Quote of the Month for September

I had to change the quote of the month early because I won't have very good access to a computer on Sunday. (Agh! :P JK)  ;)

These verses are ones I've come to like. They're from one of my favorite chapters in the Bible and they give me hope that one day I will see my Savior face to face! (*happy dance*) Oh, what a glorious day that will be!! :D (Click on the "One Bright Corner" button on the right sidebar to read a post about the mirror verses.)

They also reflects what's going to happen in less than 9 days. (Not that anyone's counting... *innocent face*)

Yes, according to the world, I will no longer be given kids menus... :P i.e. I'll be an adult. ;)

I'm super excited for this new phase of life!! Perhaps a little timid at what might possibly lie ahead, but I know God will direct my steps and make my path straight. He will be a lamp for my feet and a light for my path. He did not give me a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love, and of self discipline.  I'm trusting in Him with all my heart and leaning not on my own understanding! :) Please pray for me as I enter into "adulthood".

God bless you this lovely day! :D

Integrity

As I was cutting apples for drying today (yes, that's why my fingers look so nasty: apple juice + cinnamon and sugar = permanently stained hands for several days...and now everyone is going to be looking at my fingers ;) I was thinking about how man looks on the outward appearance but God looks on the heart. (1 Samuel 16:7) Those apples look beautiful on the outside (well, most of them), but when you cut into them, you soon find out it's a different story. They're mealy, brown, and worm tunneled. *yuck* 

That got me thinking about a chapter in the book I've been reading (one thing leads to another when you've got lots of time to think over your apples :).

The chapter was about integrity. My dad has been talking to me about purposing in my heart not to let anything into my house (when I have one of my own) that will dishonor God, but I couldn't think what that character trait would be called. Then I read this chapter about not letting any unwholesome things into your heart and mind. It's called...integrity! (I *love* that word! :D) 

Integrity - the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles

The book was reminding women that it only takes 3% (or just a very small amount) to corrupt the inside of something. It starts out as just a little...and ends up eating out your insides. 

Having integrity is keeping those tempting "little" things out of your house, mind, and soul. Some potential "worms" that can make it into your home and destroy those inside are television, movies, internet, books, music, etc. I'm not at all saying these things are wrong in and of themselves. My family personally has all of these things except a television (which doesn't necessarily make them right, I'm just saying I'm not judging you if you have them). These are things we have at our fingertips that we think can be so innocent. But that 3% that gets into our minds and hearts (and that of our children) can end up being terminal to our soul. It can destroy our insides. Like the ruined apple that had worm tunnels all throughout it. It only took one worm (okay, maybe that's a terrible analogy), but the entire apple was ruined. Unlike the apple, we can ask for God's forgiveness on our mistakes and he can clean us up, but there are still scars remaining. I believe we should be very careful with what we put into our hearts; what we label as "fun" or "entertainment". Who cares if it gives us 1 1/2 hours of satisfaction if it has "small parts" in it that dishonor God? Was it worth the 1 hours and 34 minutes of  "fun"? I think the young people of my generation need to take this subject much more seriously. We need to strive to become men and women of integrity! Please don't take this as me saying, "I've read the books, talked to my dad, and I've totally got this down and now it's time for me to tell you all how to shape up!" This is something I'm studying, working on, and sharing with you all so you can help me by giving me your thoughts (and keeping me accountable...please!).

I'm sure y'all have heard this story, but it helps me understand the reality and seriousness of the subject.

Two teenagers asked their father if they could go to the theater to watch a movie that all their friends had seen. After reading some reviews about the movie on the internet, he denied their request.

"Aw dad, why not?" they complained. "It's rated PG-13, and we're both older than thirteen!"

Dad replied: "Because that movie portrays immorality, which is something that God hates."

"But dad, those are just very small parts of the movie! That's what our friends who've seen it have told us. The movie is two hours long and those scenes are just a few minutes of the total film!"

"My answer is 'no,' and that is my final answer. You are welcome to stay home tonight, invite some of your friends over, and watch one of the good videos we have in our home collection. But you will not go and watch that film. End of discussion."

The two teenagers walked dejectedly into the family room and slumped down on the couch. As they sulked, they were surprised to hear the sounds of their father preparing something in the kitchen. They soon recognized the wonderful aroma of brownies baking in the oven, and one of the teenagers said to the other, "Dad must be feeling guilty, and now he's going to try to make it up to us with some fresh brownies. Maybe we can soften him with lots of praise when he brings them out to us and persuade him to let us go to that movie after all."

