My Thoughts on Beauty

Real Beauty

                The other night, Harmony and I were discussing Disney, classic movies.  Some of our favorites included Beauty and the Beast, Sleeping Beauty, and Snow White.  These flawless characters were just that: flawless.  Their behavior was obedient and well desirable.  When they were stubborn, they presented those qualities in the best ways. In the end, the man, a charming prince, would fall in love with their flawlessness and sweep them off to a castle high up in the valley.  Their beauty was beyond words. Belle’s eyes were master pieces that brought every man to their knees.  Snow White was not only kind, but managed to clean without messing up her hair, dress, or perfectly clear complexion.  Aurora, well, she was blonde and danced in forests with singing animals.  Needless to say, nothing here reflects any woman I know.  But as a young girl growing up watching these movies, I thought it was a mirror image of how I should be.    

                So, I went towards the most logical approach.  If I was flawless, then I could find a prince.  I tried everything I could. I used cosmetics to cover what I thought were flaws.  I dieted to get rid of what I thought wasn’t beautiful.  I changed my personality so I would get attentions from others.

               

                We are not Disney princesses, but the princesses of the King.  What others see as flaws, God sees as flawless.  Our scars are beauty marks.  Our struggles are what make us unique and depend on Him. 

                Real beauty is individuality. Individuality is a gift from the Lord.  We are all unique little treasure, pressed down, mended together, and rolling over with blessings. What the world wants is a flawless society. What the Lord sees is a creation that is beautiful because of the flaws that He sees is flawless

               These are just my thoughts after figuring out what beauty should be like. What are your thoughts? Post them on our facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/PardonWritersforChrist?ref=hl

       Much love,

           L. J. Christian

I see your True Colors

  I love my journeys home from a long day of being out and about. I love watching the leaves slowly kiss the sidewalk as the train moves quickly passed. I feel a bit of a chill, not only in the air, but also in knowing how awesome Christ is to create such a beautiful display.
Within all of this beauty, within all of this majesty, I look towards what the Lord declares as beauty. The old saying, “Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder,” couldn’t be any truer than this. If the Lord sees this as beauty, than let us stand in awe.

   Harmony and I were spending our weekly meetings discussing and praying about the future of PardonWritersforChrist. For a moment, the conversation brought up the term, “True Colors”. If you know the song, you can understand the connection we saw between beauty and the lyrics. The Lord ‘can see your true colors shining through and that is why He loves you.’ The idea is hard to grasp sometimes.

   As women, we wake up in the morning, look in the mirror and look at someone who just spent the entire night tossing, turning, drooling on what once was a clean pillowcase, and it isn’t a very pretty sight. What do we often do first? Well, first comes the shower, then the fixing of things. Brushes, sharp things, powders, clips, hair dyes, hot metal tools, and combs come out of the wood work to create what we don’t see as a masterpiece. After plucking, rubbing, squeezing, curling, dabbing, and some crying, we see the result of what society calls beauty. But even then, you look at a picture of someone like Jennifer Lopez or Angelina Jolie, and you think, “I am still not as beautiful as her.” 1 Samuel 16:7 states, “ Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”
We, as a staff, want to focus more on what true beauty is. What does it look like in the eyes of God as He directs so many wonderful women within the Word? I want to start a discussion and, ultimately, come together in fellowship and worshiping Him for all this beauty He has given to us.

