Don't worry ---posted by Raechel.
"Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? Which of you by worrying can one cubit to his stature? So why worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat? or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble." -- Matthew 6:26 - 34
Falling in Love {part one}
The music had begun. The Dance was starting. And I lacked a partner.
Everywhere I looked, I saw giggling girls being swept away in the arms of handsome young men. Each looked like they were having so much fun. They looked like they were enjoying themselves. I heaved a lonely sigh.
Everywhere I looked, I saw giggling girls being swept away in the arms of handsome young men. Each looked like they were having so much fun. They looked like they were enjoying themselves. I heaved a lonely sigh.
My thoughts turned to a conversation that had taken place yesterday, while walking in the garden with one of my dearest friends -- "I am SO excited for tomorrow night, the dance! *sigh* Who do you plan on dancing with.... anyone in mind?" Lillian smirked as she said those last words. I turned to her, and said softly "Lillian, I actually don't... I mean.... well, no, I don't have anyone in mind. You know I have been saving my heart for my Prince, I am trying hard not to dwell on thoughts of young men, as I want to keep my heart pure." She looked at me, "So, you are just going to wait?" I nodded, "Yes, just wait."
The thoughts of yesterdays conversation were hard to think upon at the moment.... thus, I decided to turn my thoughts away from that scene, and resumed my survey of the ball room. As I looked around, I noticed a young man, also standing without a partner. As I looked into His face, I was startled, for I saw not only was He too, gazing upon me, but was at that moment, making His way through the crowd, towards me! I felt my heart start to race -- within seconds He was at my side. He reached out His hand, and asked in a kind whisper, "Would you accept Me for this dance?" I looked up, again, into His face, I placed my hand in His; gently, He took it, and led me to the dancing floor.
The thoughts of yesterdays conversation were hard to think upon at the moment.... thus, I decided to turn my thoughts away from that scene, and resumed my survey of the ball room. As I looked around, I noticed a young man, also standing without a partner. As I looked into His face, I was startled, for I saw not only was He too, gazing upon me, but was at that moment, making His way through the crowd, towards me! I felt my heart start to race -- within seconds He was at my side. He reached out His hand, and asked in a kind whisper, "Would you accept Me for this dance?" I looked up, again, into His face, I placed my hand in His; gently, He took it, and led me to the dancing floor. As we began to dance, once more, our eyes met, the music seemed to fade into the background -- along with everything, and everyone else. It was just me.... and Him. The One Who was now holding me, guiding me, looking down upon me. Every moment that passed, our gaze became more unbreakable. With every step we took together, I found that I was falling deeply in love with Him.
His eyes were so kind, so humble, so caring. He was so different from any of the other young man whom I had ever met.
But, as we continued dancing together, I began to understand why. I began to realize Who this young man was -- whom I had fallen so deeply in love with.
It was my Redeemer. My heavenly Prince. My Savior -- Jesus.
Tears began streaming down my cheeks, as I realized just how much He loved me too..... He had taken my hand, and led the way -- when I didn't even know His name. He saw that I was lonely, and needed Him. But, as I put my hands into His, and let Him guide me, my loneliness was shattered, I had found what my feminine desires had been longing for -- True Love.
He lifted His hand to my cheek, and gently wiped away the tears, and whispered "May I claim first place in your heart?"
Without pausing, I said "Yes."
"Will you trust me with it, until I say it is time to give it away?"
"Yes." -- I had faith that He would someday let the perfect young man cut in..... and even if that day never came, I didn't care. I was too in love with Jesus to care now. But I knew for sure that I wouldn't spend one more day just waiting, rather, I would use them to fall more in love with my Heavenly Father; So that one day, if a young man wishes to know me -- he will have to seek Jesus, in order to find Me.
*************
"A woman's heart should be so lost in God
that a man needs to seek Him in order to find her."
-- Author Unknown
*************
Part Two {coming soon}~
In part two of 'Falling in Love' I want to share with you Ladies how important it is to realize that we are not just waiting. So many times we use the term "waiting for our Prince", as if we literally are just sitting, and waiting for him to show up. I believe it is so important to use these years of 'Waiting' instead as years of falling in love -- with Jesus -- Our Heavenly Prince.
*************
Part Two {coming soon}~
In part two of 'Falling in Love' I want to share with you Ladies how important it is to realize that we are not just waiting. So many times we use the term "waiting for our Prince", as if we literally are just sitting, and waiting for him to show up. I believe it is so important to use these years of 'Waiting' instead as years of falling in love -- with Jesus -- Our Heavenly Prince.
by Johanna
Read This!
