queen Esther was indeed physically beautiful, but that is not the legacy she left behind. What do we remember most about her? Her courage, faith, compassion, and conviction to stand up for what is right! 

The godly women of the Bible are remembered for their works -- NOT their looks. Looks fade away and are easily forgotten, but good works and good character remain, and are what we will be known for in the end.

Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she smiles at the future. She opens her mouth in wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. She looks well to the ways of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness. (Proverbs 31:25-27)

 The Virtuous Woman of Proverbs 31...

• Is strong,
• Dignified
• Smiles (and doesn't worry about the future),
• Is wise,
• The teacher of kindness,
• Looks out for others, and
• Is a hard worker.

Ladies, THAT is true beauty. 

"Mirror, I am seeing a new reflection; 
I'm looking into the eyes of He who made me 
And to Him I have beauty beyond compare; 
I know He defines me."

...How does your mirror define you now?

Have a blessed day!
~Courtney

heavenlyprincess18@gmail.com

The Heavens Declare His Righteousness

Peace is seeing a sunset and who to thank.

"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. ...Then God said, 'Let there be an expanse in the midst of the waters, and let it separate the waters from the waters.' God made the expanse, and separated the waters which were below the expanse from the waters which were above the expanse; and it was so. God called the expanse heaven. And there was evening and there was morning, a second day." 

(Genesis 1:6-8)

What a wonderful God we serve! Such beautiful artwork and design! It is so reassuring to know that the One who created all these things -- the sun, moon, and stars, the oceans, mountains; all this wondrous majesty that surrounds us -- this powerful One is the same One who holds us in His mighty hands, who cares for us and loves us more than we deserve or can ever fathom.

"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, 

that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. 

For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, 

but that the world might be saved through Him."

(John 3:16-17)

"Great are the works of the LORD; they are studied by all who delight in them. Splendid and majestic is His work, and His righteousness endures forever." 

(Psalm 111:2-3)

"The heavens are telling of the glory of God; and their expanse is declaring the work of His hands. Day to day pours forth speech, and night to night reveals knowledge." 

(Psalm 19:1-2)

"Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good, for His lovingkindness is everlasting. ...To Him who made the great lights, for His lovingkindness is everlasting: the sun to rule by day, for His lovingkindness is everlasting, the moon and stars to rule by night, for His lovingkindness is everlasting." 

(Psalm 136:1, 7-9)

"The heavens are Yours, the earth also is Yours; the world and all it contains, You have founded them." 

(Psalm 89:11)

"And the heavens declare His righteousness, for God Himself is judge. Selah." 

(Psalm 50:6)

 

"O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is Your name in all the earth, who have displayed Your splendor  above the heavens! ...When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have ordained; what is man that You take thought of him, and the son of man that You care for him?"  

(Psalm 8:1, 3-4)

Have a blessed day!
~Courtney

19 Things

I've noticed a lot of people on Facebook lately doing a game where you write a certain number of little-known facts about yourself. It sounded like fun, but my Facebook friends already know me and I suspect they might find it quite boring to see a post from me all about me. So... since this blog is still somewhat new and I have only briefly introduced myself a little bit, I've decided to list nineteen not-so-well-known facts about me. Nineteen, just 'cause it's the 19th and I am nineteen years old.

So. 

Here goes:

