tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79141052709322051042024-03-05T08:42:31.814-08:00The PursuitThe official blog of Passion MagazinePassion Magazinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08578541889042263288noreply@blogger.comBlogger92125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7914105270932205104.post-27032815902956524102012-03-27T22:06:00.000-07:002012-03-27T22:06:14.385-07:00Goodbye from Ariel<div style="text-align: justify;">I can only echo all the wonderful things that Haylie wrote in the previous post! I'm sad to see Passion go as well - it was a big part of my life for a long time, and I got so much joy from seeing God work through everything that happened here to encourage His daughters. I'm so thankful for Him for bringing us all to and through this, and I pray and know that it touched all you girls to live more deeply for Him.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">For this blog, thank you soooo much for the staff - Haylie our manager for making the schedules, welcoming our new staffers SO enthusiastically, her ideas and networking with her AWESOME current mag Lilies Among Thorns, and writing such touching posts for us to enjoy! Annie our blog designer - look at this amazing template! She's incredible. And to all of our wonderful writers who were passionate about getting their stuff sent in time, guest posters - everyone who contributed their heart-to-heart writings for our sisters to study. You guys are awesome.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">My last words can only be to look to the Cross and know how MUCH God demonstrated His love for us through the death and resurrection of Jesus (Romans 5:8). Our story of Jesus personally pursuing us, redeeming us from sin, giving us His Spirit to help know Him more here, and coming back to take us lovingly into heaven is true and life-changing. Let it be the root of all that you do, and be free about sharing the story with love! Let it define your life. He is worth it.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">I love you girls! Again, if any of you need to contact me, my email is ariel@arieloliver.com. I hope to hear some of your stories and to know how I can pray for you!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Your sis in Him,</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Ariel</div>Passion Magazinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08578541889042263288noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7914105270932205104.post-36241532037073159252012-03-27T09:00:00.000-07:002012-03-27T09:00:03.355-07:00Goodbye from Haylie<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype";"><o:p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype"; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"></span></o:p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"></span></span></span></o:p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"></span></span></span></div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt -9.35pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt -9.35pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype";"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> This is a bittersweet moment for me. I am sad to see this ministry go, but I am also so very happy for all that I got to see this ministry do. I am so glad and grateful to of been apart of it. It has helped me grow closer to God and closer to other Christian woman and for that, I am so very grateful. I am blessed with a God who has given me a wonderful 2 years with <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Passion</i> and 6 months with <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Pursuit</i>. I will never forget this fun, educational and wonderful experience.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt -9.35pt; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt -9.35pt; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt -9.35pt; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt -9.35pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype";"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> First, I would like to thank sweet Miss Ariel for allowing me onto the staff and allowing me to take up <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Pursuit</i>. It has been a blessing to me and I so dearly hope that it has been a blessing to you readers as well. Ariel, you have been an amazing editor, co-worker and friend. You have such an amazing heart and you have been an amazing example of Christ. Keep that fire burning, girl!<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt -9.35pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt -9.35pt; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt -9.35pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt -9.35pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype";"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> Second, I would like to thank all of the wonderful writers on <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Pursuit. </i>You all are truly awesome! You’ve put up with my rambling emails and quirky comments in those rambling emails! You all are true jewels. Though I have not had much time with some of you and more time with others, I feel as though we have a bond that cannot be broken. You all are true blessings. Thank you.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt -9.35pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt -9.35pt; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt -9.35pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt -9.35pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype";"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> Third, I would like to thank you readers for not just following <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Pursuit</i>, but also reading it! I pray that all of you discovered something from the articles that you’ve read and that it changed your heart. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Pursuit</i> was made to help you ladies grow stronger and closer to God, and my prayer is that that goal was achieved, even if it reached only one person. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt -9.35pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt -9.35pt; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt -9.35pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt -9.35pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype";"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I would like to say one last thing to all of you readers. This is one lesson that I recently learned and I believe that every person, man and woman, should know and remind themselves of everyday. Always always always, give everything to God. When you get stressed, when your friend betrays you, when you have a huge decision to make, give it to God. Let Him write your story. Hand over the pen to the Author of the world’s best-selling book and, might I add, the greatest love story ever wrote! Lay it all before Him and trust in Him, then walk away from it. He will lead you down the right path if you let Him.