Much love,
L.J. Christian

Who will you allow to transform you

"To everything - turn, turn, turn
There is a season - turn, turn, turn
And a time for every purpose under heaven

A time to build up, a time to break down
A time to dance, a time to mourn
A time to cast away stones
A time to gather stones together"

                         -The Byrds

Oh, don't get me wrong, I don't not normally sing very old, hippy songs but this one just popped in my head this morning as I began to write. This holds ground to my heart as I learn the process of change. I don't like change and honestly, I don't know many people who do. I don't like walking into the unknown and I don't like having to rely on "what could happen" as a guide to my life. I don't like it! Can you tell that I have some sort of trust issues? Well, yes I do, but that is what makes me who I am as a person. But even though I have a trouble trusting in people, this change of season has me really trusting in the Lord more than ever. No matter how hard I try, system of events still manage to transform me. Some events place me in the situation of trial where I have to stand up to what I know is right, and others force me to look myself straight in the eye and break down in tears. There is a time to cry and there is a time to rejoice in a season. I am not perfect, and I refuse to pretend that I am. I have struggled with the same sort of sin my entire life. This doesn't make me stronger or weaker, it just makes me the person I am. Satan understands my weakness, but the Lord remains my strength.

During this season, I have to force myself to look at change and say that I am not going to end up the same person after this ends. But as this happens, I need to question, "Will I allow satan to transform me or God?" This has been the true question of my heart. Of course, in my heart, I always say, "God transform me." But during it all, I can't help but see myself fall towards what I know is wrong and what I have failed in time and time again. Just as before, I need to not lean on my own understanding and trust in Christ. I might struggle and I might feel as though I am in a battle, but as I go through a season of turn turn, I need to let my heart rejoice in Christ.  He will get me through it all and He will guide me towards His direction. 

Time will only tell where He will lead you. Doesn't that sound scary; only time will tell? I mean, that is terrifying,but I know that with Him, I don't need to be afraid of this dark tunnel I feel I am going through. There is a light at the end of this tunnel. If you are going through a tunnel and can't see the end, I want to encourage you to fellowship with other believers. That is the one thing that has pulled me from a time of running from God and back in His arms. The world will slowly push you down. We were never designed to  walk alone. Like the old saying, "It takes a village." Yes, it does take a village to stay on track with the Lord sometimes. Confide in a fellow believer in Christ.  Also find someone who is much older than you, and has been a believer for some time. This will help you as you struggle and rejoice during the time of turn turn.(Proverbs 3:5)

I sound so bleak, and far from my laugh laugh self, but this is serious. This is between following Christ as you transform or following Satan. Believe me, this is no laughing matter.

 

I want to encourage you to read through both Jonah and Job this week.  They are both great examples of men being transformed and lead by Christ. Who will you allow transform your life?

 

Much love,

L. J. Christian

 

 

 

2 Cor 6:14

 Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness?

 

 Job 1:20-22

 Then Job arose, tore his robe, and shaved his head; and he fell to the ground and worshiped. ²¹ And he said:

“Naked I came from my mother’s womb,
And naked shall I return there.
The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away;
Blessed be the name of the Lord.”

²² In all this Job did not sin nor charge God with wrong.

 http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Jon&c=1&t=NKJV&q=Jonah

 http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Job&c=1&t=NKJV&q=Job

Carry Me to the Cross

I had an eye-opening experience today. It involved something I do every day, but it shined a new light on me. This might sound weird but I was in the shower washing my hair. Now I love my showers with really hot water and steam filled but today, I also hadn’t eaten in quite a while because of stress and grief from this summer and fall’s events…I’m not going to go into all the details of this season but it has been rough. Anyway, I get out of the shower and am in my towel walking back to my room to get dressed. I feel light headed and weak but I continue to walk and not sit down. I brush out my hair in front of the mirror and cannot see straight. The room starts spinning and I pass out…still in a towel. I try to get back up and I crawl over to my bed and sit for a few seconds then carry on without thinking about my routine. I get dressed but still feel dizzy. I think I have more strength than I do. I refuse to sit back down. There is too much I have to think about even though in the back of my mind, there is something telling me to let myself rest and let go of myself for a bit. I do not listen. I go downstairs to go out somewhere but before I do, I have to run back upstairs and grab something. Finally my body gives out on me and before I pass out again I sit down on my bed and rest for a while. I look at my phone and cancel my plans so I can sleep for a bit, eat a full meal, and regain a bit of stability.
This story today made me realize something. In times of grief, stress, or when life has given us more than we can handle, God wants us to rest in Him. He wants us to sit down and regain stability so we can get up and live life. I believe God gives us more than we, by ourselves, can handle so we will have no other choice but to let it go and trust in Him…I mean okay, one of my close friends died in a terrible tragedy, I witnessed a fatal motorcycle accident and watched the man’s heart stop beating while paramedics tried to save him, my baby sister’s best friend committed suicide, and I have friend and family drama with finances and misunderstandings. My heart has been burdened with so many things and I am finally ready to lay it all down at the foot of the cross. God doesn’t want me to “pass out” from all the burden or stress. He wants me to rest and He wants the same for you! Hand whatever it is over to the Lord. That’s why he died for us after all. Let Go and Let God!!!
Matthew 11:28-30       
28 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light
-Harmony K.

