{Devotional} Daily Faith

Have you ever looked up the verse that goes with our logo? It's a special one; Zephaniah 3:17. I thought it would be good to go a little more in depth about this verse and how it affects our lives and our walk with our Savior.

Zephaniah 3:17 King James Version (KJV)

The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing.

This verse speaks about when the Lord comes back and sets up his Kingdom. He will save those that have repented and turned to him, and show forth both his mighty strength and love. This is a great promise that the Lord has given us, but how do we know this promise is for us?

The Bible clearly states multiple times to examine our faith daily.

2 Corinthians 13:5 New American Standard Bible (NASB)

Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you-- unless indeed you fail the test?

There should be no question that Jesus Christ lives in us. We are to work out our faith with fear and trembling.

Philippians 2:12 King James Version (KJV)

Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.

Being a Christian doesn’t just mean that you said a prayer one day asking Jesus into your heart. It’s a daily action of offering your life to The King.

Galations 2:20 English Standard Version (ESV)

I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

The Christian walk is a repentant heart and a relationship with The Savior.

So although Zephaniah 3:17 is an amazing promise from God, it is also a reminder to me that in order to gain from the promises of God, I should be working out my own faith daily with fear and trembling to see if I still be in the faith. 

~Taryn

{Easy DIY} Cake or Cupcake Toppers

Today we're bringing you the easiest of easy DIYs! These simple cake or cupcake toppers are great for a wedding, bridal shower, or even a birthday! All you need is: 

- Skewers
- Masking Tape
-Pretty Paper that fits your color scheme
- Acrylic paint that also fits your color scheme
-Paintbrush
-Scissors

Paint the skewers first, so you have plenty of time to let them dry. I used a turquoise acrylic paint for mine. Remember to leave the bottom inch of the skewer unpainted so you can stick it into your cake and not be eating paint later. :)

I set mine to dry on a tissue box, in front of a fan. They took about 15 minutes to completely dry.

Then, trace out the letters, numbers or words you will use onto your pretty paper. I used S and N for mine and my husband's names!

If you aren't confident in your letter-drawing abilities, you can also print from your computer the outline of the letters onto the paper. 

Cut the letters out carefully!

Next, cut strips of masking tape.

And once your skewers are dry, flip your letters over and tape the skewers to the back! On some letters you have to get creative on where to adhere the skewer to not let it show. It's ok if they aren't completely centered! 

Lastly, stick the skewers into the top of your cake or cupcakes and enjoy the cuteness!

We hope you have fun with this easy DIY!

~Stephanie 

Alternatives to a Champagne Toast

Maybe you have decided with your future husband that there will be no alcohol at your reception, or maybe you are just searching for a unique alternative to the bland champagne toast. Either way, we’ve got you covered. Here is a list of alternative to use throughout the different wedding seasons.

Fall

Hot Apple Cider- An amazing Autumn beverage (at least if you ask me) that will add just enough pucker and spice to your wedding.

image

Winter

Hot Chocolate Bar- Allow people to create their own hot chocolate with specialty mix-ins like mini marshmallows or Andes mints. Afterward every has made their drink, toast with these lovely treats!

Coffee/Espresso Bar- Same idea as hot chocolate bar except with specialty coffees. If you're in New England, give Espresso Dave a call!

espresso topper exclusively from espresso dave

Spring

Sparkling Apple/Grape Juice- This is the classic non-alcoholic beverage choice. It can be found at most grocery stores.

Sparkling Tea- An up and coming option that combines many complex flavors in one bottle. Or you could make it yourself! Follow the link below for a recipe for sparkling peach tea.

recipe

Summer

Sparkling Pink Lemonade- This is what my husband and I used for our own June wedding. It added the perfect pink pop of color to the tables.

Glass Bottle Sodas- There are some great choices out there that can fit almost any wedding theme. Try Izze (great fruity flavors) or Jones (you can get the labels personalized)!

image

~Taryn

Making Time to Study the Bible

If you've been reading Joie for a while, you know we like to write 'devotional' posts about what God has been teaching each of us lately. Sometimes it can be easier said than done to spend time with the Lord. Here are some ways to make sure your time with God is consistent each day.

Pick a Time: If you set your devotional time at the same general time each day (morning, afternoon, evening), you are more likely to remember to do it! I like mornings, because I know I'm starting my day off on the right path.

Pick a Place: Have your Bible, pen, journal, ect in a familiar place. When all your tools are in one spot, it's more convenient than running around looking for everything! My husband keeps his Bible on the dining room table so he remembers to do his devotions while he eats his breakfast. I have my Bible by my bed, because I like waking up and spending those first few moments of my day with God. Maybe you have a comfy chair or a screened in porch that you like to sit on. You can talk to God anywhere!

Pick a Scripture or a Plan: Some people like to read through a whole book of the Bible and some people like a devotional reading plan. The benefit of reading a whole book is that you get the whole story of what God intended. The benefit of going through a devotional plan is that you get a little guidance if you're not sure where to start. Either one is great and God will teach you through both!

A good method of study is the SOAP method.

