Our Brothers' Keepers

I remember reading an argument by a blogger listing her reasons for not wanting to help charities and causes.  One point that she made was that she would rather help those who directly impact her life.  This article made me pause and ponder.  Her argument could be convincing for someone with weaker convictions because she was very adamant about her belief.  But it bothered me because it reminded me of what the Bible said that in the last days people will come up with their own righteousness- calling what is evil good and what is good evil (see 2 Timothy 3:1-9).

So, why do we have to take on the responsibility of inconveniencing ourselves in order to help others?  The answer seems so simple- we can lay down arguments that are logical, scientific, and moral.  Yet some have decided that the answer is not simple at all, and have chosen to remain unconvinced.

After the very first murder happened, the Lord asked Cain, "Where is your brother Abel?"  Cain retorted, "Am I my brother's keeper?" (Genesis 4:9).  The same questions are being asked of us now because although this event happened thousands of years ago, the same human heart beats in fallenness that would choose to deny and excuse evil and ignore what is good.

Are we our brothers' keeper?  Will we choose to stand between the gap?  The world will always have the poor, the sick, the orphan, and the widow, by choice or by circumstances.  We cannot save them all.  But it will matter to those whom we help.  It matters to God.

“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’  “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me’"  (Matthew 25:37-40).

 God is so good that we were given Christ who became poor for us in order that He may save us!  And having Him as our example, our source of strength, and our provider so that our blessings will overflow to others, we are more than able to help those who are in need.

"My life of service to God is the way I say 'thank you' to Him for His inexpressibly wonderful salvation." Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest.

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Helping hands
Nailing hand
Text 
Scripture taken from the New International Version (NIV) from biblegateway.com.

G&G Blossom in Brown Review

I bought these along with EOS Ice in Green a couple of months ago from Honeycolor.com- which is actually having a FREE SHIPPING promo right now until the end of the month.  I was not paid to write this review nor was I sponsored.  Unpaid and un-famous bloggers like me are just nice for free! ^-^

Review
Modality: 1 year
Base Curve: 8.8 mm
Diameter: 14.5 mm
Water Content: 38%

Color
2/5  The brown is neither vibrant nor apparent against my already brown eyes.

Design
4/5  These lenses are designed for the dolly look, rather than for their color or naturalness.  I like how the design softens my look, although I am not usually keen on having buggy eyes.  But I must admit that with the right make-up, it looks really cute in photos.  I would give it a lower point if I wanted a more natural design but decided against it because I think it serves its purpose.

Enlargement
5/5  Although it is 14.5, I will just give it the full 5 points because of its thick limbal ring that really enlarges the eyes.

Comfort
4/5  Very comfortable but seems to blur my weird right eye a little.  This category will depend on the wearer.

Overall
3/5  I like these lenses (I only review what I like, btw).  They are great for cute dolly looks.  I fell in love with the design, which reminded me of my once beloved Geo Hurricanes.  Also, G&G/Dueba are very comfortable for my eyes.  What I didn't like was that they are not natural, which means I wouldn't want to sport them on a daily basis.

I've grown to like my Dolly Wink lashes a lot.
They are the most comfortable compared to the other brands that
I've tried so far.

Lat one because I'm wearing a cute headband I got from
Lotte World back in 2010.  And what can I say?  I like me.

Hair Diary: Color Me Dark

Finally!

I've allowed myself some pampering during the weekend- got a mani and a pedi, treated my face to exfoliating and a mask, and got a fresh color for my hair.  ^_^

It is hard for me to maintain my hair because it can be so time-consuming to be so high-maintenance about everything.  Oh yeah... and it costs $$.

This is not officially a review.  But here are some pictures.

Had to borrow this photo from Walmart.com because my SD reader is
malfunction :(

I wanted to get rid of the orange tint from my hair because
it makes the ends look burnt and unhealthy.  This color did
a good job accomplishing that.  Although, it certainly is unlike
the color on the box (my hair is too dark, I guess), I like how this
dark shade makes my skin look fairer.

Here is a view of the right and left sides of my head.  I really like the auburn color, but my roots are still very dark, as
you can very well see.  In certain lighting, the red tint does appear on my roots.

Overall, I am happy with my new hair color so I am throwing in this last photo for good measure.

So cute!  hahahahoo!

And by some miracle of angles, my nose actually looks taller here! :D

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Loreal Healthy Look box

Strive No More

"Religion is man seeking to find God, trying to please God in order to win His love.  It is man taking the initiative, striving, being filled with futility and frustration.  Faith is God finding man, God coming and claiming and loving us even when we don't please Him.  It is God taking the initiative to love us.  When there are idols, man is in control.  When there is God, He is in control."*

Early on in our lives, we have learned that when we do well, when we strive, when we are the best, we can get our reward- from those times when our parents gift us for good grades received on our report cards, from teachers who give us treats for good behavior and correct answers, and from Santa Claus who leaves toys underneath the tree for good boys and girls and pieces of coal for the bad ones.

