Lots to do!

I am super excited for the first LIVE video in my private wreath making group. It will be just me and the wonderful ladies who have joined our group. It gives me the opportunity to work with them more intimately, they get to ask more questions while we go through the process to make an adorable spring or Easter Wreath.

This will also be my first time, setting up my video lights and setting the stage without help from my husband who is still traveling. It will be fun to figure things out on a smaller scale before I open thing up on a bigger scale for my public LIVE on Friday at 5pm PST. If you haven't seen my videos, I have included a sample below for you to see what I have been doing in my small business.

I usually have Steve's help setting everything up to ensure it goes smoothly from light set up to working the camera, answering the questions we get and reading everyone's comments so I can simply work on showing people how to make a beautiful wreath.

Until that time tonight, I will be working on how I want tonight's wreath to come together, and get all my supplies cut and ready so when I click on the "Go Live" button, I'm ready to go. It should be interesting. Have any of you, used the "Go Live" option on your Facebook page? If you are operating a small business you are missing out on some FREE marketing through the largest social media outlet there is.

Facebook knows that almost everyone has a smart phone and spends time streaming videos. I mean think about it, if you at the doctor's office waiting, what are you doing? Where do you go? Think of all the people that can be attracted to what you are doing, simply by 'showing' them how to do it. I have grown my business by 200% simply by doing just that. I hope you will join me and my Facebook page at Kat's Creations! I would LOVE to have you come watch what we make each week, that my viewers vote on, so even I won't know until tomorrow night at 5pm when the poll closes. Hope to see you on Friday!

It's True if It's on the Internet

You've all seen the commercial for State Farm the debate over how things that aren't true can't be found on the Internet right? Where did you hear that? From the Internet.

Yet how many people find their version of truth to match up with the lifestyle they feel that is okay because of something they read on the Internet. Like the Internet is a source for the absolute truth right?

Makes you wonder just how silly people can be especially if you watch the commercial about woman who dates a French model she found on the Internet because he said he was. You watch it and think, people can't be that gullible right?

I would challenge you on what some people might believe just because someone else tells them, or they find it on the Internet. What we need to be doing when someone tells us that someone tweeted that information to them that they believe is true is " shoot the bird! It's a lie!"

"Well Facebook said..." The only book your face should be looking for the truth in is the Bible! Stop believing the stuff you read on the Internet.

In fact, there is so much falsehood on the Internet, like your favorite celebrity just died, only to find out it was an Internet scam or rumor. There are even websites geared to help you weed out the lies that sound so convincing you might just believe them.

I mean how many of you have been conned by something you read on the Internet? I know I have. Guilty as charged.

We need to begin doing what we used to and go to the source to determine if things are true or not. If you aren't sure God exists or that He really created the entire universe, or that Jesus really is the Son of God, you would go to the Bible. It's the Word of God. It is 100% true. Those who would say otherwise just don't like some of what they read so they disregard it.

One of the biggest reasons evolutionists don't want to believe in God is found in a devotional Greg Laurie, Pastor of Harvest Church in Riverside shared that I love is this:

"To say that all of the beauties of God's creation came about randomly is ridiculous. The person who believes in the theory of evolution makes a choice to believe it. I believe they make that choice because the lifestyle they want to live has no place for God. If there is a Creator, then there is a God. If there is God, then there is a Judge. If there is a Judge, then there is a judgment. And if there is a judgment, they will have to stand there one day. So they have to try to find a way to write God out of the script.

But I think we know intuitively there is a Master Designer behind it all. To look at this world and say that it all just came about randomly borders on the absurd. It would be like saying the 747 aircraft was not the result of the engineering efforts of countless engineers, designers, and workmen at Boeing, but came into being because a tornado swept through a junkyard, and after it was done, there it sat in all its glory.

Yet people will look at something as intricate and amazing as the human body and the creation around us and say it all came about randomly. The Bible says, "Only fools say in their hearts, 'There is no God' " (Psalm 53:1)."

There is no religion on earth that shows God redeeming the lost, the alienated, like God of Abraham, Issac and Jacob does. No other religion in the world offers a redeeming God. In most cultures in order to pay a debt, there has to be some sort of restitution, money, labor, or material possessions. In fact if you ever read the small print of your credit card paperwork when you applied for it shows that the credit card company has the right to call your loan at ANY time. Bet you wish you read that one, right? Meaning ANYTHING they want, they can ask you to bring your account current 100%, no more payments otherwise they will take legal action.

Aren't you glad that we serve a God that LOVES us enough that He provided a way out of this mess we are in. It is through the redemption and the blood of His perfect Son, Jesus Christ, that if we believe in Him, that He died, that He rose again and turn from our sins, He can save us and restore us? There is NO OTHER WAY!

