Bloom!

a merry-go-round

noreply@blogger.com (Joanna) — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 14:15:00 +0000

Today we're sharing with you a merry-go-round of things that we thought are worth checking out...

~ The GirlTalkers have a great post on the New Year titled "Maybe This Year"

~ Wanna enter to win a free book? Then head on over to my (Joanna) personal blog and comment soon (giveaway closes January 19th)!

~ Here's a tutorial on how to make those cute fabric flowers to wear in your hair by Emily Brookshire

~ Looking to be a better steward of the money God has given you and get some freebies, too? Check out author Crystal Paine's amazing website, Money Saving Mom!

You Can't!

noreply@blogger.com (Joanna) — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 15:25:00 +0000

"That is what the gospel is all about - how to get the wrong man out, and the Right Man in - and to exchange the Lie for the Truth! On your own you cannot do it! But I have good news for you!

You can't!

But He can!"

~ Ian Thomas

Merry Christmas!

noreply@blogger.com (Joanna) — Sat, 24 Dec 2011 21:37:00 +0000

Merry Christmas, girls! May your day be filled with great joy - because Jesus came to rescue us out of darkness and bring us into His glorious light. Now that is good news! Hallelujah!

Celebrating Jesus with you!

Joanna, Megan, and Jessina

180 movie

noreply@blogger.com (Joanna) — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 13:46:00 +0000

The other day my family and I sat down to watch this "180" movie. Friends had told me to watch it but I had never heard of it and I had no clue how truly astounding and good it would be. It was better than good. It showed Biblcial truth on abortion (aka murder) so powerfully and beautifully and brought tears to my eyes. Not only that, but as people were interviewed and abortion was explained to them in a new light, they started changing their minds...

Pastor and author John Piper had this to say about "180":

“I give my unflinching, joyful, trembling Yes to ‘180’. Unflinching, because it's right. Joyful, because it's good. Trembling, because this our defeated enemy is still vicious.”

Please, take 33 minutes and sit down and watch "180". It's so worth it!

an ordinary Friday

noreply@blogger.com (Joanna) — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 02:44:00 +0000

An inch long nail rests on my bedside table. It looks out of the ordinary, I have to admit. And yet, I leave it. I even smile as I walk by and see it.

Do you remember in the Old Testament how God would have the Israelites, at various times, build an altar to remember something He did or said? Well, that nail is like an altar, so to speak, because…

One ordinary Friday this fall, I was outside walking when suddenly I heard an odd clicking noise. I couldn’t figure out where it was coming from since every time I stopped moving, the noise also stopped. After looking all over, I lifted my shoe and to my horror, discovered that I had stepped on a rusty nail! I extricated it from my shoe and examined my foot. I expected pain and felt none. I expected blood and saw none.

Shaking my head in amazement, I smiled and thanked God that somehow the nail had gone through my tennis shoe, but not through my foot! Seeing as the nail was one inch and how my shoe was built, it should’ve gone all the way through and pierced my skin.

I sat down in wonder, whispering praise to my Protector. Only He could’ve orchestrated such protection and leave me in awe of Him because of it! It was as if He was standing right next to me, gently whispering, “My dear daughter, I care for you and love you so! See, I am with you always.”

And so the nail stays by my bed, like an altar, reminding me that indeed, He is there for me!

Set Apart Girl Magazine

noreply@blogger.com (Joanna) — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 19:24:00 +0000

Recently as I was reading Leslie Ludy's magazine, Set Apart Girl, I came across a very good article. Written by an anonymous Christian guy, Godly Guy/Girl Interaction, is something that we, as believing young ladies, need to read. Far too often, instead of listening to a Biblical perspective on guys and relationships, we let the world tell us what we "need" to know. But like Proverbs is always talking about, we need to be wise and not listen to worldly advice. Instead, we should be taking in things that line up with Scripture, like this article.

He says, "I, though just a warrior-poet-in-the-making, have a few complaints of my own that I'd like to level at a grotesque monster that has lingered far too long in the corridors of the Church..."

Head on over to read the rest and find out what the author is talking about!

noreply@blogger.com (Joanna) — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 13:11:00 +0000

{We apologize for our abrupt absence from the blog! Various things kept us busy - like moving back to college for two of us and serving with a Christian organization for myself...We're hoping to get back to normalcy soon. And now, without further ado, here is something to cheer your day and refresh your spirit!}

Out of the Desert

by Marie Lemelin

Thirsty—throat aching for water,

Faint—I stumble through a barren land

Hot—I tremble from a burning sun

Is there no one to lend me a helping hand?

