Jewel Of Inspiration: Three's Company

Who do you join hands with in life - love - leisure?

What happens when life brings change or everything goes wrong?
What happens when frustration friends us, suffering surfaces, crisis comes to our doorstep and tough times become too much on our own?

Where do you go?
Who goes to you?

Yes, sometimes it is easier to do things or go through life on our own. The truth is - we were made for community - we need God and we need each other.
Be Inspired To -
Seek the love, strength and guidance of God.
Seek the joy, comfort and wisdom of a friend.
Seek to help and love others.
This is what you will see -
See your own life strengthened, guided, comforted, and filled with wisdom, joy and peace.
And then you will even greater overflow it to others through their life journeys.

When we walk alone it is difficult and heavy.
When we humbly join ourselves with 2 or 3 others - powerful things happen! When we offer our time, a listening ear, and prayer - or trustfully share our own heart - the heaviness of each of our burdens will be reduced. We don't always see it right away - but eventually those burdens, those hard times, those difficult days become purposeful in our lives. Every difficult day, hard time, and unwelcomed experience can shape our character, strengthen our faith, grow us in wisdom, bring glory to God and eventually providing an avenue of ministry to someone walking a similar path.

Together is powerful!

"Together, we can celebrate our successes.
Together, we can support each other in our failures.
Together, we can proclaim His goodness over and above all things.
Because life isn’t about having it all together — it’s about knowing together we have it all." ~ InCourage - www.incourage.me

Let's find others to join hand in hand with, on our left and right, and become a triple threat to the things that come against us and a triple powerful praise of gratitude and celebration!
The power of three's company is so much stronger, safer, warmer and wiser than choosing to do life alone.

By yourself you're unprotected.
With a friend you can face the worst.
Can you round up a third? A three-stranded rope isn't easily snapped. ~ Ecclesiastes 4:12 The Message Bible

Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. Likewise, two people lying close together can keep each other warm. But how can one be warm alone? A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken. - Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

May we get braver and quicker in being someone for others to join with and in seeking someone for us to join hand in hand with in life, love, leisure and lifting up hands of prayer and praise.
Imagine how helpful and healing that company would be!
I pray we all find that kind of community and company and be that to others too!

Be Inspired,
Pinky Vern

Prayers For Charleston

We are praying for the community of Charleston, SC and all the those affected by the deadly shooting that took place at the historic Emmanuel AME Church this week.

Prayers for our own communities.
Prayers for our country.
Prayers for wisdom.
Prayers for love.
Prayers for healing.
Prayers for unity.

Through the valley of the shadow of hatred, death and grief comes the powerful light of Love, Compassion and Hope.

May Love linger longer and louder than the hate and hurt.

"Shared tears are multiplied healing."
~ Ann Voskamp

The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. ~ Psalm 34:18

Hugs and Love to you all!

Be Inspired,
Pinky Vern

‪#‎PrayForCharleston‬ ‪#‎LoveOneAnother‬ ‪#‎BeInspired‬

Jewel Of Inspiration

JEWEL OF INSPIRATION:  When Life Brings Storms Beyond Belief

As everyone knows and has been watching the unbelievable coverage from the recent flooding going on in my home state of Texas - I wanted to share with you updates and opportunities to join me, my family and ministry in praying and reaching out to and offering help, hope and healing to those affected by these crazy storms.

This past weekend Rick and I went to the beautiful town of Wimberley and were blown away by the sight of massive trees uprooted, tossed around like toys - stripped and snapped as if they were little match sticks. The belongings and memories of families sprinkled up and down the river like it was confetti.

UNBELIEVABLE

We saw a complete neighborhood street that was once lined with beautiful homes, yards, trees, gardens, and games - that were often used for gatherings, sharing hospitality, vacations, celebrations, making memories, times of laughter, love, relaxation and enjoyment with family and friends - now decorated with wreckage and responses of whoa.

UNBELIEVABLE

Late this afternoon I went by a couple of the other areas affected by the storms to drop off a few items and see what they needed. One of the places I went to was a donation and distribution place in Martindale, Texas.
Martindale is a small town of approximately 1400 folks that was also hit hard by the rains and overflowing river waters. I'm not exactly sure but possibly 200 or more families were evacuated and experienced extensive damage to their homes and belongings.
It was there I met Bea. A generous and courageous servant from San Marcos, Texas that has taken the people of Martindale, Texas under her wing! Bea is the founder of Rays of Hope in San Marcos and has a huge beautiful heart to help people in need. She is working hard organizing the collection and distribution of items needed in Martindale and checking on the people in that area. After unloading my delivery - Bea took me to go meet some of the families that are needing a little extra hope. These families had up to 7 feet of water in their home and are grateful for any help and items being donated. As we drove up to their homes I let out a deep breath and once again shook my head in disbelief. As we walked around I listened to the mom's update, the kids stories, and the families questions as they courageously smiled, listened and cried. I hugged, shared some joy and hope and prayed for them. Such a mix of emotions.

