Make a Difference or Hands and Feet?

You know, I'm beginning to see that there's a difference between saying "I want to make a difference in the world for God!" and saying "I would love for God to use me to be His hands and feet on this earth."

When we say "I want to make a difference for God," who are we subconsciously--even if it's just a little bit--crediting the work to? We are crediting ourselves. We're saying, "I will make a difference in the world for God. I will do it--it will be my work that I choose to give to Him."
And when we say "for God," we treat Him like a charity. We are act as if we are oh-so-nobly choosing to donate our time, money, and effort to Him, because He could not carry out His purposes without a certain amount of cooperation or charity on our part. We fail to realize that the only One who makes a difference in the world is God!
 If we aren't treating Him like a charity, we're treating Him like a lender. We say, "I owe Jesus my everything," and so we try to pay Him back, do it because we owe it to Him, or make Him happy--even though we "realize" we never could pay Him back at all, even though we "realize" that we can't earn his love.

However, when we say that "I would love for God to use me to be His hands and feet on this earth," we gain a new perspective. Our service is not our own choice, but God's choice; it is not our work at all, but His work. We are unable to take credit for what someone else does--so if you see yourself as God's hands and feet, then it is not you doing the work at all, but God, and you cannot take credit for it. We also see God as the all-powerful, fully-self-sufficient Being that He is. We realize that He does not need our cooperation to do His will, but rather choses us. We could even take this a step further and say that God uses us whether we are willing or not! And finally, our relationship with God takes on a new dimension. Instead of owing Jesus something, we are both humbled and honored to follow Him.

There's also a difference in the work perspective of each phrase. For example, when Mother Teresa was holding dying babies in Calcutta, do you think that she was saying to herself "I'm making a difference in the world for God"? Probably not. Even if she was making a difference, that is not the point. Her attitude was not "Let me do the most productive things I can to make as big a difference as possible"--if that had been her attitude, she wouldn't have been holding babies that were going to die anyway! But do you think that she was saying "God is using me as His loving arms, and I am honored"? If she wasn't, she should have been!

So, what are you going to do? Are you going to be the one to make a difference? Or are you going to leave it up to the One who can work through you to make His difference?

Dear children...(a quick thought)

I was reading my devotional today, and I came across 1 John 5:21:
"Dear children, keep yourselves from idols."
Now, next time God tells you not to do something, or not to devote yourself to something other than Him, don't see him as a strict judge. Yes, He is a judge; He is also a father. He tells us to keep ourselves from idols because He loves us.

Beauty II (A little clarification)

So, after my other post, you may be wondering..."Does she think I shouldn't wear make-up?" "Is it time to throw out the curling iron?" "Should I let my hair grow without cutting it?"

The answer? Never! I would be a hypocrite to tell you those things (just one glance in my bathroom cabinet reveals a ton of make-up, lotion, a few curling irons, and a straightener, among other so-called "beauty products.") God did make you beautiful, but He also gave you creativity and style. There are many Biblical examples of women using "beauty products" to enhance their natural, God-given beauty: the Proverbs 31 woman wears purple (Old Testament high-class fashion), the Song of Solomon woman uses olive oil (Old Testament lotion), and Esther spends months in a royal beauty parlor before meeting King Xerxes. Even Paul acknowledges that women can and will wear jewelry and style their hair! In 1 Peter 3:3-4, Paul says "What matters is not your outer appearance--the styling of your hair, the jewelry you wear, the cut of your clothes--but your inner disposition." If he thought that it was ungodly for women to style their hair, wear jewelry, or buy clothes they thought were flattering, he would have said so! (Paul was not known for mincing words--quite the opposite.) Instead, he said that, even if we wear those things, they aren't what makes us beautiful. Our inner beauty is still what matters. (Read about cultivating inner beauty here)

The difference is whether you let the culture around you tell you what's cute or beautiful or fabulous, or whether you decide for yourself what YOU think looks cute and beautiful and fabulous.

So don't eschew the make-up counter or throw out your hair styling products. Use the beautiful creativity God's given you to enhance the physical beauty He's given you.

And enjoy it.

Beauty

Beautiful.
Are you beautiful?
I would bet money on the fact that you just thought of something you don't like about yourself. Perhaps it's the shape of your eyes, the texture of your hair, or your weight.

Let me ask you something: when you look at yourself in the mirror as you're getting ready, what is your goal? What defines "beautiful" for you? A certain style of make-up? A certain way to do your hair? A certain fashion statement?

If you were given five minutes before you walked out the door to check your wardrobe and make one change, where would you look first?

I know where I would look: my hair. My hair has this awful tendency to pop out of the styles I like to put it in. I'm always looking for new ways to do my hair, since whether or not I "look good" in a certain style depends on what my hair has decided for the day. And more often than not, as I go out the door, I notice that some of my hair has decided to pop out of the confinements of my hair tie and must be re-arranged.

I know that, when I think of "beautiful" for myself, I think of a slim girl with medium-long hair in soft curls. She has a round face and a cute little nose, big eyes (but not too big!), and a sprinkling of freckles--and a stunning smile.

Take a moment to outline your requirements for yourself. What is your goal every morning? What is your "ideal image"?

Now, I want you to notice something: part of this thing we call "culture" is the image of beauty. Think about it. All people strive toward fairly similar images of beauty, relative to where they live. Beauty is defined differently in the United States than it is in African tribes. Beauty is defined differently in the United States than it is in Canada. Beauty is even defined differently in the eastern United States than it is in the western United States! Nevertheless, you probably have a pretty good grasp on what constitutes "pretty" based on where you live.

Time also makes a difference. We all know how radically ugly '80s fabrics are...or do we? They were beautiful in the '80s. And someday, years from now, everyone will be wearing '80s clothes, and girls will be blogging about how 2010 fashions were the ugliest things ever worn.

Now, let me ask you another question: what would it take for a radical change in the fashion trend--for example, what would it take for everyone to suddenly love 80s clothes? Music stars, movie stars, and clothing companies would all start sporting flair jeans and other 80s stuff. Suddenly, skinny jeans would be in over-supply as flair jeans flew off the rack. Everyone would throw out their straighteners and spend hours each morning untangling their permed hair. And they'd do all of this with the same expectations they have today with skinny jeans and straightened hair: the expectation that they will be beautiful. Why? Because we, girls, tend to believe that "beautiful" starts with looking like everyone else.

Learn a lesson from this, ladies: we often let those in clothing companies, the music industry, and entertainment tell us how we should look and act to be "beautiful."

Why?

Why do we let those people determine how we define "beautiful"?

And who does define beautiful?

Realize this: God created you! And when He did, He said you were beautiful.

That's it. In your life, your highest aim for beauty should be to augment the beauty God has given you.

If He gave you curly hair, He thinks you're gorgeous with it. If He gave you hair that's as straight as straw, He thinks that you're beautiful with it. That is beauty. Not straightened hair. Not curly, permed hair. Not soft curls or ringlets. Whatever God gave you. That's what's beautiful.

If He gave you big ears, He thinks they're dazzling. If He gave you tiny ears, He thinks they're stunning.


And weight? As long as you're taking care of your body, eating healthily, and exercising, you should be at a weight that God intended for your figure.
Of course, there are zits and burns and freckles and such, but don't forget that nothing escapes God's notice. Yes, He was in control when you forgot to put on the sunscreen this summer and now you're peeling. He was in control when that zit showed up. And even if they're reflections of the flawed nature of the universe, they're still under God's control--

--and guess what--

He still thinks you're beautiful.