This is the world that we know, the world we live in, the system that we adhere to and have learned to play along with.  Some of us have been very good at it: climbing up the ladder of success through hard work and then rightfully receiving the fruits of our labor.

However, many of us often approach God thinking that in order to gain His love and approval, we must come to Him on such terms.  Oftentimes, we think that if we accomplish such and such- if we prayed enough, if we went through penances and pilgrimages, if we could be good enough- we could have God love us, or at least that we could have Him turn His attention to us.  Then we realize that there are a thousand moments when we say and do the wrong things.  Then we question, "How can God love someone like me?"

  "This is real love—not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins." 1 John 4:10

Dear reader, we have been invited to strive no more to gain His love because even before time began, He already loved us.  And our sins were washed away through His Son so that we would no longer focus on them.

This is what sets Christ apart from other gods.  While others demand that we come up to their level in order to gain their approval and thus our reward, Christ came down and lived amongst us to not only demonstrate His love for us, but to give us the opportunity to have a deep relationship with the perfect God.  In Christ and through Christ, our sins are not judged anymore and we are given a reward that is infinitely beyond what we could ever deserve or accomplish for ourselves.  All we have to do is believe.

Text
*Prophetic meeting, January 7 2013
Scripture taken from the New Living Translation (NLT) from biblegateway.com.

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Cross

Real Life Sundays, ed. 25

Happy Sunday!  

I've been having magical Sundays for the past few weeks.  And yes, that is probably why I haven't been blogging- I am just drinking in the magic *___*

I just feel so blessed!  And these two weeks of much-needed vacation have been so refreshing to my mind and spirit.  As for my physical body, too much food.  ^_^

Gift for myself ^_^  Anna Sui is total cuteness~  Luhvvit!

My little sister really knows me:

Bringing in the new year with bold colors.

Christmas concert and fireworks with my friends❊❊❊

So I tried watercolor painting since I haven't held an art brush for a long time.  I love watercolor because the finished product is always a surprise.

Bringing out the kid within: kite flying on such an amazing day. ^_^

Had dinner with my friend and ended up being goofballs at the annual Christmas
lights setup in Tumon.

Dolly eyed look for my upcoming circle lens review.

✌Peace for this week!  I am back to work in the morning!  :S

First Sasa Haul

I was amazed when I stumbled upon Sasa.com.  It was like a shopaholic's dream.  They have a plethora of beauty products; A LOT from Asia!  And the prices are not too expensive, too!

Finally got to order from them last month.  I even bothered my friends who were planning for their wedding because Sasa does not ship to PO boxes  *shame-shame* I felt sooo sorry.  O, the thick face I'm growing to get what I want...  Hehehe!

Oh, I forgot to photograph my My Beauty Diary orders!  

Sasa.com's customer service was good, too.  I like to inquire with the companies I'm ordering from and the Sasa staff was pretty helpful and quickly attended to my questions.  That was cool.  I hope to review some of these products soon, especially the Cosmagic mascara with its interesting wand ^_^  

2012 in Review

Happy New Year!

I have never been big on New Year's resolutions but I've always been one to reflect and think (or over-think) about things.  I thought that it would be a good idea to reflect on what 2012 had been for me.  

1. Started this blog and I was pretty passionate about it.
2. Moved to a new church.
3. Little sister's graduation.
4. Had my dream vacation in Japan. (Seriously, how many people can say they've been on their dream vacation?  I am thankful ^___^)
5. Mission trip in Chuuk.
6. Got to know a little girl named, Syuzi, via World Vision ♥
7. Year for Tech/Gadgets: finally got an iPhone (So handy with photo-taking!)
8. Got more involved and saw great things God is doing on this island: revivals, youth rallies, churches in united efforts
9. Got to know many wonderful people ♥♥♥
10. More freedom!

I would like to expound on number 10 a bit.  My parents are pretty strict and, although I love them so much and they love me more than I can ever know, they can be overbearingly protective.  So with those traits mixed with my personality of desiring to really excel in school, I had the hardest time hanging out with friends.  But within me, I've always desired to know what the world was like beyond the walls of my home or study halls.  I am glad that things are more different now.  And the change really is for the best!  

2012 was good for me!  I hope the same was for you!  Anyway, it's time to leave the old year behind while cherishing memories and learning lessons, and onward to fresh beginnings in the new year!

Because I don't have any resolutions, I do like having verses to inspire my life throughout the year.  Last year's was John 4:34-35, and it really influenced a lot of my decisions and actions.  For 2013: 

Ephesians 3:20  Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. 

Thinking about that is so energizing!  As the year continues to unfold, I am absolutely excited to see the things that will happen- things that are infinitely more than what we ask for or think!  I am beyond thankful for that!