From From the Inside Out and An Old Fashioned Girl, I found something out -- something that sickened my soul.
I pray that you will now take the time to read what I discovered --
Almost everywhere I go, I see this sign~
More often then not, we see it attached to the word "love"~
But I had no idea, that the peace sign itself was a sign of Satanism -- anything but related to love.
"Known as the 'peace sign' throughout the 1960's and into the present day, this symbol is the Teutonic rune of death. 1950's peace advocate Gerald Holtom may have been commissioned by communist sympathiser Bertrand Russell to design a symbol to unite leftist peace marchers in 1958. It is clear that either Holtom or Russell deemed the Teutonic (Neronic) cross as the appropriate symbol for their cause.
"Throughout the last 2,000 years this symbol has designated hatred of Christians. Nero, who despised Christians, crucified the Apostle Peter on a cross head downward. This hideous event resembled the Teutonic cross and became a popular pagan insignia of the day. Thereafter, this sign became known as the 'Neronic cross.'"The symbol's origin in history proves it to be the visual mystic character for 'Aum' (the split 'Y'). This is the sacred word to the Hindu. Chanting 'Aum' is supposed to help awaken 'the serpent power of Brahma' at the base of the human spine. Occultist Albert Pike also identifies this symbol as mystical in his book on Freemasonry Morals and Dogma.
The peace symbol (also called the "broken cross," "crow's foot," "witch's foot," "Nero Cross," "sign of the 'broken Jew,'" and the "symbol of the 'anti-Christ''') is actually a cross with the arms broken. It also signifies the "gesture of despair," and the "death of man.''The above I read from this website. I want to say though, I did not read the entirety of the article, since I saw that it was getting more in depth then I really wanted to even ponder. So, if you visit the above link, beware, as I am not sure if the article contains more truths that wouldn't be necessary to dwell upon. But from the little I did read, I was thoroughly sickened.
Just look around you, this sign is EVERYWHERE you go! Think about that for a moment.... the sign of the "Antichrist" everywhere we go-- on posters, on clothing, on jewelry, car decals, etc. It is almost like a campaign for the Antichrist....
Before, I was so sick of everywhere I went, seeing the this symbol. It always reminded me of a hippy.... now, it turns my stomach because I now know who it really stands for.....
Before, I was so sick of everywhere I went, seeing the this symbol. It always reminded me of a hippy.... now, it turns my stomach because I now know who it really stands for.....
I feel a greater depth of sadness when I see Christians wearing it.
Up until now, I thought the sign was just a thing of my generation, the trend. But now, to see my brothers and sisters in Christ wearing it, not even knowing what symbol they are wearing.... it breaks my heart. I don't believe most people know the true meaning of the peace sign, and that is why everyone is ok with it. But they need to know.... They need to know that the supposed "peace" symbol is a cross with broken arms.
That is why I am writing this post. I pray that your eyes may be opened to the horrible meaning behind the "Peace" sign, and that you will have the strength to stop supporting it.
This message needs to be read.
Please stop supporting the peace sign, by supporting the truth behind it --
post this on your blog.
We need to bring the Peace sign into light, and relate its true meaning to everyone.
Sister Sites~#2
The Virtuous Maiden.
It really is in line with what we stand for: homemaking, femininity, modesty, purity, and faith! Their mission statement conveys this clearly! They have a free webzine. It features topics such as Testimonies of God's Grace, Virtuous Maidenhood, Homemaking, Crafts, Devotionals, and Reviews! Plus, they offer 100% free memberships, forums, and links to other sites, in addition to the paintings featured on the site.Be sure to check this site out! The link is http://www.virtuousmaiden.webs.com/
Fourth day of Spring
I'm sure we are all aware that is the 4th day of Spring. I don't know what the weather is like where you readers are, but here, where I live, it is snowing! I must say I am not too surprised, but a little bummed, that Spring isn't really quite here yet.
Sometimes, we can get disappointed by the weather, by people too. We are constantly being disappointed some way or the other. But God never disappoints. He is ever constant. We may think He has forgotten us, but that is never the case when we deeply look into the situation. But we can disappoint Him, as sinners. All the time. But He forgives us. And our minds cannot fathom that, because we are human. He is not. The Lord is amazing! I awed by Him, so very often! His mercy is new every morning, isn't that correct? He never will disappoint us. I love that. He has been my ever constant Lord, forever. He has never let me down. Done things that I didn't expect, yes, but never disappoints. And yet I disappoint Him. By being sulky when asked to do something, when I say something angrily to my sisters, ect. I know I will have consequences, but I also know that He will forgive me, a lowly sinner.