Give Us Clean Hands

First off, I want to show you some lyrics from the song Give Us Clean Hands by Valley Worship

"Give us clean hands give us pure hearts
Let us not lift our souls to another
Give us clean hands, give us pure hearts
Let us not lift our souls to another

O God let us be a generation that seeks
That seeks Your face, O God of Jacob
O God let us be a generation that seeks
That seeks Your face, O God of Jacob"

What does our relationship look like with Christ? Well, after trying to figure that out and study it, the Lord showed me this morning how your heart should be and where you should be with Him. A relationship is what the Lord wants with you, but like any good relationship, it takes growth.

The Bible says to be born again to enter the Kingdom of God.( John 3-5).  We have heard story after story of people giving their lives over to Christ, and He completely changing them. But what I have seen within Christians, and even myself, is the need of a changed heart and being washed away from our past. John 3:6 states, " That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. "

Lately, I have been begging the Lord to take me back to that place of desiring Him as much as I did when I first was saved, to be made new, to have me look passed my past and focus completely on Him.  I want a pure heart and I want clean hands.  We can discuss this all day, but it comes down to walking from our past and into the Arms of Our Savior. 

If you are struggling with moving from your past to what the Lord has for you right now, dig into His Word and focus on Worship. The Lord commands us to Worship, but it also commands us to leave what causes you to sin. (Matthew 5:30).  If there is a person or thing that reminds you of your past, I recommend you get rid of it. You are a new Creation in Christ Jesus. He will give you clean hands and He will give you a pure heart, you just have to trust in Him enough to know that His plan is ultimately the best for you.

 "For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your
trespasses." Matthew 6:14-15

"But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you."
Matthew 6:33

Dios le bendiga,
L. J. Christian

Be Careful Little Eyes

First I would like to post the lyrics to this song by Casting Crowns.

Be careful little eyes what you see
It's the second glance that ties your hands as darkness pulls the strings
Be careful little feet where you go
For it's the little feet behind you that are sure to follow
It's a slow fade when you give yourself away
It's a slow fade when black and white have turned to gray
Thoughts invade, choices are made, a price will be paid
When you give yourself away
People never crumble in a day
It's a slow fade, it's a slow fade

Be careful little ears what you hear
When flattery leads to compromise, the end is always near
Be careful little lips what you say
For empty words and promises lead broken hearts astray
The journey from your mind to your hands
Is shorter than you're thinking
Be careful if you think you stand
You just might be sinking
Oh be careful little eyes what see
Oh be careful little eyes what you see
For the Father up above is looking down in love
Oh be careful little eyes what you see

You see friends, it’s so easy to be caught up in temptation. It’s an issue that even the strongest Christians struggle with. I struggle with lust and compromise…and that is me being 100% real…But enough about me…Anyone can get caught up, it only takes a look, or a thought for things to escalate to “I didn’t mean to do that” or “One thing led to another.”

