Dining Room Inspiration

Hey guys! The blog renovation is still going on. It should all be finished soon though. But I was thinking, why wait till everything is done to post. I know it has been a little while since I last posted something. So today I wanted to share some Home Inspiration. I've created a few sets on Polyvore (love that site!). If you don't know what Polyvore is it's a website where you can create collages of anything like fashion to home ideas. I'm working on a collection of home inspiration boards for each room in my house and today I want to share my Dining room Inspiration!

Dining Room Inspiration by sobrilliantlife

My dining room is connected to my living room, which I will have my living room one up here soon as well! In this room I want a buffet, which I will have from my mom, who got it from my grandma. I can't wait to get it to my house. The rug I love, I found one at Ikea for $200, not too bad, but it's something I have to save up for. I have some fabric framed that's dessert themed already, I find it fun. I just love the look of this all together. In reality some pieces won't be the same, but close. I'm on a budget, and if you've used polyvore, your know that the items they have to choose from range from inexpensive (Target prices) up to thousands of dollars. I'm not going to buy a $1,000 rug when I can get a similar one for $200. It's just not in my budget now. I do believe that sometimes the more is cost the better quality it is and sometimes you have to splurge, But as long as you stick in your budget, you can have an awesomely decorated room!
Well that's all for this post, to see the items I used, click on the link below the picture. And if you created you're own, let me know in the comments, I want to see!!! And follow you on polyvore too!
Thanks for reading!

Shine Bright -Jen

I'm Just Waiting

I'm been questioned, questioning, and be persuaded about some things I believe. I am pro saving yourself for marriage, but a lot of people don't understand that. Well, I don't agree with their side of the issue, and never will. It had me thinking a lot about this. Just alittle back ground, i'm currently single. The desire has always been there to get married. I've dreamed about it for so long and hoped it would happen soon. Well my soon came and left. And here I am still single. So I took matters into my own hand, I went on a few online dating sites. I've never been a fan of them, and still weary I registered any ways (never paid though). Well, I came across a few semi decent (online at least, in real life- no clue), some creepy, and a few that could possible be potentials. I quit a lot of them for a while then reactivated, quit, reactivated. Every time I quit I felt so much better. I recently read a blog post about online dating and why she doesn't like it, and it totally reconfirmed and helped me realize why I don't like it, which you can read the post here: Becoming a Hopeful Romantic - Online Dating.  So I quit for good! I am just simply going to wait, but in my wait I am going to seek after God more than ever.

Singleness is an amazing season that you should treasure. I'm learning that more so now. I've single most of my life, and at times I did not view it as a gift but it really is. And by letting go of the online dating game, i've given my trust back in God to write my love story. I am more of an old fashion type, I love the story of how Isaac and Rebekah met in the Bible. Isaac actually sent his servant to find his wife and the servant prayed to God that the right girl would water my camels. He came to the well and there was Rebekah and she offered him some water and his camels. She was Isaac's one. But She didn't go to seek out Isaac, he pursued her. You can read the complete story here: Bible Gateway- Isaac and Rebekah. And Ruth and Boaz's story, so Ruth moved to another country with her mother in law (her husband passed away). Well, long story short, Ruth ends up working for Boaz, and then they marry! I left a lot out so you can read the whole story here: Biblegateway- Ruth and Boaz. Another story I like starts at the very beginning of time with Adam and Eve. Adam, newly created by God, was chilling in the garden of Eden naming the animals (off subject, how cool is that- first he named all the animals- he came up with zebra and panda, secondly that he had the creative knowledge to name all the animals, amazing). And out of all the animals there was no suitable helper, not even the dog. So God made woman out of Adam's rib (and dust and God's breath). And the two became one and set the official standard of marriage, which is between a man and woman. You can read that story here: Biblegateway- Adam and Eve.