There is no one standard of beauty--unless that standard is "The Creator of the World made me to His pleasure and calls me beautiful, so I am beautiful just the way I am."

Encouragement from Your Brothers in Christ

I thought I'd share some of the comments from The Modesty Survey. These quotes are responses to the question " If you could say one thing to your sisters in Christ about modesty, what would it be?"

(note: If you've never heard of the Modesty Survey before, click here to view it--it's the results of a survey taken by just over 1,000 Christian guys. The questions dealt with hot topics in modesty, such as "Are bikinis modest?" and "Do I have to wear a denim jumper all the time to be modest?" It's a fantastic resource).

The quotes are...

There is one that is more in love with you than any man can ever be. You are incredibly valuable to Him, and you never need question His commitment to Him. He thinks you're beautiful in the morning without your makeup, and He'll think you're just as beautiful when you're 80. He is Christ. In you should treat Him with the loyalty and respect of a Husband. There is no need to attract a man to you - Christ will lead the right man to you. And when someone that loves you as much as Christ arranges a marriage, you may rest assured it will be far better than anything you could have done. You are His - be content there.

~~~

Sisters in Christ, we men in society have miserably failed at appreciating true womanhood. On behalf of every man out there who has painted a distorted picture in your life of what a real woman is, especially along the lines of modesty, I apologize deeply. There are many Godly men out there, as I'm sure this survey will prove, that are dying to give you their utmost respect when you choose to follow God's leading in this area of modesty in your life. We back you up all the way and want to do anything we can to help you. And we ask that you do all you can to help us as we struggle through this world of sin together.

~~~

In high school, the place of greatest temptation toward lust was my church. Girls wore things to church that they thought were fashionable and dressy, but they would not have passed the dress code at my public high school. Church should NEVER be a guy's greatest source of temptation, in any way. Please, be especially careful when picking out your dress clothes for church, and make sure they are modest when sitting and kneeling (if you kneel in church), not just standing in front of the mirror.

 ~~~

Please don’t take modesty lightly. As your brother in Christ I value the relationship that I will have with my wife someday. When I am tempted because of you I lose a part of myself that I am trying to save for her. When I’m tempted because of you I become that much more accepting of the perversions in the world. When you remain pure and modest, my life is made so much easier. Instead of watching to ensure that I don’t sin I can focus on you as a person and fellow follower of Christ. I appreciate modesty more than you’ll ever know. Please, show respect of yourself and of me and be modest.

~~~

Dearest sister: God made you a thing of beauty. A thing to be admired and respected. When you dress or act in a way that draws attention to your body, you make it easy for the guys around you to reduce you to the level of a disgusting toy - using you to mentally satisfy their fantasies. They stop thinking about your Godly qualities and immerse themselves in sinful thought. By dressing and acting modestly, you draw attention to your face instead of your body. Your body may be alluring, but your face - those deep, mysterious eyes and smiling mouth - is infinitely more beautiful than any amount of revealing dress. Would you rather be the tool by which guys satisfy themselves or the beautiful thing God created you to be, pure for your husband? My flesh prefers the former, but my heart pleads for the latter.

~~~

A girl's dress proclaims her priorities and values louder than if she got on a chair and screamed them to the world. When critically examining a woman's get-up, I consider the following: Could she get down on the floor and play with a group of toddlers without losing several articles of clothing? Could she get away from a threatening situation without spraining an ankle? Could she prepare and maintain a house and its members easily? Could she be the Proverbs 31 woman dressed like that?

~~~

For those of you trying to be modest, thank you, thank you, thank you! I certainly notice it and am grateful for it.

~~~

Keep persevering! Your efforts are appreciated and noticed, even though you may not be able to see that. It serves us guys tremendously, not only in not being tempted each time we look at you, but also knowing that you care and that your heart attitude is to serve. Thank you for guarding the guys!

~~~

Thank you to all my sisters who seek to please God with modest clothing and behavior. You really show love and care for others when you dress modestly and do not flirt. There are some especially modest, attractive women in my church who realize that their brothers need help in this area. We men don't appreciate and thank you sisters enough for the thoughtfulness and work you put into dressing modestly. Please keep it up. Not only is your modesty helpful in keeping your brothers from sin, but it is also an attractive quality in a future wife (Prov 31:30).

~~~

When a girl dresses modestly, it helps to cut down on temptation drastically. Physical purity for guys is just as hard as emotional purity is for girls. Modesty actually makes a girl more beautiful because it shows where her heart is before God.

~~~

You have no idea how much it means to me as a guy when I see girls who are doing their best to be modest. These are girls that I feel completely comfortable being friends with, and by their actions they demand my respect. Modesty will win you the friendship of guys who will care about you as a person and will see you as a sister in Christ before they see you as anything else, and modesty will protect you from guys who only care about your looks and who see you only as a potential girlfriend.

~~~

Modesty is not about discovering the right rules and following them, although guidelines and standards are very useful. Modesty is about being so satisfied, fulfilled, and secure in your relationship with God that you do not feel the need to display yourself immodestly. That security is where the beauty of the heart comes from, and that security is what will catch the right guy's attention.