1. Sour cream with corn chips is one of my biggest weaknesses when it comes to food.
2. If I ever see fuzz, a hair, or a wrinkle, etc. on your clothes, I will find it VERY difficult to refrain myself from fixing it -- regardless of whether I know you or not.
3. Once I wrote a letter to the President and soon after received a reply from the White House.
4. A few years ago I met Charlene (Maggie Peterson) and one of the Darling brothers (Rodney Dillard) from the Andy Griffith Show. I won a copy of Aunt Bee's Mayberry Cookbook that day and they both autographed it. 
5. I am not a take-charge kind of person, and am terrified of being the center of attention in big groups. At my graduation I spoke in front of 400+ people... (NEVER. AGAIN.)
6. Thanks to my dad and three brothers, I really like to watch football and actually understand it. Roll Tide!
7. My favorite author is Frank Peretti, and I prefer mystery/suspense novels over most chick-flick stories. The scarier the book, the better.
8. I  can count on one hand how many times I've been inside a public school building during school hours, but I have experienced lunchroom food on several occasions. All I can say to that is, there's no place like home.
9. The fourth governor of Alabama, John Murphy, was my great-great-great-great-great-great-great-grandfather (and if that isn't correct, it's close enough anyway), and I have shaken hands with our current governor, Robert Bentley.
10. I'm afraid of heights, but I still think it would be the coolest thing ever to go to space and look down on the earth, because a view like that would be priceless. But certain people in my life won't allow me to leave the planet. Good thing, probably.
11. I can read Hebrew and speak a few lines of the language. B'reishyt bara Elohim et ha'shamayim v'et ha'aretz! 
12. Little Women, 1994 version. Best. Movie. Ever. 
13. Someday I would like to study and learn iridology and kinesiology. Because it's weird and so am I.
14. I DO NOT like being late for anything.
15. One day I hope to publish a novel.
16. I am definitely a morning person, but only if I have my coffee soon after I get up.
17. Psalm 143:8 is my favorite Bible verse. 
18. I want to live to be 106. That way, it would be year 2100 and I will have lived in three centuries.
19. I rarely ever write in print. Cursive is just way classier.

Annnd there you have it! Nineteen unimportant and probably totally useless facts/quirks about me. Have a great day, and hopefully I'll be back with another (real) article very soon! I've got two or three or four brewing inside my brain right now...

Oh, and before I forget: I will be trying my HARDEST to begin posting once, if not twice a week, plus a possible recipe every Tuesday! AND there is a poll to your right if you would like to vote on what kind of topics you would like to read more of, so please do! Stay tuned!

~Courtney

p.s. Sometimes when I get bored I like to take ridiculous selfies.

Where the Roses Never Fade

I am going to a city where the streets with gold are laid,

I am going to a city where the roses never fade.

Where the tree of life is blooming

And the roses never fade

Here they bloom but for a season;

Soon their beauty is decayed.

I am going to a city where the roses never fade.

Loved ones gone to be with Jesus,
In their robes of white arrayed,

Now are waiting for my coming 

Where the roses never fade.

Here they bloom but for a season;

Soon their beauty is decayed.

I am going to a city where the roses never fade.

I recently lost someone very dear to me. She was like another grandma to me, and I am going to miss her so much. She lived a long, faithful life, always encouraging and serving others. She taught me so much, by the way she lived and the things she said, to be strong as an ox, sweet as honey, brave as a lion, to have courage and stay faithful even when it's hard, always love your friends and family even if they don't love you back, tell others about Jesus, never be lazy, and always, always pray.

These last few years when I would see her at church or visit her at home, she would oftentimes talk about me getting married someday. Besides the other many things she would tell me to remember, the one bit of advice she never failed to give me was this: If you find a man who loves God more than anything else in the world, you'll be happy and won't have anything to worry about. She knew very well how important it is to find someone who not only loves you, but who loves and serves God with all that he is. When I was at the funeral home the other night, her daughter reminded me again of what Mrs. Berta Mae had told me. "Always remember," she said.

She loved people, and anyone who came to her home was always welcome. She was honest and spunky. She cared for animals. She was loyal and loving, and priced far above rubies. She was one of the hardest workers I have ever met. She had beautiful long, wavy red hair. She loved nature; flowers most of all. Her favorite song was "Where the Roses Never Fade," and I know she longed for that place where no harsh Winter night would ever destroy a beautiful garden ever again.

Mrs. Berta Mae was loved very much by all who knew her. She was the grandmother of 43, great-grandmother of 55, and great-great-grandmother of 42. This great woman left a beautiful legacy and many precious memories behind. She will be missed dearly, but we all know that she has earned her rightful place in heaven, where the roses never fade.

~

"Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of His godly ones." (Psalm 116:15)

Have you told anyone you loved them today? Have you hugged someone? Have you shown someone how much you cared? 

Love the people God has given you, because He will need them back one day.

~

In loving memory of Berta Mae Burney

Nov. 16, 1926-Nov. 7, 2013

"Many daughters have done nobly, but you excel them all."

(Proverbs 31:29)