Modesty- On your wedding day (Which is a long way off...)

First, let me apologize profusely for not posting this on the day I was supposed to....Saturday. I hope you'll find it in your hearts to frogive me. :)
Okay, you probably took one look at the title, laughed, and then decided this post has absolutely nothing to do with you. If you're anywhere near my age you'll not be having any sort of a wedding for (hopefully) a few years or so, but, all the same, it's good to look at the topic of modesty on your wedding day. Most of you will probably be getting married (Lord willing), so file this topic away in your brain for whenever that time comes when you can actually use this information.

Modesty is important every day of your life...even your wedding day. For some of you this may be "no duh", but, sadly this is a big issue for many women. Strapless, backless, and dresses with plunging necklines are the "in" thing. Brides wear white dresses at their wedding because it is supposed to symbolize their purity. I don't know about you, but I'm not exactly given the picture of purity when I see a bride flounce down the aisle leaving practically nothing to the imagination. Many Christian women who have dressed modestly their whole lives throw that out the window when it comes to their wedding day. Allow me to cite on of my all time favorite blogs (besides this one of course... :P), Girltalk-

"1 Timothy 2:9-10 says that “Women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control.” These two qualities are to inform the way that I dress. Let’s check out these definitions.
Modesty--“Propriety: The avoidance of clothing and adornment that is extravagant, showy, and sexually enticing.”
Self Control--“Restraint, moderation for the purpose of purity.”
Maybe modesty is a word you don’t really want to think about. Perhaps you’ve had a vague idea that it means “ugly” or “out of style.” It may not have occurred to you that God has something to say about the clothes you wear.
As do all Scriptural commands, this command to modesty and self-control has broader implications than merely externals, what we wear. It goes right to the heart of WHY we wear what we wear. Our clothes, whether we realize it or not, say something. They give us away. They reveal the heart behind the clothes we wear. A modest heart comes before modest dress.
So what do your clothes say about your heart? What would we discover if we met your closet before we met you? Do your clothes reveal a heart of modesty and self-control? If you are not sure, check back tomorrow when we will take a look at what a modest heart is not."-Girltalk

Here are several reasons why we should choose to be modest on our wedding days-

• First, it's honoring to God and is in accordance with His commands.
• Second, it's honoring to your groom. You're saving yourself for His eyes alone.
• Thirdly, as their sister in Christ, do everything you can to keep your brothers in Christ from stumbling. Please think about the poor groomsmen and other men in attendence! I remember attending a wedding a while ago, and as the bride walked down the aisle (wearing a very revealing dress), I happened to glance at the groomsmen. Every one of them had their eyes fastened on the floor....ouch. Don't choose to be a temptation.

Even though "your day" is a long way off, it's never to early to be thinking about how you can have a wedding that honors God and those around you. A modest heart is pleasing to the Lord.

God bless!

<-Bug->

a poem for you!

I love poems. I like writing them too! I'd post one of my own, but ya know, that's just too scary. :)
So instead, I'll share one from Streams in the Desert, my favorite devotional book:

It isn't the thing you do, dear,

It's the thing you leave undone,

That gives you the bitter heartache

At the setting of the sun;

The tender word unspoken,

The letter you did not write,

The flower you might have sent, dear,

Are your haunting ghosts at night.

The stone you might have lifted

Out of your brother's way,

The bit of counsel

You were hurried too much to say;

The loving touch of the hand, dear,

The gentle and winsome tone,

That you had no time or thought for,

With troubles enough of your own.

These little acts of kindness,

So easily out of mind,

These chances to be angels,

Which even mortals find--

They come in nights of silence,

To take away the grief,

When hope is faint and feeble,

And a drought has stopped belief.

For life is all too short, dear.

And sorrow is all too great,

To allow our slow compassion

That tarries until too late.

And it's not the thing you do, dear,

It's the thing you leave undone,

That gives you the bitter heartache

At the setting of the sun.