~~~

Honestly, a girl that dresses modestly yet attractively will catch my eye far more (or at least in far more of a positive manner) than will a girl that feels the need to expose parts of her just to get attention. When it seems like you're alone, just remember that there are guys out there that care, and that will thank you someday for the stand you have taken. May God bless you as you seek to glorify Him each day

~~~

It's appreciated more than you know. You have no idea how much I appreciate my sisters in Christ who dress modestly, because I can be around them without having to struggle to keep my thoughts pure. And I find girls who dress modestly more attractive than those who dress immodestly. It speaks volumes about the kind of person you are. It might be a cliche, but real beauty IS on the inside.

Shopping sprees and the Psalms

I love the way The Message version of the Bible phrases Psalm 4:6-7:

Why is everyone hungry for more? "More, more," they say.
   "More, more."
   I have God's more-than-enough,
   More joy in one ordinary day
  Than they get in all their shopping sprees.

Better single?

When picking a guy to be a potential boyfriend, it's easy to simply compare him to the other guys you've met. "Is he better than the rest?" "Is he the best I can find?"

Here's another question to ask: "Would I be better off single?"

If the answer is no, great. If the answer is yes--there is such a thing as being happy and better off single.

From 1 Corinthians 7, NIV:

⁸Now to the unmarried and the widows I say: It is good for them to stay unmarried, as I am. ⁹But if they cannot control themselves, they should marry, for it is better to marry than to burn with passion.

Never settle

We all have that list of standards for our future husband....

But sometimes, you have to wonder: Since we ourselves aren't perfect, should we compromise our standards a little?

Answer? Never.

Instead, try to make yourself fit your standards. For example, I want to marry a guy who reads his Bible every morning. That means that I need to make an effort to read mine every morning. I want to marry a guy who only listens to very clean music--mostly Christian. I need to pattern my own music preferences this way, as well.

Don't settle for less than the best in a guy. And never settle for less than the best in yourself.

From 1 Corinthians 9, NIV:

 ²⁴Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.
 ²⁵Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. ²⁶Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. ²⁷No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.

Love is blind

 I was recently thinking about the expression "Love is blind." Perhaps you've heard it. It basically means that, when you love someone, it's hard for you to see their faults. I usually think of this as something bad, like when someone doesn't break up with a bad boyfriend because they're "in love."

But it occurred to me... God is love. Is God blind?

My first thought is "absolutely not." God sees everything. In fact, He's the creator of sight!

Nevertheless, there's another side to God's character: His willingness to accept Jesus in our place, covering over our faults.

He doesn't see our faults anymore.

Not exactly blind, but close enough...

Now that's cool :)

Newsboys "He Reigns" lyrics

It’s the song of the redeemed
Rising from the African plain
It’s the song of the forgiven
Drowning out the Amazon rain
The song of Asian believers
Filled with God’s holy fire
It’s every tribe, every tongue, every nation
A love song born of a grateful choir
It’s all God’s children singing
Glory, glory, hallelujah
He reigns, He reigns
It’s all God’s children singing
Glory, glory, hallelujah
He reigns, He reigns
Let it rise about the four winds
Caught up in the heavenly sound
Let praises echo from the towers of cathedrals
To the faithful gathered underground
Of all the songs sung from the dawn of creation
Some were meant to persist
Of all the bells rung from a thousand steeples
None rings truer than this
And all the powers of darkness
Tremble at what they’ve just heard
‘Cause all the powers of darkness
Can’t drown out a single word
When all God’s children sing out
Glory, glory, hallelujah
He reigns, He reigns
All God’s people singing
Glory, glory, hallelujah
He reigns, He reigns

Hope--BibleGateway.com verse of the day

Where do you put your hope? Boyfriends? Grades? Parents? Money? Friends? Human nature?

“You are my refuge and my shield; I have put my hope in your word.”- Psalm 119:114 NIV

God's promises? That's where your hope should be, because God is the only One who will never let you down.

Take a moment to write down all of God's promises to you. Then, pray that God would help you trust Him better. :) <3

Weight :)

Here's a short little post about what I KNOW is your FAVORITE topic, girls :) Let's talk about weight--but don't worry! At the end of this post, you should feel great about your weight :)

Keep in mind, this isn't a health blog (that's why I'm making it a SHORT post). Always talk to your doctor or a registered dietitian for professional health/diet advice, respectively.

It's easy to pick up a scale from the store and say, "Okay, I want to look like a supermodel. I'm going to weigh [pick a random low number]." I've had people tell me they want to weigh 100 pounds. I've heard stories of people who've shot for 90 pounds. Some of us just pick these weight numbers that sound good and go for it (I've done it too. It's easy to do!).

The problem with this approach is that we forget something: our skeletons, muscles, blood, water, needed fat (we need a little to keep working), and organs all have weight. That's right--you have a minimum weight, and you physically can't weigh less than that (unless you're willing to chuck your brain and some muscle out the window to lose a few pounds!). Picking an arbitrary goal that happens to be below your minimum weight will set you up for discouragement.

And let's be serious: anorexia and bolemia aren't cool. Anorexia puts you at risk for malnutrition, and it lowers your metabolism (making it easier to gain weight if you ever change your mind about starving yourself to death). Bolemia has the same problems as anorexia, but with the added risk of heartburn and tooth decay (and a ton of other problems that come with having stomach acid...not in your stomach).

So, how can you lower your weight in a healthy, realistic way?

It sounds cliche, but it's true: eat healthy and exercise.

You see, it's easy to fill up on low-fat high-nutrient snacks like carrots, apples, raisins, etc., instead of eating fatty stuff like chips, ice cream, and candy. You'll feel more satisfied, your body will be happier, and it'll be easier to shed a few pounds (just think of all the fat you skipped when you tossed the chips in the trash and had grapes instead!).

Exercise is great, too. Exercise bumps up your metabolism, which basically means that you can eat more and keep the same weight (cool!) or even loose weight (cooler! :)

And don't forget that being fit and having a little extra muscle weight is always cooler than being super skin-and-bones skinny with no athletic ability whatsoever ;) (not only that, but getting fit really isn't that hard for anybody. We all take PE, right? So everyone's got a good start on it :)

If you're really interested in loosing weight, don't forget to talk to your doctor or registered dietitian--they'll give you plenty of information about good foods, exercise, and more weight-loss tips. :)

An encouraging story

Read it on the Revolve blog here!

Beauty in nature...

A judgement-free community

"There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy. But you—who are you to judge your neighbor?" (James 4:17, NIV)
 
“There will be no mercy for those who have not shown mercy to others. But if you have been merciful, God will be merciful when he judges you.” (James 2:13 NLT)

“No, O people, the Lord has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.” (Micah 6:8 NLT)

“God blesses those who are merciful, for they will be shown mercy.” (Matthew 5:7 NLT)

There are several issues that divide the church today...skirts vs. pants, short hair vs. long hair, piercings, tatoos, even public school vs. homeschool. Is there a right way to dress? To educate? To raise your kids? And if so, what is the right way?

But when you meet someone--whether they're a teen from your church, from your neighborhood, from your school, or otherwise--what should you see?

Should you see their tatoos or piercing (or lack thereof)? The way they dress? The length of their hair?

Or should you see their heart?

You see, each of us is at a different point in their faith. You, right now, know of some obvious things you shouldn't do but do anyway (perhaps lying, being deceitful, or being disrespectful to parents). You, today, will probably do something wrong that you aren't even aware is wrong And in both cases, whether you know you're sinning or not, you need to grow in your faith and let God purify you from the inside out. You need to learn to trust God with the sins you know you shouldn't commit. You need to learn about the sins you aren't aware of. And you need forgiveness every step of the way.

The same goes for other people. Maybe that girl in the skimpy clothes with five piercings and a tatoo is a brand-new Christian. Maybe she's committed to following Jesus, and God is teaching her first to simply listen to His voice. And maybe having a tatoo isn't a big deal, and you just haven't realized it yet. Or maybe it is, and eventually she'll realize it. But you are no better than anyone else. And you need forgiveness just as badly as every other person on this earth.

