Why I Posted a Fashion Video

July 26, 2016July 29, 2016 RefreshHer3 Comments

The purpose of my blog is to refresh women in their hearts, homes and lives. I desire to give encouragement, inspiration and biblical insights in those areas. Why, then, would I post a video last week that included outfits? Let me explain:

Dressing and putting outfits together is something we all do every single day – it’s a regular part of our lives , so I would like to remind us that putting an outfit together can refresh yourself. What we wear tells others what’s in our hearts before we even open our mouths. They see, they notice, they make judgments. Our clothes are part of our testimony.
I desire to teach that our outfits can bless or disgrace. So many women just throw clothes on, giving little thought to what it looks like on them. I think it’s because often there’s an attitude of “So What?! I want to be comfortable! I don’t care! Big deal!” That kind of attitude says so much. Scripture tells us to dress modestly. We can do that and also be neat, stylish and looking our best. As I shared little tips about how to keep a top in place, or show how to wear summer clothes that are cool, but still cover, I desire to show that others can be blessed, rather than embarrassed by our attire.
I desire to remind us that putting outfits together doesn’t have to be a drudgery, neither does it have to be something we make an idol. Buying certain staple pieces and switching them around can give many different outfits. Have fun and add pieces of jewelry or a scarf and make it look completely different! On the other hand, we don’t need to be consumed with clothes and shopping every minute of every day. Give it some forethought and make wise purchases of good items that will last a long time.
I also want to remind us that we don’t have to spend a fortune to have nice clothes. Bargain shopping, Goodwill stores, and clearance racks can be our friends when it comes to buying what we need for our wardrobe. I’ve seen some Instagram accounts that make me wonder if shopping is all they ever accomplish. We should never make clothes an idol, and there are ways to dress nicely without being consumed with fashion – that is not my goal, nor is it something I want to be known for!

The bottom line is that I want my testimony to be one that would exalt Christ, and my outfits shouldn’t distract from that. I believe it is possible, and it’s with that heart that I posted the video, and would post another one perhaps in the future. My God is El Roi – The God Who sees; He knows my heart. Others only see the outside. My outfits should reflect what’s inside in a gracious, lovely way.

Whether therefore ye eat or drink, do all to the glory of God. I Cor. 10:31

I really desire to be on the alert about my clothes and what they say to others. Therefore, I’m always looking for new ways to do that, and then to pass along to you what I’ve learned. Thank you to so many of you who encouraged me after the video. Thanks for understanding my heart. May the Lord be glorified each day we walk out wearing yet another outfit!

Lovingly,

Denise Signature 100 px

Dealing with the Storm

July 20, 2016July 19, 2016 RefreshHerLeave a comment

Yesterday the Jeep had just been pulled inside the garage and the groceries delivered to the kitchen when I looked out the kitchen window and saw a storm brewing. The angry clouds were followed by huge pieces of hail bouncing onto the roof, windows and sidewalk, making me feel like I was inside a popcorn machine with hot kernels. Then as quickly as it came, the storm was gone, leaving soggy grass and misplaced mulch as a reminder that it had indeed come.

As I looked out the window at the now blue skies, I thought of how often my emotions can do the very same thing. In an instant, I can go from “sunny skies” to torrential rains! Sometimes it’s an accumulation of dark clouds that descend and eventually bring the emotions, the tears, the discouragement to my heart.

I obviously have no control over the weather, but there are things I can do to calm the storms that touch down in my heart! During the thunderstorm, I did what I could to be safe – I stayed inside, I closed the door, I kept on the alert. There are things we can do during an emotional storm as well and I’ve made a list to review when I see the dark clouds gathering around my heart. I hope this will encourage you, too!

Dealing with Emotional Storms

Spend longer periods of time in God’s Word (especially the Psalms).
Look up Scripture about my particular issue and journal my findings.
Talk to the Lord about my burden more than I talk with others about it.
Get to church services to hear how God will encourage me through the Word of God being preached.
Don’t isolate myself – Spend time with people who will encourage me.
Reach out to someone who I know will give me biblical counsel.
Ask people to pray for me.
Listen to uplifting music that will turn my thoughts to Christ.
If I’m able, get out of the house and go do something rather than sit and dwell on my storm.
Turn off television – especially shows that are on the negative side – reality shows, crime reports, etc. Not that you can’t be informed about current events, but don’t watch it if it discourages you!
Work on memorizing Scripture concerning my storm.

If you have dark clouds gathering around you, protect yourself from real, destructive damage by taking action. Just behind the clouds, the Lord wants to warm your heart with His sunshine and encouragement.

Refresh your heart in your storm!

What do you do when your heart is discouraged?

Christian Life

Don’t Tell Anyone!

July 12, 2016July 12, 2016 RefreshHer2 Comments

Gossiping can cause ‘invisible gorilla effect, say scientists

I was a young pastor’s wives, and as green as I could be when an older teen girl came to me with a problem. She began by saying, “I need to talk to you, but you have to promise not to tell anyone about this.”

Of course I would keep it a secret – that’s what pastor’s wives were supposed to do, right? Well, sort of. As she began to share her problem with me, I realized that the root of the problem was due to a sin in her life…one that her parents didn’t know about, but that they needed to hear. Now what was I to do? I had promised to tell no one! How I regretted having listened to her in the first place! I felt stuck!

