Purity // Hide Your Love Away

{w r i t t e n   b y   m i s s   b e t h a n y}

 

I don't know your name yet

I've never even seen your face

I'm looking with my eyes wide open

'Til I find you in the right time and place

 

Hide your love away and wait for me, wait for me

I will do the same; so wait for me, wait for me

There will come a day when I will finally say

Staring in your eyes, I've waited my whole life

For this night

 

Every day you're prayed for

And I'm dreaming of you every night

Wherever you are right now

You're already the love of my life

So hide your love away and wait for me, wait for me

I will do the same; so wait for me, wait for me

There will come a day when I will finally say

Staring in your eyes,

 I've waited my whole life

For this night

 

I'm holding on for you; my heart belongs to you

You're everything that I adore,

whoa oh I'm holding on for you; my heart belongs to you

Darling your love is spoken for

 

So hide you love away and wait for me, wait for me

I will do the same; wait for me, wait for me

With every breath you take, wait for me, wait for me

I will do the same; so wait for me, oh, wait for me

There will come a day when finally I'll say

Staring in your eyes,

I've waited my whole life

Staring in your eyes,

I've waited my whole life

For this night

 

~ Hide Your Love Away

2013 Single By Anthem Lights

 

On February 14th, 2013, also known as Valentine's Day, one of my favorite Christian music bands/artists, Anthem Lights released a single called Hide Your Love Away. This song is so special to me since it speaks (or shall I say, sings? ;) on the topic of purity, which is a very dear topic that is close to my heart. I cannot tell you how much this nearly-four-minute song has blessed me in countless ways, ever  since listening to it over and over and over non-stop on my MP3 player. :) It is so enriching to know that there are young men out there who truly value purity, as so often we don't hear many men speaking out on this subject.

Compromise

 {Written By Miss Bethany}

Isn't it funny how easy it is to compromise, yet how hard it is to  stop once you get started? Often it starts with something small, a commitment or standard that gets neglected. "Oh, but it's just this once" you think, then proceed to do what you know you probably shouldn't, but you think it's so small it won't ever hurt you. But then "Just this once" turns into the norm, and before you realize it, you've compromised bit by bit to where finally it's snowballed into something larger than you first anticipated, and it harder than ever to stop.

True Love Never Fails

{Written By Miss Bethany}

:: 1 Corinthians 13:1-8 ::

"If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing. Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails."

What is love? Is it a mere four letters arranged to make a word to express feelings or is it more than that? Is it found in the shape of a heart, all red and glowing, or does it come by another shape of another kind? Is it a feeling you receive when you find that special someone or is it the feeling you release once you've found that person? What is the ultimate love? Were does it come from? While many believe that love is a fluffy feeling or starkly symbol, I find true love to go farther than that.

Love is so much more than just a 4-letter word or a feeling we get. We see in 1 Corinthians 13 what True Love is, how it acts, how you can tell it apart from the others. Some may argue that love is a feeling or a shape, but when you ask me what I believe love to be I will tell you simply what love is: JESUS! So, put simply, love=Jesus.

Women & Children First {A Guest Post By Elizabeth}

{Here is the last of our lovely guest posts! A special thank to Miss Elizabeth of Joyful Jewels 4 Jesus Blog for allowing us to re-post this wonderful essay on the Titanic which she entered in the Vision Forum 2012 Essay Contest. Feel free to view the original post by click HERE! We pray that you have been blessed by these guest posts here on Reflections of Grace and that they have been of inspiration to you. Please let us know if you'd be interested in seeing more guest posts in the future!}

 

Her eyes surveyed the icy waters as her hand tightly grasped the rail. Wasn’t it just last night when she was waltzing with her brother, James, on the deck of the remarkable Titanic? All seemed perfect then. And now! It was as if Katherine had awakened to discover a nightmare unfolding before her eyes. Her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of her brother’s strong voice calling her name.

         “I’m here, James!” Katherine called back loudly amidst the frantic passengers.

         “Coming, Katie!” James replied, using his special name for his sister.

         James appeared on the deck, life jackets in hand. Katherine winced at the sight of them, hoping the situation wasn’t quite that serious. As if reading her thoughts, James nodded strongly and helped her into a jacket.

Chivalry Is Not Dead {A Guest Post By Raquel}

{Hello Ladies! Today we have another encouraging guest post for you all! A special thanks to Miss Raquel who allowed us to re-post this article that she has previously written on her blog, here today. This article was originally published on Raquel's blog God's Daughter which you can visit by clicking HERE!}

 

The other day, a gentleman friend of mine paid me one of the greatest compliments I have ever received.

He said: ‘You deserve recognition [as a lady].  You make me want to be a better gentleman.’

 

Now right there, were two sides to the story…and both of them were amazing.

To me – I felt like I had accomplished something, in being able to encourage my guy friend to hfeel the need to be a better gentleman.

 

For him – he felt that his act of chivalry wouldn’t go unnoticed by me because I actually care that men act like gentlemen.

 

My friend also went on to say how he had read one of my statuses on Facebook, which I had originally gotten from Pinterest:

 

Mistakes Are Like Balloons...Just Let Them Go

{Written By Bethany}

 

One time in our Bible study our teacher handed around a bunch of paper slips. She told us to write down things that we weren't content with, things that brought us down and burdened us. She was specifically talking about imperfections we struggle with in our appearance, things we wish could be changed, such as our hair type, weight, body, etc. However I realize this also applies to struggles we may have, difficulties or mistakes we make. Really anything that weighs us down and shields our eyes from delighting in the Lord's presence. Anything that blinds us from the joy that we should have in the Lord when we are lifting everything to Him. They joy of a burden-free lifestyle She told us to write these things down. I thought a bit before carefully writing mine down on that white piece of paper. Then when everyone was finished we folded the papers and taped them to the ribbon on a helium balloon. Then we said a prayer, giving our struggles and worries to the Lord, thanking Him for how He made us, and we then released that balloon to heaven. As the balloon slowly drifted out of sight I felt relief wash over my like a tidal wave. I felt like I could breath again. My burdens were gone, I no longer had to carry them.