Mocking—mirages rise to taunt

Water—blue lake lies cool

Oasis—the tall trees bend slender

I blink and know that I’m a fool.

Falling—I give in to weakness

Despair—etched in hollowness of soul

Crying—tears track down my cheeks

All of my heart yearns to be made whole.

Caught—I feel a tender grasp

Carried—strong arms lifting me

Behold—an Old Rugged Cross stands

Releasing my shame I am free.

Refreshed—I look for the Wellspring

Found—in the blood of the Lamb

Cleansed—I rise up forgiven,

My sins gone; whole I stand.

Captured—by Love so abundant

Amazed—by the grace shown to me

Redeemed—I follow His pathway

Jesus is still setting souls free!

Giving Grace...to yourself

noreply@blogger.com (Megan) — Sat, 06 Aug 2011 13:36:00 +0000

We really did intend for last week to be our last in this series on grace.

But then I learned something else (funny how that works!) and I wanted to share in case you've ever struggled with this, too.

It's about showing grace to ourselves.

The scandalous thing about grace is that it's free. It covers absolutely everything we do. And while we have to pay the natural consequences of our sin in this world, the punishment has been taken away. Jesus already died to pay it.

Sometimes I have a hard time coping with that. So I punish myself. God can forgive me, but I won't forgive myself. And I'm so busy punishing and hating myself and not forgiving that I can't even how wrong this is. Saying God can forgive me but I won't forgive me is, quite simply, setting myself up to be a higher authority than God, no matter how humble or right it feels.

"Have we created a religion that doesn't need Jesus?" Serena Woods writes. "That's not freedom, that's self-control. Jesus wasn't the atonement in case you accidentally sin. He was the atonement because you hopelessly sin. The freedom [...] is not something you earn by making right choices; the freedom is the lack of punishment when you don't make the right choices." (Grace is for Sinners, 201)

But then there are the lies we believe.

I've spent all summer believing a lie, and I only just realized it. "The lie that I've been drowning in when I drive, work, talk with [my sister] says that I make a mess of everything I touch," I wrote in my journal. "I'm a destroyer: I can't do anything right and everything I touch turns to pieces."

It's quite obviously a lie when you write it down. But in my mind, there was a nugget of truth/humility to it: I am a sinner, I can't do anything good on my own.

But the real truth?

Those are not the words God is speaking into our lives. He is speaking words of grace, healing, and restoration. And it's our job to make our words agree with His, even if they are scandalously free and aggressively graceful.

Because whatever the lie is whispering about us, whatever sin we've committed that we can't forgive - we have started over. We are not that person anymore.

If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation: the old has passed away, behold the new has come. - 2 Cor. 5:17

Do not call to mind the former things, or ponder the things of the past. Behold, I am doing something new! - Isaiah 43:18

...And if Christ is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, yet the spirit is alive because of righteousness..." - Romans 8

We have been given grace. And grace, by its nature, is completely undeserved. But sisters, we can hold ourselves back from being able to fully experience it and offer it to others.

The great message of the Cross, the great message of our lives, is this: even though we have done horribly wrong, we are still wanted and loved. And we have been redeemed: we are not that person anymore, and not enslaved to sin any longer. We are loved, and we are free.

I pray that not only would we learn to be channels of grace for others - but that we would offer grace to ourselves, too.

God does.

Graceful Words: Book Edition

noreply@blogger.com (Megan) — Mon, 25 Jul 2011 23:06:00 +0000

We've hardly begun to talk about grace - what it is, what it means, how we can become channels of grace to others. There is so much more to talk about, and a lifetime of learning and seeing and being ahead of us.

I know so little of it myself. But we hope that these last few posts have given you some things to think and wonder and pray about.

And since we know you love to read as much as we do - we can't end this series without a nod to some books and blogs on grace. I think we've mentioned them all before - but here are three books worth checking out:

What's So Amazing About Grace? by Philip Yancey
I can't quite write about this book, because it's still on my "to-read" list. But Philip Yancey's books are very readable, filled with true stories and sound theology. So I'm recommending it anyway.