~Adelaide Proctor~

blessings,

~Becca~

Quote of ME day

"The test of maturity is not what we are accomplishing for Christ, but what he is accomplishing in us!"

<>Byrde<>

Quote of the Day

"God cannot give us happiness and peace apart from Himself, because it is not there. There is no such thing."

~C.S. Lewis

blessings,
~becca~

I am my brother's keeper

I love that phrase, I am my brother’s keeper. I have it pasted on my mirror as a reminder when I get dressed in the morning, to dress modestly to serve our brothers in Christ. Modesty is a huge issue in this day and age and finding modest clothes is VERY hard. I’m speaking from experience. It’s so hard finding feminine yet modest apparel, and I admit sometimes I’m too lazy to keep looking and settle for less modest clothes. I’ve come to realize that modesty is really an attitude. It’s about being unselfish. It’s about desiring to SERVE our brothers in Christ. It’s about correctly representing Christ to the world. Here’s what a young man said about those women who do dress modestly:
“To the girls who don’t follow the pattern of the world: thank you a million times over. You are following scripture’s commands and helping your brothers in the process. Despite all that godly men are doing to defeat the sin of lust, they still need help, and they need you to provide it.”

I have a funny yet somewhat sad story to tell you. When my mom was growing up, she was blessed with an amazing youth pastor at her church. Once, he was talking with a young woman in the youth group who was dressed inappropriately. The pastor put his hand over his eyes before he continued his conversation with her. Can you imagine how mortifying it must have been for the girl?? Yet how often do we make men want to cover their eyes so they are not tempted? Do you want godly young men to flee from your presence? I would think not!

It’s hard to know what the balance is between cute and modest clothing. Ask your mom. Or better, if you’re brave, ask your dad or your brothers if what you are wearing is too revealing, short, tight, etc.

In addition, modesty goes beyond the clothing you wear. It’s also portrayed in the way you act and the things you say. “The way you dress, the way you act, and the way you talk have everything to do with your walk with the Lord because your outward appearance is a reflection of the inward state of your heart.” Is your appearance reflecting a quite heart? A meek heart? A heart that is seeking to glorify God? A servant’s heart?

I suggest you pray long and hard over this subject. You will never be perfect at it, but with God’s help you can help your brothers. And they will thank you for it! Paste the phrase “I am my brother’s keeper” on your mirror in the bathroom or in your bedroom to remind you of the responsibility you have!

Many blessings,
~becca~

Quote of the Day

"Anyone can give up, it's the easiest thing in the world to do. But to hold it together when everyone else would understand if you fell apart, that's true strength."

~becca~

Modesty

So, we are now starting a new series titled...yeh, you guessed it! MODESTY! ;) Well, this should be exciting, and we hope to get ALOT of feedback about what YOU feel about it, so make SURE to comment! :) So, I thought I'd start us off today with my favest verse:

I Peter 3:3-4~
"Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight."

Okay, so it doesn't have a TON to do with modesty, I guess more the principal of how much more important spiritual beauty is worth, compared to physical beauty! I get wrapped up in physical beauty SO often, it's something most girls have to work on I think. "Modesty" is such an unheard of topic these days. It seems most Christians are the only ones who think about it, nevermind know what it means! It's scary to think what girls our age will be wearing in three years...only three years. I shudder to think. Although it's hardly ever blatantly mentioned in the Bible, modesty is very important for all young ladies. So, some "food for thought" as we start the the series, remember to share what you feel too, we'd LOVE to hear it!