Boring Testimonies? {Guest Post By Sarah}

{To celebrate Reflection's of Grace's one year anniversary we have a few guest post's set up which you will find throughout this month. We pray that these posts would be a blessing to you! A special thanks to Sarah who allowed us to re-post this article here today. This article was originally published on Sarah's blog Reaching For His Highest which you can visit by clicking HERE!}

One of the things I love about Tim Hawkins is his ability to make his audience roar with laughter, yet still convey a good message. True, I don’t care for the feminine interpretations or crass remarks, but Tim frequently manages to leave me not just with aching sides, but with a serious truth to mull over. One such truth is found in his monologue about testimonies. Tim takes the microphone in his hands, lowers and shakes his head, and sighs,

 “I don’t know, sometimes I like, wish I had a better testimony. Do you ever do that? Wish you had a better testimony? You’re sitting in church and you listen to a guy on stage and you’re like, ‘Man, he’s got an awesome testimony. I have a horrible one… I wish I had been addicted to crack!”

 Funny. Ridiculous. But true. So often I feel many Christians have this comical, yet ludicrous attitude. I find it especially true in the homeschooling community. Most of us have been raised in a Christian home our entire lives. Since we were brought up in this protected environment and soaked in the Bible from an early age, very few of us can remember a specific date or time when we gave our hearts to Christ. Or if we do remember, our testimony is something along the lines of, “I was in Sunday school and the teacher was speaking on the cross for the hundredth time, but this time I was so overwhelmed with the realization of how much Christ truly loved me. So I prayed with the teacher.” Absolutely nothing wrong with that, but when it is compared to a testimony of deliverance from addictions, sexual relationships, or even death, we feel our “Jesus-loves-me” narrative is simple and, well… boring.

 This past week I read “Redeemed and Restored”, a collection of testimonies from the wives of well-known Calvary Chapel pastors. Each story was incredible. To hear how God had restored the lives of so many women was such a joy and inspiration. But when I reached the end of the book and found empty pages designed for me to write my own testimony in, I (like Tim Hawkins), lowered and shook my head, and sighed.

“I was never into drugs, I didn’t abort a baby or give it up for adoption, and I haven’t committed adultery or gotten a divorce. I’m not even married yet! So why put my simple story in?”

 But then it hit me right between the eyes. How silly I am! To think that God’s work of salvation in my life is any less incredible that anyone else’s! My story is just as amazing. Not because God delivered me out of those sins, but because He kept me from falling into them to begin with!

Think about it. He has protected and cared for me my entire life. I was born into a Christian home, to Christian parents. My dad is even a pastor! For as long as I can remember, my parents have poured the word of God into me. They homeschooled me, saving me from the heavy peer-pressure and exposure to sin I was not prepared to face.

Not only did God protect me as a child, but he has continued to do so throughout my teen years. Think about it again. I am eighteen years old. I have never used drugs, never smoked, never had one sip of alcohol, and have never had sex. I’ve never even been kissed or had a boyfriend! And not because no one would have me, but because of God’s grace.

 Sadly, to be eighteen and never done those things is an extreme rarity in our culture. But I am not pointing this out to show you what a great young woman I am, rather, to prove to you that the fact that I am still a virgin, the fact that I have never tasted alcohol, smoked, or done drugs is the most incredible testimony to God’s goodness and mercy!

 If you’re a Christian and a homeschooler, you probably have never done these things either. But don’t allow that to make you feel as though your testimony is any less than others. Each and every Christian has a story, and each and every one is incredible for different reasons. So regardless of our tale, let us all be overwhelmed with gratefulness that the God of the universe sent His Son to die on a cross so that we might be saved!

{Photos via Pintrest}

Sharing our Struggles

{Written By Miss Johanna}

There have been so many times throughout my Christian walk where I have felt utterly discouraged when I hold myself in comparison to others. Especially when I'm in the midst of a spiritual struggle. When I see how on fire others are for Christ, and than look at my own life and the strugglesd that I go through daily, I feel completely unworthy to be accepted by those who seem so pure and holy. Regrettably, this has evinced in me the tendency to keep my troubles to myself. Countless times I have felt unable, or perhaps unwilling, to share my secrets with anyone. Why? It's simple. Because there is always that little voice in my head which dauntingly whispers, "you can't tell her that you are struggling with this! She is such a better Christian than you! She would be appalled!" It wasn't until very recently that the Lord opened up my heart to a few important truths. Truths that changed my life.

Firstly, and perhaps most importantly, I seemed to forget that we are all sinners. Romans 3:23 says: "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." Often times, when I look at the sins which have marred my life, I seem to believe that I fall shortest when compared to others. But in truth, are we not all equal when standing before God? Haven't we all sinned, and therefore, deserve eternal condemnation? Whether you lied or stole, whether you committed adultery or murder; do we not all fall equally short? In the same way, no matter what you have done the Lord's forgiveness is always enough to wash us clean.

Secondly; we all fail. Every time I am going through a spiritual struggle or conflict, I seem to believe that I must be the only one. When I looked at the lives of others, and saw how wonderful their relationship was with Christ, I was simply heartbroken at the thought of mine being so much less beautiful. It seemed that everyone's life was perfect; except for mine. It seemed that no one else had struggles; except for me. And of course, this made me want to keep it all in; all to myself. I didn't want anyone to know that I wasn't as perfect as they were. I was blinded to the fact that no one is perfect. I couldn't see that we all make mistakes. I was too focused on my own worries and struggles.

