What I Wore Wednesday

I feel like I should write a disclaimer before this post. Warning: I'm terrible at taking photos of myself. I don't understand angles. Or lighting. Don't judge me!

Lots of bloggers do weekly wardrobe pictures, or "what I wore" posts, so I thought, what the heck. I'll give it a try. My day job is in Public Relations, so I have to dress business casual for the most part. We all know I like a good heel, so I enjoy getting dressed every day. 

(I do miss my scrub days every now and then!)

(This looks like an ad for Diet Coke...)

Photography fail. My ankle booties are so cute, too! Plus, Little Man photobombed the shot!

Even worse photo! And another photobomb! Maybe one day I will get this thing figured out... !

Until then, this is "what I wore"!

Today is National Dress Up you Pet Day! Poor Peanut... Photos coming soon!

Just Me, JC - Favorite TV Shows!

I used to watch too much TV. Now I just have too much on my DVR! As I've mentioned before, I am a multitasker. If the TV is on, I am probably reading a book/magazine, playing with Peanut (who won't let me sit still if I tried) or working on some hobby or odd job around the house. (Or this blog!)

One way or the other, over the years I have fallen in love with a number of TV shows. I've watched every episode multiple times, I'm sure. So that brings us to our next series! On the second Tuesday of the month, I will be posting "My Favorites". I'd love for you to leave a comment telling me your favorites as well! One of these days I might even figure out how to do a link party! 

This month's favorite is all about mind-numbing, glorious TV. Here's my favorites:

1. 

Full House

Full House is probably my favorite show of all time. I love, Love, LOVE this show! I have the entire series on DVD, and if a rerun is on I usually watch it.

2.

Friends

A half hour of laughs and love. I feel like they're my buds, too! I hated when this show aired its finale. 

3.

Gilmore Girls

One of my all time favorites. I always wanted to live like the Gilmore girls!

4.

Dawson's Creek

Dawson's Creek was a classic from my high school years. Should Joey have picked Dawson or Pacey? I'm still trying to decide.

5.

Law & Oder: SVU

I used to be addicted to the marathons of SVU on the USA network. 

(I refused to watch the last few seasons. Benson and Stabler forever!)

6.

Grey's Anatomy

Eleven seasons and still going strong! I miss McSteamy, though. (And George.)

7.

Scandal

If you haven't jumped on the Scandal bandwagon yet, you're missing out!

8.

Pretty Little Liars

This may seem a little teeny-bopper to some of you, but I LOVE this show! So much intrigue and genuine friendships. And great fashion, too!

9.

The Vampire Diaries

I could go on about this one forever. Luv!

(Ian Somerhalder, if you're reading this call me! Grin!)

10. 

The Golden Girls

Of course The Golden Girls made my list. I can watch this show all day. I love catching the reruns every now and then.

That's it for this month's "My Favorites" series. Don't forget to comment below about your personal favorites!

Motivation for Your Ministry - Part 2

Last week we discussed Paul and his motivation for ministry and compared it to our own. Your can view the full post here. We focused on Paul's number one motivation - fear. This week we will look more at his motivation by love. What can we infer about our own ministry? Are we motivated by fear of the Lord? Or love? Let's take a look at Paul's ministry again:

II. Motivated by the love of Christ

I do what I do because of What He has Done for me.

Look in Vs. 14 The love that Jesus demonstrated on the cross, compels us,

Not only do I do what I do because I know who I serve,

I do what I do because of what He has done for me.

The word "Compels" in its basic sense is that of two things holding or pressing together, perhaps with something caught in the middle. It means to be gripped with an inner pressure. It is a word Paul uses to describe how the love of Christ, has gripped him, what Jesus has done on the cross and the knowledge of what it cost Jesus, compels him, drives him to live for Christ and not for himself.

The same verb is used in Luke 8:45, you remember when the woman with the issue of blood touched Jesus and Jesus says, "who touched me?" The disciples said, "The multitudes are crowding and pressing upon you." The idea here is that Jesus was caught in the middle of a crowd and was being pushed, carried along by the crowd.

In the same way, Paul is saying that he is surrounded by the love of Christ and it pushes him, compels him to live for Christ and not himself.

There is no motivation stronger than coming to the understanding, not only that someone loves me, but that they loved me enough to die for me.

This is what Paul had said in Galatians 2:19-20, "I have been crucified with Christ; and I no longer live but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved men and gave Himself for me."

This is a great motivating factor in Paul's life and ministry, which were inseparable. Jesus died for me, and in Him I have died to myself and my life is now His life, therefore what He did, I do, but even more, it is not me that does it, but Jesus does it by living in me and through me.

Therefore all died…. Dead to self-centered living, dead to personal agendas, dead to personal ambitions, but alive to Jesus.

It has been well said that, "Christ died our death for us that we might live His life for Him."

It is easy to lose the passion of that love, to lose perspective on what it is Jesus has done for us, to allow the love for other things to replace the passion the love of Christ elicits in our souls. Paul had not lost it, Paul had this passion, it drove him, it urged him on, it was one of the motivations for ministry and evangelism in his life. It should be so in the life of every believer. Paul was motivated by the Love that Jesus had for him.

As Ray Palmer wrote in his great Hymn, "My Faith looks up to Thee."

"May thy rich grace impart, strength to my fainting heart, my zeal inspire,

As thou hast died for me, O may my love to Thee, pure warm and changeless be, a living fire."

Paul was motivated by the Love of God that was so powerfully demonstrated on Calvary's cross.

I hope you're enjoying this Motivation for Your Ministry series. Let me know in the comments if there's a topic you would like us to explore together!