We as Christians need to always be on guard for our hearts and minds. One bad TV show that mentions drinking or sex, a certain risqué song, a conversation with someone can even trigger thoughts in the back of our mind that could lead to compromise and eventually might lead us into sin. We need to really question what we allow ourselves to hear, see, and say…God wants us to have pure minds and pure hearts and we should try to respect His divine wishes. It is hard, yes, but surround yourselves with fellow believers and try to keep each other accountable and try to get back on track if the conversation goes too astray from God. 

 

Psalm 51:10 Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. \

Matthew 6:13 Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.

 SN: Sorry for not posting in a while. Tragedy struck my life on July 20 and I haven’t felt completely up to posting so I am glad L.J. Christian has been able to hold up the fort while I was away. Hope to get more posts out to y’all! Please pray for me and the entire city of Aurora, CO and I love you all as brothers and sisters!

Harmony K.

Are Me Muscle Enough

I don't know about you guys, but I work really hard to build up my own strength.  I work out constantly; running to build up leg muscle. I spend a lot of time working on manual labor projects to build up arm muscle.  I don't think I am a wimp. I can take care of myself pretty well. But once I look at an Olympic athlete, or even hang out with a soldier buddy of mine for training, I feel the need to push myself even hard.  I no longer feel strong enough or able enough to conquer what ever I think needs to be conquered.

I watched a little of the Olympics and noticed man being glorified for their own strength. I know these people train their entire lives to become the best in their countries, and then hopefully become the best in the world.  Of course you see the weight lifting competitions.  As an individual who finds joy in picking up a 40 pound box of laundry soap from Costco, watching some girl pick up 400 pounds is pretty incredible.  But as I read through Psalms 33, Exd 13:3, Exd 15:2, Num 24:8, and Luke 1:51, I have discovered that even with the strength of an Olympian we are still not strong enough.  We still need the strength of One. We, as Christians as humans, can never be strong enough. My strength, my abilities alone, have no power to save anyone. Only through Christ can anyone be saved.

Psalms 33:16-17 states, "The best-equipped army cannot save a king-for great strength is not enough to save anyone.  A war horse is a poor risk for winning victories- it is strong but it cannot save."Living Bible

I am not encouraging you to stop your work outs.  Our bodies are temples of the Lord and we need to take care of them.  What I am saying is to focus on Him and have Him strengthen you, body and soul.  Read the Word daily, meditate upon it.   The Word of God needs to be your weights. The stronger you become in the Word, the stronger you become in Christ. 

Real strength is stepping back, and having faith that the Lord will take care of every situation, ever problem, and every praise.  The Lord doesn't care how much you can lift.  Without Him, you are nothing because you are still just human. With Him, there is power!

"But the eyes of the Lord are watching over those who fear him, who rely upon his steady love.  He will keep them from death even in times of famine. We depend upon the Lord alone to save us. Only he can help us; he protects us like a shield.  No wonder we are happy in the Lord! For we are trusting him.  We trust his holy name. Yes, Lord, let your constant love surround us, for our hopes are in you alone."
Psalms 33: 18-22 Living Bible

Trust in Him,
L. J. Christian

Priorites

The last episode of So You Think You Can Dance had me glued to my screen. My eyes wouldn't blink, no, they couldn't blink.  The moister was caught and lost somewhere and prevented me from understanding anything from the outside world.  All I saw was the movement and all I remember was the music.  I was captivated. 
Once the episode ended, I turned off my computer screen, and looked around my room. I had laundry to put away, keys to hang, files to organize, and my Bible to read! It sat there waiting for my time of Bible Study and Devotion.  But as I picked up, I realized my priority.  It was first myself and then God. 
I could have focused on Christ before I focused on my own entertainment desires.  As a society, we seem to run towards entertainment items such as video games, tvs, computers, and the addictive facebook before we stretch our hand out towards the Word of God. The average American spends over 8 hours within a 24 hour period watching television.  The amount of time we spend being filled with the world is astounding.