Until recently. I realized the truth. I stepped over my pride. I told of what had been on my mind. What I had been struggling with. What I needed help with. Where I had fallen short. When I had messed up. And how they could help.  And I asked them to pray for me. You see, when we share our troubles with others, we accomplish so many things. 

Firstly, we realize that we are not the only ones going through this. When we allow ourselves to share our hearts with others, we will always find that they too are going through something. When we tell others of our struggles, often times we gain encouragement from their experience. 

Secondly, it is no longer a secret. So many times, when we allow our struggles to remain secret, they can grow into something much bigger and more terrible. If we allow them too, they will poison our conscience and infiltrate our heart with fear. I believe one of the devil's greatest weapons is fear. He will tell us we are not good enough; he will tell us that we are an utter failure; and he will fervently try to discourage us to share our failures with other, because, as long as we do he will have the high ground. There is nothing like fear to block our minds from God's love and truth. Don't let it blockade yours. 

Finally, when we let others know about our struggles, they will be able to pray for us. James 5:16 says: "Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much." You see, when we confess our shortcomings to others, they are able to wield the greatest weapon of all of all, just when we are unable to. They are able to intervene for us. They are able to strengthen us through Jesus Christ. They are able to defeat the devil through prayer. 

Sisters, if you are going through something in your life today I hope you have someone you can share it with. Don't let that little voice stop you when it says, "you can't tell her this! She is such a better Christian than you," because it isn't true. It takes courage. I know. But don't ever forget ...

We all fall short.

We all struggle. 

We all need help. 

We all need Jesus.

Judge Ye Not!

{Written By Bethany}

We were in the grocery store, grabing a few items before going home for the day. I spotted a young man an instantly a bad impression flew through my mind. I saw a slowchy teen-aged boy with baggy jeans that had chains drapping from side to side. I saw tatoos and a hair cut that was a bit weird, and on top of that there was an imodestly dressed girlfriend hanging off his arm as he scuffed through the store. I thought to myself "What a low life, he's obviously not a Christian becasue of how he looks....etc" As I continued to think bad thoughts towards the man I noticed that as he turned around there was a small book in his back pocket of his several-sizes-to-big-jeans. From the small bit that was peeking out I was able to read "Holy Bible". I was in awe of how the Lord used that young man to show me just how judgmental I was. Before I'd even seen him for 5 minutes I'd judged him wrongly. I still, to this day, don't know whether he was a true Christian or not. But either way the Lord used that store visit as a opportunity to show me how judgmental I can be without even realizing it or meaning to. How judgmental my sinful mind is.

~*~*~*~*~

We were out in town and were in a parking lot getting out of the van. I noticed a young girl walking to her car with some other girls who may have been family members and my eyes quickly turned to her large stomach, clearly showing she was pregnant. I started to think negative things towards her, wondering how she could ever do such a thing. But then the Lord hit me with a thought. She is pregnant, and yes she's not married but she is still pregnant dispite the "option" to abort the baby. She could have easily gone and had it "taken care of" and never have to go through so many stares, mean words, harsh eyes, rude looks, and embarassing situations. The amount of courage it must have taken to choose life, despite the negative response of others was huge! But she choose to keep the baby, to save it's life. I realized that even though she had messed up {as we all do daily if not hourly}, she didn't make it worse by trying to cover it up or fixing the problem to make it look like she was innocent. She made it work, she adapted her life to fit the results of her mistake. God showed me that even though this young teenaged girl was pregant, she was really a hero to me, becasue she was strong enough to not abort her baby. For that alone should I treat her with respect instead of think unkinly of her.

~*~*~*~*~

I was about 8 years old and we were at a science discovery museam. As we walked in I saw a lady with a long modest, plain dress and tennis shoes on her feet. My mind automatically began to think how "unfashionable" that outfit looked, and how her shoes totally didn't match her dress. I began to go on and on about how I'd never wear such a clothing choice in public. Before I'd even spoken to her or had time to make a first impression I judged her based on her outer appearence. How could she even stand to be in a feminine dress or skirt? I hated them! Now fast forward a couple of years. You see a family walking in Wal-Mart and notice that all the girls of the large family are wearing long skirts. You guessed it! Now I'm the girl with the skirt and tennis shoes on. { :D God sure does teach lessons in a interesting, unforgettable way, doesn't He?} Now I'm the girl out in public with the "unfashionable attire"! I'm the girl who wears skirts everyday and is willing to sacrifice fashion for modesty's sake! How the Lord has since then changed my heart! I now realize that it's not what you wear that makes you who you are! through this experience the Lord has shown me so much on judging!

~*~*~*~*~

These are all an examples of the many times I've judged before giving thought to what I was doing. My sinful nature's first responce is to judge, to find something about them to grade myself against, to see how much more "godlier" I am than them becasue of some certain area based on the outer appearance. This brings to mind the story of the sinful man who begged for God's mercy at the temple humbly, were the "clean, innocent" rule-following man just was there because he was following the rules. Who was truly forgiven? The Lord has often shown me how I am quick to judge. I must let God do the judging, and it's a good thing I can't righteously judge others, otherwise if I judged myself according to how I judge others, then I'd be bound for hell for sure with no hope of Heaven! Thank the Lord for such a merciful God! Often times when I judge others I realize that I'm really making God sad becasue I'm thinking I'm better than others based on outer appearance. But 1 Samuel 16:7 tells us that: "The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart." I'm told that my best acts of righteousness are as filthy rags...how much more my sinful acts? {Isaiah 64:6}

Judging is something our sinful nature is prone to, it's something that just happens before we realize it. We must train our mind to be merciful and to stop judging, leave it up to God. The Lord is the only True Judge so if we leave the judging up to Him then our lives will be a lot easier and we will be able to see people for who they are instead of pointing the finger. Blessings!