Grace is for Sinners, by Serena Woods
She had an affair with her best friend's husband, and in the span of three weeks managed to ruin more lives than she could imagine. And there was nothing she wouldn't do to reverse her actions. And yet, when every Christian friend she had turned their backs on her - or twisted Scripture to say she could never be forgiven - she found grace and mercy at the foot of the cross, and the promise that grace is for sinners. And we are all sinners. Her blog is worth checking out as well, filled with words of grace and wisdom.

Craving Grace by Lisa Velthouse
I know, we just recommended this earlier in the summer. But seriously, it's good. Lisa's memoir approaches grace in the opposite way: this is the story of a "good girl" realizing that no matter how hard she tried, her goodness wasn't enough. She followed all the rules and made up a few extra ones to boot. But life was empty, she was tired of trying - and this is her story of falling into grace and finding that not only did she need it, too, but it was exactly what her life was missing. Lisa has a lovely blog as well - click here to visit!

What are your thoughts? We'd love to continue the conversation in the comments section! (And we promise, we'll actually reply and be faster about moderating the comments this time around!)

Graceful Words

noreply@blogger.com (Megan) — Mon, 18 Jul 2011 12:00:00 +0000

What does it look like to be a woman of grace?

If we're walking closely with Jesus and living freely in His grace, that grace will spill out of our lives. We will be able to offer this gift to others. And one of the most prominent ways we can do so is with our words. Matthew 12 says that "Out of the heart the mouth speaks" - do your words reflect a graceful and loving heart?

I'm sad to admit that mine don't, not nearly as often as I wish they would.

But words are important, and have far more power than we usually give them credit for. God created the world by speaking. And in Deuteronomy 32, he says that his commandments are "not just idle words for you - they are your life."

Words of grace are words of life and creation. We can speak life, hope, and healing into another's life. Our words can be water to parched souls - or they can be cutting and deadly.

"If anyone speaks," Peter writes, "he should do it as one speaking the very words of God." (1 Peter 4:11).

The very words of God. Talk about pressure!

But what does this look like practically? How can we speak words of life and grace into another's life?

It means listening, really listening, and being sensitive and gentle no matter what the situation is. But one good indicator is how we respond when a friend falls, as they will over and over. We're human. They will fall and fail, and we will fall and fail.

Grace is forgiving. Grace offers mercy. They don't deserve it (neither do we!) and that is the point. Love never gives up on a person: and grace doesn't, either.

Offer a second chance when they don't deserve it. Offer healing, not condemnation. They've already gotten plenty of that.

And in our everyday interactions? I believe it was CJ Mahaney who first introduced me to the idea of looking for "evidences of grace" in each other's lives.

It's often so hard for me to see where I'm growing, what God is doing in my life - if anything. It's like a child measuring his physical growth - yes, he's growing every day, but can he tell the difference, day by day? No. But someone else - who doesn't see him every day, perhaps - will be able to clearly see that he's grown taller.

It's the same spiritually. We may grow in tiny increments, and may even get discouraged that the growth is so slow. Intentionally noticing growth and grace in another's life - and telling them - is incredibly encouraging and life-producing.

All encouragement, as a matter of fact, is full of grace, love, and life.

What do you think? Do you have more ideas for growing in graceful speech?

Friday Footprints

noreply@blogger.com (Joanna) — Fri, 15 Jul 2011 10:00:00 +0000

A few links to boost your weekend!

It's summertime and perhaps you're looking for a new hairstyle. If that's the case, check out Locks of Love (LOL), an organization that makes hairpieces (wigs) for children who have lost their own hair due to illness. Not only would donating your hair to LOL give you a different, cooler-for-summer hairstyle, it'd also show God's love in a tangible way to children around the country! So head on over to LOL and learn more!

Set Apart Girl's July/August issue is out, filled to the brim with encouraging, fun, and thought-provoking articles on everything from standing for life and dressing with dignity to furthering your relationship with Jesus and time wasters. So head on over and prepare to be blessed, encouraged, and challenged!

Have a beautiful weekend with Jesus!

Joanna, Jessina & Megan

Esther: A Portrait of Grace

noreply@blogger.com (Joanna) — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 01:15:00 +0000

Grace. Sure, it’s only five letters long, but it’s a giant, beautiful, powerful word when lived out. As I’ve been thinking about grace and how the Lord has given me so much of it, I was reminded of a young lady who displayed His grace in such a striking and powerful way in my life...

It was 2009 and I had flown into Oklahoma City for three weeks of training and teaching the Character First! Education (CF!) program in the inner-city schools of Oklahoma City (now In the Gap). Esther was working with CF! - teaching, serving however needed, giving of her time, talents, and heart.