John 14:6. "Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but by me."

Not believing in Mohammad, Not Buddah, Not any of the other New Age gods, Not in being good enough, providing all your wealth to help the world, NOTHING but what Jesus Christ offered on the cross.

In Romans 3:10, "It is written. There is no one righteous. No even one."

Ecclesiastes 7:20, Indeed, there is no one on earth who is righteous, no one who does what is right and never sins."
 
 So if you're wondering if that latest information from a church you've been looking into or a friend has shared with you goes against what the Bible teaches. it is probably a cult. We need to be reading our Bible so we know what the truth is and can be prepared to know what isn't.

When people look at counterfeit money to determine if it's fake or not, you know how they prepare, not by looking at all the fakes, but by studying the real currency.

We need to be spending more time looking at what is true than reading stuff on the Internet that claims it's true. Grab your Bible next time and see if it lines up with God's Word before you believe any of the stuff that is surrounding our culture today. 

Staying Connected

I can't believe looking back, I've been a blogger since 2009 and I absolutely love it. It began as a way to journal my thoughts into the great unknown, the internet back then, and hoped in time, I could look back and see my life as it has progressed.

Something unusual I wasn't expecting happened instead. I met some really exceptional people. Women and men, just like me, that had so many things in common, most our faith in Jesus Christ. But also struggles, trials, storms, and issues that kept us bonded in a way that Facebook and all the other social media platforms can't.

Maybe it's that you can write more in the space provided. A way to personalize, just who you are from you page layouts, music preferences and photos.

But I have also noticed when looking at my blog list, that so many have simply left.

Maybe they don't blog any more.

Maybe they simply have chosen a different social media platform to connect.

Maybe they aren't here physically any longer and have passed away. I hope that isn't the case.

That is why it is extremely important to stay connected and even to make new connections as well. So whatever social media platform you're on, let's connect. It's simple too, if you follow me, I'll follow you. I hope to see you there but if you're just a blogger, lets connect as well and join me!

Here is how to find me:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kathleen.smith.92102
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Pirate2240
Instagram: https://instagram.com/reviewsfromtheheart/
Pinterest:  https://www.pinterest.com/ksmith2768/

Changing My Perspective in Storms

With all the cities everywhere experiencing their own set of wintery weather and rain, I was hoping we might get some but alas, it is not meant to be despite the threat that appears in the sky. It seems our local weather guy can't even get it right either.

It's not to say however that others in Southern California are getting their fair share of weather and some rain and even hail in odd parts. A friend just shared a photo on Facebook that it snowed at his house which is just a block away from the beach. Yet nothing here except other types of storms going on.

While I am still, yes still, recovering from my kidney stone procedure that happened little over almost three weeks ago, I am progressing. In fact on Thursday last week, my doctor apologized for not setting some correct expectations on what to expect afterwards so at least that put my mind at ease that despite how "easy" it was, recovery is still a bit ongoing.

It brings me to where I am blogging about things today and that is blanket statements that you might post on Facebook that offends people. While you are NOT targeting any one particular person in general, people still are offended and see it as a direct attack on them, which was NOT my intention.

The issue I had was with the way some "Christians" use the word "Karma" when referring to anything that happens in life. From the way it is used generally or intentional, for me, it bothers me. I, for one, as a Christian don't believe in Karma nor do I sit back and wait for someone to get their just desserts as some would say, just wait, Karma will get you.

What this comment did generate was a healthy debate on my Facebook page about why people feel the need to use the word in their speech and their justified reasons for doing so. I hate it when it is used because if you substitute it for what they really mean, it's still wrong in my opinion. Karma for me, is a Hindu belief that shows that your actions have consequences and while you might not get it right when you deserve it, you will at some point in time. When punishment ensues, you're getting your Karma. For some in my family, they immediately felt I was attacking them personally by my blanket statement because they had just used the word on their post within minute of me posting mine. Again, it was strictly a statement to say I don't like it when people use the word and claim they are Christians. If they took it as a personal attack on their character, that is up to them and not something I feel I need to apologize for. I apologize in the same general sense in which I posted the statement, that I was not attacking any one person in particular and if someone was offended by the statement it was NOT my intent.

Facebook posting is funny like that. You can post something on YOUR page, and other people feel the need to comment as if you have personally attacked them instead of opening up a great debate opportunity. You would think it would never severe your relationship with your family over such a statement, but apparently it seems to be the case. While I have apologized for my intent, I don't feel the need to apologize over how someone took it and subsequently reacted in haste and 'unfriended' everyone in my family from their pages.