Encouragement For The Tough Day

It had been a tough day. For the past three days I'd been studying to take my drivers permit test and when I'd finally finished my six required hours of study I'd failed the online practice test. Twice. Then I failed the next time I took the practice test. And then the fourth time. *Let's out long sigh* I was frustrated and wondered why I couldn't get a passing grade after I'd studied hard for six hours. On top of this I'd had a non-stop kind of day the previous day and was already tired from it. I'd not gotten enough sleep and was starting to feel it's effects. The quilt I'd been working on putting together was't working out and no matter how many times I tried to fix it, I got the same messed up result. I also had to pick out clothes and get showered for church the next day as well as get a decent amount of sleep so I wouldn't fall asleep during the sermon. {Okay, so maybe I wasn't all that tired...I get a fair amount of sleep, but you get the point} To make a long story short, it had been a rough day. At the end of it, I just sat down in despair and wondered why everything I'd done that day didn't end up working out or turned up a complete failure and mess.     

But then my mind came to my April challenge. Lately I'd been slacking on my devotions and wanted to get back with it. So I challenged myself to read 9 chapters of the Bible a day to complete the whole New Testament in the month of April. At this time I'd just finished up the Gospels which were a real blessing to me during this time. One thing that was impressed upon mind often during my Gospel readings was just how much of our regular activities Jesus took a part of daily just like us. Often times when I think of Jesus life,  it's hard to think on a personal level. It's hard to imagine what His life was like beyond that of which is recorded in the Bible. What did His normal days look like? Did He ever face trails or difficulties? Was He ever frustrated? As I got to thinking about it, I realized that I actually had it better than Jesus did. I started to realize that He really did have some tough circumstances. While He did His ministry work, He had no home, no place to sleep at night. He slept wherever He could, probably on the ground without a comfortable bed or pillow or cover. He didn't have a regular supply of plenty of food to choose from. He ate what He could find or what others gave Him. He was constantly healing the sick, giving sight to the blind, raising the dead, and we see in Scripture that often times there were a lot of people crowed around wanting to see Him or hear Him preach. He was always putting someone else first. His tired body didn't stop Him from looking down into the little children's eyes and blessing them. His hunger didn't stop Him from healing a sick person.

All the sudden my biggest "uncomfortable" circumstances or "pains" seem to small and petty besides what Christ willingly went through for me. How big of a deal is it that I failed my practice test? So what? Just study more and take it again, of what eternal significance does it hold? What's the big deal with my quilt being so messed up? Just take a big breath and fix it. Even if it takes a couple times, do it. What will it matter how it looks when I'm in heaven, or even a few years from now? Is it really that big of a deal? I must realize that this isn't my home, I'm only here on earth temporarily, for but a breath compared to the time of all eternity spent with Jesus. Then it won't matter how my day went or how my projects tuned out.

As I started to think of how He lived I realized that He also went through a lot of what I go through which helps me to know that Her knows how I feel and is ready to help. Just knowing that He's been there makes a world of difference. It helps me to be able to open my arms and let Him help instead of getting frustrated because "No-one else knows how I feel or what it's like". I'd encourage you to look up Scriptures were Jesus went through the same thing as you are whenever you're frustrated or feeling overwhelmed. Or you could just take some time to go through a few of the Gospels and note certain circumstances Jesus was in that you may have been in, or will be in sometime in the future. See how He responded. How did that impact eternity? How does it effect us today, some couple thousand years later? So, if you're having a hard day, if nothing seems to go right, then remember that Jesus has been there. He is ready to help and offer encouragement or strength. Not only has He been there, but He's been over the level we will ever be. Since He died such a horrible death, He's had it rougher than we ever will, and because of it His love has increased and is shown freely to us. Because He lives gain, we too can live today, no matter what is thrown at us, Jesus will be there for us.

Living through His strength, not of my own,

Forgiveness | Could you have done it?

{Written by Johanna}

{German words are italicized and definition's are provided directly after the word/phrase within parenthesis.} 

Wenn Gott nicht bereit waren, Sünde zu vergeben, wäre der Himmel leer (If God were not willing to forgive sin, heaven would be empty). This old German Proverb, which had been told me numerous times as a child, never held such intense meaning as it does for me today. As I sit here, safe within the walls of this church, I believe my heart has finally begun to heal. When I look into her eyes – as she speaks up at that platform – I see something there that not even she can express with mere words. It was the exact same the first time I saw her. 

     Within the span of six years, over 130,000 female prisoners passed through the foreboding walls of Ravensbrück camp system; around 26,000 were Jewish. I was there when she arrived at Ravensbrück concentration camp in the year 1944— nearly three years ago. That day I was stationed at the assessment, for we would be admitting several-thousand more women to the camp that day. 

     “Ruhig (quiet)!” It was Elfriede Muller, an SS aufseherin (matron) in the camp who took charge in the most effective— yet, on looking back, in a cruel— way. The frightened and worn-looking women immediately hushed, and awaited the dreaded words of the aufseherin. She continued, “At the first desk, you shall dispose of all belongings. Here at Ravensbrück you are entitled to nothing, and will keep nothing,” she went on, severely, “at the second desk you shall remove all clothing, and will be directed to the assessment station where you will be examined before entering the shower room. A prison dress and a pair of shoes will be handed to you in the shower room. That will be all you need in this camp.” 