So, after my arrival in the city, she approached me and introduced herself. When I offered my hand, she skipped that norm and went straight to a hug. She has such a sweet spirit of grace that even on my first meeting I could see that it permeated her whole being. I immediately felt that she lived life to the fullest for Jesus Christ and couldn’t wait to get to know her better!

As we spent time together training, teaching, learning, laughing, and talking, I began to see that my first impression of my friend was correct – she lived life wholeheartedly, full of grace. One morning in particular this became clear to me when Esther took one look at me and knew something was wrong. The night before I had been harshly attacked with doubts and fears by the father of lies and darkness, and I was worn out and frightened. I started to walk downstairs, dejected, when Esther looked at me and kindly asked if I was okay.

After honest, grace-filled words on her part and a few hugs and encouraging words, we knelt down on the carpet and Esther began praying. Oh, did she pray! It was such a beautiful prayer to my depressed spirit. The Lord answered her prayer quickly - not only did my body stop shaking in fear, but my spirit felt free again and I knew the Lord was with me no matter what.

It wasn’t until later that I realized Esther had shown me grace in a profound way. I didn’t deserve her concern and kind words and actions. I was depressed and scared and upset. My face was not a mirror of grace at that moment, but God used my friend to show grace to me that morning in a special way.

As 2 Corinthians 2:14-15 talks about, Esther became an aroma to me, like an aroma of grace in a very real way. And it wasn’t her grace but rather God’s grace flowing through her. That’s what is so powerful about Esther – she allows Jesus to flow through her to bless and encourage others. She showered His grace on me. I didn’t deserve it, that’s true. But then again, that’s what grace is all about!

The Real Gospel

noreply@blogger.com (Joanna) — Thu, 07 Jul 2011 23:29:00 +0000

If you're like me, you've heard of many watered down "Gospels", like the "prosperity Gospel" (i.e. the false teaching that when you come to Christ, He'll bless you abundantly always, things will always go well with you, you'll have whatever you want financially, good health, etc.).

But that's not the real thing. We know Scripturally that God doesn't always give us what we want (but He always works it all out for good - Romans 8:28), nor do believers always have large bank accounts. After all, I know many fervent and authentic believers around the world that often don't know when their next meal will come.

So we definitely know that Jesus didn't teach the "prosperity Gospel" - that things will always go well with us (take a look at His disciples - all but one were martyred ruthlessly!). He taught grace. As Megan said, we certainly don't deserve God sending Jesus to die an ugly death on a rugged, bloody cross (1 Peter 2:24). We don't deserve Someone else taking our place. My place. Your place.

But that's the real thing! And that's grace.

Sometimes I catch myself thinking,"Yeah, yeah, I know all that." And I walk away. Then I realize something - the Gospel shouldn't be ordinary or just "nice". It's not a "I'll think of this once and then live my own life" kind of thing.

It's the Holy Spirit convicting me of sin and showing me I need a Savior.

It's Jesus rescuing me from my filthy sins.

It's God adopting me as His child.

It's me living radically for Him.

That's why I want to share this video entitled "The Gospel" by the Ellerslie Mission Society (a ministry of authors Eric and Leslie Ludy). It's a beautifully choreographed video, powerfully showing the Gospel as God intended it, not that prosperity stuff or watered down version, but the real, true Gospel:

Forgiveness.

Redemption.

Grace.

And oh so much more!

The Gospel of Grace

noreply@blogger.com (Megan) — Mon, 04 Jul 2011 20:26:00 +0000

It's been a long time since Easter.

The spring decorations have been tossed back in their boxes, and we're running around planning vacations and hosting barbecues.

And in the midst of all this lovely weather, in the midst of the jobs and plans and vacations - we tend to forget the most important things.

So our new series here at Bloom! is going to spend the next few weeks focusing on grace. What is it? How should we see it in our lives, our relationships with others? What does it look like to live a life of grace? Why do we so often forget it?

We'll start with what it is - because that should change the entire way we look at the world. And you can't remind yourself of the truth too often.

You've probably heard this saying: Justice is getting what you deserve. Mercy is not getting what you deserve. And grace is getting what you don't deserve.

We can't understand grace until we focus our eyes again on the cross.

A rough, bloodstained cross, signifying the most horrible death. And a life gladly given in love.

A ransom.