S: Scripture. Read your passage of the day.
O: Observation. Write down what you think the Scripture means and ask God to help you discern it.
A: Application. Meditate on how you think it applies to your life. How does it change you?
P: Prayer. I find it helps if I write out my prayers. It helps my mind stay focused on God. It also lets me go back and read how God has worked in my life!

Stay Accountable: Tell your friends about what you've been learning and have them do the same. Encourage each other and pray for each other!

What have you been studying lately? What has God been teaching you? We'd love to hear about it! Leave us a comment! 

~Stephanie 

When the crazy kicks in...

I don't know if this is true for you too friends, but gone are my days of slow, long, and enjoyable summers. It seems like things just speed up and become insane for the best three months of the year in New England. My schedule is packed, my brain hurts, and today my body is rejecting the idea of moving from the couch/bed/anything I can lay on. I am greatly in need of refreshment this day, in this very hour. It's so easy for me to become trapped in a narrow view of the value of this life when my to-do list is long and my 24-hour day is short. I forget to look at this life with eternity in mind. I forget to look at Jesus.

I need to remember that even though I only see Jesus dimly right now, that limited sight is still enough motivation to give Him everything. He is worth it. This song reminds me of the gospel and how truly beautiful it is. I hope you enjoy the artistry and profound truth in this as much as I do!

<3 sarah elyse

{DIY} Twine-Wrapped Vase for your Centerpiece

This is a cute little vase, that is very inexpensive to make and would be great to use as part of a centerpiece for wedding, bridal shower, or numerous other events.

You will need:
-Twine/Hemp
-Double sided craft tape
-Scissors
-Glass Vase
-Ribbon (optional)

1.) First stick your double sided craft tape in vertical strips across your vase. Depending on the shape of your vase you may need more or less tape. For my vase, I ended up using about five strips because of the curvature of the vase.

 2.) I started my twine at the top, and honestly you couldn't tell where I started the twine once there was I had wrapped it around a few times.

 3.) Near the end I used a couple more pieces of double sided craft tape to secure the twine in place.

 4.) You could either leave it plain for a more nautical feel, or dress it up more like I did for a more rustic design.

5.) To finish it off make sure you add your favorite flower!

~Taryn

I may be loveless, but I'm definitely not dead.

A few weeks ago, I wrote a post on my personal blog (you can check it out here) on a subject very close to my heart: singleness. I'd like to reprise that this morning for y'all. Check out below what I believe so many single girls want to tell those of you who are happily dating, engaged or married. A little anecdote to start us off: 

Me, Sarah, and Imani at the wedding

My friend Imani recently traveled back to the States from the DR (where she is tirelessly and faithfully serving the Lord with Makarios International) for a wedding of a close friend of ours. We were both bridesmaids and had a fabulous weekend wine touring, catching up with old friends, making new friends, and talking about boys. We’re girls, after all. I had my eye on a cute one who got snatched from my grasp (I’m definitely giving myself too much credit) by an altogether too attractive bombshell at the reception. I certainly wasn’t devastated since I’d literally known the man for a day, but it was annoying regardless. In her sweet way of delivering pointed questions, Imani asked me a few days later how I was feeling about the whole situation. My partly authentic and partly sarcastic answer was the following: “Oh it’s okay. I literally knew him for 3 hours. My life will not end. I’ll be loveless but not dead. Haha.” Then we both proceeded to laugh about how that last phrase describes our lives up to this point perfectly. 

Cue the blog title! I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to write about my lackluster love life. Really though, I think my comment has something genuine to say about those of us who continue to live the single life faithfully as unto the Lord. And I’m not going to rant on and on about this, but I think it’s worth saying. 

JUST BECAUSE I’M 24 YEARS OLD AND SINGLE DOES NOT MEAN THAT THERE IS ANYTHING WRONG WITH ME. It means that I have friends who are too attractive. I need new ones. Preferably plain ones who aren’t blonde or tall or human. (I’m kidding, don’t worry). Friends, I am loveless, but I am definitely not dead. My interpretation: just because I am single and ready to mingle yet mingling without success does not mean that I am failing at life. In fact, there are a lot of things happening in my life that I am excited about – they just don’t happen to be my engagement, my wedding or my future children. Those things are wonderful and I am more than happy to celebrate those things with my friends and family, but I am not deficient because they aren’t happening to me yet. 

I don’t want this to sound rude or overzealous. And I’m partly still trying to convince myself that everything I just wrote in that last paragraph is true. I wanted to write about this because it is a struggle in my life right now and one that I have to continually surrender to the Lord. I am learning to trust that my singleness has a purpose. I am beginning to trust that my life won’t be horrendous if God calls me to be single forever (even as I’m fervently praying that it isn’t the case). I am attempting to be content where I’ve been called and as I’ve been called. I want support. I want people to affirm my singleness rather than constantly inquire as to whether I’ve remedied my unfortunate circumstance of aloneness. I want to see and hear and taste more of the Lord in this season of my life so as to be fully prepared when He calls me out of it. 

I hope that all you single ladies out there live it up like Beyonce are encouraged that your life is not defined by your relationship status. God has plans for you which may or may not include marriage. Either way, His plans are good and He loves you. That is enough for me. And I hope it is enough for you. Be joyful today in His love! 

<3 sarah elyse