UNBELIEVABLE

What I have witnessed this week is Horrific - but what I have also witnessed is Help, Hope and Healing in such amazing ways. It has come generously from within the aching communities taking care of each other as the storm approached, through the storm and in it's remains. It is coming from families caring for one another...friends caring for friends...from strangers caring for strangers...from the young caring for the older...the older caring for the younger...from towns, states, and countries caring for people beyond their borders...many, many people caring without hesitation.

Long before the experts and experienced ones arrived - the faith and compassion of the people in these Texas towns set the heart and tone for this recovery and they will continue to inspire and impact their communities, our state and beyond - long after the media and multitudes are gone.

BELIEVABLE and BEAUTIFUL!!

Texas Proud!!

[What, what would have become of me] had I not believed that I would see the Lord’s goodness in the land of the living!
~ Psalm 27:13 Amplified Bible

I pray our eyes are set on Christ and our hearts confident He will carry us through the stormiest of days.
If you are in need of prayer for yourself or others - please comment below or send me a message and I would be honored to pray.

Be Inspired,
Pinky Vern

Oh Baby!

Oh My Goodness - I am so excited to share this news!!

We Are Going To Have Another Grandchild!!

Our oldest daughter, Mere Bear, is expecting her third child in December!
Below is the sweet announcement video they sent to us a few weeks ago and now we want to share the excitement and cuteness with you!  This is the best announcement video I have ever seen...ok - so I am a little biased but you can decide for yourself.  I guarantee you will Smile, Aww, Laugh, say "How Cute!" and experience the overflow of Gratitude, Love and Joy that we have!   These two precious boys are pure joy to our family and melt my heart every time I hear their voices and see their scrumptious faces!  I cannot wait to expand and share that love with another!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ROKUn-PkbQ

Congratulations to Meredith, Jared and the Boys and Thank you, Lord, for our blessings!
I Love Being Grandma Pinky!!

Grateful,
Pinky Vern

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Jewel Of Inspiration: Celebrate May

Hi And Welcome To INSPIRED LOOKS!

I have a prayer theme stirring in my heart for this month.  You can go to my Facebook page - to learn more about it at Inspired Looks.  Thanks for stopping by - I pray you are inspired!

JEWEL OF INSPIRATION

May is a wonderful month.
A wonderful month filled with various opportunities to Celebrate!

Many will participate and pridefully Celebrate their Mexican heritage and others will adopt it for a day on the 5th of May. ‪#‎CincoDeMayo‬‪#‎BattleOfPuebla‬

We illustrate and prayerfully Celebrate as we gather and go beyond denomination and political party lines - joining together to cover our community, city, state, nation and world through unified prayer.‪#‎NationalDayOfPrayer‬ ‪#‎LetUsPray‬

We anticipate and joyfully Celebrate New Life, New Mom's, Single Mom's, our Sisters & Girlfriends, the women who were like Mom's to us and our very own amazing Mothers and Grandmothers. ‪#‎MothersDay‬‪#‎ILoveYouMom‬

We calculate the days and look forward to thankfully celebrating the end of the school year. ‪#‎EndOfSchool‬ ‪#‎SchoolsOut‬

We accelerate into Summer and excitedly Celebrate the wet and wonderful list of memorable activities, camps, travel, and restful days ahead with family and friends! ‪#‎Summertime‬ ‪#‎Summer‬

We commemorate and gratefully Celebrate, remember and honor the warriors who fight and have fought for our protection, freedom and country. ‪#‎ArmedForcesDay‬ ‪#‎MemorialDay‬

We congratulate and Celebrate the Graduates and their New Beginnings, New Journeys, and New Jobs. ‪#‎Graduation‬ ‪#‎Congratulations‬

So many wonderful days in May.
So many wonderful opportunities to generate and give Love.

MAY we seek Him.
MAY we praise Him.
MAY we take care of ourselves and
MAY we take the time to Celebrate and Care for others.
Focusing on someone that may or may not have someone Celebrating them...A Graduate, A Teacher, A Mom, A Widow, A Veteran or a Military Family.
MAY we follow His humble heart and loving ways through it all.

This is my prayer.

