Giving Tuesday

As part of La Belle Vie Essentials’ four-point agenda we are committed to servicing the community and outreach via social media to aide in promoting Christ. For 2015 we would like to highlight five other organizations that you can contribute by providing a donation which would help assist the mission and vision for the organization. In alphabetical order:

1. BETA Center – Orlando, FL (http://www.betacenter.org )

The mission of this organization is to give children and parents the knowledge and support needed for strong and healthy families, with a focus on teen moms and at-risk families

2. Black History Project (http://www.blackhistoryproject.org)

This organization is focused on educating African-American children in learning history, understanding culture and building a positive self-image.

3. House of Timothy (http://www.houseoftimothy.com ) / Element 26 (http://www.element26.org/)

House of Timothy is a comprehensive residential center for young adult men, ages 18-25. House of

Timothy makes it possible for residents to work on their goals, complete their education, find or keep a job and grow closer to Jesus Christ.

4. P.U.S.H. (http://www.push4life.org/ )

The objective of the organization is to push people mentally, physically as well as spiritually to reach their maximum individual potential; all the while training the body to be fully equipped to take on an all inclusive healthy life. Most importantly teaching the fundamentals of what it means in wearing the full armor of God. Once you purchase the eBook or make a donation, a portion is given to feed those in need.

5. She Is Victorious (http://sheisvictorious465.com/ )
The objective of this organization is to encourage, uplift and inspire young girls and women of all ages to claim their victory! With the mission to instill confidence and purpose, this organization serves as a constant reminder that no matter what an individual faces “God is within her, she will not fail” (Psalm 46:5)

First Love

Do you remember the first time you fell in love?

The feeling of being in love is at times difficult to put into words. The moment when you realize you are “in love” with someone it is etched in your memory. When you love someone, you put time and effort into the relationship. There is constant communication, date nights and getting to know the person. Let’s not forget the emotions that come with falling in love – passion, compassion for their thoughts and feelings, and excitement. This turns into long telephone calls of nothingness at times. Oh! I cannot forget the butterflies in the tummy. This reminds me of when I first accepted Jesus as my Lord & Savior. In those beginning stages, I was reading the Word, attending church almost every other day and praying all the time. It was as if I prayed, and my prayers were answered instantly. Things were great. I got involved in church, taught Sunday School and assisted with my youth group. I became busy in the “work” which at times came at the cost of my personal relationship and connection with Christ. Never equate “busyness” with spirituality. Your spiritual connection comes with spending time with Christ – your first true love.

In Revelation 2, there is a great depiction of those busy in the work of Christ. A letter to one of the seven churches, and this one in particular is the “Loveless Church” says the following in Revelation 2:2-3:  I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked people, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false.  You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary. These verses give the description best – hard working, persevering, does not tolerate wickedness and knows false prophets. All of those things are awesome qualities and great “works”, however, there is one problem stated in verse 4 - Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first. The love you had at first was undeniable and on fire ….. but you got busy.

What I received out of this Scripture is that we begin to fall in love with doing things and not loving on Christ (spending time with Him). Can you imagine a husband and wife living in the same house and not speaking to each other? That relationship would more than likely end in a divorce because of a lack of communication. Can you imagine if all that was said to the wife or husband was negativity? That relationship would be very rocky. It is the same with us – what you give attention to grows. Just as if I had a plant that I neglected, it would wither and die - we need to look at it the same way spiritually. Never forsake your first love.

Ensure you know which direction you are going in. It was once said to me  “Direction is so much more important than speed, many are going nowhere fast”.  I want to take that statement a step further and say that connection is more important than speed, achievements, and accolades, because many are going to hell fast. Knowing Christ requires intimacy and sacrifice. When you stand before Christ will he say “Well done my good and faithful servant” or “Depart from me! I never knew you”?

I challenge you to go back to your first love! Remember how “on fire” you were when you first encountered Christ. Get back to the basics!

For HIS glory only…..
May God richly bless you!
XOXO
Danielle