Do Something Beautiful

              

"I also want the women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, adorning themselves, not with elaborate hairstyles or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, but with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God." ~1 Timothy 2:9-10 (NIV)

What does the word "Beautiful"
mean? wonderful; fantastic: extraordinary; incredible: used ironically.
Now I'm not trying to talk bad about anyone, but I want to talk about Kylie Jenner for a minute. I think she is a beautiful young woman who can't find peace. I'm not judging her, but by her actions (the fruit she bears) she's struggling in her identity in Christ. 

From the research that I have done, she did nothing to start the trend on twitter #KylieJennerChallenge. Now for those of you who don't know what this is, Teens around the world are sucking on a glass to make their lips more full, like Kylie Jenner's are. Sucking on this glass does NOT work. This hurts you instead! Please do NOT try this! If you are wondering about it, just look up "The Kylie Jenner Challenge" on Google and you'll see pictures.
So why did I bring up Kylie Jenner when this post is titled "Do Something Beautiful?" It's simple. Let me repeat myself, Kylie Jenner is a beautiful young women. She is a young woman who many girls look up to. Now let's look at Sadie Robertson.
NO, I do NOT want to compare the two young women. They are different young women form different walks of lie and going in different directions. So, I am NOT going to compare the two. What I want to say about Sadie Robertson is that she is a beautiful young woman too. Judging by her actions (the fruit she bears) she's secure in her identity in Christ and is working hard to be a good role model.

Kylie Jenner at the 2015 Grammy Awards

Sadie Robertson at the 2015 premiere of the Duck Commander Family Musical

Now to tell you what all of this has to do with the Bible verses at the top. These verses talk about what true, Biblical, beauty looks like. It's ultamitly about looking to Jesus as your role model and trying to be like Him. It's okay to look up to people like Sadie Robertson and Kylie Jenner, but don't try to be just like them. That's not true Biblical beauty. Trying to be lik Jesus is true Biblical beauty. It's not about standing in front of a mirror for hours making sure you look perfect for the world. It's about getting your hands dirty, sweating with no makeup on just to help finish building that project the church (or community) has been working on to help that person that needs it. It's about serving and being a light for God. It's about people seeing God through you and not seeing you because you spent all that time in front of the mirror.
So go out and do something beautiful. You just might start something that changes the world.

Purity in Action

                                                   

Purity: freedom from immorality, especially of a sexual nature.

Meet Joseph. A teenage guy who was sold into slavery by his brothers. He ended up working in Potiphar's (one of the Pharaoh of Egypt's officials, and captain of the guards) house. Potiphar was pleased with what a hard worker Joseph was that he put Joseph in charge of everything in his house! Now Potiphar's wife found Joseph VERY attractive. She tried to get Joseph to sleep with her EVERY day, but Joseph refussed and this was his reason why: ^"But he refused. 'With me in charge,' he told her, 'my master does not concern himself with anything in the house; everything he owns he has entrusted to my care. No one is greater in this house than I am. My master has withheld nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. How then could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?' And though she spoke to Joseph day after day, he refused to go to bed with her or even be with her." ~Genesis 39:8-10 (NIV)
Potiphar's wife didn't give up that easy though. "One day he went into the house to attend to his duties, and none of the household servants was inside. She caught him by his cloak and said, 'Come to bed with me!' But he left his cloak in her hand and ran out of the house." ~Genesis 39:11-12 (bold and underlined mine. NIV) Talk about a man of God! A young teenage man who RUNS out of the house to keep his purity! 
So why did I bring up Joseph? I have a Purity ring, once stands for the promise I made to God, myself, and my future husband that I won't have sex with anyone until I am married. I understand that sex is something very personal and emotional. But I was wondering where in the Bible it says to wait until you're married to have sex. Of course I found my answer and an example. The example is Joseph of course, but here are some answers too.
"That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh." ~Genesis 2:24 (NIV). This shows that sex has a very strong emotional connection and that God designed it for marriage.
 “If a man seduces a virgin who is not pledged to be married and sleeps with her, he must pay the bride-price, and she shall be his wife." ~Exodus 22:16 (NIV). God did not mean for a person to be with multiple people, but one person. In the Old Testament this is what would've happened if two people who were not married had, had sex.
"Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body. Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies." ~1 Corinthians 6:18-20 (NIV). Jesus died for us on the cross so we could have eternal life with Him. So if we abuse sex we are hurting ourselves emotionally, physically, and we are hurting God.
"Now for the matters you wrote about: 'It is good for a man not to have sexual relations with a woman.' But since sexual immorality is occurring, each man should have sexual relations with his own wife, and each woman with her own husband. The husband should fulfill his marital duty to his wife, and likewise the wife to her husband. The wife does not have authority over her own body but yields it to her husband. In the same way, the husband does not have authority over his own body but yields it to his wife. Do not deprive each other except perhaps by mutual consent and for a time, so that you may devote yourselves to prayer. Then come together again so that Satan will not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.... Now to the unmarried and the widows I say: It is good for them to stay unmarried, as I do.But if they cannot control themselves, they should marry, for it is better to marry than to burn with passion." ~1 Corinthians 7:1-5,8-9 (NIV). Now this tells us that we are suppose to practice self-control until we are married and that it's not all about passion (this is where the answer to the question Is 50 Shades of Grey wrong? The answer, YES!!!). 
"It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality;" ~1 Thessalonians 4:3 (NIV). This verse tells us how God meant for sex to be and how HE wants us to enjoy it!
"Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral." ~Hebrew 13:4 (NIV). Adultery: Voluntary sexual intercourse between a married person and a person who is not their spouse. The sexual immorality and sexual sins has to be sex outside of marriage. 
These Bible verses give me all the answers to why I'm waiting for sex until I am married. God made sex beautiful when it's done right! Here is a website about purity rings. Here is a music video of a song Kyle Kupecky wrote for his wife Kelsey and sung to her on their wedding day:

Here is a Flipagram about 50 Shades of Grey and Old Fashioned: Forever Love

Dear Daughter of the King,

Dear Daughter of the King,

Do not listen to the world! The world is going to try and tell you that you're not pretty enough if you do not wear revealing clothing and cover your face with a bunch of makeup. The world will say that if you don't lose your virginity at a certain age you are wired and an outcast. The world will say that if you aren't skinny then you are ugly and no one will ever want to date you. The world will say that everything is your fault.
But your King, who gave His life for you and loves you, says that "You are all together beautiful My Darling. There is NO flaw in you." (Song of Solomon 4:7). Your King says that to dress modestly is the most beautiful thing in the world, you are respecting yourself and your body. Your King says that beauty should come from what is in your heart, not how much makeup you wear. "The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart." (1 Samuel 16:7). Your King says that keeping your virginity and staying pure is RADIANTLY BEAUTIFUL! Your King says that no matter what size you are, you are LOVED! "Since you are precious and honored in my sight, and because I love you," (Isaiah 43:4). Your King says that no matter what happens HE is there for you and HE can fix any problem! "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." (Matthew11:28). Just remember, Daughter of the King, Your King loves you and is always with you!

Chapter One: My feet are bruised, but they'll follow where You lead

"My Feet are bruised but they'll follow where You lead. You are the King of my Heart." ~Love and the Outcome, "King of my Heart."
I want to tell you a story. This story involves a girl who wanted to travel the world and tell people about God's love. She didn't know how or what God wanted her to do though. She prayed about it. She also found comfort in God's promise that: "'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 a hope and a future. Then you will call on Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with your whole heart.'"~Jeremiah 29:11-13.
The thing was, this girl was not a patient person. She wanted to jump in right away and get to work! She had days when she felt like she wasn't doing anything that was helping God. She would walk away from the dream of helping others and think of only herself. Then, she started seeing God in her everyday activities. He was there in big ways, her mom getting into a personal relationship with Christ at a truck stop on the way home from a cruise, and in little ways, passing a test she didn't know she had because she had done the homework. This girl realized that God was going to use her, but in His time.
She started doing volunteer work at a pregnancy center and fell in love with the work she does there. She started praying about it and realized she wants to volunteer and see if she has what it takes to become a Doula. The things that she has gone through in her life made her realize that she wants to study Divinity and can be a Christian consular, along with a Writer. Over time, she realized God was using her to show His love right in her own town!
One night at church, this girl was thinking about Operation Christmas Child and how she still had a desire to go and teach kids in other countries about God's love. She didn't know why the thought popped into her head and she just brushed it off and didn't tell anyone about it. At the end of the service, the whole church went around anointing the pews and praying for the people who would s it in them. A lady got some extra oil and anointed the girl on the forehead and said "God bless you in everything  you do and everywhere you go for Him." In that moment the girl knew God was telling her she was ready to travel the world and tell people about His love!
That girl is me. The anointing happened on August 17th, 2014. There's more to this story, but this was the first chapter in it. I can't wait to share the other chapters with you as God shows me to. The verse that came to my mind after I was anointed was, "Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with very much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much." ~Luke 16:10.

Being God's Princess

I've been reading His Princess Love Letters from Your King by Sheri Rose Shepherd. She wrote this book as though God is writing a letter to us personally and a Bible Verse that goes with it. There are eighty-seven "letters" in it. This book has helped me so much. I want to take the first six "letters" I have read so far and focus on the Bible Verses.

"You didn't choose Me, I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce fruit that will last, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using My Name." ~John 15:16. Think about this, GOD choose you! He wants a relationship with you and to hear about your day and your problems! He's NEVER too busy for you! He has a job for us. We are His hands and feet to bring forth the fruit "other Christians" and it'll be forever!
"Am I not trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ." ~Galatians 1:10. We are not meant to fit in with the world. So, we can't win the approval of people who don't believe in God. But why would we want their approval over God's approval in the first place? A friend of mine once told me, that in one of their college classes the professor assigned a book full of foul language and inappropriate scenes and also talked about how God wasn't real. This friend felt condemned of reading this book. So they went and told the professor they could not read this book. The professor said they had the option of taking an F on the assignment or reading the book. My friend took the F. They chose God's approval over man's.
"'And I will be your Father, and you will be my sons and daughters,' says the Lord Almighty." ~2Corinthians 6:18. God is our Dad. He created us. He wanted a relationship with us. He planned our lives. He watches over us. He cheers us on. He comforts us. He loves us. Therefore, we can call Him Father.
"The Lord said: 'It isn't too late. You can still return to Me with all your heart.'" ~Joel 2:12 (CEV). Anything you have done, no matter how bad, you can still have a relationship with God! He still loves you!
"You are the light of the world-like a city on a mountain, glowing in the night for all to see. Don't hide your light under a basket! Instead, put it on a stand and let it shine for all." ~Matthew5:14-15. Someone is always watching you. It could be a teacher, a student, a friend, or a complete stranger. But someone always sees how you act and what message you are sending. Also, you could be the only form of the Bible someone sees. So shine for God!
"Remember that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize. You also must run in such a way that you will win." ~1 Corinthians 9:24. The world is going to judge you on a lot of different things. People are going to expect too much out of you sometimes. You're going to put to much pressure on yourself. Stop. Breathe. Remember that you have already won if you have a relationship with Christ. You are Heaven bond!
Here is a link to Sheri Rose Shepherd's website and here's a link to the book I am reading on Amazon.