God is so creative, faithful, good. He has the best love story for you and me. Someday, if it's your desire God will set you in the right place at the right time to either be found or to find the right person. I believe that the guy should pursue the girl. The girl should be found. Proverbs 18:22 says: The man who finds a wife finds a treasure, and he receives favor from the LORD. In all the bible in all those stories and more, the guy found the girl. Isaac found Rebekah, Boaz found Ruth, Adam found (kinda, more she was made for him) Eve. And all these stories were written by God. God had Rebekah go to the well and give water to Isaac's servant, God had Ruth go to her mother in law's country and work for Boaz, and God simply made Eve for Adam. And God lead each of the guys to their ones. I trust God and know He will direct my path to be at the right place at the right time and be prepared for my future husband. I can't wait to find our what God is writing for my love story, but I will also wait. Along with waiting, i'm not going to date. My goal is to only date my future husband. I was inpired my this from the book 'I Kissed Dating Goodbye' by Joshua Harris and the song 'Average Girl' by Barlowgirl, which you can watch here:

Well, that's all I have to say on this for now. Here's a final video to close that I recommend watching. I saw it last year and it also inspired me to wait for the right guy.

Photography Project

I just got back from an awesome wealth building weekend at my church. It was amazing!!! I'm so excited to start my business and actually try out an etsy store. Between packing, waiting, and moving i'm going to start to develop it first and build inventory. Lately i've been working on a few ideas. Here's my recent work.

I'm going to be working on a series of these. I may sell prints of them on esty as soon as I find a good printer. If you have any verse suggestions i'm game. I'm mostly  going to use landscape photography with it. Well that's all for now. Going to design more of these prints soon! Also the original photography is mine, the verse is from the Bible, NIV.
-Jen

Vous Ete Mon Coeur

You are my heart.
A very interesting statement. I've been on a Gungor kick lately, listening to nothing but Gungor. I came across this song: Vous ete mon coeus (You are my heart) and I instantly loved it, but more was consumed by it.

Where have you hidden yourself oh my beloved
You fled having wounded
I pursued but you had gone

In search of you my darling I would scale the highest clouds
Scour wooded valleys, roaring torrents whispering gales

Vous etes mon coure

When you first regarded me
Your eyes filled me with grace
Thereby again my eyes
Merited to adore you

Vous etes mon coure
You are my heart.

I instantly felt this was a song between Jesus and us. A conversation. When we are wounded, sin, don't do something God would like, sometimes instead of seeking God and His forgiveness we hide from God. God is always in pursuit of us. Despite our falls, God still and will always love us. He loves us so to make a way so we can be with Him forever by giving His Son as a sacrifice for our sins. When receiving Jesus into your heart, He changes your life completely. And the pursuit continues. "You are my heart." Jesus says. He is always thinking of us. That will never change. God's heart is that none shall perish, that's why He made a way. He sees our brokenness and still wants us. As I live my life, I want Jesus as my heart. I want His character, His motivation, and His love to over take who I am. This is one of my life goals. To be so caught up in Jesus and have Him truly as my heart that it changes me even more so and i'm compelled to do things they way He would, and see people the way He does. Vous ete mon coeur, Jesus. 

Keep Quiet

Hi again. So i've been thinking lately about the things that are going on all around us. Recently in Grand Rapids, MI 7 were killed and the killer killed him self after it all. I don't know the whole story, I don't even know the background. I am praying for the families of the victims. It's so sad. It did get me thinking though, and not just about this case, everything, i'm thinking about their stories, their past, their present. If they knew about what I know and how it's radically changed my life, would their futures be different? Would their circumstances? Jesus has made a huge difference in my life. He's changed me for the best. If I didn't hear about Jesus, to be honest I probably would have depression, low self esteem, and be a self injurer. But thank God I was raised in a church and God was actived in every aspect of my life. Yeah there was low points. Growing up, mostly in late elementary school and middle school I remember not liking the way I looked at one point. I've had the thoughts that i'de rather die than deal with whatever was going on at the time. Once I truely got a hold of what God said through His word and and what it said about me, how I felt about myself became what God feels about me. And its amazing how He changed my life. Because of Him i'm beautiful, i'm brave, I have this amazing joy inside of me, I have love for others and things that I wouldn't if it didn't come from God. Who I am today is because of Him.
And knowing He did this for me, He can change others lives.

