“Whatever we see, there is almost always more. It is probably the one thing we can count on—and the one thing we do not. Christian philosopher Esther Lightcap Meek writes, “We labor under the misimpression that we see what we see, that seeing is believing, that either I see it or I don’t.”(3) Perhaps seeing is not always about 20/20, and seeing God is something else altogether.” Jill Carattini, A Slice of Infinity, RZIM
(3) Esther Lightcap Meek, Longing to Know: The Philosophy of Knowledge for Ordinary People (Grand Rapids: Brazos Press, 2003), 99.
“He [Paul] assured them that nothing shall fail of all that the Lord hath spoken concerning His tried and faithful ones. They shall arise and shine; for the light of the Lord shall arise upon them. They shall put on their beautiful garments when the glory of the Lord shall be revealed. For a little season they may be in heaviness through manifold temptations, they may be destitute of earthly comfort; but they must encourage their hearts by saying, I know in whom I have believed. He is able to keep that which I have committed to His trust. His rebuke will come to an end, and the glad morning of peace and perfect day will come.” – {SR 318.2} Ellen G. white, The Story of Redemption, Chapter 43
Namrata Soni: My favorite makeup artist. Pure genius; pure drama; pure fearlessness. Straight from Mumbai to the rest of the world. She was at the Cannes festival this year, making Sonam Kapoor and other L’Oreal ambassadors look gorgeous. Her hair and makeup creations are always perfection.
Some of her looks:
Winner of IIfa for Om Shanti Om Makeup looks
Pat McGrath
She is the woman behind some of my favorite makeup looks. She understands art on the face.
She has been called the most influential makeup artist in the world.
Autumn is about a month a way (Sept. 22). Here is some of the autumn inspiration. Of course there are many look books and styles that are to be reflected but these are the ones that I found pleasing. I found Dolce & Gabbana’s collection to be one of the most inspiring (as usual–I am a sucker for their Italianissimo Style).
Red lips
Flowing Black (MANGO 2013)
Newsboy caps; behatted.
Combat boots with the feminine.
Black and white; feminine and professional. (Elle Brazil August 2013)
Youthful. (Vogue India August 2013)
Hair pulled back. Sleek. (Vogue August 2008)
Wavy hair.
Neutral smokey eyes.
Flowers + Embroidery.
Monica Bellucci for Madame Figaro (2013)
How many kings step down from their thrones?
How many lords have abandoned their homes?
How many greats have become the least for me?
And how many gods have poured out their hearts
To romance a world that is torn all apart
How many fathers gave up their sons for me?
“For My thoughts are not your thoughts,
Nor are your ways My ways,” declares the Lord.
“For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
So are My ways higher than your ways
And My thoughts than your thoughts.”
Isaiah 55:8-9
By: Gabriela Yareliz
Sometimes, when we read the Bible, a verse or passage continues to reappear. I never think that is a coincidence. Sometimes, other things in our lives speak to us about this very thing, and then we see a connected message and God uses people, songs, quotes, a literal sign, whatever it may be, to reach us and have us understand what message He is trying to bring across in our lives.
Take time to search the scriptures. Take time to see God speaking to you through many things and in many ways. God cares enough that He reaches out to us and speaks to our hearts. Sometimes, what we need, comes from the most unexpected source.
I believe that things happen (God permits them) for a reason. Often times, we don’t understand the reason behind something until much later, or never.
At times, we want to understand everything God is doing, but He goes revealing as much as we can handle as we continue to walk with Him. How do we understand God’s ways?
He guides us, but God also has mysterious ways.
Rowan Atkinson:
“But what, in the end, all this comes down to, is how we deal in life with the problems that we have to face. Sometimes, it’s a question of just taking action, of making decisions, of involving others, of finding your resolve, and seeing it through. But at other times, it’s about something much less tangible. Sometimes all it takes is a little grace. A little of God’s grace, and all our problems seem to fade away. Now, should we demand an explanation from our Lord? Question His methods? Or should we merely enjoy the benefits? Well, I don’t think the Good Lord wants us to question too much. Isaiah, chapter 55, verse 8: ‘My ways are not your ways.’ And I think that what He basically means by that is: ‘I’m mysterious, folks. Live with it.'”
School starts soon. All the students are lugging their boxes and body bags into their apartments. Ahhh. Move-in time. This morning I woke up all sore. For a second I thought maybe it was from sleeping in a messed up way, but then I remembered the day before carrying heavy bags. God is so good though; I had help. If not, I would have died. Now that we have the month’s workout done (kidding), it’s time to man up and start ordering books, reading books–but before that starts: This week’s picks.
1] I hate to start with politics, but it’s that time of year-campaigning. Did anyone see the new Bill De Blasio ad by his son? Very cute. I liked it. Very humanizing for him. This isn’t an endorsement (as my former posts were not endorsement for Anthony Weiner, but if his wife Huma was running, then I would endorse her), it’s simply fascination. A job well done with the ad.
2]
“We are too undemanding, too ready to watch whatever is on the screen, too lonely, too lazy, or too bored to create our own lives. We turn on the TV and leave it on, allowing someone else to guide us, shape us, and destroy us. Losing ourselves in this way is leaving our fate in the hands of others who may not be acting responsibly. We must be aware of which programs do harm to our nervous systems, minds, and hearts, and of which programs benefit us. Of course, I am not talking only about television. All around us, how many lures are set by our fellows and ourselves? In a single day, how many times do we become lost and scattered because of them? We must be very careful to protect our fate and our peace.” Peace is Every Step, 14, Thich Nhat Hanh
3] Song of the week: Born for This, Mandisa (based on the story of Esther)
/Sometimes you gotta go, uninvited
Sometimes you gotta speak when you don’t have the floor
Sometimes you gotta move, when everybody else says you should stay
No way, no, not today
You gotta ask, if you want an answer
Sometimes you gotta stand apart from the crowd Long before your heart could run the risk
You were born for this/
4] Trust
5] Hair and makeup inspiration of the week: Aisha (Sonam Kapoor)
6]
7]
We are enjoying the last days of summer. The sun is shining, but the weather is slightly cooler.
Soon it will be fall. We might as well find something positive since we can’t stop the lovely heat from leaving us…
“Just as politicians are different from you and me, so are the women who marry politicians.” John Tamny
10] Taal
Quotes:
“Shaadi na hi ek contract hai, na hi koi utsav hai … agar utsav hai toh logon ke liye hai … shaadi do aatmaon do dilon ka mel hai … jisme do jan bharpoor zindagi saath saath jeete hai aur saath saath marte hai.”
English Translation
“Marriage is not a contract, neither a festival; if it’s a festival, then it’s for others; marriage is a union of two souls, two hearts in which two people live life together to the fullest and die together.”
“Pyar mein giro mat bachche … utho, rise in love.”
GABRIELA YARELIZ 