Proverbs 31 Women of the Bible- part 6

 

Mary was a young girl who was engaged to Joseph. She was from the family of David and the blessing God had in-store for her was amazing! I believe this incredible woman fulfilled all of Proverbs 31 and deserves a whole blog post to herself.

In Matthew 1:18-25 we learn about Mary and Joseph obeying and trusting God. In chapter two of Matthew we read about how Mary and Joseph obeyed God even more after Jesus was born. In Luke 1:26-56 we learn of Mary's willingness and trust. I love this verse: "'I am the Lord's servant,' Mary answered. 'May your word to me be fulfilled.' Then the angel left her." (Luke 1:38). 

The next thing I  find amazing about Mary is how she knew that time with her son was short and she needed to make the most of their days together. "But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart." (Luke 2:19) Mary also knew Jesus would provide and when they ran out of wine at a wedding, she went to Him but she was anxious.

Mary was with her son through it all. She did not turn away when He was nailed to the cross and she stayed after He died and was buried. Mary is the picture of perfect obedience, faith, trusting God, and the best mother! This makes her the perfect Proverbs 31 woman!

Other Women of the Bible- part 5

 

Jeroboam's Wife: (1 Kings 14:1-18) Probably worshiped other gods like her husband did. She tried to deceive a Prophet by disguising herself. She received the news that the kingdom would be taken away from her family and that when she went back home her son would die for the evil she and her husband had committed. I believe she was heartbroken about her son and she realized that God was in control. Unfortunately, she had to be completely broken.

The Prophet's Widow: (2 Kings 4:1-7) I don't think she doubted God. I think she knew God sent Elisha right when she needed Him to and her sons were saved!

Naaman's maidservant: (2 Kings 5:2-3) This unnamed girl was a great example of being a light in everyday life! She knew of Elisha and she helped Naaman to head in the right direction to be healed! Everyone can take away the lesson that God can and will use you in everyday life!

Huldah: (2 Kings 22:14-20) There are three important aspects to her character here. She was bold. She didn't sugarcoat God's Word. She offered hope and a sign of renewal. We can learn to be bold when speaking about God from her! (Source: Extraordinary Women of the Bible Lessons to guide Your Life.)

Vashti: (Esther 1:9-22) Vashti was having her own party as her husband had a  party too. She disobeyed the king and got replaced as Queen. I think what a person can lean from her is to think before you speak and seek wise conceal.

Job's Wife: (Job 2:9-10) She didn't build Job up. She actually told Job to curse God so that Job would die! I think she is a great example of what hopelessness looks like.

Job's Daughters: (Job 42:13-15) It was unusual for them to get an inheritance and their names were meant to mean the most beautiful things.

The Daughters of Jerusalem:(Song of Solomon) They symbolized people who work hard. They also symbolize someone who listens to godly advice and know that they are loved by God.

My Proverbs 3 Women of the Bible series and my Other Women of the Bible series will continue into the New Testament and I am really looking forward to studying these women and writing about their legacies! ~Brandi

Proverbs 31 Women of the Bible- part 5

Wow! This is the last installment of the Proverbs 31 Women in the Bible where the Old Testament is concerned! I've really grown in my faith while doing this series and the "Other Women of the Bible" series! So, let's look at some great role models of strong, Christan woman virtue.

Jehosheba: In 2 Kings 11 we meet this loving aunt. She risked her life to save her nephew from her mother. Then, she acted as his mother and raised him to know and worship God. He became a righteous and God-fearing king because of this!

Esther: Well, the whole book of Esther is about this young woman who was an orphan who became a Queen. With her trust in God, she saved her people from being completely wiped out! Her courage is outstanding and so inspirational!

The Psalms Girl: Okay, so I know most of the book of Psalms was written by David. But the book of Psalms has comforted me on a daily bases. Therefore, I like to believe there is a Psalms Girl in all of us. A girl who runs to God about everything and loves to praise Him!

Song of Songs Woman: The book of Song of Songs is a love story. We do not know the name of Solomon's bride in this book. I think she gives the best advice any girl can follow and that is to not be quick to wake up love. Take your time and let God pick the guy and fall in love with each other with Him as the center of the relationship!

I am in love with this series and I'm looking forward to getting into the New Testament soon. I hope y'all have enjoyed this too!