I feel like, for me (and other believers) we need to share our faith more. People need Jesus, they are ready to listen. All they need is someone to be bold enough to stand up and show them God, be like Jesus, love them. There's a song i've been listening to lately that I feel relates. It's called "Keep Quiet" by BarlowGirl.   
 

I can relate to this so much. I'm the quiet type, but I was really shy. I tend to hold things back, not share. And it's especially hard to talk to people I don't know, especially about my faith. But I need to more. I need to share what God has done and what He can do for them. There is so much hope in Jesus. More people need to know that. And i'm looking forward to sharing. I just feel like we need to share more. Speak up, don't keep quiet. You could be the difference in someone's life and future. God through you can change someones life. Don't be afraid, take courage. You can do all things through Christ who gives you strength.(Philippians 4:13). 

I'll probably be sharing more about this later. As for now, that's what's on my heart.
Thanks for reading. God Bless.
-Jen

Overcomer!

Good Sunday Morning!
I do have more to share a little later, but I just wanted to post a quick simple note taken from one of the songs i'm obsessed with "Take Heart" -Hillsong United, Aftermath.

"All our troubles, tears, failure, fear, heartache, pain, burdens, and shame- God our hope, love, healer, freedom, justice, grace, refuge, and strength, He is with us and He has overcome!"

Whatever your going through, I just want to let you know God has overcome it through His Son Jesus Christ. God is there for you. He will help you. There is always hope. He is everything you need to overcome too.
I would also like you to know, I'm not only here for crafting, finances, my favorite music, and whatnot; but i'm also here for you. So if there's anything you need prayer for or just to talk, please feel free to comment or leave me an email message: sobrilliantlife@hotmail.com.
Thats all for now.
I will be back later!
-Jen

You are Loved!

You were chosen before the creation of the world (Ephesians 1:4, 11, Ephesians 4:1; 2 Timothy 1:9)d
You are My workmanship (Ephesians 2:10)
You belong to Me (1 Corinthians 6:20)
You are dearly loved (Colossians 3:12)
You have been shown the riches of My grace (Ephesians 2:7)
You are forgiven (Ephesians 1:8; Colossians 1:14)
You have been justified (Romans 5:1)
You are no longer condemned (Romans 8:1, 2)
You are set free (Romans 8:2; John 8:32)
You are dead to sin (Romans 1:12)
You are alive with Christ (Ephesians 2:5)
You are promised eternal life (John 6:47)
You are redeemed from the curse of the Law (Galatians 3:13, Ephesians 1:8)
You are a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17)
You are a holy temple (Eph. 2:21-22; 1 Corinth. 6:19)
You are holy and blameless (Ephesians 1:4)
You are sealed with the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:13)
You are adopted as My child (Eph.1:5,John 1:12)
You are a member of My household (Eph. 2:19)
You have access to Me, your Father (Eph. 2:18)
You are My friend (John 15:15)
You are My coworker (2 Corinthians 6:1)
You are My disciple (John 13:15)
You have hope (Ephesians 1:12-13)
You have peace (Ephesians 2:14 , 2:20)
You have purpose (Ephesians 1:9 & 3:11)
You are not alone (Hebrews 13:5)
You are not helpless (Philippians 4:13)
You are persevering (Philippians 3:14)
You are protected (John 10:28, I John 5:18)
You are victorious (1 Corinthians 15:57, I John 5:4)
You are more than a conqueror (Romans 8:37)
You are a light in the world (Matthew 5:14)
You are a minister of reconciliation (2 Cor. 5:17-20)
You have not been given a spirit of fear, but of power, love and self-discipline (2 Timothy 1:7)You are not in want (Philippians 4:19)
You are qualified to share in My inheritance (Colossians 1:12)
You are promised a full life (John 10:10)
You are blessed in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing (Ephesians 1:3)
You can approach Me with freedom and confidence (Ephesians 3:12)
You have been established, anointed and sealed by God (2 Corinthians 1:21-22)
You are a citizen of heaven (Philippians 3:20)
You are seated in the heavenly realms (Eph. 2:6)

What is Right

"No, O people, the Lord has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God." -Micah 6:8 NLT