I've bothered by this since it happened and then came across this in my devotional this morning as if God was providing me the insight I simply couldn't see in the midst of all of this.

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking in anything. " James 1:2-4

"I can't say that I am mature enough to be joyful when a trial arises in my life, but I have progressed beyond curling up into a fetal position with a blanket over my head, whining incessantly or crying to my friends. Okay, I still cry to my friends sometimes. But I have begun to rely on God. This is huge.

Instead of going directly into "Why me?" mode, I am beginning to be more interested in the lesson. What are you trying to teach me here, Father? I am open and willing; please help me. Once I switch gears and get my head out of the circumstances, at least enough perspective to see as far as the next step. The testing of our faith is in trusting the next step to be illuminated, and perseverance is when we continue to walk along His path. This is a lifelong journey, to be sure.

I read do want to move to the level of joy. I know people who live there. I want to actually celebrate when the next trial appears. I will start by praising God first, and then asking Him for my lesson. After all, if He sees me as a worthy candidate for more training, maybe He has an assignment in mind for me."(pg 61 - Heart of My Heart).

So for now, I have apologized for my intent because that is what God put on my heart for now and the rest is up to them to decide how to move forward. For me, I will continue doing what I believe and hope in time, differences may resolve on their end. .

Are you a Thermostat or a Thermometer?

If you are on any form of social media lately, there seems to be a trend whenever something news worthy happens. People post videos or leave comments stating their personal opinion on what is happening. But do we really understand the impact that have not only on our own lives but on the lives of people around us or who visit our social media sites?

When you think about these things and your life, are you a thermostat or a thermometer?

A thermometer is affected by its surroundings, depending on the temperature, it either goes up or down.

A thermostat affects its surrounding. It controls the heat or coldness.

Do you merely react to what is happening around you or do you have some sort of impact on it.

In the Bible we have two clear examples of who were thermostats and one who was a thermometer.

Noah and Mary, the mother of Jesus were thermostats. Despite where they were living, and things were definitely a whole lot worse than the world we are living in, they remained unaffected by things happening around them. They refused to be influenced by their environment. They held on to their moral upbringing and remained uncompromised in their faith.

Lot on the other hand was a thermometer. Living in the land of Sodom, definitely an evil place and not one you would want to live in. He was not happy there. He could have been a leader among the people living there and influenced things going on, but he didn't. He compromised. When the angels came announcing the destruction of the city, he had a hard time being convinced it was time to go. Even though he was spared, along with a handful of his family members, he wasn't strong enough to influence the lives of people around him. Even his wife took a sneak peek and looked back to see the destruction and faced the consequences of her decision to disobey the angels warnings.

It shows there is no power in a uncompromised life.

We often complain about how we are based on what is happening around us. Our job as Christians, however is to permeate and effect the culture around us.

When you walk into a room as a Christian, it should impact the people there. They should know you are a Christian. Not in a pious or self righteous way, but you should affect conversations.

So what does your social media sites say about you?

Would someone who stops by your page for the first time know without a doubt you're a Christian, or it is difficult to tell?

Do you stay positive when the negative things are happening all around you? Do you refrain from being impacted by what is happening around you and stand firm in your faith? Do you complain about how things are so bad in your life or are you making positive changes?

Might be time to move from becoming a thermometer and become a thermostat instead. Let's make a positive change both in the messages we are reflecting on our social media sites and even what is happening in the world. We can be the type of change that influences people not being influenced by what is happening.

I love how The Message translates Romans 12:1-2, "So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you."

From the NIV, " Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will." 

For some of us, it might just be the time to adjust our thermostats!!! I think now, more than ever, we have the ability to reach out to people and influence the positive change in our culture. Social media makes the more popular than ever before. 

And when you walk into a room and people change because you are there, count it all joy! You are impacting them in a powerful way by the how your life is a witness to them. 

The best compliment I received on my Facebook site by someone I "friended" is that it is so positive. It's encouraging and uplifting. That is just what I mean when I say how our lives and social media can have impacts on people we don't even realize. What does yours say about you?


 

Easter Giveaway DVD and more!

I am hosting a great Easter DVD giveaway on my blog, Reviews From The Heart that ends on April 2nd. It's called The Crossmaker!

This is a wonderful gift to receive just in time for Easter so if your interested, hop on over by clicking on my link here.

I also just finished the most amazing book on what happened that fateful day when Lucifer was removed from heaven. Written in a fiction story using scripture to move the story along, this is one you won't want to miss. To check it out and view the book trailer, click here. It's called The Heavenly Host, The Testings of Devotion.

For those of you that want to follow me along with my Facebook page, click here! Send me a request and let's be friends!