The teens were not disappointed. Soon their father appeared with a plate of warm brownies which he offered to his kids. They each took one.

Then their father said, "Before you eat, I want to tell you something: I love you both so much."

The teenagers smiled at each other with knowing glances. Dad was softening.

"That is why I've made these brownies with the very best ingredients. I've made them from scratch. Most of the ingredients are even organic. The best organic flour. The best free-range eggs. The best organic sugar. Premium vanilla and chocolate."

The brownies looked mouth-watering, and the teens began to become a little impatient with their dad's long speech.

"But I want to be perfectly honest with you. There is one ingredient I added that is not usually found in brownies. I got that ingredient from our own back yard. But you needn't worry, because I only added the tiniest bit of that ingredient to your brownies. The amount of the portion is practically insignificant. So go ahead, take a bite and let me know what you think."

"Dad, would you mind telling us what that mystery ingredient is before we eat?"

"Why? The portion I added was so small. Just a teaspoonful. You won't even taste it."

"Come on, dad, just tell us what that ingredient is."

"Don't worry! It is organic, just like the other ingredients."

"Dad!"

"Well, OK, if you insist. That secret ingredient is organic...dog poop."

Both teens instantly dropped their brownies back on the plate and began inspecting their fingers with horror.

"DAD! Why did you do that? You've tortured us by making us smell those brownies cooking for the last half hour, and now you tell us that you added dog poop! We can't eat these brownies!"

"Why not? The amount of dog poop is very small compared to the rest of the ingredients. It won't hurt you. It's been cooked right along with the other ingredients. You won't even taste it. It has the same consistency as the brownies. Go ahead and eat!"

"No, Dad...NEVER!"

"And that is the same reason I won't allow you to go watch that movie. You won't tolerate a little dog poop in your brownies, so why should you tolerate a little immorality in your movies?"
(I can't seem to find the author of this story. It was sent to me in an email several years ago.)

The righteous man walks in his integrity; His children are blessed after him.
(Proverbs 20:7 NKJV)

Bible Bee

The Bible Bee is tomorrow!! Let's be praying for the contestants! There's a spiritual war going on and the enemy doesn't want to see this succeed. Sometimes he makes the day difficult for these young ladies and gentlemen. Let's pray that God gives them peace and strength to finish their tests and that he'll bless them for working so hard this summer!
I think it's sooo cool to think about how tomorrow, all over the country, there will be an almost non-stop stream of verses going from early morning until early afternoon! Tomorrow is going to be a great day! May much glory and praise be lifted up to God Most High!!  

I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. Psalm 119:11

SMILE :D

Comment if this makes you smile! jk (Well...you can if you want. :)

If this doesn't make you smile, though, I don't know what will. ;)

C.S. Lewis Quotes

I was given several quotes by C.S. Lewis when I requested quotes for the month of August. I enjoyed a lot of them, but didn't want to use them all for "quotes of the month." I decided just to give them their own post instead. :)

 “Christianity, if false, is of no importance, and if true, of infinite importance, the only thing it cannot be is moderately important."

"I can't imagine a man really enjoying a book and reading it only once."


“A children's story that can only be enjoyed by children is not a good children's story in the slightest.”

“Miracles are a retelling in small letters of the very same story which is written across the whole world in letters too large for some of us to see.”

And of course my favorite...

“The homemaker has the ultimate career. All other careers exist for one purpose only - and that is to support the ultimate career. ”

Tell that to people who look at you weird when you say you're hoping to get married and be a stay-at-home mom in response to the question, *asked in a high-pitched overly-sweet voice* "So what do you want to do when you grow up, honey?"
I've certainly had the most practice in this area, right?!. :P Homeschool high school graduate. Planning on taking college classes from home. ...and then?? Yup! You guys are so smart! Be a stay-at-home mom!! :D
Again, these are just my plans...my hopes and dreams. "The mind of man plans his way, But the LORD directs his steps." (Proverbs 16:9  NASB) It does seem to be what God made we women folk to do best though! :)

Before You I Kneel

(A Worker's Prayer)
I love this prayer written by the Gettys! I especially love it because the tune is based off of Bach's "Wachet Auf". They chose to use something by Bach because the theme of this song is bringing glory to God. Bach was a classical composer who always signed his work, "Soli deo Gloria!" (Glory to God alone!) You can get a feel for the tune in the first few seconds of this clip: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F4OrJW18ZyQ
The words are set to a slightly slower, slightly modified version of this, but the intro sounds just like that. :)
I couldn't find a recording of them singing this. :( So sorry.