Other Women of the Bible - part 4

The Medium of Endor: She was sinning by practicing witchcraft. She knew she was sinning because she wouldn't do what Saul asked until she knew she would not die. Her shock at seeing Samuel proves that, even though she was suppose to be someone who summoned the dead, she had never had something like that happen to her. We can learn two things from this unnamed woman. First, what sin and disobedience looks like and second, human kindness looks like. When Saul fell to the floor, she prepared the best food she had for him and got him to eat to regain his strength. (1 Samuel 28:3-25)
The Wise Woman of Tekoa: This woman used her acting skills to be very sneaky and dishonest. Joab had asked for her help in playing David's emotions over his son in the way Joab wanted them to go. See, David's son had in exile for three years because he killed his half-brother who raped Tamar (Other Women of the heBible-part 3). David was torn in two. He had a duty as king and a duty as a father that put him in a hard place. This woman went to David with a fake story about her two sons. According to her one son killed the other and was on the run so he wouldn't be killed. David caught on to her and realized that Joab was behind this, but her speech had worked and David's father side won out and his son got to return home. Joab did this because he wanted David's son to take the throne after David. The woman's part in this can teach us what it is like to have disrespect for our leaders and ourselves by telling lies. (2 Samuel 14:1-21)
Solomon's Pagan Wives: Okay, these women aren't talked about a lot in the Bible, but the actions they took had a lasting impact through the rest of the Bible. Solomon couldn't settle for one wife, so he had many. He took wives that believed in other gods. I think these wives were still exposed to the One True God but chose not to follow Him. What's the life lesson here? Even a small decision can have a lasting consequence.
Maakah: Not much is known about her besides that she is the mother of Abijah and grandmother of Asa. However, she did not follow God and her grandson removed her from the position of queen mother and burned her "repulsive images for the worship of Asherah" she had made. (1 Kings 15:13)
Jezebel: A Princess by birth. She married Ahab and became Queen of Israel (1 Kings 16:31). She demanded that her gods be considered as important as God, implying she knew the God of Israel is the True God, and she got her way. She was fortunate enough to have many miracles preformed in front of her by God (1 Kings 18:23-38). But, she chose to still not believe in Him. When her prophets were killed she promised to kill Elijah, God's prophet (1 Kings 19:1-2). She arranged a man named Nabath's death so her husband could have his vineyard (1 Kings 21:7-16)! She also used her power as Queen Mother, when her sons were Kings, for evil. Her own people ended up throwing her to a gruesome death (2 Kings 9:30-37)! I feel sorry for Jezebel, because she had so many opportunities to have a relationship with God. I think her love for power was to strong for her to give in to that kind of love though. It is possible that Jezebel is mentioned in the New Testament though. Revelation 2:20 says: "Nevertheless, I have this against you: You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophet. By her teaching she misleads my servants into sexual immorality and the eating of food sacrificed to idols." Jezebel did make a legacy for herself, but it wasn't a good one. So, think about this, what kind of legacy do you want to leave behind?
Athaliah: All that is said about her is that she was wicked and just wanted power. (2 Kings 11:1-3; 13-16)
The Adulteress Woman in Proverbs: She is unnamed, but she is the opposite of what the Proverbs 31 woman is. She tries to trick people and tempt them into sinning. (Proverbs)
Gomer: She is Hosea's wife. She was a known prostitute and she had no plans of changing. She was married to a man of God and she probably heard of God all the time. She missed out on more than one great relationship! (Hosea)

Other Women of the Bible- Part 2

I am going to be taking a break from this series to work on another series for the month of July. I will pick this series up on the first Saturday of August. I hope everyone is enjoying this series!

Zipporah: she was Moses' wife. She was a preacher's daughter and a shepherdess. She seemed to believe and listen to God. After all, husband as the one God chose to lead Israel out of Egypt after 400 years of slavery and she didn't try to talk him out of it. (Exodus 2:16-23)

Miriam: she was Moses' older sister and God had blessed her by making her a leader of the women. She messed up a couple of times though. She started nasty rumors about Moses. She had good qualities too though. (All through Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy)

Jael: she took an opportunity sent from God and she drew on His strength to find courage she might not have known she had. God gave her victory over a death for Israel. This was a huge deal and honer in those days. (Judges 4:16-22)

Abimelek's Killer: she was someone unknown in the Bible. She was probably just someone who used a millstone to provide food for her town. But, just like Jael, she relied on God's strength and His planning to save her town and people from being destroyed by fire from an evil wannabe king. (Judges 9:52)

Samson's Pagan Bride: she was a Philistine woman who was beautiful and charming. She probably found Samson very attractive and, against parents wishes, they quickly got married.Their marriage failed because they had different loyalties to different people. The woman chose to be threatened by her own people and betraying her husband instead of confiding in her husband and trusting him to protect her. Also, they jumped into a huge commitment for physical satisfaction instead of taking time to know each other. (Judges 14)

Delilah: She used her body and her looks to get what she wanted. She seduced Samson and then she was seduced by money to learn his secret, betray him, and play a part in his death! The Bible doesn't say if she died in the temple when Samson tore it down, but I don't think her life was ever happy. (Judges 16)

Micah's Unfaithful Mother: She put a curse on money that was stolen from her (The Bible does not say if she used magic or not.) She also offered the money to God. But once her son returned it and admitted to stealing it, she made an idol with it and helped teach her son not to worship God! (Judges 17)

The Levite's Defenseless Concubine: she ran away from the Levite and therefore disobeyed him. In return though, he did not defend her and let her die. I believe there might have been better ways for her to handle the situation and I believe the man let her down! (Judges 19)

The Wives of Benjamin: Not much is said about them besides that they were innocent victims. They do play an important part in history of keeping the tribe of Benjamin alive. (Judges 21)

Peninnah: She was honestly just a bully. She had a husband and children, but she had to give Hannah a hard time about not being able to have children until Hannah would be depressed and not eat. Now, Peninnah

might have done these things because she didn't feel loved by her husband, but she still handled everything the wrong way.  (1 Samuel 1)

Are You a Carrot, Egg, or Coffee Bean?

