The Five Scariest Things You Can Do This Halloween

(otherwise entitled: my opinion on halloween)

not my image - from link below

I agree entirely with [this article] at vision forum. I challenge you to go read it. What are your thoughts on the matter? Agree or disagree, and why?

The fear of the Lord is to hate evil.

-Proverbs 8:13

Personally, my family doesn't celebrate the holiday. Usually, we host 'Biography Dress Up Night' with friends. Everyone dresses up like a historical character and gives a short 'speech' on the life of their character. Afterwards everyone else has to guess who they are. =)

In Christ,

Created for a Purpose

It is on mornings like this morning when I remember...


I am created to worship, to praise, to glorify God.
Right now, my family is a part of a Church plant in a nearby town. It started over the summer while I was at camp. Anyways, ever since coming home, I've been working downstairs with the 4 & 5 year-olds. Except for this morning.
We only have one service, so the Sunday-school classes for the kids are going on at the same time as the service upstairs. Last week a rotation schedule was arranged so that everyone has the opportunity to be upstairs every-other-week. This morning was the first time I've been a part of the audience and not doing something else during worship.

And oh, it was so good.

I don't remember the songs we sang, but it was so good to worship as a body of believers. I do remember the sermon, and it was very relevant. "How to be Rich" based on 1 Chronicles 29:10-16.

10 David praised the LORD in the presence of the whole assembly, saying, “Praise be to you, LORD, the God of our father Israel, from everlasting to everlasting. 11 Yours, LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours. Yours, LORD, is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over all. 12 Wealth and honor come from you; you are the ruler of all things. In your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all. 13 Now, our God, we give you thanks, and praise your glorious name. 14 “But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand. 15 We are foreigners and strangers in your sight, as were all our ancestors. Our days on earth are like a shadow, without hope. 16 LORD our God, all this abundance that we have provided for building you a temple for your Holy Name comes from your hand, and all of it belongs to you.

Note that it wasn't on how to become rich but how to be rich. Because we are rich according to Proverbs 30:8-9. Do you have to steal to eat each day or do you have more food than you'll eat today? We are to act like stewards, not owners, because that is what we are. (all this abundance...comes from Your hand, and all of it belongs to you)  We are grateful stewards, not guilty ones. It was so good. Hebrews 10:24-25

Remembering is just half of it. The other half is obedience. So I obey--I worship, praise, and glorify my Savior!

Glorious
paul baloche
Look inside the mystery,
See the empty cross
See the risen Savior,
Victorious and strong
No one else above Him
None as strong to save
He alone has conquered,
The power of the grave

Look beyond the tombstone
See the living God
See the resurrected
The ruler of my heart
No one else above Him
None to match His worth
The hope of His returning
Fills the universe

Glorious, my eyes have the seen the glory of the Lord
Glorious, He stands above the rulers of the Earth
Glorious, glorious
Lord, You are glorious

(This is my one-hundredth post!)

Love in Christ,

Tuesday's Tips -Numbering Comments

(Last week Mary Ann asked for this tutorial so here it is!)

Numbered comments are great if you're hosting a giveaway or blog party because it is that much easier to pick a winner by number. =)

First things first, numbering comments only work if they are embedded below your post. 

1.) Go to your dashboard > template > edit HTML > and click 'Expand Widget Templates'

2.) Search for this code:

<b:loop values='data:post.comments' var='comment'>

(I suggest using find option on your browser: Ctrl + F)

3.) Above that code paste this code:

<script type='text/javascript'>var commentscounter=0;</script>

This is the script that makes the numbers work.

4.) Search for this code:

<data:commentpostedbymsg/>

5.)  Below that code paste this code:

<span class="numberingcomments" style="float: right; font-size: 40px;"><a expr:href="data:comment.url" href="" title="comment link"><script type="text/javascript">
commentscounter=commentscounter+1;document.write(commentscounter)
</script></a></span>

This is the code that makes the numbers appear. You can change the appearance by editing the style="" section.

As always, if you have any questions--ask away!

In Christ,

To Realize...