Fear not,
<>Byrde<>

Women of the Bible: Mary & Martha

The story of Mary and Martha, though brief, contains valuable lessons for us as Christian women. First, there’s Mary. She sits at Jesus’s feet willing to listen and be taught. She is in fellowship with Him and learning from Him. Then, there’s Martha. She bustles about focused on her life and needs and what she needs to get done to run her tight schedule.
God uses this passage of scripture to show, in a profound way, what kind of women He wants us to be. Unfortunately, most of us are “Marthas”. She let “things” sneak into her life that distracted her from her Savior. So often we do the same. We let things come in and take over our lives. Examine your own life; do you let your life be run by sports, school, friends, or something else? Though these things are important, nothing should ever take the place of Christ. Never become so caught up in your schedule that you don’t have time to spend at Jesus’s feet. Do not ever come to the place in your life where you say you do not have time to just sit and “be still” and humble yourself before your Savior and allow Him to teach you.
Then, let us be “Marys”: eager to listen, quick to learn, and always in constant communion with our Savior. When we spend time with Jesus we become 10x more effective in what Martha was doing: serving. The more time we spend with Christ the more we will fall in love with Him, and the more we fall in love with Him, the better servants we will become.
Take a look at your own life and consider how you’ve let other things run your life. Do the words Jesus said to Martha apply to your own life? “You are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary chose what is better and it will not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10: 41-42) Don’t become so worried and upset and busy with your life that you forget the most important thing. Spend time alone with Jesus often! You will lose many things in life, but fellowship with Jesus is something that will change the course of your life and can never be taken away from you. Invest your time in Him.

P.S. This is the last post of this series...tomorrow is a new topic! Enjoy!

<-Bug->

Random Picture :-)

Oh. My. Word. if this isn't the cutest monkey EVER!! I just HAD to share this w/ ya! :)

~becca~

Quote of the Day

"To love means loving the unlovable. To forgive means pardoning the unpardonable. Faith means believing the unbelievable. Hope means hoping when everything seems hopeless."

~Chesterton~

~becca~

I STILL love camping!

Wow...we finally got home yesterday, early on account of the malicious mosquitos! :( It was torture for the first day. The next few days were much better! :) Praise God, from whom all blessings flow! I escaped with a few 31 bug bites, compared to Bug's shocking 311. *moment of silence for Bug*. Yes, Bug is right, "24 bug repilent" is practically useless! The weather was gorgeous though. The lake was amazing...beautiful swimming, warm, clear, clean...er (atleast it looked it! :P) *pauses to scratch mosquito bite* It was worth the popped raft and inner tube! ;) I must say the moozic on the way there and back, was MOST invigorating! GO Tree63 and Rascal Flatts! yee-ha! Us teens had great times playing mafia, set-back, and drug dealer...and yeh, buster does kick butt at mafia. I must say, I am STILL baffled at how she figures it all out! The hike up sawtooth mountain, was long, and...well...dry. I was one of the dumb ones who didn't bring water! : / Oh well...lets just say creek water never tasted better! :D Devotions each night were great. Singing acopello is awesomesauce! Seriously...The hatchet throwing contest was great fun...who would have thought bubbles could beat us all! I never would have expected moonlight rafting to be SO ro(man)tic...great times! I think I was one of the only sad ones to have to leave early! But pouring rain on the hike back down was one of the most wonderful things I think I have ever experienced. :) It was a great time!


To the Praise of Him who does all things well,
<>Byrde<>

There and back again

Hello everybody!
It's sooo good to be home! Don't get me wrong though, all twenty of us had a blast! We got rained on several times and got eaten alive by mosquitoes but God definitely taught us all patience and optimism. :)
God also protected us many times throughout the weekend. Bubbles a.k.a. MJ, got lost on our hike back down the mountain. Thankfully she remained calm and stayed in one spot. Praise God. Also, I didn't die from the heat even though i was feeling ill the whole way up the mountain and ran out of water. :P (not cool!)
All of us kids had an absolute blast playing mafia late into the night. i'm not sure what the other backpackers on the other side of the lake thought of us when they heard, "You are SO dead", or "Last night Byrde was murdered", or "who should we lynch just for kicks this time?", or "you are SO the mafia! Guys TRUST me! I KNOW she's the mafia! Seriously!!!". lol. i must admit that last phrase was prolly said by just me! :) But hey, ask anybody and they'll tell you that i have an inborn sense of being able to read guilty people. I'm pretty sure i freaked a couple of people out when i picked out the mafia every single time...is that something to be proud of??? ;)
Also, as Bug wrote on her post, setback was SO much fun. maybe that was just because my partner and i won 5 out of the 6 games played over the weekend or because of all the laughs everyone shared at the pizza parlor during a mass setback tournament. :)
Thanks so much for praying for us!
~becca~

