Sunday, May 18, 2014

Who Are You?

Wow! I cannot believe it is May already!! I am so excited for summer here in the Pacific Northwest.  As I am getting older it is so fun to just enjoy these seasons and embrace them fully.  Seems like days just fly by and then you are in another season.  Life has it's way of passing by, isn't this so true?  Ive been pondering these questions lately.

So how do we live with purpose and why?  Those are some big questions to ask yourself.  Who are you?  Each person has a unique quality to them, something deep inside that makes them tick.  With out this tick thing will feel lifeless.  In a big way we are all called to live out the creative print that has been infused in our hearts.  Its not to be bigger, known or better.  But I truly believe it is so you can be free and give freedom to others.  May we live in this life time to make a difference, not to be like everyone else but to be ourselves.  So how do we live with purpose and why?  That is for you to answer, I believe we are full of so much life so we should give it out.  Most who know me know I love Jesus, I give him all the credit and glory.  He has given me life and a freedom to live, but there is so much more.  Whatever you love to do in your heart, find a way to do that.  Much more find a way to give it away.  I don't care to be like anyone else anymore, but to be who God has called me to be in its fullest.  You will find that by pursuing him and giving him all of you.  Comparison kills, jealousy eats away at ones flesh, the devil drives but the Spirit Leads and breaths life in all you do in righteousness.  Truth is you are good enough, yes let me speak to your spirit you are good enough.  Pursue God and he will complete a beautiful work in you, he makes all things beautiful.  So the question is who are you? What do you love and enjoy to do?  When you answer those questions then you should do them with all your heart master your gift.  Then as your pursue and seek God those doors will open for you in your destiny.
Lastly the World Needs your Gift, remember you are loved and needed, there is no one like you!



Thursday, March 20, 2014

Indie Frock

It was delighted to do a photo shoot at Indie Frock in Wallingford Wa.   The little shop is full of vintage goodies and the best boots you have ever seen!  And her shop is so adorable located at 1815 N 45th St. Seattle Wa, in a historic building called the Wallingford center.  Its hard for me not to walk away without something as well as my friend happens to own it!! You can follow her on Instagram @indiefrock as well as you can order through her posts and she will ship! Heres a sneak peak of the shoot!















Wednesday, March 5, 2014

When the Attacks Comes, FIGHT!

Ever feel like everything just comes at once and then its like nothing could get any better and then bam the biggest blow ever?  This my friend is when the enemy comes.  Been sick all week to the worst extreme and not only you but your child's 20 pound frame is shaking to the core as everything is coming out both ends.  Yes I said it and this is the reality, in this moment as you have been doing the same you are weak and unable to be the mom and wife you want to be. Nobody wants to do anything when there sick, and well this is the perfect time for the enemy to come in and tempt.  When struggle has come and even sin may abound, In your household he is ready to attack when your all weak.  My husband he is far from perfect same with myself.  Seems like everyone is irritated and things just seem to not be looking up.  Just a week ago everything was going so great!  But better believe when you are gaining ground in the Kingdom of God the Devil is always creeping ready to show his face.  God is our very present help in times of trouble this is what I have learned and is also his promise to us.  Psalms 46:1 "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble."

A few great things about the struggle, maybe your husband didn't do what you wanted him to do, or he keeps disappointing you in his struggles.  Or he has continued to slip in certain areas that are disappointing and when this happens its like a ripple effect.  Everything just falls apart, nothing works, this is the tactic of the enemy to divide.  Or maybe its you, you keep slipping up in an area, and keep disappointing.  Or maybe your not married and its in your relationships with others.  Specially these moments that arise that are heartbreaking usually will cause sin in both parties, wether you are vocal or not.  Sin starts in the heart and it could just be a thought that begins to be festered on.
  So in the end it doesn't matter that they sinned against you because in many cases in our anger we sinned or in our thoughts.   This is when the enemy comes to speak in your ear and build a case against your brother, sister or husband, wife, mother, or father.

Revelations 12:10-10 And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.