The point is this: we need to keep an open mind about others and remember that we need forgiveness, too. Remember: when God said that we would know other Christians by their love, and eventually by other traits, hair length and education and tatoos and divorce and clothing weren't on any list. That's because those issues all have roots in our character, no matter how we dress--and if each person does their best to follow God, then each person is exactly where God wants them to be (and we shouldn't judge them).

So how do we know that someone is a Christian? By their love.

Relationship status?

I want you to think for a moment on what might be pulling you away from God right now.

Seriously.

He created the entire world for us to live in, including everything we love: flowers, colors, chocolate, sunrise and sunset, the moon and the stars, sun showers and rainbows, creeks and does with baby deer and butterflies and sunshine. He CREATED it. He thought it up, then just made it all--out of nothing. Then, He made us, and He thought we were even more beautiful then all we'd made. He wanted to have a relationship with us. And then we disobeyed Him. We rejected His offer. But He didn't stop pursuing us; He came to earth and lived a normal human live (not the royalty treatment He could've gotten), did tasks that belonged to slaves, and died a criminal's death--all so we could have a relationship with Him.

Are you taking all of this in? This is huge! Your life's purpose is to have a relationship with Him and bring Him glory. That's where the joy's at. Are you putting your all into it?

Ask Jesus now: "Is there any area where I am lacking devotion to You?"

"If so, where?"

And finally, "How can I change to be more totally devoted to You?"

<3

Wayne Grudem: Wives Like Sarah

Wayne Grudem has written an excellent article on how Christian ladies can submit to their husbands (or fathers)--the Bible's way. He backs it up with strong Biblical verses and conclusions. View the article here.

Since it's quite a long article, I wouldn't recommend reading it all in one sitting--but definitely read it all! :)

BibleGateway.com verse of the day

“I will never forget your precepts, for by them you have preserved my life.”- Psalm 119:93

Room cleaning? No prob!

Here are 3 ways to improve your room as you clean to keep it clean:

1) If you're bored with the way your room looks, change it up with some posters on your wall, some ribbons on your bed, or a new arrangement of your knick-knacks.

2) If you don't like the way your room is organized, grab two garbage bags and tackle one drawer/closet/area at a time. Throw trash in one bag and throw donations or garage sale items in the other!

3) Find ways to recycle old stuff you don't want to throw out. For example, a really nice shopping bag could be used to hold a trash can, some old stickers could be placed in a drawer for scrapbooking or cardmaking materials, etc.

How to relax--without your computer

I've found the best relaxation to be God-oriented time.

To relax away from the computer, combine any of the following:

• Write a love letter to God.
• Have a cup of homemade hot chocolate, tea, or coffee (or, if you prefer cold drinks, try homemade chocolate milk, iced tea, or iced coffee)
• Listen to worship music.
• Sit with your eyes closed and empty your heart to God.
• Write out the words to your favorite praise song (Jeremy Camp's Empty Me is one of my favorites)
• Write a song to God/about God.
• Journal to God.
• Read the Psalms--or something else from the Bible.
• Draw whatever comes to mind, even if it's just a feeling.

Even if you don't feel you're artistic, poetic, or good with words, just open up your heart and do whatever relaxes you--no one has to see it, and God will love it. :) <3

I like...God!

Enjoy GivesMeHope.com?

Check out ILYG (I Love You God) on www.WordsOfPraise.weebly.com (it's very similar--not endorsed, sponsored, or recognized by GMH, but inspired by them--and it's Christian).

God's warning against gossip

"Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly. Their teaching will spread like gangrene.  Among them are...[those] who have wandered away from the truth....and they destroy the faith of some. Nevertheless, God's solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: 'The Lord knows those who are his,' and, 'Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness.' In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for noble purposes and some for ignoble. If a man cleanses himself from the latter, he will be an instrument for noble purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work. Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. Don't have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. And the Lord's servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. Those who oppose him he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will." 2 Timothy 2:16-17a, 18, 19-26

My Prince Charming

Hey everyone!
So, I've found my "Prince Charming"--my perfect guy--and I thought you might want to be introduced to him (after all the relationship-oriented posts on this blog :)

I actually met him when I was really young. He and I have lived in the same area all my life, and we grew up together. Once, right before I was three, I told him I loved him (how cute is that?). I really meant it.

But as I grew up, I started to look around at other guys. I mean, my guy friend was just a friend, and who was to say that there wasn't another guy out there to meet my need for girly romance drama?

I know that my guy friend--my now-"Prince Charming"--knew that I went go back and forth about our relationship, but he was kind and forgiving. And now I know he's the best, and I plan to stick by him forever. :)

He's an artist, and his art is known and studied all over the world. His pictures are gorgeous and complex. I honestly don't know how he does it. And yes, he painted a picture of me for me. Isn't that sweet? I mean, I'm not anyone famous. But he still notices me and loves me.

He's also a musician! (yes, he's a guy of many talents) His music, like his art, known all over the world, but not many truly appreciate it. He's gotten some mixed reviews--some have called his music "intimidating" or even "boring," but that doesn't stop him. He just keeps on composing. I think his music is beautiful--in fact, sometimes he surprises me with a song in the middle of our time together.

He gets along with my family really well, too. He's really at ease when we're together, and he treats each member of my family with value. He frequently spends time with my little brother, which I love. I'd be remiss to neglect mentioning that he also frequently spends time with my mom and dad--also very cool.

Most of my friends approve of him. Some think I should keep my options open, but I'm not sure what they see in other guys that's better than the one I'm with. And everything I said about his interactions with my family goes for his interactions with my friends, as well: he's at ease with them, spending time with them when they want, encouraging them, helping them, understanding them. He makes sure to let me know when there's someone I should stop hanging around or when there's someone who needs an invitation to hang out with our group. He even organizes events for our entire group to have a good time together!

And get this--he even writes me love letters! I love to read his letters over and over. I keep them in a little box-like area near my bed. I write him letters back, of course, but my letters can't compare to his impeccable writing.

He's helped me grow in every way. He's helped me become more mature, more loving, more forgiving, more gracious--everything I want to be. He's a strong but gentle teacher, and I love him.

We sometimes disagree, but I always end up seeing his point of view. He always keeps my best interests in mind.

He also gives me gifts. He's given me more flowers than I can count, notebooks to journal my thoughts in, necklaces, t-shirts--he even gave me an iPod! Yup, in addition to being honest, he's rich.


Here's the best part (I love telling people this story). He put his life in danger to save me once--right after an argument, before we'd resolved anything. It was during one of those times when I was looking to someone else to fill my needs, even--he and I weren't even together. He risked his life to save mine.

He didn't just risk his life. He gave his life. He died.

But he isn't dead.

That's because my Prince Charming is Jesus Christ.

I want a guy...

I have a list. In fact, I would guess most of you reading this also have a list (consiously or sub-consiously). It's a list of qualities you want your future husband to have. Some (okay, many) are little quirky things, and some matter.

Take a moment to think about your list. Some items on my "quirky" list included:

• He has to be musical. By this, I mean that he has to be proficient at aucousitc guitar and piano, and he must be able to sing.
• He has to sing "I can't help falling in love with you" on a date, the same way Tim Urban sang it on American Idol.
• He has to be taller than I, well-built and muscular but not overweight.
• He has to have enough fashion knowledge to dress sensibly, but not so much that he totally loves clothes shopping (he is a guy, after all).