     I shudder as I remember the gasps of despair. 

Having The Devotion Of Mary

{Written By Bethany}

It was evening and there was a feast going on in Jesus' honor since He raised Lazarus from the dead, it was six days before the Passover, when Jesus was to be crucified. Martha served the dinner while Lazarus and Jesus reclined and ate. It was dim, and the candles were the only source of light. All the sudden Mary, Martha's sister came and sat by Jesus feet humbly. She knew what she was about to do was unthinkable in her world, but her devotion was so great she did not care. As she gently sat and unbound her hair from the top of her head she realized that even though leaving her hair down in public was a disgrace...but she continued to push the thoughts aside and let her long, silky hair flow to the ground. She bowed her face low towards Jesus feet and without a word took a jar of pure nard, that of which would have costs almost a years wages in our day...much more for her's...and broke it, letting the sweet aroma drip down towards Jesus feet. They may have been dirty and sore from days walking with only sandals to protect from the dirt and heat, but she cared not and continued. She put her nose to the ground and wiped the perfume and His feet with her hair...unconcerned of what others thought...unconcerned of what disgrace might come, or the talk and gossip that would start...unconcerned of what might become of her hair all dirty and soiled...all that mattered was that she would be able to show her love, care and devotion to the Lord in the most biggest possible way. To let Him know that He was her Lord and that she loved Him beyond all else. As she wiped up the dirt and massaged His feet with her hands, she started to cry and with her tears she wiped His feet clean. She cried so much that her tears were sufficient, her love overflowing. "I'm so unworthy, so filthy, so unclean, not worth of such a job, she thought as she cried more and her tears flowed. I'm so unworthy..." this is all she would think of as she humbled herself and washed His feet. By now the smell of the perfume had softly drifted throughout the whole room, house and street. It was a way of showing how strongly she loved her Lord. And the smell would stay with Him for several days to remind Him of her love. As she humbly got up and looked into His loving eyes she knew that not one thing would ever mater anymore besides living for Her Lord.

~*~

One day when my Grandma came over to watch us kids, we dd our devotions with her. That mornings reading was John 12 and when we read it, the words just filled me with an awe and inspiration.

Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus lived, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. Here a dinner was given in Jesus’ honor. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him. Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected, “Why wasn't this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year’s wages.” He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it. “Leave her alone,” Jesus replied. “It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial. You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me.” 

   As I meditated on the fact that Mary was using her perfume that was normally saved for the bride's wedding day, that of which cost so terribly much, 11 months wages in our currency...and so much more in their's...I was filled with an awe for Mary's love for Jesus. Her humility to do the unthinkable, for only servants washed other's feet...and women NEVER unbound their hair in public...it was a disgrace and the unthinkable..seemed so breathtaking. But seeing how much Mary was focused on only one thing...serving Jesus...she didn't care about anything else, challenged me to think, "Am I like that? Is this my vision?". 

     I have been struggling in my personal devotions as of late. I've had limited accountability and my desire for the Lord has slowly dried up. It's now to the point that since I started to slowly let it slip, thinking "Later..I'll do it later, I've got such and such to do now." that I've slowly lost the desire, and when I consider it I think of how bad this is. I want to have the passion, it just isn't there. But when I read this story, I was filled with longing for the love and desire that Mary had. I want what Mary had. That unmistakable, unfailing, unquenchable, passionate, driving fire desire for the Lord and for His Holy Word. Maybe you too, dear sister, are struggling in this area. Maybe you are feeling like spiritually you are in a desert, with no hope of water to be found for miles and miles. Maybe you are slowly loosing interest in devotions, and the after-faith fire is slowly dying...if there ever was one to start. Well if not, why not start today? Why not fall on your knees and beg God for a passion such as Mary's? I often ask myself, "why put it off? is whatever I'm doing really that important? As if anything can be more important than the Lord?" Maybe you are in my place too. Well I want you to know that you are not alone! We can concur the Devil's lies and find fulfillment in Jesus ever open arms...ready for us all the more now that we are drifting away. He is ready to let you fall in His arms and is ready to embrace you and fill you with an unending peace! Let us not grow weary! 

   Dear sister, I hope that you will not loose the vision. I hope that you will cry out to the Lord with me "Lord, light me, set me ablaze. I don't want to just be a tiny fire, or even worse, a spark, I want to be fully ablaze FOR YOU! Give me a passion for You and Your Word! I can't do it alone...please help me!!!!" Will you join me in strengthening the vision, the passion, the power, only found in Jesus loving arms? Will we live up to the example of utmost devotion, just like Mary? Will be dare to be a Mary in this World? And if so, what if? How would our world be changed? What if?

Why I Believe What I Believe

{Written by Bethany Ann} 

Note: It was planned for my article to post tomorrow, but since today is Valentine's Day, I thought it would serve as a tribute to my Lord. So I am posting it today with the hopes that it will inspire and encourage you.