(to realize: to be fully aware) 

to realize...that I've slipped so much. 
When was the last time I spent time just me and Jesus? Spending time in His word, praying, and journaling? I honestly couldn't remember, when I asked myself that question this past week. How could I have slipped so much? This summer I grew so much. The biggest thing being that I daily set aside time to be in the Word. And now I can't remember the last time I did just that? The best time to begin anew is today.

to realize...that photography could be my career. 
I guess before I always thought of it as just a hobby. But you know what--I'm going to take photos the rest of my life, it doesn't matter if no one sees them, I'm going to take photos. Why not turn that into something that I get paid for and counts as work? Why not turn it into a business that could bless others and not just myself? I'm not positive that this is what I'm going to do, but it is an idea. in the meantime, does anyone have any good senior project ideas that deal with photography?

to realize...that I have a lot to be thankful for.
I have been blessed so much, given so much good from God. When hard times come, shouldn't I remember all that He has done for me in the past and remember all that He has promised me in the future?

Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble? 

-Job 2:10

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

-Jeremiah 29:11

Have you realized anything recently?

In Christ,

Tuesday's Tips -CSS Basics backgrounds

I've posted many tutorials on how to create different things for your blog. In each of those tutorials I've mentioned ways that you can customize the object. I've gotten several questions asking for more ways to customize the CSS. So I'm going to start a little series on CSS Basics. Some of the topics will include backgrounds, borders, text styles, links, and more. That way you'll have a better understanding of what CSS codes you can add to customize the tutorials. =)

Backgrounds

There are two different types of backgrounds, ones with color and ones with an image.

Color-Backgrounds

background: #ffffff;
background-color:#ffffff;
Either of these codes will control the background color. Use the html code for the color you want your background to be. Do not delete the '#' symbol. ([here] is an online color picker, use the number at the top)

 For example:

background-color:#f5f5f5;

Image-Backgrounds
background-image:url('IMAGE DIRECT LINK');
This is where you will put the direct link to your image that you want to be the background. You will have to upload it to an image host first, before you can get the direct link. (I suggest using imgur or photobucket as your photo host) Do not delete the quotation marks around the url.

background-position: 0% 0%;
This controls the position of your background image. Only change the numbers and do not delete the percentage marks. 


background-attachment:fixed;
This controls if your image scrolls or is fixed when scrolling. (see examples below)

background-image:url(http://i.imgur.com/DUj7n.jpg);
background-position: 0% 0%;
background-attachment:fixed;

background-image:url(http://i.imgur.com/DUj7n.jpg);
background-position: 0% 0%;
background-attachment:scroll;

If you have any questions--don't hesitate to ask! Also, if you have anything that you want me to cover on Tuesday's Tips let me know. (I'm kind of running out of ideas...suggestions are very welcome!)

In Christ,

ten-thousand reasons for my heart to find

A song that has been stuck in my head the past couple days. =)

10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord)
--matt redman--

Bless the Lord, O my soul
O my soul
Worship His holy name
Sing like never before
O my soul
I'll worship Your holy name

The sun comes up, it's a new day dawning
It's time to sing Your song again
Whatever may pass, and whatever lies before me
Let me be singing when the evening comes

You're rich in love, and You're slow to anger
Your name is great, and Your heart is kind
For all Your goodness I will keep on singing
Ten thousand reasons for my heart to find

And on that day when my strength is failing
The end draws near and my time has come
Still my soul will sing Your praise unending
Ten thousand years and then forevermore

Jesus, I'll worship Your holy name
Lord, I'll worship Your holy name

Sing like never before
O my soul
I'll worship Your holy name
Jesus, I'll worship Your holy name
I'll worship Your holy name

In Christ,

Tuesday's Tips -CSS Basics Padding & Margins

I've posted many tutorials on how to create different things for your blog. In each of those tutorials I've mentioned ways that you can customize the object. I've gotten several questions asking for more ways to customize the CSS. So I'm going to start a little series on CSS Basics. Some of the topics will include backgrounds, borders, text styles, links, and more. That way you'll have a better understanding of what CSS codes you can add to customize the tutorials. =)

Padding & Margins Defined
Margin is the space between the item and other items.
Padding is the space between the content of the item and the edge of the item.

Padding & Margins and their placement
They can be placed on any side of the object or all around.
padding:
padding-right:
padding-left:
padding-top:
padding-bottom:


margin:
margin-right:
margin-left:
margin-top:
margin-bottom:


Padding & Margins and their size
They are measured in pixels(px) and can be positive or negative numbers.
20px;
-100px;
7px;

The Big Picture
Finished padding and margin code would look something like this:

padding:15px;
margin-left:30px;
margin-right:3px;

padding:5px;
margin-left:30px;
margin-right:3px;

Welcome October

I can't believe it is October already...

photos taken by me last october

 In Christ,