• He has to have enough knowledge of cleaning and cooking to be of some help, but I want to be the one cleaning and cooking--so I don't want him to love to clean or love to cook or be super especially good at those things.
• He has to propose to me on the beach. Preferably, an empty California beach. At sunset. On one knee.
• I don't want him to ever wear a purity ring (that's girly).
• He has to have never owned a pair of flip-flops (also girly).
• Note that this list has changed dramatically over the years and may continue to change.

You know what I recently realized? This entire list is trash. That's right--trash. Because I'm sure God can find a wonderful, amazing, mind-blowing man I don't even deserve--who can't sing, or proposes somewhere other than the beach, or *gasp* wears flips flops. One who I'd love with all my heart, who I wouldn't trade for the world. On the other hand, I could find a complete jerk who I would hate who meet all of my criteria. He might do everything on this list, but really be nothing like the man I want to marry. This list means nothing!

Here's my current list:

• He has to love God, love church, love worship, and be open about his faith.
• He has to feel a calling to Russian orphans (because that's where I feel my calling).
• He has to be a good, strong but gentle leader.
• He has to be committed to purity, including our first kiss.
• He has to be forgiving and gracious, understanding, and have a good grasp on the meaning of "tough love" (just in case he ever needs to show me some--like letting me take the consequences for my own mistakes so that I learn from them and don't do them again, but not going too far with the concept as to be harsh :)
• He has to adore God more than anything else.
• He has to read the Bible daily.
• He has to have been a Christian at least as long as I, and be just as strong (if not stronger) in his faith.
• He has to be protective and brave.

This list--this means something. I could find my dream guy/prince charming with this list. If he meets these criteria, he definitely is "quality"!

Because you know what? Things like preferences about music, height, proposals, etc., those preferences can change. If I relied on those, I'd be pretty foolish--one day, I might love a man because he can sing "Can't Help Falling in Love With You," and the next day I might dump him because he could sing that song (if I decided I wanted someone who couldn't sing). But if I focus on the godly qualities, none of those things matter.

I've made a decision. I'm going to wait to meet my future husband, and then watch God write my perfect love story (instead of trying to make up my story ahead of time). And while I'm waiting, I'll watch out for those qualities that God says are important.

God Called a Girl

Book recommendation:

God Called a Girl by Shannon Kubiak-Primicerio

Length: Short.

In one word: Moving.

Preview: Shannon Kubiak-Primicerio begins with the story of Mary (Jesus' mother)--then, using concrete examples and vibrant descriptions, begins to show you how God's calling you. 

My thoughts: This book is incredible! After reading this book, it's next to impossible to "push" God away. It took my relationship with Jesus to new heights and my understanding of the Bible to new depths. A must-read!

Makeup from the Bible

To start:
"Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it—he will be blessed in what he does." (James 1:23-25, NIV)

Foundation:
"I will show you what he is like who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice. He is like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built." (Luke 6:47-48, NIV)

Eyeshadow, eyeliner, and mascara:
"A discerning man keeps wisdom in view, but a fool's eyes wander to the ends of the earth." (Proverbs 17:24, NIV)

Blush:
"[Your beauty] should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight." (1 Peter 3:4, NIV)

Lipstick:
"Words from a wise man's mouth are gracious, but a fool is consumed by his own lips." (Ecclesiates 10:12, NIV)

The Real Me

Book recommendation:

The Real Me by Natalie Grant

Length: Short-ish.

In one word: Real.

Preview: Natalie Grant details her rise to fame as a Christian singer and the eating disorders she developed--as well as how she overcame them. A very encouraging and insightful read.

A Summer of Purpose (based on Prov 31)

Here are ten things you can do this summer to make your summer more purposeful: (based off Proverbs 31, which describes in detail a godly lady)

1. Surprise your family by waking up early and making a pancake breakfast (Proverbs 31:15)

2. Using scrap booking materials, make a book for your parents (let your siblings join you in helping!) letting them know how much you appreciate them. (Proverbs 31:13, 31)

3. Make a fleece-tie blanket for your bed (Proverbs 31:22)--just take two same-sized pieces of fleece, cut one-inch strips along the edges, and tie them together!

4. Write a list of ten things you're thankful for. Post it on your wall or mirror (Proverbs 31:25)

5. Post a Bible verse in your Facebook status, on your blog, or in your email signature (Proverbs 31:26)

6. Go grocery shopping and donate the food to a local food bank (Proverbs 31:20)

7. Try an ethnic food you've never tried before (Proverbs 31:14)

8. Learn a new craft (Proverbs 31:19)

9. Pray for your future husband (Proverbs 31:22)

10. Read up about smart investing (Proverbs 31:16)

New summer look!

Hey everyone!

We've redesigned the blog for a more summer-y look. We hope you like it!

A cute JCP top

I love this top! It's feminine and modest, nice but not too showy, simple and elegant. I could wear this to a casual or a formal event. What about you?

Shawn McDonald "Captivated" lyrics

Another great song. Shawn McDonald's "Captivated" from his CD "Roots":

When I look into the mountains I see Your fame
When I look into the night sky it sparkles Your name

The wind and the clouds and the blue in the sky
The sun and the moon and the stars so high
That's what draws me to You

Chorus:
I am
I'm captivated by You
(In all that You do)
I am
I'm captivated

When I wake unto the morning it gives me your sight
When I look across the ocean it echoes Your might

The sand on the shore and the waves in the sea
The air in my lungs and the way You made me
That's what draws me to You

Chorus x2

The wind and the clouds and the blue in the sky
The sun and the moon and the stars so high
The sand on the shore and the waves in the sea
The air in my lungs and the way You made me

The blood in my veins and my heart You invade
The plants how they grow and the trees and their shade
The way that I feel and the Love in my soul
I thank you, my God for letting me know

Chorus x2

Encouraging quotes

Here are some of my favorite Bible (and non-Bible) quotes:

"Think of the past only as its remembrance gives you pleasure." Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice

"Delight yourself in the LORD and He will give you the desires of your heart." Psalm 37:4, NIV

"Watch your thoughts, they become words.
Watch your words, they become actions.
Watch your actions, they become habits.
Watch your habits, they become your character." Unknown

"He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose." Jim Elliot.

"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things." Philippians 4:8.

"For attractive lips, speak words of kindness.
For lovely eyes, seek out the good in people.
For a slim figure, share your food with the hungry.
For poise, walk with the knowledge that you'll never walk alone." Audrey Hepburn

"'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'" Jeremiah 29:11, NIV

"Dance with God. He'll let the perfect man step in." Unknown

"In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps." Proverbs 16:9, NIV

"Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall." Proverbs 16:8, NIV

"I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your impurities and from all your idols. I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and keep my laws. You will live in the land I gave your forefathers; you will be my people, and I will be your God. I will save you from all your uncleanliness." Ezekiel 36:25-29a, NCV

"I am the one who made the beaches to be a border for the sea, a border the water can never go past. The waves may pound the beach, but they can't win over it. They may roar, but they cannot go beyond it." Jeremiah 5:22, NCV

"Whoever is not willing to carry his cross and follow me cannot be my follower." Luke 14:27

"Those who try to keep their lives will lose them. But those who give up their lives will save them." Luke 17:33, NCV.

"You will keep in perfect peace all those who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on You!" Isaiah 26:3, NLT

"My heart says of You, 'Seek His face!' Your face, LORD, I will seek." Psalm 27:8

"Then will the eyes of the blind be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped. Then will the lame leap like a deer and the mute tongue shout for joy. Water will gush forth in the wilderness and streams in the desert. The burning sand will become a pool, the thirsty ground bubbling springs. In haunts where jackals once lay, grass and reeds and papyrus will grow. And a highway will be there; it will be called the Way of Holiness. The unclean will not journey on it; it will be for those who walk in that Way; wicked fools will not go about on it. No lion will be there, nor will any ferocious beast get up on it; they will not be found there. But only the redeemed will walk there, and the ransomed of the LORD will return. They will enter Zion with singing; everlasting joy will crown their headsd. Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away." Isaiah 35:5-10, NIV