The most unfair and unjust trade: Jesus' perfect life for ours. He took our sin, our failures, everything we've ever done or said or thought that was wrong - and everything right that we didn't do.

He paid for everything that required punishment - so that we can stand before the Judge and hear the sweet words, "Not guilty."

That is grace.

And there is more: because of that sacrifice, that utterly unearned gift, God sees us as whole and perfect. We are dressed in righteousness. And God calls us co-heirs with Christ.

We will share in the kingdom.

Did I remind you that we were enemies? We didn't simply ignore God when he chose to die, to save us (the ungrateful people who wanted to kill him, not be rescued).

And we, who deserve eternal punishment....are instead promised an eternal happily-ever-after. We are called clean and righteous. We are given the kingdom.

We can never earn it. Ever.

And we can never lose it. Ever.

That is grace.

Book Review: Twelve Extraordinary Women

noreply@blogger.com (Joanna) — Thu, 30 Jun 2011 10:00:00 +0000

Author: John MacArthur

Genre: Christian

Rating (1=lowest, 5=highest): 5

Synopsis: Take a journey into the lives of Anna, Rahab, and Lydia and other Biblical women and see how God worked in their lives!

Like: I like how MacArthur gives each woman (with the exception of Mary and Martha) their own chapter, therefore giving details and thoughts. He paints a beatiful and authentic portrait of each woman and how God stirred their hearts. Theologically sound and very well done!

Don't like: I didn't find anything that I didn't like.

Conclusion: MacArthur's study of twelve women from the Bible proved informative, enlightening, and inspiring. An excellent read!

Heroines of History: Matilda Wrede

noreply@blogger.com (Megan) — Tue, 28 Jun 2011 02:31:00 +0000

Some of the amazing heroines of the faith are quite famous and you've heard of them; others may be new to you. But may we all be inspired by these women's selfless lives and their willingness to respond to God's call, doing the best they could in any circumstance they found themselves in!

Today's woman is Matilda Wrede: a young woman of conviction. Born in 1864 into a life of privilege, Matilda was a Baroness in Finland. Although her mother died before Matilda's first birthday, there was such an age span over the nine children that Matilda's older sister, Helena, became Matilda's second mother at seventeen, and never married.

Horrified by the conditions of prisons and prisoners that her father and older sister had tried to shield her from, Matilda determined to visit the filthy prisons to preach the love of Jesus. After visiting them faithfully for an entire summer during her teens, the family received a letter from a young traveling minister - the one who had led Matilda to Christ during a revival meeting some years before. The only reason for his wishing to visit and become better acquainted with the family was because he was, most likely, interested in a courtship with Matilda. Dreams spun before her eyes as she imagined seeing this young man again; of carrying on the prison ministry together, with a protector by her side. But then, she had a dream. Of a convict by her bed, rattling his horrible chains and pleading for her to tell the prisoners of God's love - while there was still time. The dream seemed to be confirmed with Scriptures she read the next morning, like Ezekiel 3:11 and Jeremiah 1:6, telling her to go, speak to those in captivity, and not worry that she was hardly more than a child. The next morning, as assurance that this was His plan for her life - though one she would have hardly chosen - she canceled the minister's visit, and decided that she would be "wed to the prisons": prison ministry would be her life.

For the rest of her life, Matilda traveled to the prisons throughout Finland, seeing God's miracles in even the most hardened of prisoners soften. She endured the atrocious filth and trusted in God's protection when alone with cruel murderers. She began living a humble life of poverty for the prisoner's sake, dressing and eating simply and poorly so that they would not be sidetracked by anything in Matilda, but would only see Jesus. The prisoners began to love her, and she dropped her title of Baroness for good, preferring to be known only as "the prisoner's friend". Occasional visits around the countryside to the home of her former prisoners were good for her, as she saw converted men leading honest lives with their families, forever grateful to a young woman of passion and purpose for showing them the way while there was yet time.

Years later, when a new dictator came to power in Russia, and there were wars and Civil Wars, Matilda was not allowed to visit the prisoners. Undaunted, she kept her doors open for all who needed help, and wrote many letters to those in prison all across Finland. She pushed for prison reform, and opened the public eye to what was really going on. But above all, Matilda Wrede was, simply, "the prisoner's friend."

"A life placed in the hands of God will be used by Him." ~ Matilda Wrede

(To read more about Matilda Wrede, check out the book "Mercy at Midnight," by Lois Hoadley Dick!)