The Return of the Bloggers

Hey everybody!!! We’re back! We had a blast. Byrde, Becca and I will each be giving you our own account of our adventures…I won’t give all the details so as to save something interesting for the other two, so I’ve decided to just jot down some funny things I’ve learned while backpacking. ) Hopefully, you’ll get the full story about these things from the other gals).
I learned-

. Listening to Kutless at high volume with the bass at full blast really does interfere with your heartbeat

. 12 teenagers can fit in a 4-man tent to play cards

. Parents may become uncomfortable when their kids hang around the edge of a cliff

. A 12 yr. old can beat everyone in a hatchet throwing contest

. “8 hr.” mosquito repellant really only lasts 20 minutes

. There is such a thing as snowball fights in July

. Hiking while everyone is singing their least favorite songs can get annoying

. For every 5 mosquitoes slapped…50 come in their place

. Rafts may sink when rowed over submerged logs

. Some parents may become concerned when they find their kids playing “mafia” and “drug-dealer”

. After an excruciating hike up the mountain, there’s nothing like running the whole way back down

. 1 Outhouse + Darkness + 4 Girls + Mosquitoes = hysterics

. Some guys really do like the muck at the bottom of the lake

. “Cutting” switchbacks may result in becoming lost

. You can get 311 mosquito bites while constantly reapplying 100% repellant. (Yes….I really, truly did get that many mosquito bites!!)

. Playing a huge Set-Back tournament in a pizza parlor may attract strange glances

. There is nothing more fun than hiking/running the 2 mile trail back to the car during a thunder/hail storm

. Leaving a mountain may result in the temperature leaping 30 degrees in 10 minutes

Thank you so much for you prayers!! It was so much fun hanging out with wonderful friends for a few days. It was so wonderful being in God’s creation with none of the everyday distractions we usually have to deal with. Hopefully we’ll be getting you some pictures of our adventures soon.

<-Bug->

Blogger's Vacation!

Well, we are leaving soon for blogger's vacation!

Me, Bug, and Byrde, along with many sisters and brothers and moms and dads, are going to a mountain similar to the one pictured and have the time of our lives!

We will be gone Friday through Monday.

Please pray that:
1) everyone stays safe,
2) we don't get TOO many bug bites
3) our conversation and interactions will be glorifying to God
4) and that we come home refreshed w/ lots of FUN stories to tell y'all!



~Becca, Byrde, Bug~

Quote of the Day

"Not till we have become humble and teachable,

standing in awe of God's holiness and sovereignty,

acknowledging our own littleness,

distrusting our own thoughts,

and willing to have our minds turned upside down,

can divine wisdom become ours."

~J.I. Packer~

This is my favorite quote! :)

blessings,

~becca~

Women of the Bible: Mary

"I am the Lord's servant, may it be to me as you have said."
(Luke 1:46-55)
Mary made that amzaing statement after the angel, Gabriel, came to tell her that she would give birth to the Son of the most high God. That must have been a terrifying thought to Mary. People believe that Mary may not have been much older then 16 or 17 at this time and yet she responds with very mature faith. Not questioning God or wondering why He would do these things to her, but in utter and complete faith, she laid aside her own comfort to do God's will. In those days, a woman could be stoned for being unfaithful to her pledged husband. Could you easily say those words when God asks you to do something that may cause you pain? Are you willing to be the Lord's servant no matter what the cost? To trust Him wholly with your future?