"God's law was given so that all people could see how sinful they were. But as people sinned more and more, God's wonderful grace became more abundant." Romans 5:20, NLT

"The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn His face toward you and give you peace." Levitical blessing (Numbers 6:24-26, NIV)

"Only in returning to Me and resting in Me will you be saved. In quietness and confidence is your strength." Isaiah 30:15, NLT

"Though a sinner might do a hundred evil things and might live a long time, I know it will be better for those who honor God." Ecclesiastes 8:12, NCV

"In order to lead the orchestra, you must turn your back on the crowd." Unknown

"Be the kind of girl that when your feet touch the floor in the morning the devil says, 'oh cr*p; she's up." Unknown

"When the enemy comes knocking at a door you closed long ago, you just call out, "Jesus, it's for you!" Unknown

"The truth is the truth even if no one believes it.
A lie is a lie even if everyone believes it." Unknown

"Look around you and be distressed,
Look within you and be depressed,
Look to Jesus and be at rest." Unknown

"Be like a postage stamp- stick to one thing until you get there." Josh Billings

"Give your worries to the LORD, and He will take care of you." Psalm 55:22, NCV

"As God's child, you have it all. If you're living for Him and getting into His plans for your life, the only thing you're missing out on is the stuff that makes you miserable and empty." Revolve Study Bible 2006 study note, page 811

"Moral character is not assessed by what a man knows by by what he loves." St. Augustine

"If the LORD doesn't build the house, the builders are working for nothing. If the LORD doesn't guard the city, the guards are watching for nothing." Psalm 127:1, NCV

"For God is working in you, giving you the desire and power to do what pleases Him." Philippians 2:13, NLT

Miley Cyrus's "Can't Be Tamed"

The debut of Miley Cyrus's new music video "Can't be Tamed" is a blow to all who still considered her a sweet young role model.

The video begins at a museum, where an announcer stands in front of a giant birdcage covered with an elaborate curtain. The large, late-19th-century genteel crowd peers on as the announcer reveals "Avus Cyrus." The curtain rises. Miley Cyrus, in a very tight, revealing little black leather outfit, steps up to face the crowd. At the crowd's cheers, Miley covers her entire body with her giant black wings--then decides to pack the wings away and break out the dance moves. During the course of the video, many inappropriate shots are shown in rapid-fire order. So much for innocent little Miley.

I have to say, however, that I'm not surprised. In fact, when Miley announced she was quitting Hannah Montana, she also announced that she wanted to become more active as...well, let's just say, a symbol of something none of us want her to advocate. She stars in the next Sex and the City movie, she's endorsed the inappropriate pictures released during her Hannah Montana stardom, she's cheated on her boyfriend, and she seemed to have no qualms about filming the (in my opinion, equally-inappropriate) music video for "Party in the USA."

In short, don't expect too much from role-model Miley at this stage in her life. Actually, don't expect anything; just pray for her.

What's important to you?

"Here's another way to put it: You're here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We're going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don't think I'm going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I'm putting you on a light stand. Now that I've put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you'll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven."

Matthew 5:14-16, The Message

Look at your life. Can people tell what's important to you? Have you posted about God in your Facebook status? Do you "keep open house" about your faith?

I'm going to talk about bookshelves in this post (because I love books), but this applies to everything--your social network profiles, your blogs, your journals, everything.

Owning romance novels, "get-rich-quick" books, or other non-Bible books isn't bad by itself. My bookshelf reads like this: Girl to Grrrl Manga: How to Draw the Hottest Shoujo Manga, Country Gourmet, The One-Year Chronological Bible, In Search of Excellence, The Starbucks Experience, Succeed with Math, Learn French the BBC way, Pride and Prejudice. God wants us to explore and celebrate the world around us, and we can do that through secular books.

However, when you look at your bookshelf, you will see a reflection of yourself. Take a look at my above list. You can probably tell that I like to draw and cook, enjoy reading the Bible, study business techniques, work on math, learn French, and read Jane Austen books.

Now, let me give you a different list. Say you came to my house and saw that my bookshelf read like this: The Starbucks Experience, The Entrepreneur's Guide to Starting a Successful Business, How to Be a Teenage Millionare, Dave's Way--but there were no Bibles or devotionals that were easy to get to (pretend I had them all packed up in a box somewhere). Well, that says something else about my life, doesn't it? If that scenario were true, you could probably honestly say that my goal in life is financial success--it's what I worship.

You see, it's okay if you reflects your interests, but your life should always be centered around Jesus and reflect Him. I have an entire shelf-level of books dedicated to foreign language dictionaries, because I love to study foreign languages. That's an interest God gave me. Because it's important to me, I keep those books handy--right in my bedroom in a place where I can quickly get to them. However, my life goal isn't to learn the languages perfectly or fluently. That's a good goal, but it's not my #1 life goal.
Right next to my shelf of foreign language books I have a bookshelf I've dedicated to Bibles, devotionals, and Christian books. God is also important to me--much more important than foreign languages--so I make sure that those books that help me grow in my knowledge of Him are also readily available for consultation.

Like I said above, this concept doesn't just apply to bookshelves. The girls I know who shine brightly for Jesus are obvious Christians in every area of their lives. Those who are on Facebook just can't keep Him inside--they're so excited that they have to share Him in their statuses and posts! Those who blog, even just as personal blogs, write about His work in their lives. I know a girl who runs her own business. Almost every time I ask how her business is doing, she replies "It's going really well--God has really been blessing it!" Sometimes she tells me about what God is telling her about the business: things to change, areas to expand to, etc. Every time, though, it's about God.

Let me make one more comment: all of this should come naturally. When I think about how much God loves us, I can't help but want to share it with everyone I know. The girls I mentioned above would say the same thing.

I'm going to close by re-stating the Bible passage I started with. As you read it, ask God if there's any area of your life in which He'd like you to shine brighter or more obviously.

"Here's another way to put it: You're here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We're going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don't think I'm going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I'm putting you on a light stand. Now that I've put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you'll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven."

Matthew 5:14-16, The Message

Don't judge a girl by what she wears

I'd like to follow up yesterday's post on clothing with another (short) clothing post, this time on judgment.

Because girls dress to communicate, it's easy to assume that we know what a person is like just because we've seen the way they dress. That's not true, and it's a dangerous trap to fall into.

Even if someone is dressing in a way that we might not consider godly, God is working in that person. He is still teaching them, and they may be a Christian who's more on-fire for Jesus than the girls you know who dress conservatively. It's true! I've learned things about God from people who wear things I wouldn't wear. I'm okay with that. And there's girls I've met whose closets might as well be my closet, but they didn't really know Jesus.

That doesn't mean that clothing doesn't communicate, of course. Clothing still does communicate, but God's the One responsible for dealing with any underlying "problems" communicated by clothing.

We all have weak areas. God is teaching me how to honor Him in one way. He'll teach others how to honor Him in other areas of their life.

Okay, that's all! :) Thanks for reading!
God bless!
Ruth

Dress to Communicate

The way we dress communicates a lot about what we think. Different people dress different ways for different reasons. Sometimes, we dress a certain way to fit in. Sometimes, we dress a certain way to stand out. Sometimes we dress a certain way because we don't know how else to handle something in our life. But we usually dress to communicate. "Accept me." "Love me." "Look at me." "Admire me." "Envy me." Help me."