     Check out this article( http://www.kff.org/entmedia/entmedia012010nr.cfm)

I'm not saying that once and awhile sitting down and enjoying a tv show is wrong.  But I am asking you, and myself, how do we order our lives?  Entertainment should be last and Christ should be first.
"Mindless Toys" have quickly become a god within our society! Exodus 20:3.1 Corinthians 8:5
The Lord has commanded us to share the good news of Christ.  Mark 16:15.  This week, think and pray about giving up one or two hours you normally would spend on entertainment, and go out and minister to someone. Head off to a coffee shop, the store, the mall, the park, where ever the Lord places you, and tell someone about Jesus Christ! Make sure you always have your Bible handy. That is your armor! Be prepared and read often.  I know my hour of watching So You Can Think You Can Dance wasn't time well spent when I could have been doing other more productive things. Remember that! Our time is short.  We are not promised tomorrow. Matthew 6:25

Much Love,
L. J. Christian

Just The Thought Corner~

The Lord has promised me a few things in my life. As humans, we constantly wonder if those things will come to play now or tomorrow or maybe the next day. Tonight, the Lord reminded me of Paul. He knew he was suppose to be in Rome, but was held 13 years before that path was opened by the Lord. 13 years is a long time to wait, but remember friends, the Lord's best plan is worth the wait.

Scriptures During Times of Comfort

When you are in a need of a quick refresher when the World seems to discourage you, run to the Word of God.  To start you off, here is a list of scriptures you might want to bookmark.

I am accepted/worthy: Romans 15:7, Psalm 139
I am never alone: Hebrews 13:5; Romans 8:38,39
Safety in God: Psalms 4:8
I am suffering: Matthew 5:10-12
I am victorious: 2 Cor 2:14
I am protected/ safe: Psalm 32:7
I am lavishly loved: John 15:9;Romans 8:38,39;Eph 2:4,5:1: 1 John 3:1
I have God's power. I am indwelt with the Holy Spirit: Acts 1:8; Eph 1:19, 3:16; Romans 8:9-11
I have been created for good works/ God knows my way: Psalm 37:23, 138:8; John 10:10; Eph 2:10
I have direct access to God as a believer: Eph 2:6; 1 Peter 2:5

When I need  to remember how mighty, how good, and gracious my Heavenly Father truly is, I run to the scriptures! I know within times of troubles it seems as though we are alone, but He will never leave us, nor forsake us( Deuteronomy 31: 6- "Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.”)

Continue to pray for the victims, families, and everyone else involved in the horrible Aurora Theater shooting.  The staff at Pardon Writers for Christ continue to pray that the Lord will do mighty things in Aurora for His glory, to comfort those who are broken, and that the Lord will bring peace to those who can't find rest during this dark time.

Much love,
L.J. Christian

This is a Time to Worship Him.

Lately, I have been thinking about worship! Basically, what is worship?  May see it as praise, song, and maybe a little bit of dance.  Now, I'm not suggesting you break out into some sort of Soulja Boy dance.  Even though the word "soul" is in it, doesn't mean it will be a form of worship.

But think about it.  What is worship? It really isn't just the first 30 minutes of church where the guitarist comes up and you sing a couple of songs.  Of course that 30 minutes is a form of worship, but what I am talking about is going past that. {Psalms 150: 3-6 }I'm talking about going past that stage of singing Halleluiah to actually living it.
According to Romans 12:1-2, we are a living sacrifice to God:

{ "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. ² And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God."}

Our lives need to be a form of worship.  When you are at the grocery store, spending time with your friends, going for lunch, heading to work, talking to a stranger, have it all be a form of worship.  This means your life reflects Christ in your life.