So, this fourth day of spring, even if it disappoints me just a little, I know it is a gift from Him, because He makes all things how they are. I have no doubt.
Give Him praise for this Spring, give Him glory for this day. He gives us love, shant we give something in return? Even though we need not?
In Christ,
Raechel
Sometimes, we can get disappointed by the weather, by people too. We are constantly being disappointed some way or the other. But God never disappoints. He is ever constant. We may think He has forgotten us, but that is never the case when we deeply look into the situation. But we can disappoint Him, as sinners. All the time. But He forgives us. And our minds cannot fathom that, because we are human. He is not. The Lord is amazing! I awed by Him, so very often! His mercy is new every morning, isn't that correct? He never will disappoint us. I love that. He has been my ever constant Lord, forever. He has never let me down. Done things that I didn't expect, yes, but never disappoints. And yet I disappoint Him. By being sulky when asked to do something, when I say something angrily to my sisters, ect. I know I will have consequences, but I also know that He will forgive me, a lowly sinner.
So, this fourth day of spring, even if it disappoints me just a little, I know it is a gift from Him, because He makes all things how they are. I have no doubt.
Give Him praise for this Spring, give Him glory for this day. He gives us love, shant we give something in return? Even though we need not?
In Christ,
Raechel
Spring to Life!
Yes,it is finally spring! I thought I would share with you a challenge for this spring and summer from what I read in my personal devotions recently:
"So many people walk through their entire life as though they are asleep.They miss the wonder and glory of the world around them,and they are not even aware that they are missing anything at all.The peson who sleeps all the time misses so much.The same is true for the person who closes his eyes to the beauty of God's world. God made His creation,and He saw that it was good.He gave dominion over the earth to men and women to share with them how good it is.Our lives are the creation of God,and they,too,are good.It is important that we embrace the goodness of our lives and thank God daily for what we have been given.It is no good to sleep throughout the bulk of our lives.We should wake up.Wake up to the creation that God has given us.It is good,and it is right in front of us to enjoy and take hold of.It was out of God's love for us that our world was given,and it should be from love that we return thanks to Him."*
This spring,ask God to wake you up.When you become fully awake to His beauty and grace,you will never
want to go back to sleep!
24This is the day which the LORD hath made;
we will rejoice and be glad in it.
(Psalm 118:24)
11For, lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone;
12The flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing of birds is come, and the voice of the turtle(dove) is heard in our land;
(Song of Solomon 2:11,12)
*From Daily Wisdom from the Bible Journal,published by Barbour Publishing,Inc.
Used by permission.
Will You Meet Me There?
If you just watched this video,you will notice pictures of beautiful sunrises/sunsets. Enjoy all the sunsets you can,because in heaven you won't see any!(Will there even be clouds there??) I believe that sunrises and sunsets are meant to be enjoyed,they are beautifully designed and only-on-earth-feature! As I was thinking about that,I thought it would be a little sad that there will never be a sunset in heaven to enjoy,but sunsets symbolize the end of day,and because there will be no sunsets in heaven,that means HEAVEN WILL NEVER END!! ETERNAL BLISS!
Are you homesick? I am!
23And the city (heaven) had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it:
for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof.
24And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it:
and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honour into it.
25And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there.
5And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle,
neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light:
and they shall reign for ever and ever.
(Revalation 21:23,24 and 22:5)
The LORD's Blessings-not luck
This St. Patrick's Day,count your blessings and remember His unfailing mercies!
Deuteronomy 28:1,2 :1And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the LORD thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth:
2And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God.
Lamentations 3:21-23 :
21This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope.
22It is of the LORD's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. 23They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.
Ephesians 1:3 :
3Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:
Monthly Q + A ~ Two
{Each month ,I will post a question and allow readers to give their answers in a comment.
Thanks for participating!!}
Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits,
even the God of our salvation. Selah. Psalm 68:19
This verse is beautiful and so true! In this verse,"loadeth" means to overload,give more than is necessary.God definately gives us more than we need or deserve! His mercies are new every morning. Every morning! Lamentations 3:22,23 We are so blessed;God could have chosen to wipe us out with an earth-quake, instead of Japan, but He didn't.We do not understand His ways,but they are higher than ours! Isaiah 55:9 Please remember to pray for the many lost(at this piont both spiritually and geographically) millions in Japan! Also remember to count your blessings!So,for this months Q + A,
How has the LORD "loaded" you with benefits recently?