BEFORE YOU I KNEEL by Keith and Kristyn Getty

Before You I kneel, my Master and Maker
To offer the work of my hands.
For this is the day You’ve given Your servant;
I will rejoice and be glad
For the strength I have to live and breathe;
For each skill Your grace has given me;
For the needs and opportunities
That will glorify Your great Name.

Before You I kneel and ask for Your goodness
To cover the work of my hands.
For patience and peace to shape all my labor,
Your grace for thorns in my path.
Flow within me like a living stream,
Wear away the stones of pride and greed
‘till Your ways are dwelling deep in me
And a harvest of life is grown.

Before You we kneel, Our Master and Maker;
Establish the work of our hands.
And order our steps to seek first Your kingdom
In every small and great task.
May we live the gospel of Your grace,
Serve Your purpose in our fleeting days,
Then our lives will bring eternal praise
And all glory to Your Name.

(I think that last verse would be a great wedding prayer. :D)

Just for Laughs :P

I think I found a job for myself! :D

I read in my God's World News magazine that an Austrian hotel is advertising for a modern-day court Jester.

"All applicants must be musical, creative, ingenious extroverts. And being a snappy dresser wouldn't hurt either, since zany costumes are encouraged at the job interview during which the candidates will be required to play an instrument. The hotel notes that the winner will earn around $1,900 a month."

LOL...okay, so I don't quite match up to standards (Ingenious extrovert? I don't think so. :P), but it made me chuckle how close I came to the description.

Faith in a Heavenly Home

Sunday's sermon was a real blessing to me and I thought I'd share some of my notes with y'all. :D

You can listen to the sermon here.

Death
[We were reminded that we will all die one day.]
Hebrews 11:13a "These all died in faith..." (Read earlier verses for context.)
Genesis 3:19 "In the sweat of your face you shall eat bread till you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; for dust you are, and to dust you shall return."
Psalm 89:47, 48 Remember how short my time is; for what futility have You created all the children of men? What man can live and not see death? Can he deliver his life from the power of the grave?
Psalm 103:14-16 For He knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust. As for man, his days are like grass; as a flower of the field, so he flourishes. For the wind passes over it, and it is gone, and its place remembers it no more.

Faith
Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
vs. 6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. 
vs. 13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.
vs. 14 For those who say such things declare plainly that they seek a homeland.
Romans 10:17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. 
Ephesians 2:8, 9 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.
Romans 10:9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.

Promises
Hebrews 11:13-15 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For those who say such things declare plainly that they seek a homeland. And truly if they had called to mind that country from which they had come out, they would have had opportunity to return.
Hebrews 9:13-15 For if the blood of bulls and goats and the ashes of a heifer, sprinkling the unclean, sanctifies for the purifying of the flesh, how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? And for this reason He is the Mediator of the new covenant, by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions under the first covenant, that those who are called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance. 
Hebrews 10:23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.

Pilgrims
Hebrews 11:13, 14 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For those who say such things declare plainly that they seek a homeland. 
[This life on earth is short, which is good, because it's not our home. This is not where we belong!]

Home 
Hebrews 11:14-16 For those who say such things declare plainly that they seek a homeland. And truly if they had called to mind that country from which they had come out, they would have had opportunity to return. But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.
[And as you know, I'm excited to go there!! http://useyourgift4hisglory.blogspot.com/2013/06/im-getting-excited.html :)]
2 Corinthians 5:6-9 So we are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord. For we walk by faith, not by sight. We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.
[This verse was a great reminder and encouragement! I love the phrase "...we walk by faith, not by sight." I was reminded of it as I sang and played Bow the Knee this morning. I liked the lyrics so much I used them in my Skype status. ;) "When the storms arise, don't forget we live by faith and not by sight...Bow the knee; Trust the heart of your Father when the answer goes beyond what you can see..." by Chris Machen and Richard Kingsmore]
John 14:1 Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. 
(All verses were taken from the NKJV and all emphasis by me)

So those are the verses in my notes from Sunday. Hopefully they encourage y'all!! God has prepared a home for us in heaven that is wildly beyond even the greatest imaginations. (Yes, I've been watching Anne of Green Gables lately. :D) I hope y'all are going there with me!

Quote of the Month

Thank you to everyone who entered quotes for the month of August. There were so many good quotes it was really hard to pick just one!! I'll be using some of the others for future months. :) (Or I could just change it to a quote of the week. :P)

This one seemed to make the most sense for me right now. ;)

"We're not necessarily doubting that God will do the best for us; we are wondering how painful the best will turn out to be" -C.S. Lewis