 

I often wonder what kind of imprint I'm leaving on this world. It's safe to say I want God to shine through whatever I do. But, I also want to be who He made me to be.

I started this week off by going to a friend's graduation. One of the speakers told a story that really stuck with me. It went like this:

A girl had came home and was telling her mom what a bad day at school she was having and how hard life was at the time. The mom went and put three pots of water on the stove to boil. She put a carrot in the first pot. An egg in the second and a coffee bean in the third. After a few minutes she called her daughter into the kitchen. She told her daughter she had three choices. To become like the carrot, which had turned soft a mushy, during hard times. To become like the egg, that had became hard and tough to crack. Or to be like the coffee bean, which had turned the water into coffee.

So what is the idea here? It's to be like a coffee bean and influence the world around you instead of letting the world influence you! This scripture, I think, that teaches that same lesson.  Jesus is telling a parable about weeds. The weeds are lost people today and the good seed are people who have a relationship with God. I think this shows how we can influence each other and how God doesn't give up on us.

"'No,' he answered, ' because while you are pulling the weeds, you may uproot the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat and bring it into my barn.'" ~Matthew 13:29-30 NIV

So, are you a carrot, egg, or coffee bean?

Mom: A Gift From God

"Above all, love one another, because love covers over a multitude of sins." ~1 Peter 4:8 (NIV)

Okay, so it is Mother's Day weekend. That means that there will be a lot of blog posts about mothers. At first I thought about not doing a post about mothers, but then I thought, "My Moma does so much for me and has been there for me through everything. How could I NOT write about what an amazing gift God has given me?!" So, needless to say, I'm writing a post about Mother's Day.
The dictionary defines a Mother as: a female parent. one's female parent.  a mother-in-law, stepmother, or adoptive mother. a term of address for a female parent or a woman having or regarded as having the status, function, or authority of a female parent. a term of familiar address for an old or elderly woman.

Well, now that we know that let me tell you a little about my mom. My moma is beautiful, smart, loving, caring, and wonderful! Growing up I remember she would do it all and she was (and is) one of my biggest role models! I remember seeing her work with people who had special needs and how caring she was for them and their family members. I remember her ALWAYS being there when my family needed her! She has
always been on my side and been my biggest support!
Now on March 10, 2012 something amazing happened in our lives that helped my moma become, not only SuperMom, but also my best friend. We had been on a mother-daughter cruise and had heard the author Karen Kingsbury speak. We had stopped at a truck stop in Georgia where a young casheir was telling every costumer her problems. Moma had been tuning the girl out, but I had been listening to everything she said and my heart broke for her. When we got ready to check out the girl told us her problems and I was moved by the Holy Spirit. I asked the girl if I could pray with her, so that is what I did. That night my moma renewed her relationship with God!
My moma and I have been through some pretty crazy adventures together. Most of which people wouldn't believe even if I told the stories to them. But other adventures have been really nice in just having someone there to support me. My moma helps me try to brighten peoples' day at the pregnancy center by coming up with crafts that we can do for them to let them know we appreciate them for being moms who want to raise their children right. She understands that God might be calling me into trying to help put an end to sex trafficking. It scares her, but she supports me. She also supports me and cheers me on in my dream to become an author.
I believe the closest a person can come to feeling loved like God loves us is from the love of a mother. I believe He gave us moms so that we will always have an earthly taste of what His love is like, but also to remind us to multiply that by a million times more. So this Mother's Day tell your mom you are thankful for her and give her a hug. After all God knew you would need a SuperMom, so he placed a gift in your life, the woman you call Mom.
Now, I don't  want to end this post on a sad note, but I have to write what God has placed on my heart. Let me start by saying this: "The Lord gives His people strength. The Lord blesses them with peace." ~Psalm 29:11 (NLT)
"And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keeo on praying for all the Lord's people." ~Ephesians 6:18 (NIV)
I'm blessed to be getting to spend Mother's Day safe and sound and with my family. But the girls from Nigeria do not have their mothers there to comfort them. At the same time their mothers are grieving because they can not hold their daughters. So please, on this Mother's Day weekend, and all through the rest of this hard time for the people in Nigeria, pray. Pray for their Spiritual life and that God will bring the girls home safely and soon. Help spread the word to get on our knees and to pray "BRING BACK OUR GIRLS!"
Here is something that Victoria over at Miss Tadoodles Corner wrote that I really think everyone should read. He Is Mighty To Save: Bring Back Our Girls!
Again, I hope all of you have a happy Mother's Day! God Bless!