Usually when you follow Christ, others can see it.  So as a form of worship, have your speech, your actions, and your life be as though He was right before you, because He is! 
As you quickly realize that our lives are to be a living and holy sacrifice to Him, our tongues will speak sweeter and our lives will reflect of Him to the world.  
Remember, Christians aren't perfect.  According to the Bible, we have all sinned and fallen short of the Glory of God! Romans 3:23. We are not perfect.  Only Jesus was ever perfect! So, when you fall,when your life isn't a living sacrifice or a form of worship, realize that the Lord does forgive.  But just because He forgives, it doesn't mean we can continue to do so. John 8:3-11. Like a good daughter or son, we know that our parent knows best.  He does. Living for Him isn't just the only form of worship, but many ways we set ourselves before such an incredible God. When you do, you will fall more and more in love with Him!


Rejoice in the Lord, again I say rejoice! Rejoice with your voice, with your body, and with your life!  
Rejoice in Him, my friends,
L. J. Christian

 

“I want to make the simple minded wise”

Proverbs 1: 2-4 The Living Bible

 “He wrote them to teach his people how to live- how to act in every circumstance, for he wanted them to be understanding, just and fair in everything they did. “ I want to make the simple-minded wise!” he said.  “I want to warn young men about some problems they will face.” ”

 

When I was 17 years old, I started college.  I was a determined young woman who had a dream.  I was going to start at a community college for a couple of semesters, and then transfer out of state to a Baptist college to receive a degree in Youth Ministry and Psychology. I was going to get married at 18, finish college at age 20, and then begin a life of splendor at age 21.   I never did go to that fancy school and major in Youth Ministry or Psychology.  Well, at age 18, I was not married.  At age 20, I didn’t graduate college.  When my 21^st birthday rolled around, I was no where near a life of what I thought was splendor.  Those were my determinations, and my plans.  I was a simple-minded person who needed wisdom.

            Through it all, the Lord makes us stronger and wiser.  His ways are filled with riches, even though we can’t see them right away. 

            Romans 9:4 states, “God has given you so much, but still you will not listen to him.  He took you as his own special, chosen people and led you along with a bright cloud of glory and told you how very much he wanted to bless you.  He gave you his rules for daily life so you would know what he wanted you to do. He let you worship him, and gave you mighty promise.”

            No matter your goals in life, be it family, career, or college, the Lord has given you the path to walk to make it towards His plans for you.  The Word of God is your guide book! Use it, because you will need it for the rest of your life.  It isn’t hard sometimes.  Believe me, I know.  In the end, it become worth it. 

I love how much God loves to practice the art of English. He has used Metaphors, Hypothesis, Social perspective, Editing, Assessment, Drafting, Looping, and lots of Punctuation to mold me into the person I am today.  And the desires of my heart have not been forgotten because the deepest desires have been placed there by Christ alone.  He is might to give me the man of my dreams, put my through every college course I may ever have to take, and provide me with every ministry He desires for me to be apart of.  Life isn’t always filled with  what we think splendor looks like.  The splendor that never ends is the beauty of His Creation!

Life is a journey worth walking through with Jesus Christ.  But don’t be discouraged when something doesn’t go as planned.  These trials and troubles make it clear how you can’t plan your life without Christ by your side.   Remember Romans 8:28. 

 

Word of Wisdom for The Week:  “Falling is hard, but knowing who is there to lift you up, makes the scrapes a little less painful.”

 

Dios le bendiga,

 

L. J. Christian

What is this Love thing?

Crazy, Stupid Love
Love, Actually
Love and Other Drugs
Love Story
P.S. I Love You
Love is a Four Letter Word
Do a Google search and there’s about a million and a half movies with this word in the title. What word is that?? LOVE. Now, I have to ask myself a question: What the heck is love anyway? Hollywood gives us many situations in which a character will do anything for their earthly love and many hearts are broken in the process. The characters fall out of love then go through the ringer trying to get love back or just move on to the next “love” of their lives. Tons of drama happens then we get a sweet love song at the end and assume they are happy for the rest of their lives and nothing else will ever go wrong.