You may leave a link to your blog in the comment if you would like! This is open for any Christian female readers,so feel free to share!
[Time Management] with Sarah Shedd
A List of Practical Ways to Manage Time Wisely:
1.) Cry out to God. Plead His help and wisdom. Fully pour out your heart before Him. Tell Him that He is your first priority, and mean it. Lay your life before Him. Put Him in charge of it all. Acknowledge God as the giver of all time – acknowledge that it all belongs to Him. One thing is needful – to sit at His feet.
2.) On a clean sheet of paper, jot down a quick list of everything you think you’ve got to do in the next, say for instance, two weeks. List all the involvements that take up your time. Be short and specific. The goal is to get it out of your head and onto paper.
3.) Cross out everything that you really do not have to do. Cross out everything unnecessary, frivolous or wasteful. The question is, “What can I possibly leave out?”
4.) Cross out everything you know you will not have time to do, and everything that is entirely impossible and unfeasible. Does anyone recognize a process of elimination J? [Make sure in this step, however, that you are dependable and keep to the best of your ability the commitments you have made to others. - Ed.]
5.) Place a star beside the most essential things. Numerically indicate the order of their importance. Assign those things to specific days, or half-days. Figure out where you think everything should basically line up. The goal is to at least have a reasonable, supposed-to-function plan!
6.) Show the list to your parents. Make any necessary alterations. Thank them for their counsel J! Their ideas and input are indispensably valuable to you.
7.) Pray over it again, thanking God, submitting, and dedicating it to Him.
8.) Proceed in an orderly and systematic way to accomplish your specific goals for the glory of God alone. Enjoy life! You should be able to see now that maybe you have more time than you at first thought! You might even find that there is space to do some of those impossible things after all. (If you sense that there are still too many things to fit in healthily, you’re just too busy. Please start over at step #1.) Free yourself from stress under God’s direction.
~ warnings and extra comments ~
Be flexible. Be willing to adjust.
God, His Word, and people are more important than “other things”.
Leave room for the unexpected.
Leave space to take deep breaths!
Take every moment God gives you seriously, and treat it as an important treasure.
Choose to enjoy all the life God gives you. Joy!
Actively choose to do the right thing on purpose.
I don’t believe God wants us to live a disorderly or passive life. I believe He wants us to intelligently, purposefully, and prayerfully decide how to spend our time.
By the way, it’s not at all wrong to rest, relax, and enjoy recreation either. Please balance your work and rest.
Remember the Scriptures say that “bodily exercise profiteth a little”. An important little, I would say. God did not intend us to be hothouse plants! If you can serve God more effectively and not be a burden to others by staying healthy and in shape, please do so!
I know sometimes (such as in a crisis situation), we can do hardly anything to “fix” our shattered and crazy schedule. Sometimes nothing really seems to work. It’s like imposing method on madness, I know! In that case, hang on for the ride, and trust Jesus. He is our confidence, and He does not condemn His children. He will give you freely His inner peace, even when your whole world is upset. Just ask Him. ©
2.) On a clean sheet of paper, jot down a quick list of everything you think you’ve got to do in the next, say for instance, two weeks. List all the involvements that take up your time. Be short and specific. The goal is to get it out of your head and onto paper.
3.) Cross out everything that you really do not have to do. Cross out everything unnecessary, frivolous or wasteful. The question is, “What can I possibly leave out?”
4.) Cross out everything you know you will not have time to do, and everything that is entirely impossible and unfeasible. Does anyone recognize a process of elimination J? [Make sure in this step, however, that you are dependable and keep to the best of your ability the commitments you have made to others. - Ed.]
5.) Place a star beside the most essential things. Numerically indicate the order of their importance. Assign those things to specific days, or half-days. Figure out where you think everything should basically line up. The goal is to at least have a reasonable, supposed-to-function plan!
6.) Show the list to your parents. Make any necessary alterations. Thank them for their counsel J! Their ideas and input are indispensably valuable to you.
7.) Pray over it again, thanking God, submitting, and dedicating it to Him.
8.) Proceed in an orderly and systematic way to accomplish your specific goals for the glory of God alone. Enjoy life! You should be able to see now that maybe you have more time than you at first thought! You might even find that there is space to do some of those impossible things after all. (If you sense that there are still too many things to fit in healthily, you’re just too busy. Please start over at step #1.) Free yourself from stress under God’s direction.