BLESSED: The Liebster Award 2014

 

"Do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others." ~Philippians2:4

So I am posting sooner than I normally do. That is because I have be nominated for the Liebster Award by Melissa over at Joy Faith & Dirt. Thanks so much Melissa!

Here are The Rules:

1. Post the award on your blog.

2. Thank the blogger who nominated you and link back to their blog.

3. Write 11 random facts about yourself.

4. Nominate 11 bloggers who you feel deserve this award and has less than 1,000 followers.

5. Answer 11 questions posted by your presenter and ask your nominees to answer 11 questions.

My 11 Random Facts:

1.  I'm an only child, but have three younger cousins.

2. I try to memorize a Bible verse each week.

3. Starting today until July 7th I am going to memorize all of Romans 12.

4. My Bible verse I am memorizing this week is 1 Peter 4:8.

5. I am two days away from finishing my first full year in college.

6. I do not like math!

7. I'm obsessed with Pintrest.

8. I want to double major in college (Journalism and Divinity.)

9. I have over 20 journals.

10. I love animals and have a pet dog named Titus.

11. I volunteer at a pregnancy center.

The 11 questions Melissa asked me:

1. "If you were stranded on an island, what one thing would you want to take with you (no people)? My Bible so that I would have some link to God.

2. " What's your biggest accomplishment to date?" Getting accepted into Campbell University.

3. "What place do you most want to visit?" Italy and Israel.

4. "How do you find material for your blog?" I find most of my material on what I am studying about in my Bible.

5. "What made you want to start a blog?" I just wanted to see if I had something worth writing that people wanted to read.

6. " Have you always been a writer?" I think so. My mom says that when I was in second grade I could tell you a story I made up and it was good. I think I've always been a story-teller.

7. "What's your favorite outdoor activity?" Probably swimming and playing with my dog outside.

8. "If you could convince everyone of one particular thing, what would it be?" That God is real and that He loves all of us!

9. "What is your favorite time of day and why?" Late afternoon and night because I just seem to be more awake during those times.

10. "Are you a chocolate or vanilla type of person?" Chocolate.

11. "If you had to become an animal, which one would you choose and why?" A horse because they are so beautiful.

My 11 questions for my nominees:

1. Why did you start your blog?

2. Who is your favorite author and why?

3. What is your favorite quote and why?

4. Where is your favorite place to study your Bible?

5. What is your favorite Bible verse?

6. When were you saved?

7. Who is your favorite Bible character and why?

8. Your favorite vacation you have ever been on?

9. A place you want to travel to?

10. Favorite blog post you have read so far?

11. Favorite things to write about?

My Nominees:

1.  Kalin Ann at Modesty Is My Policy

2. Victoria W. at Miss Tadoodles Corner

3. Kayla Peel at My Wandering Heart

4. Jamilya at Be His Girl

5. Sara Jayne at Growing In Gods Image

6. Lindsay at Magnify

Proverbs 31 Women of the Bible- part 4

 

Well, it's time to explore more women of the Bible! So here we go.

Ruth: She was a woman who didn't really know much about God. But she trusted Him and followed her mother-in-law to a new place. She left everything and everyone she knew just so her mother-in-law wouldn't be alone! She worked to provide for the two of them and she didn't ask for any help, she just trusted God! She was known as a woman of noble character by many. Finally, the book of Proverbs came after Ruth in the Hebrew Bible. So the Proverbs 31 woman was Ruth! Therefore, Ruth fits EVERY verse! Her story can be found in the whole book of Ruth.

Hannah: She was a woman who just wanted a child. So she prayed to God and told Him that she would give the child back to Him. She  became pregnant and sure enough, she kept her promise and gave her child back to God by letting him be raised in the temple. She fits verses 11, 12, and 30 of the Proverbs 31 woman. Her story can be found in 1 Samuel chapter one.

Abigail: She was an intelligent and beautiful woman. Her husband had no compassion and all of his household about died because of that. Abigail saved her household by preparing food and asking for forgiveness. She fits verses 17, 18, 20, 26, and 27 of the Proverbs 31 woman. Her story can be found in 1 Samuel twenty-five.

A Shumannite Woman: This woman and her husband opened their home up to Elisha. This woman asked for nothing in return. But Elisha wanted to give her something for her kindness. So she asked him to pray that she might have a child. Sure enough, she had a son. But one day her son complained of a headache and he died in her arms! Did this woman cry and blame God? No! She put the boy's body on Elisha's bed and without telling her husband that their son was dead she went and found Elisha. When Elisha asked her how everyone was she told him they were all fine! I think this is because she knew God was going to save her son, she had unshakable faith! Elisha went back with her and sure enough God, through Elisha, raised the boy from the dead. What did the woman do when this happened? She got on her knees and PRAISED God BEFORE she went to her son! Wow! She fits verses 20, 22, 28, and 30 of the Proverbs 31 woman. Her story can be found in 2 Kings chapter four, verses eight through thirty-seven.

Proverbs 31 women in the Bible- part 1

I love Proverbs 31! I try my hardest to be like the woman described in that chapter. While I was doing my Bible study today I was curious to see how many women in the Bible fit some (or all) of the descriptions of a Proverbs 31 woman. I was surprised at finding four in the first book of the Bible! So as I am reading through the Bible I will write down the women in my notes and list three or four at a time. This could become a long research, but I believe I will grow so much more in my faith because of it. I hope it helps you too.

