Did you know that counting your blessings starts with your thoughts? I started a routine of telling God my favorite thing about the day each night before bed. This simple time of reflection has been life-changing. It helps me remember all the things I have to be thankful for, and that ushers in a time … The post Count Your Blessings: 5 Ways We are Blessed first appeared on Above Rubies or Pearls ..read more

I love the scene in Diary of a Mad Black Woman when the abusive ex-husband answers the altar call, hobbling forward to give his life to God.  It was so touching to witness his transformation.  Seeing this example of how God can and does transform lives erased the ill will I felt toward this character.  … The post Reasons to Love Our Enemies first appeared on Above Rubies or Pearls ..read more

I so admire people who have always known exactly what they want to do with their lives.  I entered college having no clue what I should study.  I declared psychology as my major but it didn’t take long for me to realize that I did not like the field.  But my developmental psychology class at … The post Seek God & Find Your Purpose first appeared on Above Rubies or Pearls ..read more

Introduction: In a world often preoccupied with external appearances and worldly standards of beauty, it’s essential to rediscover the true essence of beauty as presented in the Bible. The development of biblical beauty transcends mere physical attributes, delving into the inner qualities that make a person truly beautiful. In this blog post, we will explore … The post Unveiling Inner Beauty: A Biblical Perspective first appeared on Above Rubies or Pearls ..read more

I finally made my first foray into Northern California last month, and it was for a very good reason.  I was invited to attend the She Leads California prayer event, “Jesus Reigns,” in Sacramento with other women from across California.  It was held on September 9, 2023, California’s anniversary for becoming a State. We were … The post She Leads California with Prayer in Sacramento first appeared on Above Rubies or Pearls ..read more

As a makeup artist for film and television, I have had the opportunity to work on all kinds of faces. I have discovered that there are quality practices that we can do to keep our faces and bodies radiating. And this is before we even apply any makeup.  I believe beauty is holistic – physical … The post Enhancing Your God-given Beauty with Simple Natural Makeup first appeared on Above Rubies or Pearls ..read more

This month, I have rounded up advice from 9 different Christian bloggers, myself included, on how to conquer comparison.  It is described as a game and as a trap because it has no winners.  It is also described as a thief because it steals the joy of those the enemy tricks into indulging in it.  … The post Overcome Comparison with Advice from These 9 Christian Bloggers first appeared on Above Rubies or Pearls ..read more

Some people love fall so much that they can’t wait for summer to be over.  They start posting about pumpkin spice lattes and fall recipes on social media as early as the first day of September.  I personally enjoy every season, and of any of them that I do not want ended prematurely, it’s summer.  … The post Best Brands for Fall Modest Fashion first appeared on Above Rubies or Pearls ..read more

These past several years have taught me that a good friend is rare.  I have searched and searched and waited patiently.  Then I became a blogger and entered the world of social media.  Surprisingly it has ushered in new Christian friendship.  How can you tell if a friendship is Christian? What God Says About Friendship … The post How to Identify a Christian Friendship first appeared on Above Rubies or Pearls ..read more

This post is a long time in the making, since learning that my cousin (pictured above) would be competing in the Mrs. California America pageant in the summer of 2021.  I knew she was competing again this summer, so I decided to wait until then to write about my experience attending.  I wanted to know … The post The Surprising Role of Christians in Pageants first appeared on Above Rubies or Pearls ..read more