Maybe you're one of those people who are looking for help, but you're confused. You try to communicate "help me" through the way you dress. Or maybe you're trying to tell people about something that's going on inside of you, like "I'm depressed" or "I'm upset." If you are one of those people, it's okay--everyone needs help sometimes.

I've put the following in prayer-format for you, but you don't have to pray it if you don't want to. Maybe not everything below applies to you; that's okay. Like I said above, different people dress differently for different reasons. I'm posting the prayer below for those who need it.

And please know that you're not judged. I know that life is tough. Maybe you're not ready for the prayer below, and that's okay too. As long as you're following God, He'll lead you to His heart in His timing--and that's where you want to be.

"Dear God,
I've been wanting help. I've been crying for help, wanting to tell people that something is wrong. Wanting to tell people that I don't have all the answers, and that I'm looking for someone to help me learn them. Wanting to let people know that I don't always make the right choices, and that I need someone to rescue me.

Thank You so much for loving me, for knowing me intimately, and for dying on the cross for me. I love You and I want to follow Your ways.

If anything, I can communicate that I don't have all the answers, but that I have some--and that I'm willing to follow what I've learned right now, not at some future date when I have life all figured out. After all, I won't have all the answers until I die and go to heaven. So, since I'm following You, even though I don't have all the answers in my life, I'll follow what You've told me for now and learn more every day. You know that I sometimes head down the wrong path in life. You know that everyone sometimes chooses the wrong things. That's why You died for everyone. In fact, everyone already knows I'm not perfect. But what You want me to tell people is not that I make some wrong choices every day, but that You have rescued me from my sin. Help me communicate that.

Thank You so much for loving me and caring about me, and please help me to follow You every moment of my life. I love you.
In Jesus' name, Amen."

Oscars 2010- My take on the dresses

Promised myself I would make my fashion blog and not write about fashion on here, but alas, I cannot help writing about one of my loves. Thought I would explain some of these dresses ;p.



Our first, of course, is Sandra Bullock, who accepted the award of "Best Female Actress" for her role in "The Blind Side". I personally enjoy Bullock. She has a real sense of elegance and professionalism, and is, indeed, a talented actress. I saw part of the Blind Side (haven't had time yet), and I also saw her in the Proposal. My review on her Oscar dress, though, is mixed. The upper part of the dress was like an embellished shirt and was pretty, but a little see through (but not as see through as some of the dresses ;p). The length of the dress was fine, since it trailed behind her a bit on the floor, although it was an pencil style and pretty fitting around the bum/legs. The plain hairstyle was a step down from the dress, and surprising, but gave her a together and sweet appearance that fit her personality. Overall, the dress was okay, although I don't think it was very flattering and in my opinion, not the best choice.



I loved Cameron Diaz's dress (I'm not giving my personal opinion on each attendee). Although her dress was strapless, it was gorgeous and beautiful. Gold and the nude, plain colors were popular this year. Since she is petite, the strapless dress wasn't a problem, if you know what I mean (it can be really disgusting on curvy girls), and was one of my favorites. Her wavy, loose hair was very pretty with the dress, and since she is a blonde, her hair and her dress flattered each other wonderfully. And yes, I liked this dress better than Bullock's ;p.



Other than the color, I did not like Kate Winslet's dress (nothing against her personally). It looks... partially finished and kindov like armor (uncomfortable). I don't know what was wrong with the bottom part of the dress. The skirt part was too thin, and then had a slit down the middle that almost made it seem like it was dress pants. She herself, was of course lovely, and her hair was beautiful, but the dress could use some help.



I really liked Jennifer Lopez' dress. Yes, this one was also strapless, but, as the other strapless dresses, wasn't very "revealing". Some might call it crazy but I thought the dress was creative and very impowering. The dip under the arm was clever and the huge, what do you call it, on her hip that had many folds and gave the dress volume was brilliant. I really liked the dress, and Lopez' glow and elegant hair gave this dress a sophisticated edge without being overly sexy.

NOTE: I am not doing all of the dresses (like Miley Cyrus', Sarah Jessica Parker, Nicole Richie, Charlie Therzon, Kristin Stewart, and Hillary Swank). Hillary Swank's dress was hugely innapropriate, as well as some of the others, and some were just not worth talking about and I did not want to bash them. Also, I don't really have time ;D. By the way, although I didn't like Nicole Richie's dress, I do have to give her credit for wearing something so modest ;p.



Zoe Saldana's Oscar dress was very interesting and I loved it. Strapless, yet, but with a petite woman it is not very immodest and looks nice. It looked like two or three different dresses, and that is what I loved about the Givenchy dress. The lavender band and empire waist line was, as my mother would say, very complimentary. The unexpected boom beginning at the knees of the dress was a pleasant surprise and it turned out to be a very pretty, yet spunky dress. If the colors had been different or yellow/orange or something else, it would not have looked half as great ;p. The lavender themed dress went well with her skin color, and a sophisticated updo was a wise choice (large curls or something major would not have gone well with the bold dress). Loved the dress!



Catherine Bigelow is a hard working director and isn't someone you'd expect to see glamming up regularly, but she really did hit it when she went to the 2010 Oscars. Her dress was modest and elegant; a sleeveless crew neck heart decorated top with an empire waist and a shiny, silk skirt that reached the floor. With loose waves and an optimistic smile, Bigelow looked statuesque before and after she accepted the award for Best Director.



Penelope Cruz looked stunning at the Oscars. Clever, she choose a bold and elegant red dress that matched the red carpet at the Oscars. Strapless (very popular this year, can you tell?!) with two level neckline and thick satin pleats. Long and formal, Cruz' gown was ravishing and her soft updo completed the gorgeous look of the Best Supporting Actress nominee.



Best Actress Nominee looked elegant at this year's Oscars. Although pretty modest, I didn't really like the sparkles and the long sleeves. I did, however, like the color and the texture, and think it made an excellent Oscar dress.

Tadah!

Cloche Hat

This is one of my favorite hats. I remember the first time I saw one: I was in Claire's with a friend, and she pointed it out to me as "One of those hats that looks like a bowl on your head." Yeah, well, if that's what it looks like, it's super-cute.

The nice thing about the cloche hat is that it's a hat that's always feminine. Guys wear fedoras, guys wear baseball caps, some guys even wear beanie hats, but no guy wears cloche hats. They're a girls-only fashion. And as hats become more trendy, the cloche hat will provide a feminine alternative to the fedoras and baseball caps that are cute but not quite as feminine as we could hope.

Cloche hats have been in several fairly recent movies. A 1920s style, they come in many variations, sizes, and colors. So whether you prefer big and bold or small and simple, you'll find one you like.

Amanda Seyfried's 2009 Oscar dress

Now, I'm not a huge Amanda Seyfried fan, but as I looked through old Oscar pics from 2009 I stumbled across her dress for the 2009 Oscars. And though I'd probably never wear a bow that large (on anything), I applaud her simple sense of elegance, the modest length of her dress and her dress's relatively conservative neckline. Her make-up is natural, as is her hair. Her jewelry adds just enough to the outfit without being overly glitzy. Amanda, unlike many of the other nominees, looked stunning while staying modest.

Chocolate JCP dress

This is another of my favorite outfits. JCPenney's Ruby Rox Square Neck Framed Dress shows femininity in a simple but trendy way, and it's a dress I'd wear just about anywhere. From Sunday church services to graduations to summer parties and maybe even weddings, this dress is modest, feminine, and sweet--like chocolate.

Cute summer outfit

I saw this look on Forever 21's website and just had to post it. The cute summer dress (which I would wear with something underneath for more coverage) has cheerful stripes in my favorite color, and her hairstyle is feminine and casual. The outfit would work without the hat, in my opinion, but the hat does add a cute, different twist to her outfit. Very cute!

READY taking a break

Hey all!
This is a little blurb to letcha know that READY is taking a few weeks off. :)

Obeying Parents: What is respect?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mistermundo/ / CC BY 2.0