When someone goes to court they are going to cast blame on another, and that is exactly what the devil does he starts to attack your mind with they do this and that.  And he gets you to build a case, and then if you can go to someone else and convince them to hear your case then you have them on your side.
The problem I have with this is its not Gods love and it doesn't solve the issue and then your heart is offended and hurt.  As well as all the other people you are getting to combat your side are now also offended.  And the bible says instead we should pray always and for one another.  Ephesians 6:18 says Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints."


So what I get from this is that if we are praying for one another by the spirit God is able to reveal what he says about them and who they are along with there struggles that we should be praying for.  This is our duty as a believer, a wife, mom, father, brother, sister and friend.  



The good news about Getting stirred up in any argument or disagreement is that in these moments a lot gets revealed about us and the other people or person involved.  Basically what the enemy is setting up for evil, God will make for his glory if you chose to go his route and lay down your pain and pray.  You can usually see something in your heart and in the other persons heart and can choose healing.  You can chose to fight for your friendships, relationships and marriage and you can do what is right, look at your self where you can change and pray for your friend, husband or family member. You can chose to fight for righteousness and for the Kingdom of God.  Because lets face it the attacks will come and if you are serving God or trying to breakthrough there will always be a big target on you.  See the Devil knows you are a threat and it is his job to take you out, to make you feel less than and to accuse the other party.  To divide, destroy and steal from you in your relationships and marriage.  Period. John 10:10 10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.



Good News God Came to give us life and that we may have it more abundantly!  So When the Attacks comes what do we do.  We Pray we get before the Lord Again and Again always.  Here are a few scriptures of what the word says, and specifically in the area of being prepared and understand we don't fight against each other in flesh and blood but its spiritual always.

Ephesians 10-18 10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; 

We are fighting a good fight and we need to be equipped this comes from spending time with God and getting into his word and literally using that to fight!  1 Timothy 6:12 12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.


So the enemy will come he actually sits and waits to plan his attack, and he does it in the times when you are weakest and not standing ground.  So no matter how you are feeling or if you blew it big time, repent and turn unto the Lord and get before him and fight!  Now is the hour to rise up and take back the kingdom of God and stand in the place of love.  This ultimately means you will lay down your own flesh and your own agenda and hurt and serve.  It is also a great opportunity to get before the Lord and let him heal your heart.

It looks like just laying before God and releasing everything that is hurting, he wants to hear your heart, and well fighting is praying and speaking his word and declaring what he has already said about us and others in his great Love. Also as we release everything to him, his word says he will fight for us, that he is our defense.


I pray that the fullness of God will find you right where you are at, that you will receive his greatest gift his son Jesus Christ, Who is able to wash away every stain and make all things new.  That you would be blessed beyond measure and know that you are loved wanted and just like any of us, need his grace, mercy and love.  That we are broken and need him that not one of us is worthy but God made a way through his son.  I pray that he would keep you and watch over you and shine his light and love upon you as he has for me and continues to even as we all fall short of his Glory.  I bless you friend! Be filled and rejoice for your greatest prize is him!





Tuesday, February 11, 2014

How to increase your JOY

Do you ever feel like your Joy is just gone?  Its like all of the sudden you realize I'm just not happy.  Well friends truth is this is the state the enemy wants us to be in.  He doesn't care about our money or what we have, he realizes that "the Joy of the Lord is your Strength" Nehemiah 8:10.  If we are not strengthened then you will become weak.  Most times we don't realize that just right in front of us are the beautiful flowers, that God has given us to enjoy.  Just like many other things in life that we can enjoy they are just right there.



So what is Joy exactly?  Here is the definition of Joy 
joy- a feeling of great pleasure and happiness.

  1. synonyms:delight, great pleasure, joyfulness, jubilationtriumphexultation,rejoicinghappiness, gladness, gleeexhilarationexuberanceelation,euphoriablissecstasyrapture

    Most of these synonyms are found in the word.  Delight in the lord and he will give you the desires of your heart, trump in the lord, exult the lord, rejoice and be glad to say a few.  Its been a long season of being busy, getting married, having a child and learning just how to be a wife and mom.  Lets face it if we don't make it a point to spend time with the Lord we will become tired, restless and joyless.  Spending time with God is the best way to be filled up in his Joy and to be strengthened for what ever the day may bring which is a whole lot right? The one who knows all things knows what we have need of. I love this verse, its always been a favorite. 