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt -9.35pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt -9.35pt; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt -9.35pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt -9.35pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype";"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Be like Hezekiah in Isaiah 37:14. “And Hezekiah received the letter from the hand of the messengers, and read it: and Hezekiah went up unto the house of the Lord, and spread it before the Lord.” Spread it before Him. Pray. He can turn a horrible moment in your life into something more beautiful than you can ever know. Trust Him and hand it over.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt -9.35pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt -9.35pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt -9.35pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype";"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">You all will forever be in my prayers! I can not wait to meet each and every one of you in heaven one day. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt -9.35pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt -9.35pt; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt -9.35pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt -9.35pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype";"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">All my love,<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt -9.35pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt -9.35pt; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt -9.35pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt -9.35pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype";"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Haylie Jo Gregory<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt -9.35pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt -9.35pt;"><br />
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</div>Passion Magazinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08578541889042263288noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7914105270932205104.post-76606906079374517012012-03-25T22:04:00.001-07:002012-03-25T22:04:00.552-07:00Him Alone<div style="text-align: justify;">Nothing truly satisfies but God.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">My stubborn heart's been being taught that more often recently. After taking part in anything, sinful or not, for too long, I'm left feeling empty. Friends, school, career, music, guys...anything but God. And it's for such an obvious reason. God is the only thing that matters, guys. The other things may matter a little in this life, but when we're drawing our last breath, when we're rising from the grave for judgment day, and really when we're just going through life daily - acknowledging Jesus as Lord of our lives is the only important thing. The fullest life we can possibly get is a life of craving more of Him.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div>"Whom have I in heaven but You? And besides You, I desire nothing on earth." Psalm 73:25<br />
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Everything just fades away in the light and love of God. Holding grudges become a nonsensical idea. Pursuing riches turns into a huge waste of time. Holding anything in an esteem near as high as what is meant for something holy won't even tempt us if we silence our lives for a while and realize how amazing God is, simple as that, and praise Him for saving us.<br />
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It's more simple than we make it... just worship and want to know God. That's our life, girls. Let's go after it.<br />
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Love in Him,<br />
ArielPassion Magazinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08578541889042263288noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7914105270932205104.post-41194636950570207482012-03-06T08:48:00.001-08:002012-03-06T08:48:03.241-08:00Before You<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">Before You, I was lost. </div><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">Before You, I had nothing.</div><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">Before You, I was lonely.</div><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was searching for something.</div><br />
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<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">I was searching for something to make me whole.</div><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">Something to mend this broken heart of mine.</div><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">But I discovered that it wasn’t something I was looking for.</div><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">It was Someone and He would make me just fine.</div><br />
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<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">But He made me more than just fine.</div><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">He turned me into something great.</div><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">He made me one of His children.</div><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">Now eternity with Him is my new fate. </div><br />
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<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">Before you, I was lost.</div><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">Before you, I had nothing.</div><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">Before you, I was lonely.</div><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">But with You, I am more than just something.</div><br />
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<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">I am someone.</div><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">I am Yours.</div><br />
Love, HayliePassion Magazinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08578541889042263288noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7914105270932205104.post-22286740051281754622012-02-28T07:36:00.001-08:002012-02-28T07:37:52.178-08:00Where Are the Good Guys?!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8A51NSlO0q2s3j8c_CNr9QB3uEethCZBsbR1C1yR9zMNej9kfD0-vrVEROhrd7J0eYHYSqGUYyc3UzsFUUgG7hAVeEvztw5_jCddetVghrG8hyZbNUqdw97NabXZwPxBU4RsQcGhHKej8/s1600/yuck.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8A51NSlO0q2s3j8c_CNr9QB3uEethCZBsbR1C1yR9zMNej9kfD0-vrVEROhrd7J0eYHYSqGUYyc3UzsFUUgG7hAVeEvztw5_jCddetVghrG8hyZbNUqdw97NabXZwPxBU4RsQcGhHKej8/s320/yuck.jpg" uda="true" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>I'm not going to sugarcoat this post today. <br />