“Teach me, Lord, the way of Your decrees, that I MAY follow it to the end.
Give me understanding, so that I MAY keep Your law and obey it with all my heart.
Direct me in the path of Your commands, for there I find delight.
Turn my heart toward Your statutes and not toward selfish gain.
Turn my eyes away from worthless things; preserve my life according to Your word.
Fulfill Your promise to Your servant, so that You MAY be feared.
Take away the disgrace I dread, for Your laws are good.
How I long for Your precepts! In Your righteousness preserve my life.”
~ Psalm 119:33-40, NIV

May It Be So!

Be Inspired,
Pinky Vern

Jewel Of Inspiration: Be Inspired And Know You Are Loved!

My friend, Jennifer Lee and her daughter have compiled a sweet list of what God
thinks about you and me.
It is 28 Days Of True Love and includes the Truth and Treasure of His Love for us.

I hope you will take some time to read and receive these Valentines from God.
They are Sweet and Powerful!

http://jenniferdukeslee.com/28-amazing-verses-about-gods-love-for-you-join-us-this-february/

Your truest Valentine doesn't stop at loving you. He takes it another step.
He RENEWS you!  

~ Jennifer Dukes Lee, Author

How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! Psalm 119:103

We are being renewed day by day.
2 Corinthians 4:16

Day 4 of LOVE Notes Blessings:
I LOVE You More Than Chocolate Chip Cookies!



Be Inspired,
Pinky Vern

Jewel Of Inspiration: Be Inspired To Share Warm Love

Warm - Kind - Genuine LOVE.

We never know who may need it and how it will impact someones life.

I could tell you story after story of how my life was impacted by someones warm, kind, and genuine LOVE.  And even though I could also tell you stories of how my life was affected by people who shared the opposite.
It was LOVE - that warm, kind, and genuine LOVE that began to mend and heal the wounds of life and the hurt from ugly damaging words and actions of others.
It is LOVE that I choose to magnify more than the negative harm of the other.
It is the LOVE of God through good community that heals the bad.
So Grateful!!

Oh this Warm Love is amazing and it can be delivered in a variety of simple and thoughtful ways.

A Smile
A Hug
A Prayer
A Cup Of Coffee
Intentional Time Together
A Listening Ear
A Text
A Phone Call
A Card
Scripture
Flowers
A Meal
A Babysitter
A Helping Hand
A Blanket
A Special Cup
A Book
A Picture
A handmade item
And even a pair of socks.  :)

I have several handmade items, blankets, cups, pictures, pairs of socks that were gifts during difficult and celebratory times of my life.  They bring warmth and strength in the remembrance of the gift and the giver that LOVED on me.

Who could you share Warm - Kind - Genuine LOVE with this week?
I'm sure they won't forget it and it just might be a part of bringing healing to an area of their life.

When someone stops doing nothing and just starts doing something, anything -- this is what starts to change everything.
~ Ann Voskamp​, Author

Be creative with your care for others...we are all fragile...love helps.
~ Patsy Clairmont, Women of Faith Speaker

So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.   Matthew 7:12

You can't go wrong when you love others. When you add up everything in the law code, the sum total is love.    Romans 13:10 Message Bible

DAY 3 of 14 Days of LOVE Notes:
I LOVE YOU MORE THAN WARM FUZZY SOCKS!!

Be Inspired!

Warm Love Sweet Friends,
Pinky Vern


** Feel Free To Share The Post and Photo and Be Sure To Kindly Link Back To Inspired Looks. Thank You!
For everyone who likes or shares my posts over the next 14 days will be entered to win one of the LOVELY drawings that will take place throughout this month. The more you like and share - the more chances you have to win some awesome stuff! XO **

Jewel Of Inspiration: Be Inspired To LOVE and Receive.

Hunger.     Thirst. 

I've experienced both.

I know what it is like to be desperate, hungry, scraping by with little...or to go without.
I remember times of deep hollow ache, and have experienced the pain of dehydration.

Physical Hunger & Thirst.      Spiritual Hunger & Thirst.

I've experienced both.

Because of LOVE I hunger and thirst no more.
Because of LOVE I hunger and thirst for more.
Because of the LOVE of others and the LOVE of God I now testify and speak about this LOVE that has fed and filled me.

His provisions.
His food and water.

Once you have tasted...you will long for more and long to be more.
It Will Change You and Comfort You.

"Are you there, God, around the corner? Did I just miss you in the orange and pink evening fade? Was that you weaving your chord of truth in that late night conversation?
I rush to somehow hear or hold or see you in the predawn coffee time. I feel you as my hands lie upon my daughters' heads and pray: "Thank you, Father, for all our good things. Help us to serve you with them."
I choke on you as I squeeze the words of worship to you in song - sobs that drive me straight to the ground: "O God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you."
My flesh, like the earth, yearns for you: your water, your sunshine, your completion, your freedom from thorns.
Are you there?
In the dark hours, in the light?
Your hand upholds me - reaching around the corner, pulling me in, and I am comforted." 
~ Timothy Willard, Author - Longing For More

My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God? My tears have been my food both day and night. 
Psalm 42:2 NIV

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Matthew 5:6 NIV

..."but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life." John 4:14 NIV

Where there is a craving and a thirst - it is not the partaking that satisfies and changes us - but the provision and the receiving of it.