     Matthew 6:33-34

    33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
    34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.


    So we must seek him and his kingdom first and all of his righteousness so he can add to us what we need to survive.  This is a beautiful thing, because pretty much trying to take care of myself doesn't always work.

    He is the one who will strengthen us, you may be saying well how do I do that when all of the sudden my joy is gone.  Well I would encourage for you to get into his presence.  You may need to sing a song to him, or sit in a quiet place and just talk let out what your feeling, or maybe you may just need to shout to the Lord. This works sometimes I will just shout really loud Hallelujah! The highest praise and its like whatever is going on just breaks.  See as a Worship Leader and someone who just loves worship I have found this is the place where I really feel Gods presence and its also where I hear him.  Its amazing that he has provided us with everything we need, we just need to go to him. 


    Psalm 16:11

    King James Version (KJV)

    11 Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.


    So thankful that we are not alone and that we can go to God and he will make a way for each one of us.  That is the beauty of it.  Realizing we get to get up everyday and choose life or not is a choice. So recently I have just choose Joy.  I will stop and thank God and realize not everything is going to go my way, but I can chose to think on all the great things God has already done and get in his presence so I can be full of Joy.  Here is another scripture that is great, because so a man thinkth in his heart so he is- proverbs 23:7, our thoughts also play a big part.  Well if you think you are than you are.  This is why we need Gods word and we need him.  His word is full of who he says we are.  Here is my last scripture I will share today.


    Philippians 4:8

    King James Version (KJV)

    Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.


    This I believe is the key to Increasing your joy! Thinking on whatever is is lovely, pure and of good report.  As well as more time with God and positioning your heart in a place of worship, God wants to speak to you friend.  Whenever your heart is heavy and it seems joy is gone write a list of all the amazing things you are thankful for, and get before God and ask him to fill you with Joy! One thing I have been doing lately is just going for walks and taking pictures of beautiful moments in my life, or doing the same in my home, enjoying what has already been given.  Be blessed, and if you need prayer you have a friend here always willing.






Thursday, February 6, 2014

DIY Chalkboard Mirror

I have been wanting a cute chalkboard for a while to put in my Laundry room so I decided that I would make my own!  I found a cute mirror at value village for $12.99, and bought some chalk board paint at Walmart on sale for $5 dollars I believe it was on clearance.  I actually did not notice that it was clear, so I brought it to home depot and they added the black color for free and mixed it.  I also bought a small can of white paint it may have been $7 dollars.  One thing I did not do in this process which I highly recommend it isn't a must but you probably will have an easier time is to sand the mirror and prime it first.  I didn't because I figured out after I painted through trial and error that I should have.  I had a few areas where I had to go over it again because it was not sticking fully to the mirror.  At any rate it turned out well and was a fun project! Here are the pics of my before and afters!  Enjoy!






Friday, January 24, 2014

Day 24

I am down a total of 8lbs! This is a great day. I was not able to do my inches yet and my after picture, but I hope to do that tomorrow or Sunday.  I'm excited to keep going, because again this is a lifestyle change not a diet.  Thank you for all that have followed, if you are interested in any products or a 24day challenge I would love to help you. Now I am off to bed! Busy day tomorrow. Blessings Erica Hart

Thursday, January 23, 2014

Days 22 and 23

Really we are almost done!! Yay!! I'm excited to see my results. It's been crazy busy working the last two days, I have had smoothies, vo2 bars, chicken brown rice. You know pretty much keeping it clean still.  I am also excited to enroll in a bootcamp I did this last summer/fall. There is a groupon for it, it's called Seattle bootcamp click on it and you can check it out!! I just made it up there is no name for this! Tonight I made a really great dinner! Here is a picture and the recipe.  Best part, my hubby loved it!!!  

Mixed it together Meal

Organic Brown Rice Pasta Fusilli-Trader Joes
Fresh pressed garlic
Olive Oil
Organic Pepperman- Spice found at Fred Meyer in organic section and is so YUMMY!
Ground Turkey
4 Simple truth uncured chicken hot dogs
Grill the turkey, chicken dog, and zucchini separately in olive oil with garlic and pepper man, boil the rice pasta.  Toss everything together with olive oil and season to liking.  Simple and easy and taste so good!