~ warnings and extra comments ~
Be flexible. Be willing to adjust.
God, His Word, and people are more important than “other things”.
Leave room for the unexpected.
Leave space to take deep breaths!
Take every moment God gives you seriously, and treat it as an important treasure.
Choose to enjoy all the life God gives you. Joy!
Actively choose to do the right thing on purpose.
I don’t believe God wants us to live a disorderly or passive life. I believe He wants us to intelligently, purposefully, and prayerfully decide how to spend our time.
By the way, it’s not at all wrong to rest, relax, and enjoy recreation either. Please balance your work and rest.
Remember the Scriptures say that “bodily exercise profiteth a little”. An important little, I would say. God did not intend us to be hothouse plants! If you can serve God more effectively and not be a burden to others by staying healthy and in shape, please do so!
I know sometimes (such as in a crisis situation), we can do hardly anything to “fix” our shattered and crazy schedule. Sometimes nothing really seems to work. It’s like imposing method on madness, I know! In that case, hang on for the ride, and trust Jesus. He is our confidence, and He does not condemn His children. He will give you freely His inner peace, even when your whole world is upset. Just ask Him. ©
**This article is not owned by LOV;it was used by permission from www.bodefamily.net/kd **
Guest Post :: on character and beauty
Hello Ladies! I am honoured to be able to write here: )
I want to talk about a woman's character and her beauty.
I know you all know the verse Proverbs 31:30 as it is on this site, but I wanted to touch more deeply on it, as it is such a beautiful verse!
"Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, but a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised."
This verse really is helpful to all of us young ladies in Christ.
A woman's beauty and charm can be held so highly in these present days. The world tell us that it is everything to look our best; no one will want us if we look bad ect.
But when we look at what the Bible says, God teaches us that it is not what our outer beauty is like, but rather what our inner beauty is like.
"...But a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised."
When we live completely for God, and we fear Him, that inner beauty shines through us, and it is incomparable to any other beauty.
Our beauty should be in Christ.
"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven."
We need to shine for Christ, that others will see out love for Him and give Him honour, glory and praise.
When we truly are joyous - which can only come from the One who loves us - we will be truly joyous on the outside as well, and radiant. In Christ, we have radiant beauty.
So many girls put a lot of stock into physical beauty/appearance, when all they need is to submit to the Father. Living for Him will make us radiant for Him. By His love we are of radiant beauty.
God bless :)
~Raechel
http://godspeculiartreasurerae.wordpress.com/
In Christ alone my hope is found
He is my light, my strength, my song
I want to talk about a woman's character and her beauty.
I know you all know the verse Proverbs 31:30 as it is on this site, but I wanted to touch more deeply on it, as it is such a beautiful verse!
"Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, but a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised."
This verse really is helpful to all of us young ladies in Christ.
A woman's beauty and charm can be held so highly in these present days. The world tell us that it is everything to look our best; no one will want us if we look bad ect.
But when we look at what the Bible says, God teaches us that it is not what our outer beauty is like, but rather what our inner beauty is like.
"...But a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised."
When we live completely for God, and we fear Him, that inner beauty shines through us, and it is incomparable to any other beauty.
Our beauty should be in Christ.
"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven."
We need to shine for Christ, that others will see out love for Him and give Him honour, glory and praise.
When we truly are joyous - which can only come from the One who loves us - we will be truly joyous on the outside as well, and radiant. In Christ, we have radiant beauty.
So many girls put a lot of stock into physical beauty/appearance, when all they need is to submit to the Father. Living for Him will make us radiant for Him. By His love we are of radiant beauty.
God bless :)
~Raechel
http://godspeculiartreasurerae.wordpress.com/
In Christ alone my hope is found
He is my light, my strength, my song
'Loving the Lord'~Amy Vest
This is a very inspiring video,well worth your time!
from Loving the Lord Ministries on Vimeo.
{Welcome to the 2nd videocast from Loving the Lord Ministries! In this video we will cover what it really means to live out the greatest commandment and learn how to have a relationship of love with Jesus. We pray that you are blessed and we look forward to seeking the Lord together! For more encouragement on loving the Lord, you can visit our blog www.lovingthelord.org and website http://www.lovingthelordministries.org/!}
Visit http://www.lovingthelord.org/ to watch # 1 of this set!
Visit http://www.lovingthelord.org/ to watch # 1 of this set!