Forever His,
~becca~

My Favorite Poem

Footprints in the Sand

One night a man had a dream.
He dreamed he was walking along the beach with the Lord.
Across the sky flashed scenes from his life.
For each scene, he noticed two sets of footprints in the sand; one belonging to him, and the other to the Lord.
When the last scence of his life flashed before him, he looked back at the foot prints in the sand.
He noticed that many times along the path of his life there was only one set of footprints.
He also noticed that it happened at the very lowest and saddest times in his life. This really bothered him and he questioned the Lord about it.
"Lord, you said that once I decided to follow you, you'd walk with me all the way.
But I have noticed that during the most troublesome times in my life there is only one set of footprints.
I don't understnad why when I needed you most you would leave me."
The Lord replied, "My precious, precious child, I love you and I would never leave you.
During your times of triral and suffering, when you see only one set of footprints in the sand, it was then that I carried you."


Wow...

Forever His,
<>Byrde<>

Quote of the Day

"Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God"

Corrie Ten boom

<-Bug->

Women of the Bible: Hannah

Today we will be looking at the life of Hannah, another godly woman from the Bible. Though she does not have a whole book dedicated to her, like Esther or Ruth, Hannah is an amazing example of a woman of faith that is worthy of being recognized. She is married to a wonderful husband, but is barren. Her greatest desire is to have a child. Her husband’s other wife, Peninnah, was constantly tormenting her and ridiculing Hannah for her inability to bear a child. The scripture says that her rival “kept provoking her in order to irritate her.” Hannah took this woman’s cruelty to heart. As was tradition, Hannah and her husband would go every year to the Temple to worship and offer sacrifices to the Lord. Out of the pain in her heart, Hannah went to the Lord and entrusted her dream of having a son to Him.
Hannah’s story is one that we can learn much from. First, look into your own hearts and ask yourself what your greatest dream or desire is. Is it to be popular? Have more friends? Be accepted into a good college? Have a family of your own someday? Whatever it is, like Hannah, we need to entrust those dreams to our faithful Creator. Give your greatest desire to Him and say those difficult words: “Thy will be done”. Why carry the unnecessary worry that somehow things might not go as we planned it? Instead, we can have peace in our hearts as we rest in God’s will. We can have confidence that God’s plan for our lives is best. “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him…” (Romans 8:28) Like Hannah, we must entrust our desires to Him. This, I might add, is not a “one-time” surrender, but rather a daily sacrifice of our plan for God’s.
Back to Hannah…the text says that the “the Lord remembered her” and she gave birth to a son. Her response is remarkable. After receiving the son she had longed for, Hannah chose to give her child back to God. “I prayed for this child, and the Lord has granted me what I asked of Him. So now I give him to the Lord”. (1 Sam. 1:27-28a) After her son was weaned, Hannah gave him to Eli (a priest) to have him serve in the Lord’s temple. This also, should be emulated in our own lives. What has God given us? What talents or abilities are we blessed with? Have we given them back to God and used them in a service of praise to him? Hannah gave her son to God as an act of praise for what he had done in her own life. Oswald Chambers stated in his book My Utmost for His Highest, that “Worship is giving God the best He has given you. Be careful what you do with the best you have. Whenever you get a blessing from God, give it back to Him as a love gift.” How true!
However, an important thing to remember is that we are not entitled to get everything we ask from God. God’s plan is infinitely above our own, and many times He says no to our desires. Often times why we don’t get what we want or why God takes away people or other “stuff” from our lives is because He wants us to be satisfied with Him alone. As it says in Lamentations, we should be able to say honestly that, “The Lord is my portion.” Sometimes it takes everything being stripped away before we give ourselves fully to Him. “Be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”” (Hebrews 13:5b) We have the Lord…do we need anything else? Also, are we asking with the right motives? Is it for our own glory or praise or are we wanting to further his kingdom?

In summary:

• We should emulate Hannah by committing our desires and dreams to God.
  
• We should give back what the Lord has given us and use it to serve Him.
  