-- from the archives

Summer is for Reading

noreply@blogger.com (Megan) — Thu, 23 Jun 2011 14:50:00 +0000

In honor of the long, sunny days and your requests for more book recommendations, we thought that today instead of conversations we'd suggest a few to add to your list!

1. Craving Grace, by Lisa Velthouse

A memoir of one girl's search to find God and love Him more deeply - and find her delight and life's sweetness in him.

2. One Thousand Gifts, by Ann Voskamp

Can giving thanks for little things really change our lives? Our faith? Yes. It can. This is a beautiful little book. The writing is a bit cluttered sometimes, but it's a very readable and enjoyable book.

3. A Gospel Primer for Christians, by Milton Vincent

This Gospel primer is exactly what the title says - a little book overflowing with Scriptural gems on how to live the Gospel each day. A definite must-read!

4. Hearts of Fire, by Voice of the Martyrs

Travel along with eight women as they risk their lives for Jesus. Filled to the brim with passion and authenticity, this book will inspire you to also live with a heart of fire for your Savior!

Happy reading!

I need God to be God

noreply@blogger.com (Megan) — Wed, 22 Jun 2011 21:23:00 +0000

I have a confession: when things are going well, I try to make God small. I want Him to be manageable and understandable. It's just too scary to not know exactly What I'm dealing with, to never be able to really understand what He's doing or why. It's so much more comfortable to try to box Him in.

And I want some semblance of control - and when things are going well, I think that I'm pretty good at controlling my own life.

Am I alone in this?

When things are good, I think I can get along just fine with a small god.

But oh, when things are hard – I realize that the one thing we desperately need is a God who is God.

I need Him to be bigger than me, and far wiser and better. I need to know that He is in control and there is a purpose behind this trial. It’s okay that I can’t see or understand the purpose, though I sure wish I could. But I desperately need to know that there is one.

I need to know that He is still in control when control has been wrested out of my grip.

I need to know that He is big enough that He can and will bring something good out of this.

He needs to be bigger than trials, suffering, evil, heartbreak, and everything else that goes wrong. I need to know that evil and wrong won't ultimately win.

But if I've boxed Him in as a helpful genie, then when something goes wrong, he’s failed. He didn’t give me what I wanted, didn’t smooth out the paths for me and bring me a happy life.

It’s easy to slip back into trying to understand Him fully, and making Him small enough that I can understand Him fully. Sadly, it semi-works when I don’t think I need him to be bigger than my life circumstances. When I don’t think I need to cling to the promise that He knows what He’s doing, that He’s so big He doesn’t have to spare me from all suffering and trials – but He can instead use them and turn them around for good.

I need Him to be my rock that I can stand on, not a bundle of happy and wishy-washy cliches.

And this is the best news: He is!

He is big enough. He will use everything for our good, and He will ultimately win.

As C.S. Lewis said of his famous lion Aslan, "He is not a tame lion. But he is good."

We don't have to understand him (much as we would like to). And we can't. He can be both wild and dangerous. But He is also bigger than everything - and good. And that's a truth that will hold us when we cling to it.

Quotations: Everlasting Love

noreply@blogger.com (Joanna) — Tue, 21 Jun 2011 10:00:00 +0000

“A spirit of restlessness and resistance can never wait, but one who believes he is loved with an everlasting love, and knows that underneath are the everlasting arms, will find strength and peace.”

~Elisabeth Elliot

The Word that's an Ambassador

noreply@blogger.com (Joanna) — Mon, 20 Jun 2011 12:48:00 +0000

My friend Marie (author of "Song of Joy" ) sent me this fun riddle that she recently composed. See if you can figure out the word and then, with God's grace, live it out each day!

The Word that's an Ambassador

by Marie Lemelin

It causes lovely dispositions

And this is not just superstition,

That when given away to a grump,

A smile will come and the frown will be stumped,

Children love it and old people too

And all the ages in between – no not a few,

It’s a fact of life that seems to grow,

How it happens I don’t really know,

The savor is sweet though the cost is great

And somehow it is never too late,

It is found on every continent,

And in order to use it, it requires commitment,

It crosses boundaries made by tongue

For it knows every language under the sun,

And when regularly given to even the meanest man

His heart will be changed like nothing else can,

Some folks think it’s old-fashioned to see,

But it’s not illegal yet and never will be,

For it is something that sensibility understands,

And something that enriches and betters all lands,

One more word of small advice,

It’s something that can’t be given in slice,

You must give all or nothing, my friend,

And stick with till the very end,

Now that I have your curiosity piqued,

And this elusive word has across your brain sneaked,

You must stop and ponder the message of this poem,

And once you figure out what it is – take the message home.