It was a cold dark night. The wind was howling crazily as if it knew death were near. The whole town seemed to know it. I was coming home from the market and saw a crowd gathered and shouting wildly. The town never does this for just any occasion so I went closer to see what all the fuss was about. When I came close, I heard the grunts of a man in pain, and the soldiers mocking words, harsh slaps and stinging marks were matched with this mans pain. I realized they were probably getting ready to kill a criminal, a common thing, though a harsh one at that. But no matter the regulatory of it, when I looked at the man on the floor shrieking in pain I felt pity. The soldiers spit at him, tied a cloth around his eyes so he wouldn't see and slapped him asking if he were God to tell them who slapped him. I thought it rather harsh as they hit him hard. With each pound of the arm, kick of the foot upon his back, each moan of pain, I felt sorry. Then they struck him in the head with huge clubs. They did it over and over and over. Each hit being harder, causing a bigger wound on his head, making more blood flow down his face. Oh, the look on his face was horrid. He did not speak nor did he fight back. He simply stood there and let them crush him. When they took the so called "crown" which they had twisted from the longest thorns and crammed it on his face I thought I would faint. So much blood, so long thorns...the sight of it made me vomit. When I finally composed myself they had finished. I hoped that for the poor mans sake they were finished, but no. They took him and beat him. With each crack of the whip there was a new stripe on his back...the stripes grew in number, often over-crossing the other. They tore his back and I knew I couldn't stand it. The roman whips were made to have hook like material at the end of the whip so that it would pierce the skin and rip it when it was pulled and released to repeat the injustice. After so many lashes his back was all bloody and raw...practically torn. That combined with what they did to his face, to his head...oh how could anyone live under such pain? I noticed the man did not speak through it all. Most times the criminals curse and try to get away or yell out in pain when the whip comes down. But not this man, he seemed to know he had to endure it without speaking, without retreating. What misery he must have felt...what pain...what humiliation to be treated as such before the crowd. 

     

After they beat him, his body looked horrid. How he was held together, I do not know. They gave him a heave wooden cross they size of himself and expected him to carry it uphill to the place were they were going to crucify him. He would barely move, so a kind man helped him bear the weight but I know it was still miserable. The poor man had the pain written all over his face...with each step he seemed to drain the life out of him. With each breath he seemed to bear the world on his shoulders. For he was bearing the weight of the world on his shoulders. Once they got up the hill they laid the cross down and then him on top of it. He knew what was coming and so did everyone else. They took a nail and used a heavy hammer to drive it through his hands and into the cross. With each pounding of the hammer, the nail when through more and more. The pain was intense. After one nail was through his hand, they  did it to the other hand, and then to his feet. They raised the cross up and with as his body clung to the wood...all the wight of his body bore down on his hands and feet and the skin tore under the weight of the nails. They had taken his garments and gambled for them....they misery, the pain, the shame was a higher level than possible and it was so intense it was indescribable. Simply harsh. Simply unjust. Simply horrid. Simply overbearing. Simply unimaginable. Simply cruel. What else is there to say? The circumstance did not have a just word to describe it. There is no word to describe the pain he felt or the shame he bore. No word to perfectly describe the humiliation, the fear, the heartlessness. Not one word even comes close so how can we properly define it?

He stood there...all alone. They continued to treat him cruelty yet he kept his cool and suffered without speaking or cursing as the others normally do. He bore it wholly and completely and with such courage. But then he looked up. He looked at me in the eye and it look took my breath away.
He seemed to say "I love you" it said a thousand other things too, it said "You are mine" it said "You are treasured" it said "For you I suffer, in your place I hang. My hands took the nails for you so you didn't have to. I've bared the shame for you. I've born the humiliation and cruelty. I took that sword for you. For you those lashes dug into my skin. For you. All for you. Because I love you with an everlasting love. Because I want you to live with me forever in Heaven. Because I love you. I love you so much that I'm bearing this for you. You are the sinner and should die. I am the  perfect one who has chosen to take your place. Even if you were the only one in the world...still I would do it for you. Only for one person would I do it. Even though you are a sinner and have rejected me completed. I still am doing it for you. I love you and my love overflows even more than my blood does. With every last lash on my back, my love is multiplied for you a hundred, thousand times over and more. With every thorn in my crown I love you a million billion times. I love you." I couldn't look up. Sobs shook my body and I couldn't do anything about it. I've never felt so loved ,so treasured...I realized that he did it for me. All for me. He loves me that much! I couldn't comprehend it...such depth was too much for my brain to carry. Ever since then I knew He loved me, and because of it my life has never been the same. I've started to live for Him. I've given Him my life...He gave me His at such a price...what am I do do anything less than give Him mine,  be it small, in return? As He breathed his last He looked at me again. He smiled at me and after that He died. 

     I was in a trauma. So much to cover...so much to go through. How could I? Would I ever be the same? But my life was filled to the overflowing. Just knowing the price He paid made my "problems" seem like ants compared to that of the whole world. Knowing His depth of love for me made all my sorrows bearable. Knowing He was bearing them, and had born them for me already." This is why I live", I whispered to myself, "this is why I am who I am." This is why my life is not only livable but a joy, a blessing! To be able to pray to the Lord and the ability to read his Words over and over each day...what a privileged! What a sacrifice he paid...it will never cease to amaze me or stop blowing my mind. Is such love found anywhere else? Is such commitment ever found? Can such fulfillment be possible? Can one person be so special to one? Can such worth be comprehended? Can such be grasped? All I know it that whatever comes, I can face it with His help. With Him all is possible. With Him all fear is gone. With Him such joy is found. With Him such fulfillment is found. With him all seems new. With Him life is a joy. Knowing He is there, with arms wide open ready to brush away my tears and bear whatever I'm going through with me...such words cannot be found. Just knowing He loves me...now and forever...no matter what I do, no matter how I act towards Him. Oh, that life my life was changed. Because He rose from the dead I'm never to be the same. My life will NEVER be the same.

~*~*~*~

So now that my life has changed. I am changed. I am new. I used to be a sinner, a horrid wretched sinner. But now, oh, now Jesus I tell you that...

   

Now that I've got Jesus...

I am free from sin. I am living for Jesus. Now when I'm worried or afraid or don't know what to do I don't look to the "keep calm and carry on" theme...here is my theme...