• Give ourselves fully to God, letting nothing get in the way, so we can experience His blessing.
  
• Live in such a way so as to further God’s kingdom and praise.

<-Bug->

Humor Me: Dog Rules

hey all! thought i'd end the day w/ some laughter! :)

DOG RULES

1. The dog is not allowed in the house.
2. Okay, the dog is allowed in the house, but only in certain rooms.
3. The dog is allowed in all rooms, but must stay off the furniture.
4. The dog can get on the old furniture only.
5. Fine, the dog is allowed on all the furniture, but is not allowed to sleep with the humans on the bed.
6. Okay, the dog is allowed on the bed, but by invitation only.
7. The dog is allowed on the bed whenever he wants, but not under the covers.
8. The dog can sleep under the covers by invitation only.
9. The dog can sleep under the covers every night.
10. Humans must ask permission to sleep under the covers with the dog.

How true is that! All dog owners out there, you know how dogs not only work their way into your house, but leave paw prints on your heart! :)

proud owner of one cute mutt,

~becca~

Woman of the Bible: Ruth

The book of Ruth is an amazing book that tells of the young widow, Ruth and her devotion to her mother-in-law, Naomi. Ruth chooses to leave all she knows to accompany Naomi, to a strange land. She finds work, and favor with a distant relative, Boaz. In time, she becomes his wife and "lives happily ever after." ;) Ruth exhibits MANY amazing character traits, including:

• Commitment (Ruth 1:16 - "But Ruth replied, 'Don't urge me to leave you or to turn back from you, Where you go, I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God.'")
• Perseverance and Hard work (Ruth 2:7 "'...She went into the field and has worked steadliy from morning till now, except for a short rest in the shelter.'")
• Courage (Ruth 2:11 "'I've been told all about what you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband--how you left your father and mother and your homeland and came to live with a people you did not know before.'")
• Obedience (Ruth 3:6 - "'I will do whatever you say,' Ruth answered.")
• Devotion (Ruth...the whole book perty much! :)

Wow...Ruth was certainly amazing! I admire her greatly!

Aspiring to be like Ruth,

<>Byrde<>

"Society teaches us that anything less than perfect is unsuitable, undersirable, unusable, and, unattractive - that it should be avoided whenever possible. But pure reality teaches us that the Lord loves and uses flawed, unnatractive, and broken - the apparently useless things of this world to accomplish His greatest works." ~Kim Meeder~

Hey! I thought I would just share with you the quote of the day from C.S. Lewis:

"I belive in Christianity as I believe the sun has risen:

Not only because I see it,

but because by it

I see everything else."

<-Bug->

Hey all! Time for the quote of the day! I abolutely love this quote! It's so true! God really does work wonders in our lives. (This quote was on my parent's wedding program for those of you who like details like that.)

"Dreams are tawdry when compared

With the leading of God,

And not worthy of the aura of wonder

We usually surround them with.

God only doeth wonders.

He does nothing else.

His hand can work nothing else...

When He directs a path,

No way can seem bleak, no instance dull."

~Jim Elliot

(BTW, "tawdry" means cheap)

<-Bug->

Yum!

Krissy's shake!

1 big banana
1/8 cup peanut butter or more if you want :-p
1/3 oatmeal
¼ cup plain yogurt
¼ milk or soy milk
Ice cubes

Blend it all together and enjoy! Compliments and copyrights of Kris! :)

