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Meaning of Your Name

August 7, 2012 Nina Daugherty Leave a Comment

I remember asking someone when I was about 8 years old what my name meant. Their answer was, “Nina? Nothing!” This memory has stayed with me for a long time mostly because I was looking for affirmation. I was looking for someone to give my life meaning and to know I was loved. This is why I encourage you to take some time and look up the meaning of your name. I think this is a great beauty in who you are as an individual. Names in the bible were really significant and telling about that individual’s character. For instance, the name Jesus literally means “Messiah and Savior” (http://www.bible-codes.org/Names-Bible-Prophecy-Code.htm).

Here are some tips:

1) Search different sites. Here are a couple: http://www.thinkbabynames.com/ http://babynamesworld.parentsconnect.com/quick-search.html?navid=BNW_rightRail

2) Find POSITIVE definitions.

3) If your name is spelled differently than what is most common, then take the closest one.

4) If you have a unique name, then try breaking it down. For example, the name “Jaelynne” can be broken down into Jae and Lynne or Lynn.

Once you have your definition, write it down and put it where you can see it. It may serve as a reminder in those times when you need it most.

Also, put your definition in a comment below. I would love to hear what your name means. Happy hunting!

Nina = grace, pretty eyes, and little girl (I personally like these definitions better)

Mornings Are Second Chances

August 5, 2012 Nina Daugherty 2 Comments

So you messed up right? There you are laying next to someone you just had sex with. Thoughts are flowing, maybe tears too. You are not sure what to do. Who are you going to tell? Who will be disappointed? You are not sure he will call you or if he will tell his friends. Maybe he loves you, maybe he doesn’t. Maybe you care, maybe you don’t.

Here’s the thing. Mornings are a second chance. They are a time when the sun peaks up over the earth letting you know a new day is here. Regardless of how bad last night was, that day is gone and will never be again. So take advantage of each breath, each second, each morning. Because even when the sun sets on one life, a new one begins.

Just because it happened once, doesn’t mean it has to happen again. Come before Your God. He has never left you and will love you always. What are you waiting for?

“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail.
They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.”

Lamentations 3:22-23

10 Quick Questions to Separate Mr. Right vs. Mr. Right Now

July 4, 2012 Nina Daugherty Leave a Comment

So you think you found Mr. Right? Well, here are a few quick questions to ask yourself when exploring your options. Almost all these questions have come through personal dating experience, so I think I have a pretty good perspective on these things. Really take time to think about them. Looks can only go so far.

1) How does he treat the women in his life (including his sister!!)?

You may have heard this before but it is so true. This is a great glimpse into the future of how he is going to treat you. So take notes! If you like what you see, that’s great. If you don’t, I would seriously think about moving on because if you are not careful one day that may be your child he’s treating like that.

2) Does he keep his hands to himself? Have you seen him chase girls down in the hallway? Have you witnessed him smack yours or another girl’s butt/other body part? (Sorry…got carried away with the questions).

This is a sure sign that he doesn’t respect women or their boundaries. If he does it to you, I’m pretty sure he does it to other girls while you are not around.

3) Does he pay attention to you when you are talking? Does he look around? Can he remember anything you said?

When a guy is into you, he will pay attention to what you have to say and even better contribute to the conversation. If he’s too busy looking behind you at Little Miss Short Skirt, then that’s a definite red flag.

4) What type of language does he use around you?

Call me old-fashion but a man should never curse or say inappropriate things around a lady. Watching what he says shows that someone raised him right and there is a gentleman inside.

5) Does he have a plan for his future?

Being cute doesn’t pay the bills (unless you are a model); so if you want a future with him make sure he will be able to provide for you and your future family’s needs. If he keeps asking you for money or expecting you to pay for things now while you are dating, you can be sure that this will carry on into marriage. Besides someone who has motivation and goals is definitely attractive. Chilling on the block is cute at 16 but it gets weird at 35.

6) Does he leave you guessing? Does he like to play games (I’m not talking about XBox)?

I hear a lot of girls and women saying, “He doesn’t know what he wants.” I assure you, he does. When a boy likes you, he will say it. If he wants to be your boyfriend or fiancé, nothing is going to stop him from making that happen. So if he is playing games with you, he doesn’t respect you or your feelings and he may never will. Keep it moving!

7) Does he have a lot of girls surrounding him?

Usually this is a sign that he is stringing a few girls around just to stroke his ego. Proceed with caution or not at all!

8) Is he involved in drugs and alcohol?

As much as some people thinks it’s cute (Oh, he’s so gansta!), it won’t be cute when you got cuffs on because you were chilling in his car or home and the police come running through. Save yourself not only heartache but your future as well.

9) How is his spiritual walk?

Now I didn’t ask, “Does he go to church?” A lot of people go to church but their spiritual walk with God is nonexistent. You want someone on your level or higher. If there is an emergency or crisis, believe me you are going to want someone who knows how to pray.

10) Do you see a future with him?

If you don’t, you are just wasting your time and energy on someone who won’t be significant in a couple of months or years. Invest your time in someone who will walk through the different stages of life with you, hand in hand. It’s like the difference between an acquaintance and your best friend. Besides you don’t want to waste really great gift ideas and dates on someone who won’t matter in a few months. Right?

“Remember what you think is best, God may see as you settling for less.”

-Nina D.

Enter Name Here

June 23, 2012 Nina Daugherty Leave a Comment

Enter Name Here

Trash, ugly, attitude, slut, mean, nasty, (enter name here), these were all names I have been called growing up. Whether it was walking down the hallway, after breaking up with a boyfriend, or walking into the cafeteria, there was no hiding from how people felt about me. I got so used to being called these things that I would start to take on that character. I wore it almost as a badge of honor. However, when I gave my life to Christ I had to change and part of changing was finding out who I really was.

Here are 3 ways that helped me along with this process:

1) Read the bible. Wait! Before you click off, I know the bible may seem overwhelming or even confusing but there are study guides, study application bibles, and other online sources that can help you understand God’s 66 book love letter to you. Once you start reading, I’m telling you some of the stuff in there that is better than “reality” TV.

2) Be with like-minded people. It’s important to surround yourself with people who are going to encourage you, pray for you, and challenge you. It’s difficult to grow in God when you are surrounded with people who will make fun of you or not allow you to speak openly about Jesus. There is an old Spanish saying that goes, “Dime con quien andas y te dire quien eres.” Its basically saying, “Tell me who hang out with and I’ll tell you who you are.” Take a look around you.

3) Research. Whenever I’m going through something in my life that God needs to change or seems to be the theme, I research it. I usually do this by reading a book covering that topic. For instance, when I was in the waiting period for Mr. Right I read books written by Joshua Harris called, “I Kissed Dating Goodbye” and “Boy Meets Girl”. Find books that are biblically sound or in other words bible-based inspirational books.

Scripture:

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.” (Jeremiah 1:5, NIV)

Meaning:

Before anybody had anything to say about you. God knew exactly who you were meant to be.

Scripture:

“I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” (Psalms 139:14, NIV)

Meaning:

Who are we to say what is ugly? This includes calling ourselves ugly. God made you exactly how you were supposed to look. Knowing this will give you strength because no one is above our God.

Scripture:

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” (2 Corinthians 5:17, NIV)

Meaning:

This is good news. It means you can have a fresh start. Change is good and it will allow you to take on that Godly character we are all striving to represent.