What am I?

Friday Footprints

noreply@blogger.com (Joanna) — Fri, 17 Jun 2011 10:00:00 +0000

Carolyn Mahaney, from GirlTalk, posted a thought-provoking article titled "The Secret of Fulfillment". She writes, "Our culture is constantly telling us to find our life; that we’re the center of our world, and as such, we need to take care of “me” first. But when I’m the center of my world, my world becomes very small—because I’m the only person in it. When I try to find fulfillment in anything besides loving Christ and serving Him, I will only end up more frustrated and completely unfulfilled." To continue reading the rest, click here.

Have a joy-filled weekend!

Joanna, Jessina & Megan

Conversations: Edition Twenty Seven

noreply@blogger.com (Joanna) — Thu, 16 Jun 2011 12:42:00 +0000

Continuing our weekly conversations...

The deal: Each Thursday, we announce a question of the week. We seek to ask questions that spark interesting conversations, whether it simply be about books, traditions, spiritual disciplines, more theological matters, or anything related to life in general. You can join our conversations two ways:

1. Leave a comment with your thoughts!

2. Or, if you prefer, post an answer to your own blog and leave us a link to your post so we can comment and add to the conversation. If you post on your own blog, you are welcome to use the picture above as long as you link back to us somewhere in your post.

This week's question...

What do you think of when you hear the word "grateful" (as several of you referred to in leper lady's story)? How could we, as followers of Jesus, exemplify gratitude more in our lives?

Quotations: A Humble Instrument

noreply@blogger.com (Joanna) — Tue, 14 Jun 2011 10:00:00 +0000

“I believe I am a humble instrument in the hands of our Heavenly Father;

I desire that all my works and acts may be according to His will;

and that it may be so, I give thanks to the Almighty and seek His aid.”

~ Abraham Lincoln

leper lady's story

noreply@blogger.com (Joanna) — Mon, 13 Jun 2011 18:24:00 +0000

{Several years ago, while on one of my Romania mission trips, we visited and ministered in a leper village. Through a translator, I learned the following story, which I have paraphrased to the best of my memory.

May it bless and encourage you!}

She held out her hands to me. All of her fingers were missing. My eyes traveled from her battered hands to her face. Her eyes caught my attention. They were overflowing with light and hope. I knew she had a story to tell and eagerly began conversing with her...

"I've lived here for over 50 years, young lady. You see, when I got leprosy, there was not much they could do for me. I began losing my fingers and toes and having other deformities. I was a disgrace to my family and friends. They didn't want me near them. They shunned me. And it broke my heart. I couldn't stand the rejection, so I moved to these remote mountains. Here I found fellow leper-sufferers. We accepted and helped and loved each other. We understood each other and the pain and agony we went through. But still something was missing.

Then one day, a missionary came and eventually built a church here among us. We were curious, so we began attending the services. He shared the Gospel with us and it was as if a bright light came into my heart. I put my trust in Jesus and gave my life to Him. Finally, after all those years of hurt, rejection, and trials, I'd found true joy - in Jesus!

As the years went on, it became harder for me make it to the church building from my place. There was a slight hill and my body couldn't walk it. I was determined to keep learning more about my dear Savior, but the only way to get to church was to get down on my knees and crawl. The rocks grated and pierced my knees and I bled, but I kept at it. He was worth it, child, and He is worth it! Through rain, shine, snow, and ice I crawled. I don't recall how long I did this, but one day the Lord sent me a beautiful gift - a wheelchair! It was with great joy that I was able arrive at my church - without bleeding. Ever since then, I've been coming, hearing, learning, and following my Savior.

And you know, this disease has really been a blessing in disguise. I'm thankful for it, actually. That sounds ridiculous, but I am! You see, it's been through my leprosy and deformed body that I came to know my Jesus.

And that makes it worth it all. Don't you ever forget that, child. He's always worth it."

Quotations: What if Your Blessings Come Through Raindrops?

noreply@blogger.com (Megan) — Tue, 07 Jun 2011 12:00:00 +0000

Rather than posting a quote this week, we thought this beautiful song corresponded well with yesterday's topic and wanted to share!

Song: "Blessings" by Laura Story (click here if the video doesn't load)