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I often hear women (including my past self) ask the mind-boggling question: "Where are all the decent men in this world?" <br />
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Those desirable men's answer: Where are all the decent WOMEN?<br />
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Realizing that the revolting revolution of "ladies" giving into the "change in times" has literally created new, less-improved godly women, has made me develop a whole new mindset. I have truly been enlightened through much self-reflection and observation of my fellow comrades. This is a simple cause and effect scenario: Women aren't being what they were created to be-humble, loving, nurturing, submissive (hey, it's biblical) and resourceful, therefore, why should we be surprised that men, today, aren't being our Knights in Shining Armor? We can't even be the Cinderellas. We've become the crazy, self-indulged Stepsisters!<br />
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We have become the Rocky Balboas, the do-it-ourselves, the Miss Independents, the belchers and farters, the outspoken, masculinized figures. We have become power-hungry and self-satisfying monsters. Why would any man want to "rescue" or "serenade" a woman who gives off guy-pal vibes or thinks punching him in the arm is flirting? Where's the fun in that? I'm sure, to be frank, it's quite awkward for them and very unappealing. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDW_4CyUgJCDN83TlviuY4SZEofrjo8jEMqeLUhPA-Ls-UtnSmO7p5lI_k3t8xsEImOCldpzuywGbI7vn2Tn2c4g8EvrJGMejnZnzUPhzg2-Xvs4pj1foNwJ1mfGjGu7-XcxAtaYLpGib2/s1600/IMAG002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDW_4CyUgJCDN83TlviuY4SZEofrjo8jEMqeLUhPA-Ls-UtnSmO7p5lI_k3t8xsEImOCldpzuywGbI7vn2Tn2c4g8EvrJGMejnZnzUPhzg2-Xvs4pj1foNwJ1mfGjGu7-XcxAtaYLpGib2/s320/IMAG002.jpg" uda="true" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Let's be straight here; I'm not making excuses for ill-mannered men who have no manly bones in their body, think chivalry is for pansies and would rather pay someone to fix something or mow their lawn because they simply are too good for laborious work. That's a whole 'nother blog post. Read Wild at Heart by John Eldredge! This will explain what a man needs, should be and was created to be! A must-read for every woman!<br />
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So, when you find yourself asking where are all the good ones and why are all the good ones taken, ask yourself what are you doing to attract those "good ones"? It may be extremely shameful, yet eye-opening.<br />
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There's nothing wrong with being independent, but there's also nothing wrong with being a bit soft and vulnerable. In order for you to find your Prince Charming, you must be the princess longing for your one true love! Proverbs 31 will show you how!<br />
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PS! I finally found my Prince Charming, girls! He came with a horse :) We are getting married June 9! God really does write your love story if you let him.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCN9RCO6x5_WnfBtd70z_sjiQLZM00J1bVh5zTh1bWXQoSIF3i9zVWWn3ADBhXdOcX3CvkigOEwOsYnfDsjCZKASCaRhIZFvcrxHliS_4T6l3DCmnwVNnwAMdD_G51lJk-wF1zmL69rns5/s1600/meandjonpropose.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCN9RCO6x5_WnfBtd70z_sjiQLZM00J1bVh5zTh1bWXQoSIF3i9zVWWn3ADBhXdOcX3CvkigOEwOsYnfDsjCZKASCaRhIZFvcrxHliS_4T6l3DCmnwVNnwAMdD_G51lJk-wF1zmL69rns5/s320/meandjonpropose.jpg" uda="true" width="239" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
Follow Brynlea on Twitter @bryntayl and her blog, <a href="http://fabyoulousgals.blogspot.com/">http://fabyoulousgals.blogspot.com/</a></div>Passion Magazinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08578541889042263288noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7914105270932205104.post-22196543524447631712012-02-13T11:26:00.000-08:002012-02-13T11:26:00.958-08:00Foot in Mouth Disorder<div style="text-align: justify;">Did you know that the disciple Peter was a loud mouth?</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">When I went to church recently, the guest pastor announced that he was going to give a sermon about Peter. I'm not going to lie, my prideful, stupid self went, "Oh my gosh, I've heard so much about Peter, I love him but I'm very sick of him." I knew he was stubborn, and proud, as are most of us. But I didn't realize that he had a serious and noticeable problem of "answering" when there was no question being asked of him at all! Let me demonstrate to you his constant foot-in-mouth disorder:</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">"When the disciples saw [Jesus] walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, 'Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.' Peter said to Him, 'Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.' And He said, 'Come!' And Peter got out of the boat, and walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But seeing the wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, 'Lord, save me!' Immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and took hold of him, and said to him, 'You of little faith, why did you doubt?'" Matthew 14:26-31</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">You'd think at this point Peter went, "Oh jeez. I've made such a fool of myself. I'll never say anything again!" But look, he does it again in just the next chapter!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: justify;">"Peter said to Him, 'Explain the parable to us.' Jesus said, 'Are you still lacking in understanding also?'" Matthew 15:15-16</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Jesus probably didn't say that in a condescending way, but you can imagine Peter might have heard it like this: "You still don't get it, you stupid man?!" and went "Okay, I'm REALLY never going to open this mouth again." Let's look at chapter 16 of Matthew.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">"Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, He was asking His disciples, 'Who do people say that the Son of Man is?' And they said, 'Some say John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; but still others, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets.' He said to them, 'But who do you say that I am?' Simon Peter answered, 'You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.' And Jesus said to him, 'Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven." Matthew 16:13-19</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Finally Peter says something good! But he must have gotten kind of bigheaded about what Jesus said to him, because it wasn't long before he was literally telling Jesus that Jesus - the Messiah and Son of the living God - was WRONG about something.