LOVE Given.
LOVE Received.
Lives changed.

Join us during the giving of - 14 Days of LOVE Notes and let those you care about know how much you LOVE them! (See yesterdays post for more info)

DAY 2 of LOVE Note Blessings:
I LOVE You More Than Nestles Girl Scouts Thin Mints Creamer!!

Be Inspired To Love,
Pinky Vern

** Feel Free To Share The Post and Photo and Be Sure To Kindly Link Back To Inspired Looks. Thank You!
For everyone who likes or shares my posts over the next 14 days will be entered to win one of the LOVELY drawings that will take place throughout this month. The more you like and share - the more chances you have to win some awesome stuff! XO **

JEWEL OF INSPIRATION: Be Inspired To LOVE Deeper

I am so grateful for the LOVE that has been given to me throughout the past month.
Once again I am strengthened, moved and transformed by the LOVE of others.

More than ever I have an ache to LOVE.
To Grow In Genuine LOVE.
To Speak and Respond In LOVE.
To LOVE Others Well...Just As They Are.
To Receive LOVE.
To Not Miss The Opportunity to LOVE On Others. 
To Not Hesitate In Letting Friends & Family Know How Much They Are LOVED.

A couple of years ago I began a February tradition that was a fun opportunity to let my family know how much they were LOVED.
For 14 days I sent them text messages that say:
I LOVE YOU MORE THAN...(insert something special or funny).

The first time I did this they were surprised and responded with their shock and own version of LOVE that included something like this - "Your weird. ha,ha!" (To which I replied, "Thank You"!) "LOL" "Thanks I Love You Too" "I Love You More Than..."
I have made this a gift I give to my family every year. It starts February 1st and goes on leading up to Valentines Day and the cool thing is - it is free and so much fun!

I invite you today to begin this tradition with your own loved ones (friends or family) and follow along the next 14 days with the daily LOVE notes that I will post. Adjust it to fit you and feel free to do it for one day, one week or the whole 14 days and also feel free to copy what I post & the pic I make or create your own LOVE note. 
Here is a suggestion - if you or they do not have a cell phone, write it in a note and put it in lunchboxes, emails, send in cards or write on celebration plate or the mirror. smile emoticon
I cannot wait to hear about the reaction and response you get in return. 

Together lets grow in LOVE and LOVE others deeper than ever before!

The way to love life is to imagine losing it.
Envision life without the loveliness of those you love - and you see how much you love. ~ Ann Voskamp

Above all, LOVE each other deeply, because LOVE covers over a multitude of sins. 1 Peter 4:8

Here is day one's LOVE note that I dedicate to my friends near and far that LOVED on me this past month.
I LOVE YOU MORE THAN THE SUPER BOWL!!!

Be Inspired To Love,
Pinky Vern


** For everyone who likes or shares my posts over the next 14 days will be entered to win one of the LOVELY drawings that will take place throughout this month. The more you like and share - the more chances you have to win some awesome stuff! Thank you kindly for inspiring and sharing with others. XO **

Well the past two months have been a doozy. 
Christmas was a whirlwind mixed with blessings and difficulties - and January, don't take it personally but I was over you before you were over.   (See my facebook page for update - Inspired Looks Ministries)

So today I am thrilled to move on and say HELLO to February!!
I welcome this month and give thanks to my Lord that it is here and I am so looking forward to all the LOVE that will overflow!!
Since January was a bit of a blur I want to say - Happy New Year and Happy February Everyone!

I have not felt like writing...actually was numb and blank for most of January and needed to just pause and rest.
I was carried by prayers and love from friends near and far.
So Grateful!

As we greet this new month - I am looking forward to studying, writing, serving and speaking again and sharing what has inspired me to press through this difficult season.
I also have some LOVELY and fun things planned!
Throughout the month I will post inspiration, tips, tools, gifts and giveaways surrounding the theme of LOVE.  Follow along on the blog and on my facebook page too!

Starting today I will  share a February tradition that I began a couple of years ago with my family.   It is an easy and fun way to remind them that they are loved.  I invite you to join me over the next 14 days to begin a new February LOVE tradition with your family and/or friends. 
Details to follow in my next post! smile emoticon

Be Inspired To Love!
Pinky Vern