Obeying parents is a tough topic with several areas to cover. Today's post is about respect.

It's a term we hear all the time: respect. Respect me. Respect them. Respect your elders. Respect your teachers. Respect your sister. Respect their wishes. Respect their time. Respect your brother. Respect your friend. Respect your classmate. Respect your parents.

It's a word that we learn when we're young, but what does it really mean? We know that when someone says "respect," they basically want us to be nicer. But respect is so much more than that.

According to Dictionary.com, respect is "esteem for or a sense of the worth or excellence of a person, a personal quality or ability, or something considered as a manifestation of a personal quality or ability...deference to a right, privilege, privileged position, or someone or something considered to have certain rights or privileges; proper acceptance or courtesy; acknowledgment....to hold in esteem or honor."

Think of the most amazing, honorable person you know of. Maybe it's a movie star, a top designer, an American Idol winner, the Queen of England, or the President. Now, answer a few questions about that person:

How much would you pay to see that person? To have lunch with them? To get their advice on your life problems?

Could anyone do their job as well as they do? How would you feel if they were suddenly gone?

How would you describe them? Amazing? Excellent? Skilled? Wise?

Would you say that they hold a high, privileged position?

Do you hold them in esteem and honor?

Would you treat them the way you treat your parents? Would you treat them better than you treat your parents?

Look at the answers to your questions. No doubt you've established that, even if you wouldn't always agree with this person, you would recognize the value of their life experience, the honor of their position. Think over the way you would treat that person. You wouldn't be rude. You wouldn't dis them in front of your friends. You wouldn't be unkind to them or talk back.

Now, think about your parents for a second. Maybe in your eyes they're already amazing. Maybe all you can see is flaws. I don't know what you see; every situation is different. But I want you to put aside all of your opinions for a moment and consider what I'm about to tell you.

The God of the Universe, the Creator of galaxies, the One who runs the world, the One who holds the power of life and death, the One whom angels worship and demons fear, the only One who knows everything, the only One who is all-powerful, and the One who died a horrible death to save you from hell because He loves you deeply and infinitely, this One who wants you to be your best--your best, as an individual with potential to impact the world and shape it for Him--He is God. God knows everything about every adult in the history of the world. He knew that you would have parents, and it was His goal to give you parents who would shape your character and help you become the amazing person you can be. And when it came time to pick out these people who would shape your life, your parents, He--God--could have chosen any adults in the entire history of the world to raise you. He picked out the ones that you now call your parents (and stepparents, and adopted parents too).

Some of you may be like, "Whoa, God made a mistake." Nope. God doesn't make mistakes. He knew you. He knows that you could change the world you live in. And to prepare you, out of all the parents in the history of the world, He picked yours.

That's pretty special.

Your parents were chosen by God to raise you. To teach you. To help you learn how to interact with others. To help you learn right from wrong. To help you follow God.

You know how you respect that famous person? You should think of your parents as 100 times more amazing than them. Because God could've given you that famous person as a parent. Maybe you think that'd be pretty sweet, but God knows that your parents would do a better job of preparing you for life than that famous person. Wow. Pretty cool, huh?

God could've picked anyone, and He picked those people you call "parents." They deserve respect.

God's presence

When God led the Israelites through the desert, He led them to build a tabernacle. We are now each tabernacles of God. He led them to appoint priests and high priests. We are now priests, and Jesus is our high priest. God would put His presence on/in the tabernacle when He didn't want the Israelites to go anywhere, and He would move it when He wanted them to move. Now, we follow the Holy Spirit's leading.

In the past, when I've read the story of the Israelites' following God's presence, what stood out to me was that the Israelites followed God's leading. And that's correct. But there's another picture there that I didn't see until today.

The NCV translates the last few verses of Exodus, Exodus 40:34-38, like this:

"Then the cloud covered the Meeting Tent, and the glory of the LORD filled the Holy Tent. [35] Moses could not enter the Meeting Tent, because the cloud had settled on it, and the glory of the Lord filled the Holy Tent.
[36] When the cloud rose from the Holy Tent, the Israelites would begin to travel, [37] but as long as the cloud stayed on the Holy Tent, they did not travel. They stayed in that place until the cloud rose. [38] So the cloud of the LORD was over the Holy Tent during the day, and there was a fire in the cloud at night. So all the Israelites could see the cloud while they traveled."

Putting up the "Holy Tent" was very involved (lots of poles, loops, and fabric, not to mention furniture). Only priests could enter the tent, because of God's presence in the tent. And only the High Priest could enter the Holy of Holies part of the tent once a year, and the High Priest had to bring with him the year's sacrifice.

You see, yes, the Israelites did follow God's presence. But sometimes, when God's cloud was over the tent, they couldn't have moved even if they wanted to--any Israelite trying to take down the tent for travel would have been killed.

Sometimes, God limits us. We sometimes want to do things that we simply are not able to do. Sometimes it's because of health. Sometimes it's because of money (or lack thereof). Sometimes it's because of family or plans or trips or rules or whatever. But it's all a part of God's plan. It's God keeping us where He wants us--which is the best place for us to be. :)

Someday my prince will come....SOMEDAY...

View the original image here

It's really hard to wait. We all know it. And when it comes to finding that "perfect someone," we're especially eager.

But God doesn't always plan for us to know right away. Some people don't meet their "perfect someone" until after high school. Or until after college.

And to make it worse, while we're waiting, our friends are dating. Some of them are getting engaged, and some are getting married. Talk about singles' awareness.

I'd like to share something with you. A leader at my youth group recently gave the girls in our youth group a very useful suggestion: start a husband diary. Write letters to your future husband. Pray for him. Pray about him. Write down what you're looking for in a future husband (no matter how trivial each characteristic seems). Write down song lyrics that inspire you. It'll help you remember that there is a specific guy out there who God is saving you for...and if you happen to meet a charmer who doesn't match your qualifications for a husband, you'll know it's not your future prince and you'll know to stay away, keeping your future guy in mind. :)

READY: May 13, 2010

Today's Passage: Genesis 25, NIV

What ladies can learn: A lot happens in this passage. Abraham takes a new wife, and they have lots of kids. We see Hagar mentioned again, and hear about Ishmael's kids. Issac prays for Rebekah and she has kids.

I want you to notice two things in this chapter. First, notice that God sees childbearing as a blessing. God rules the world. God wants us to take care of the world. And He still sees childbearing as a blessing! Our culture gives us so many reasons to limit the number of kids in every family, but that's not something that's really our decision--it's God's. So, if/when you get married, don't see having kids as a burden--see it as a blessing.

The other thing I want you to notice is that Issac prayed for Rebekah to have children. No doubt they were both discouraged while Rebekah was barren, but I would guess that Rebekah was the more discouraged. Nevertheless, Issac didn't say "Women are the ones who get pregnant, so it's your job to pray and un-barren yourself." No! Issac prayed for Rebekah. They shared the trial, and they shared the blessings.

Highlighted characteristic of God: God knows everyone's name. That may seem trivial, but think about it: the Creator of the universe, who created galaxies and worlds with little effort, and who has billions of people in His care, takes the time to know your name and care about you. Wow! That makes me think of Psalms 8:3-4, NCV: "I look at your heavens, which you made with your fingers. I see the moon and stars, which you created. But why are people even important to you? Why do you take care of human beings?"
In two words: God cares.

Highlighted characteristic for us: Have faith! God answers prayer. Issac and Rebekah prayed for God to give them a child, and He gave them two. What has God placed on your heart to pray for?
In three words: Pray and believe.