Forever His,
<>Byrde<>

Women of the Bible: Esther

The book of Esther fascinates me. Esther is such a courageous lady and submissive no matter what the cost. And one can clearly see God's hand working through her and Mordecai.
The book starts at Xerxes party, and he asks his wife to come and display her beauty before the nobles. She refuses and is banished, leaving the king without a wife. So, he takes all the fair maidens from his kingdom and picks one to be his wife. Esther was chosen. However, she was a Jew and by the urging of Mordecai, she kept her family background a secret. Here you see that she is submitting to Mordecai even though it may cost her everything. Chapter 2 verse 20 says, "But Esther had kept secret her family background and nationality just as Mordecai had told her to do, for she continued to follow Mordecai's instructions as she had done when he was bringing her up." Amazing, isn't it? There is another example of Esther submitting to Mordecai when he urged her to go before the king on behalf of the Jews, who were to be killed. Again, Esther lays her life on the line and goes before the king. Before she goes in to the king however, she prays and fasts for 3 days. That's faith. God rewards her faith and her life is spared. "And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?" (4:14)
There are many lessons to be learned from this short book:

1. God has a bigger plan for you then you could ever have for yourself.

2. Do God's will without question. Even if it doesn't make any sense.

3. Follow the leading of those older and wiser then you.

4. Do not go into the dangers of the world without prayer!



many blessings
~becca~

Hmmm...me ponderings

This last Sunday the guy who was doing the "sermon" said something that made an impression on me: "You cannot devalue something that God values and still honor Him." So true, no? I mean...even when I don't realize it, I'm constantly devaluing something, so it was a good reminder!


<>Byrde<>

Quote of the day

oh my. i came across this quote and i thought 'i must post this!' this is totally one of my favorite quotes evah:

"If you read history you will find that the Christians who did the most for the present world were precisely those who thought the most of the next. It is since Christians have largely ceased to think of the other world that they have become so ineffective in this." ~C.S. Lewis~

a wise man perhaps?



~becca~

Hey everyone!
I've just returned from a hefty week of helping out at my church's VBS (Vacation Bible School). Many cool and unique things have happened this past week!! I was blessed with the oppurtunity to be a leader for the 3rd/4th grade girls. There were 17 girls in all and each one was absolutely precious! I specifically worked with 5 girls. (One of which was my lil' sis). Throughout the week, as I helped them learn their verses, I was so encouraged by each girl's dedication to learning God's word. The time they spent getting their verses "just right" was convicting, to say the least.

Today was the last day of VBS, and I came out with a very important lesson on how important and essential it is to be hiding God's word away in my heart. 2 Timothy 3:16- 17 says: "All scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness, so that the man of God my by throughly equipped for every good work." God's word is applicable for every situation, how handy to have it always in your mind and heart during the day! Not only does God's word give us wisdom from every situation, but is also nourishment for our soul! In order to spur myself on towards memorizing more, I've decided to choose one verse or section of scripture to be working on throughout the month. I hope you'll join me in treasuring God's precious word!

<-Bug->

Body Beauty from the pantry

Portdige Body Scrub

2 cups sea or table salt
1 cup olive oil
1/2 cup minced organic oats
1 tbs. vanilla
2 tbs. pure maple syrup

Stir all indgredients together, and climb into and empty tub. Slather the mixture onto your body, focusing on rough areas like the feet, elbows and knees. Let the scrub sit for a minute, and then rub briskly with a warm washcloth or loofah. Rinse thoroughly; then step out of the tub with baby soft skin. :)


Haven't tried it yet but it looks great!! :)

<>Byrde<>

random recipe

i was thinking...what's a better way to start a blog then with food, eh? so, here's a fabulous recipe for orange julius':

1/2 cup water
1/2 cup milk
1/3 cup orange juice
1/2 tsp vanilla
1/4 cup sugar (be good and try to use less!!)
ice cubes
blend it all together and presto! good for a hot day! :)

-not liable for any major upset stomachs, mess in kitchen, or any unnatural behavior due to high sugar content-

Welcome

Welcome to IN not OF!

John 15:19~
"If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you."

This site will discuss many things including:

• Fruits of the spirit
• Guys
• Dating
• Martyrs
• Devotionals and spiritual books
• Modesty
• Relationships
• Personal quiet times
• Friends
• Family
• Movie and CD reviews
• Quotes
• Woman of the Bible
• and much more!

Feel free to comment and let us know what YOU feel about these topics!