1.) Noah, Shem, Ham, and Jepheth's wives:

We do not know much about the women in Noah's life, but I believe they were an important part of the ark and everything leading to the flood (and I don't mean just helping repopulating the earth LOL). Think about it, your husband comes in and tells you that God told him to build an ark because rain was going to come down from the sky for the first time and destroy the world. How would you react? I know I would tell my husband he's crazy and probably check him into the loony-bin. Did Noah's wife do that? No, she faithful believed her husband and God. She probably even helped build the ark. Then Noah's daughters-in-law did not question him. They faithfully went along with what he was saying and probably helped take care of the animals. Let's not forget their families were going to die, but they trusted their husbands and God to protect them! I believe they measured up to verses 12, 17, 20, and 27 in Proverbs 31.

2.) Sarah:

Sarah was the wife of Abraham and a very beautiful woman. She is the perfect example of a submissive wife. She followed her husband wherever he led and was loving. Yes, she did mess up quite a few times. Some examples of that would be trying to rush God's plans with Hagar, doubting God, and being cruel to Hagar. In-spite of all of that GOD presents her as a perfect example of a wife, she is in the Bible more than any woman (even Mary)! Where she is mintioned at is Genesis 23, Genesis 24:67, Hebrews 11:11, 1Peter 3:6, Romans 9:9, Romans 4:19, and Galatians 4:21-31! I believe she measured up to verses 11, 12, 15, 23, 25, and 28-31 in Proverbs 31.

3.) Hagar:

An Egyptian servant to Sarah who did what Sarah told her to do and had Abraham's child! Yes, the Bible says she couldn't stand Sarah after she became pregnant and that she ran away. Let's remember though that Sarah was abusing her and she was probably afraid she would lose any rights to her child! But what stood out to me about her was that she trusted in a God (The One and Only God) that she never knew about and returned to Sarah! If that doesn't fit some of the Proverbs 31 standards I don't know what will! I believe she measured up to verses 13, (part of) 15, 17, 22, and 24 of Proverbs 31.

4.) Rebekah:

A virgin who was beautiful and did hard work. She put herself in a very low position by offering to water the camels that belonged to Abraham's servant. What did she get for doing this? She got to meet, fall in love, and marry Isaac. In her early years she was a very good picture of what a Proverbs 31 woman should be. Unfortunately when she got older favoritism between her sons caused her to split up her family and doubt God. Nonetheless, in her early years, I believe, she measured up to verses 10, 11, 12, 15, 17, 18, 20, 27, and 30 of Proverbs 31.

All these women are good examples of things to do and not to do as Christian women. They also show us that a Proverbs 31 woman is human and more than likely will mess up a time or two. So learn from them and strive to be that noble women described in the Bible. More Proverbs 31 women of the Bible to come soon.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

    "My gifts are better than gold, even the purest gold. My wages better than sterling silver." ~Proverbs 8:19 (NIV)

   First of all let me say HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY! I hope everyone has had a great day and remembered to wear green! Now have you ever wondered why St. Patrick's day was started? I know I have! So I did a little research and here is what I found out.
  St. Patrick was from Britain and he grew up in a religious family but had no religion of his own. He was taken by Irish pirates when he was sixteen. He was forced to herd sheep for six years and during that time he really started talking to God and growing in a personal relationship with God. One night he fled from his owner and 250 miles away from where he was a salve he found a ship. It took awhile, but he convinced the owner of the ship to let him travel with them.
  They traveled on foot for twenty something days and St. Patrick worked as a preacher in their small group and it is said that all the people with him became Christians. He finally returned to his family in his early twenties and continued to grow in his relationship with God. He later went back to Ireland and was a missionary there in a time where the place was filled with Druids and Pagans. There are legends that he drove all the snakes out of Ireland, because there are no snakes to this day. He used the shamrock to explain the Trinity to people when he was witnessing to them.
  So years later we celebrate St. Patrick's day on the day of St. Patrick's death. No one knows for sure how he died , but of course there are a couple of tales. The Irish also celebrate their heritage on this day (maybe that's why we wear green). Many church's celebrate St. Patrick's day because it is a milestone in Christian history. The main places that celebrate it though are places in Europe.
  So there are my findings about St. Patrick's day.

Spring Break 2014

 

"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth." ~Genesis 1:1 (NIV)

For Spring Break this year my mom, dad, and I went to Kentucky. The whole reason I wanted to go was to see the Creation Museum that Ken Ham is the president of. The Creation Museum is a great place to go to and see the Bible come to life!  This place also showed the importance of being involved in church and with family. The people who work there are all very friendly and the museum helps answer some questions such as were there dinosaurs? Where did races come from? and many more things. I highly recommend everyone tries to go see this museum! You won't regret it!

Creation debate photo.

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and coverages. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." ~Joshua 1:9 (NIV)

Our last stop before we headed home was Ohio. We went to United States National Air Force Museum. It was so powerful to see the actual planes used in war and to see bullet holes. I am so thankful for the people who serve our country! I looked through the small Holocaust exhibit and I learned that "Holocaust" means "burned by fire". The name was used so that people would remember all the books, Bibles, people, towns, and business' were lost during that time.