When I don't have it all together {which I don't} I find my real need for Him. He uses those things to draw me closer to Him. How else can I know His perfect love if He doesn't have a chance to show it to me?  Through this I am found:

Now that I'm saved. My life is lived for Him. I don't always live up to that standard but I try my hardest. When I fail ,I recommit myself to these words:

I say this and mean it:

This is my comfort in times of trails and times of fear:

I cry out: 

It's true:

So I will strive to:

How can I walk by faith and not by sight? I'll tell you how...this hand leads me...

So what do I believe? I believe this:

Oh Jesus. Thank you for your love!

True Beauty + Giveaway Winner

{Written By Miss Bethany}

I looked in the mirror and gazed into the face looking back at me. Our church was having a special event that evening and I decided to put a little make-up on to look my best. I normally don't wear much make-up-if any at all-and I hardly wear it except for "special events" such as church, special outings and other things like this. As I looked into the mirror I got to thinking about what true beauty is, and how often this world mixes inner beauty with outer beauty. And how they can get them out of order of importantance, often overlooking the most important kind of beauty that is found within. As I left for church that evening I decided that though the make-up I was wearing might make me prettier, I wanted to have my main focus on being truly beautiful with the inner beauty found in a heart fully devoted to the Lord Jesus Christ.

    

   True beauty cannot be found in a bottle. It cannot be purchased. It cannot be found in a curling iron, or in a bottle of nail polish. It does not come in the forms of high fashion, expensive clothing and doesn't have anything to do with precious jewels. Hair accessories and jewelry aren't in the "beautiful" category to God. A slim figure is not one of beauty. True beauty is rather found in a body fully devoted to the Lord in body and spirit {1 Corinthians 7:34}-rather than one adorned to the highest level. It's substance is not of long hair or a pretty face or ears dangling with jewels. Truly beautiful hair is that of which the owner is not afraid of little children hands running through, for they value the children high above that of their hairs neatness. {Matthew 19:14} A truly beautiful face is not one that have been pampered or primed for hours, not one with lots of make-up but one that radiantly shines God's light and love which over-pours from her heart into everyone she comes in contact with. Lips that are truly beautiful aren't those that have lipstick on, but those who smile freely and often due to her joy found only in Jesus Christ. Truly beautiful eyes are not those adorned with mascara and eye shadow, but those that have the look of Jesus' love, a glimmer of hope for those in need. Truly beautiful ears aren't those with long earrings, but those that eagerly listen the the Word of God and those that are attentive to the Lord's laws. Truly beautiful hands, are not that of which have perfectly pained nails, rather, the prettiest of hands are those puffed from lots of dish washing's, those that aren't afraid to get her hands dirty, to feed the hungry, to do God's work whatever it may be. Those that early stretch out to a little child and eagerly dry their tears. To pick them up when they fall, and read them a story when asked. A truly beautiful body is not one of a slim figure, but one that is eager to work for the Lord, to serve others, to value others as more important than herself. {Philippians 2:3-4} Truly beautiful feet aren't those that have nice shoes but those that aren't afraid to go our and proclaim the Gospel. {Isaiah 52:7} Girls, often this world mixes these things and puts them out of place, valuing our self beauty as more important than the true, unfading beauty that is only found in the heart of hearts. 

    Today, we need girls who are truly beautiful to God-according to HIS Word and HIS standards. {1 Peter 3:3-5} We need to be more concerned about our reflection being truly beautiful in God's mirror than that of the Worlds! I am striving to look deep into the Lord's Word to see what makes me beautiful to Him...we need to reject the worlds "beauty" and look wholly and completely to the Lord for guidance. Are you with me? For youthful beauty will fade as the years go on, but the true beauty is unfading, unending and eternal! Dear sister, if you were to look at yourself through God's mirror {The Bible} then would you truly be beautiful? Are you focusing more on the inner beauty of Christianity than that of the outer self? Are we trying with all our heart, mind soul and strength to be beautiful to God instead of the world? {Mark 12:30} There is a choice to make-either way we will strive to please someone by our looks-whether it be a man or the Lord-so let's strive to be beautiful to the Lord-the only one who will never leave us or forsake us. God bless you! ~Bethany Ann

{All photos were found on Pintrest.com}


Postscript :: Due to business in our lives, Johanna and I have decided to end the giveaway early. Our winner is b3 beader. b3 beader, if you could please visit Petal Jewelry, and select one pair of earrings, and then contact us with your selection along with your name and address. Thank you!

Becoming Mary In a Martha World

{Written By Miss Bethany}

Bethany & Robby

As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!” “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” {Luke 10:38-42}

"Beppy, beppy! Read to me!" shouted 3-year old Robby as he ran to me with the children picture Bible in his soft little hands. "Beppy, please read to me!" He repeated as he sat down next to me on the living room couch. "Okay Robby, I'll read to you!" I answered as he edged closer to me on the seat, made himself comfortable and softly placed his chubby hands in his lap. I watched his once-baby feet dangle of the couch-his legs too short to touch the ground. He handed me the book and and I opened it and started to read. We read together the stories of Noah and the Ark, David and Goliath, Peter finding the coin in the fish mouth to pay for taxes, and more. Finally we came to the story titled "Mary and Martha". "Read this one!" Robby said as he pointed to the picture of two ladies in Biblical clothing. "Okay" I told him. "Mary and Martha were friends of Jesus" I began. "One time Jesus came to Mary and Martha's house to visit. Mary sat at Jesus feet and listened to Him talk while Martha hurried around and did lots of housework. Martha got frustrated with Mary because she wasn't helping Martha. Jesus told her to not worry and to take a break and listen to Jesus, just like Mary." Robby laughed aloud as he looked at the picture of Martha in a frenzy with a mixing bowl in her arms and a mixture flying everywhere in her haste to mix the contents. I thought it funny that someone could get that busy without realizing it. "How could anyone want to work when Jesus was in their home?" I wondered. But then it hit me: sometimes I'm so busy with things on my to-do list that I loose track of everything that is truly important and that that truly matters versus a long list. That night not only did Robby have a story read to him, but I learned a lesson and gained insight as well.