Why should we want to put our entire lives and more importantly our hearts into someone or something that will probably let us down eventually? After the credits roll…

Well, I have found a true love. God’s love…Everlasting love! God, who LOVES me so much that He sent His only Son, Jesus Christ to be nailed to a tree so I could be forgiven of everything I have ever and will ever do wrong. So I can spend an eternity Loving Him! God will never make me jump through rings of fire to get to Him and love Him. He will never cheat on me or break my heart, even if I break His. Even if I stumble and let other things get in the way of my relationship with Him, He will never leave me or forsake me. I am in Love with Jesus Christ and I am after His own heart! It’s this love that makes my world spin. It makes my heart feel better. I feel all warm and fuzzy inside when I think about this love.

You know what the best part is? I can share this love! See, this Love is so big, I cannot just keep it to myself. I want everyone to experience God’s love and they can! Let Jesus Christ into your heart and feel the same way. God loves all of us and wants this type of relationship with all. Pray and talk to Him. When you fall in love, you want to make the other person proud of you and happy. Live your life to glorify Him and all the Love He gives. We are not saved by works, but by grace alone! This love goes two ways. He loves us, so he gave his Son and offers us eternal life. We love Him, so we need to live our lives for Him. Forgetting all our worldly pleasures and setting our eyes on Jesus. When you accept Him, you become a new creation. He transforms hearts and begins to heal the wounds already there. He wants you to open up to Him and in the communication aspect, treat it like you would an earthly relationship. Tell Him everything. He will listen! Spend time with Him! Get to know Him! Fall in True Love!

Okay, now as a side note, it may have come across as though I do not believe in love on Earth. Do not get me wrong. I do! I personally have not found my partner yet but I know it is possible. Finding the man who will be my other half and walk as one with God….  But I do know that he HAS to love God more than he could ever love me. Jesus is my number One and I want my husband to feel the same. I don’t want to get in the way of his walk and I ask the same of him. He needs to be a man of courage and lead our family in the teachings of God.

John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave His only begotten Son, so that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.

Exodus 13:15 In your unfailing love you will lead the people you have redeemed. In your strength you will guide them to your holy dwelling.

---Harmony

You In Spire Me

            A wise man once told me to fall in love with someone who inspired me. His advise seemed adventures and sweet, as though they gave flavor to some sort of pastry treat.  He was a wise man of the age of 60 with dark, short hair and a marriage that had already lasted over 30 years.  One look into her eyes, those dark hazel eyes, and you could see the inspiration he saw.  He saw joy, passion, dedication, and love for life.  One look into those eyes and he had fallen in love. Some mock the idea of love at first sight, some even mock the idea of love.
           I needed to find someone to inspire me, someone who had those eyes that would cause me to fall in love at first sight.  I  have already found Him.  See, one look into my Savior's eyes makes me fall in love.  Those eyes cried for me, smiled for me, danced for me, and fought for me.  Those beautiful, Jewish man eyes, the eyes of the Son of God, came with greater love than any man could hold!
          Within my statement, I will not utter the words "Jesus is my boyfriend," because honestly, He isn't.  My generation seems to envision Christ as a man with abs of the Old Spice guy, the hair Orlando Bloom, and the smile of some boy band.  What I find offensive is the comparison to man young girls place such a mighty and powerful God.  His eyes don't scream of puppy-dog love, but never ending love and grace.
          A relationship, according to modern day humans, is the mixture of emotions and physical desires. This foundation brings quick and "get lost" bonds between individuals before truly getting to know each other.  The "getting to know you" part is the most important and missed step within modern day life.  We don't know each other, nor do we care to start there. Having a relationship with Jesus Christ will inspire you to live a life for Him, to share the Good News of everlasting love. He is not your boyfriend, don't treat Him as such. The relationship with Christ has the foundation of a "getting to know you" relationship.  This requires reading the Bible, prayer, and listening to His voice.
         Focus on Him, and He will Inspire you!

        

John 10:27- My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. (KJV)
John 3:16-17: ¹⁶ For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. ¹⁷ For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.(NKJV)
 Ephesians6:18- praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints. (NKJV)