Recently in our New Members Sunday school class, the question was posed,

How could you stop gossip in your church?

One of the class members answered that by sharing a story that sounded very similar to my own. He said,

A lady in a church had issues with her husband. She came to the church leaders about it. She told them they could not tell her husband what she had said, and they agreed. When a third party was brought in to help resolve the problem, he listened to her for about 45 minutes and then said,

Every one of you men need to get on your knees and repent of listening to gossip because that’s what you’ve done. Without being able to talk to her husband, there’s no solution, and this is only spreading gossip!

How I wish someone had told me that years ago! The situation I was in with the teen girl taught me to always tell someone who came to me that they could share whatever they wanted, but if there was sin involved, I would take the necessary steps and talk to the people involved so that a biblical solution could be found.

If you want to squelch gossip, don’t listen to it if you’re not a part of the problem, or if you’re not able to help with a solution by telling the necessary people. That will stop it immediately. If you don’t listen to it in the first place, you won’t have to worry about repeating it!

I recently read this verse in Psalm 17:3 which could be applied to lots of ways we sin with our mouth, but it certainly applies to gossip:

I am purposed that my mouth shall not transgress.

I have said that verse OUT LOUD to myself since I penned it in my journal last week! Sometimes it takes true, intentional and purposeful effort NOT to sin with my mouth by sharing words, and sometimes by not listening to it in the first place!

By the way, in case you’re wondering, the situation with the teen ended by my husband and I meeting with her and explaining that I had been wrong, asking her forgiveness, then letting her know it was her responsibility to tell her parents…or we would have to. She did. Whew. I chalked that one up as a Lesson for Denise!

Refresh your speech and cease from gossip!

Christian Life · trials

A Refuge for the Storm

July 7, 2016July 7, 2016 RefreshHer1 Comment

Last night a storm rolled through East Tennessee. I made a dash out to the back porch to rescue the pillows on the swing from being carried to Virginia! The wind was blowing so hard and the rain had begun to fall in sheets. I didn’t stay out on the porch any longer than necessary, but quickly made my way back to the refuge of my home.

I then gathered my Bible study books and Bible and curled up on the sofa to read and pray. I opened a new favorite book of mine, “Praying Through the Names of God” by Tony Evans. The name for the day was “ELOHIM MACHASE LANU” ~ God my Refuge. How appropriate was that on a stormy evening?!

As I read the Scriptures that use this name for God, I was reminded of how often I run to other things or people before I run to my Refuge. It’s sinful to allow something else or someone else be my Refuge when God is the One Who will do what none other can do!

When I stepped out into the storm to rescue my pillows wouldn’t it have been foolish if I would have run out to the arbor in the backyard for refuge from the howling winds?
What if I decided to make a run over to the neighbor’s house to protect me?
Or what if I just grabbed a bag of Oreos and munched away while standing in the pouring rain?
All these are foolish, and trust me, I didn’t think of anything but getting inside to the refuge of my own home – the closest thing to me!

But how often do you and I look to someone else – perhaps our spouse or our pastor or church leader to be our refuge when a storm hits?
Perhaps food is a source of comfort and we use it as a crutch to get us through. We may think – “Another cookie, chocolate bar or bag of chips and we’ll be just fine.”
Maybe medications are the balm we use to calm us down and keep us from really noticing how difficult this storm really is.
List making and trouble-shooting could be another replacement for running to the One Who is our eternal Refuge. He has the answers we need, and we will only hear those answers in His Word and in prayer.

We must do what is wise – head to the Door – straight to our God, ELOHIM MACHASE LANU, our Refuge and know the safety, the love, the protection He is. He must be our first source as a Refuge. Just like my house was the closest refuge, God is nearer to us than even our trouble is! Running to anyone or anything else is sinful and foolish. Let’s get out of the presence of the thunder’s rumble and run to our Refuge where we’ll find all we need.

Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God (Elohim) is our refuge (Machase Lanu). Psalm 62:8

With love,

Christian Life · Uncategorized

June 16, 2016June 16, 2016 RefreshHerLeave a comment

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Recently while making my bed, I sighed and thought what a blessing to have a comfy bed and lovely bedroom in which to rest each night. I thanked the Lord for His gift of rest and even of this bed that had once again, given us the sleep needed for the day’s activities that were ahead.

But you know, sometimes that same bed finds me holding my pounding head when I’m dealing with a migraine. Other times the sheets have been twisted and strewn all over the place, due to a stomach bug. On those days and nights, as well as the days when we jump up feeling rested, we can (and should) have praise on our lips to our God. On a sickbed, we can remember:

~He has our days in His hands.

~He has grace sufficient for each trial.

~He will be with me.

~He will perfect that which concerns me.

~He will comfort me.

~He desires to use this time to conform me to His likeness.

It’s good on the days of health to think ahead and get a jump on praise for the sick days. Store up praise in your heart by rehearsing these truths. God never changes, and these Truths won’t either! Whether we’re rising from a good night, from a fitful night, or even a very sick night, in our inner most being, let’s resolve to give God the praise that is always due His name. Here’s what David said in Psalm 149:5