"'His master replied, 'well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!'" ~Matthew 25:23 (NIV)

The last part of our vacation was not planned, but God was still at work. We were eating at a steakhouse and a  older gentleman passed out and hit his head on the floor. My mom is a nurse so she went to help and the man had a history of heart problems and was a diabetic. While my mom was helping him a whole lot of people came in that were coming back from some king of conference. For there to be that many people there was a miracle! God put me on fire to where I had to get up from my seat and go pray with him and his wife. He was okay when he left to go to the hospital to get checked out. It was amazing to see God work and feel His Spirit setting me on fire to do His work!

Now. Here are some pictures of my trip:

Click to Play

A Fairy Tale in the making

 

"Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeing; but a woman who fears The Lord is to be praised. Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gates." ~Proverbs 31:30-31 (NIV)

      Today is the last blog post for the Modest Is Hottest Prom 2014. I have really enjoyed doing this "advice" segment and I hope that I have been some help to girls who are wanting to glorify God this prom season. To finish out I have put poses, hair, makeup, jewelry, and nail ideas on my board on pintrest. If you have been reading these prom posts and would like to be on this blog, you can send a picture of your prom dress to atravelersthoughts@yahoo.com and I will post it in my May blog when I come back to the idea  of prom. Just include your first name and what state you live in so I can put it under the picture.

      I'm ending with another verse from Proverbs because we are never to young to start becoming the person described in Proverbs 31 and I think that is very important to remember. I hope everyone has a wonderful and safe prom this year. Here are the last two dress options i just had to post:

Pretty in pink

 "Boaz replied, '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. May the Lord repay you for what you have done. May you be richly rewarded by the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge." ~Ruth 2:11-12 (NIV)   I love the story of Ruth. You have this woman who loved her mother-in-law so much that when her mother-in-law lost everything, she stayed with her! Ruth had lost her husband, a brother-in-law, and a father-in-law. Her sister-in-law soon left them to go back to her home. Ruth could have easily followed her sister-in-law's example and left her mother-in-law to walk the long journey back to Bethlehem by herself. She didn't have to go with her and start providing for them in a place that was hostile towards her. But she did, and I believe she did that because she had such a big heart.
 I believe she loved her family and she took her vows to her husband serious and her commitment to his family serious. I also believe that she had learned about God and His love through her in-laws' example. I think she was terrified to leave everything she knew behind, but she was going to trust this new One True God that she had come to know to take care of her. And He did! He let a man of true noble character fall in love with her. He also let her be in the family tree of Jesus!
 So now, why did I take the time to write about this story? It's actually quite simple. See, I don't think Boaz fell in love with Ruth because of who she was or who her family members were. Honestly when Boaz saw Ruth, she probably didn't even look that pretty. She had been traveling and was now in a field working all day long. So what drew Boaz to Ruth? I believe it was her big heart and her inner beauty. The fact that she didn't mind getting her hands dirty and doing hard work. So my point is, dress up and have a good time girls. But remember that it's the inner beauty that should capture a guys attention and not how short your dress is.
 There are some hairstyles, makeup, jelewry, and modest posesfor photos on my MODESTISHOTTESTPROM board on Pintrest. My user name is Itsbrandirose if you want to look. Here are two really cute, modest, pink prom dresses:

Movie review: Pompeii

"He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God." ~Micah 6:8 (NIV)

 

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION: "Set in 79 A.D., this is the epic story of Milo, a slave turned invincible gladiator who finds himself in a race against time to save his true love Cassia, the beautiful daughter of a wealthy merchant who has been unwillingly betrothed to a corrupt Roman Senator. As Mount Vesuvius erupts in a torrent of blazing lava, Milo must fight his way out of the arena in order to save his beloved as the once magnificent Pompeii crumbles around him." *****

   So my friends and I went for a girls night out on Friday and we went and saw the movie Pompeii. Now to be honest, at first I really did not want to see this movie. I was expecting a lot of cussing, sex scenes, and mutilated killings. I agreed to this though because I just wanted to hang out with the girls and have a good time. Well, I was in for quite a surprise!

   The movie started with soldiers wiping out an entire village. But there wasn't much blood unless it was on the sword and the bodies were not too mutilated. As the movie went on there were plenty of fighting scenes, but they were not too bloody at all! Next, the costumes did not reveal too much on the girls or guys and there were no sex scenes in this movie! Finally, I only heard one cuss word towards the end of the movie!

   The movie kept accurate detail of who the people in the village that got wiped out were, how the gladiators were treated, and how the people of Pompeii died. I actually saw some forms of treatment that I had learned about in Sociology that day. For example, the fact that they would put gladiators who are suppose to fight each other in the same cell so they are forced to somewhat get to know each other.

  Naturally I was curious after the movie ended, so when I got home I did some research. Archeologist have found writings on walls of the destroyed buildings in Pompeii that said "Sodom Gomorrah". So the people of Pompeii saw what happened to them as what happened to Sodom and Gomorrah in Genesis 19:1-29. Also, the day that Pompeii was destroyed was on the ninth anniversary that emperor Nero destroyed the Jewish temple. From studies we know that Pompeii was a very disturbed community. This is my little history lesson on Pompeii.

  So all in all I give this movie five stars. It was clean and educational. Anyone who enjoys history, a good love story, or just a good movie, I highly recommend going and seeing Pompeii.