~*~

     Have you ever been so busy that you didn't think you could keep up? We all have busy times in ones life, but sometimes I think that we can easily over-do it without even knowing it. In today's culture everything is fast paced and everyone always seems to have somewhere to go, something to do, somewhere to be and so forth. My mother has often told me of the importance of slowing down often and taking a break and now I know that she is right.

     Its so easy to commit to doing lots of things but I think that the Lord wants us to take a break often. I've often realized that if I'm busy thinking about everything I need to do during my devotions then I don't get as much out of that time and I don't learn anything! Sometimes all I need to do is calm myself down and forget about all I need to do and let the Spirit speak to me. Because if my mind is bubbling to overflowing with things I've supposedly "got" to get done, then am I really going to hear the Holy Spirit when He speaks over the noise of it all? If I will take a break and stay still and listen for him then I'll be able to hear Him a lot better! Psalm 46:10 tells us "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."


     Sometimes it is necessary to take a break. If we don't have time to do our devotions each morning, or we are filling that time with other projects, than we are being like Martha. Sometimes this means saying "no" to certain activities. And while I'm not saying that you shouldn't ever do anything, I am saying that balance it good and needed. If you are so busy that you can't see straight, then maybe you should consider somethings that you could do without. Ask the Lord what He would have you to do. But I would like to encourage each of you to take a break sometimes this week and calm yourself down and instead of running crazy, sit at Jesus feet and listen. You will be glad that you did!


    One time as Johanna and I were talking on the phone, she shared with me something that I've found useful. She called it a "date with Jesus". The idea is to take one morning, and instead of doing the regular devotions routine, to take some time to get quiet before the Lord. Make a cup of tea and just reflect through His doing, let Him speak to you. I would recommend this to all of you for these are the times the Lord speaks! May you be blessed through your choice to quite yourself before the Lord!

 He says, Be still, and know that I am God

{Psalms 46:10}

Resting in His Presence,

Bethany

The Unselfish Christmas

{Written by Bethany Ann}

     There was once a girl who was found one December's day looking through a catalog. Her family had received many a catalog from various company's who all shared one desire: to make more money. All of these catalogs were filled to the brim with things that every child would want, books and toys and craft supplies. 

     But on this winters day the catalog which this girl was pouring her heart into was not like the ones we have listed. No, certainly not, for this catalogs title read "World Vision" and on the front cover there was a picture of a African child, whose skin was a brown as chocolate and whos face was solemn with the look of never satisfied hunger. Dear reader, this catalog was not filled with things such as jewelry, books, toys, and the like, most certainly not. This catalog was instead filled with sad pictures of those who were lost and without any hope-they were at the depth their despair. As this girl sat down and looked int the heartbroken faces of mothers who had to watch their infants slowly die for malnutrition, she saw young children who were left to defend and provide for their younger siblings since their parents died long ago of AIDS; she saw teen aged girls who had been used terribly and you could clearly see how all hope and joy had been drained out of them with each passing day without even so much as a shimmer of hope or help; she saw Christians, pastors, who had been persecuted for their belief in the Lord. She saw girls who had been burned because they would not denounce their love for their Savior who once suffered much the same as they. 

     As the girl peered deeper into these pictures she began to see past herself and saw her selfish nature. She thought of how prosperous America was and how sad was the fact that the people of this land didn't even realize that there were others who were perishing most miserably on the other side of the world, yet wouldn't help because money had already been dedicated to their most recent spa trip. As this girl looked into the catalog she saw such more than needy people, she also saw a selfish nation. All of a sudden that book which she wanted didn't seem so important or so necessary for survival. Her life was changed -- or was it?

~*~

    

     Dear sisters, this story was not a fiction one, but rather a very true one, one that continues on today.  This girl was me. This December mentioned was only last year. This heart-wrentching discovery and new found desire to help others was sprouted not long ago. I remember so well the tears that misted my eyes as I realized how blessed I was -- and how unfortinate they were. How selfish I was to want everything I saw and delighted in, and yet ignore the call to help. How easy it is to want, yet how difficult it is to give. It is true that it is more blessed to give than to receive, but honestly, is this America's motto? To me it is as if America's motto is "get more" and "what you do have is never enough" and with each pasing new Christmas season, and with each passing World Vision catalog, I realize more and more how it isn't all about me.

     Yes, though Christmas day was only yesterday I feel as if the Christmas season is never over since we celebrate Christs' birth not only on December 25th, but every day. But I've often wondered what it would be like if every first looked to the needs of others instead of their own first each Christmas? How different this world would be with the unselfish people.

     With this world view of what Christmas is through their eyes, it is so easy to get caught up in the rush of it all. A long time ago christmas was more focused on spending time with faily and celebr the birth of christ instead of how it is now-getting as many gifts as possible. While I am not saying that gifts are "bad" since I don't think they are! It can be a reminder of Christs' free gift of salvation to us-however sometimes we get in the worlds view without even knowing it. We try and think of everything we would li christmas and make a long list. We focus on what we can get instead of what can give. Christmas is truly about Christ-who gave eveything to us freely-even when we didn't deserve it. So we as "Christs' reflectors" must reflect that light and grace shown through Jesus and be a giver instead of a receiver.

    This Christmas lets bring our focus to the TRUE meaning of christmas and focus on Chrit birth more than any gifts we will get. May we all keep the true meaning of christmas in perspective this year and ever one after that!

Merry CHRISTmas!

Bethany