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">"From that time Jesus began to show His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised up on the third day. Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, 'God forbid it, Lord! This shall never happen to You.' But He turned and said to Peter, 'Get behind Me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to Me; for you are not setting your mind on God’s interests, but man’s.' Matthew 16:21-23</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Can you imagine being called the devil? By JESUS? That had to be the most tragic reprimand in the world! You can bet that Peter went, "Okay, I'm really, REALLY never going to say anything again." ...Next chapter.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Six days later Jesus took with Him Peter and James and John his brother, and led them up on a high mountain by themselves. And He was transfigured before them; and His face shone like the sun, and His garments became as white as light. And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him. Peter said to Jesus, 'Lord, it is good for us to be here; if You wish, I will make three tabernacles here, one for You, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah.' While he was still speaking, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and behold, a voice out of the cloud said, 'This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased; listen to Him!'" Matthew 17:1-5</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The pastor that spoke about this to my church suggested that when Jesus had called only three disciples onto this special mission, Peter once again got a big head and assumed that he was super important... and of course, he opens his mouth and says the stupidest thing! Why did he have to say anything in the first place!? Look at the text - God intervened here WHILE Peter was still speaking, and said, "listen to Him!" Essentially, the God of everything INTERRUPTED Peter's babbling and went, "Shut up, Peter!" Can you imagine? You can bet that Peter was thinking, "I'm so dumb! I can't believe I just said that! No more talking for me!" </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">But take a look at Matthew 26:31-34, 69-75, and Mark 16:1-7. Peter opened his mouth again, proved himself wrong by denying the Person he had called the Messiah and Son of the Living God, and wept bitterly. He must have been absolutely shattered that he had denied his allegiance to Jesus and the Lord's death. But the incredible thing is Jesus knew it and addressed Peter specifically. When the Lord had risen from the dead, he told the women to go tell the disciples, "and Peter", that He would be going to Galilee ahead of them, and they would see him there. He pointed out Peter specifically. He knew Peter was hurting in a very deep way. And if you've read Acts, you know what Peter went on to do. He prophesied. He raised dead men up. He healed the lame. He brought an incredible amount of people to Christ. He became the rock of the church.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">But first, he was a loudmouth. The whole point of this post is to say - there is hope for us! God will forgive us over and over again. He cares for us and knows our hearts and our hurts. and He can take our worst weaknesses, the things that make us so obnoxious, and turn it around for His glory. If there is hope for Peter, there is definitely hope for us.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Ariel</div>Passion Magazinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08578541889042263288noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7914105270932205104.post-9553404485927112762012-02-04T08:24:00.000-08:002012-02-04T11:45:36.340-08:00When God Gives You Lemons...<div class="MsoNormal">Hey girls, Rosie here! And I’m so very excited and thankful for the opportunity to encourage you girls on here for a little while! <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">So when life gives you lemons, what do you do? Well, you make lemonade, as the saying goes. I absolutely LOVE lemons and lemonade, and I especially love lemonade stands! Which is why I am now suddenly reminded of a hilarious commercial! You know, the one with the little girl where she makes her lemonade stand into a giant business? Well, here’s the commercial in case some of you girls have never seen it:<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal">Look at that little girl! I mean, talk about using one’s resources! She uses everything she can! Her father entrusts her with his expensive-looking smart phone and instead of simply using the phone’s calculator, little Susie uses every possible feature on that phone to make a profit!<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I think that God does the same thing with us. God gives each and every one of us our own lemons in life. But what are we supposed to do with the lemons that God gives us? Multiply them! In the parable of the talents (check it out in Matthew 25:14-30!), Jesus says that the kingdom of heaven will be like will be like a man who goes on a journey and entrusts his servants with his property. In the parable, the man gives money (in the form of talents, a measurement of money at the time) to three servants. The first two servants eagerly get to work and double the money they’re given, making a profit for their master. But the third servant does absolutely nothing for his master with what he was given. He just buries his master’s money in the ground. So when the master returns, he’s delighted with the efforts and profit of the first two servants. He entrusts them with more money and invites them to celebrate with him!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">However, the master is angry with his third servant and takes away what he had. You see the third servant is lazy, wicked, and useless. He’s lazy and wicked because he doesn’t care to even try to please his master. (He could have simply put his master’s money in the bank and just sat around while it made interest! That would have been super easy, right?) And he’s useless because he does nothing for his master. He makes no profit; he’s a branch that bears no fruit at all. All the third servant does is complain about how “hard” his master is. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Can we sometimes act like the third servant though? Sadly, I know I can. So often we search, wonder, and pray about how we can serve God. We may dream of amazing ways to glorify God this summer, next year, next month, next week, even tomorrow. But sometimes we feel like there’s nothing we can do <i>now</i>. Maybe we don’t know where to start, or maybe we’re scared to try because we think God is too harsh. Or maybe we’re blind to what God has entrusted us with.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">But just like little Susie in the commercial and the three servants in the parable, our Lord and Heavenly Father has entrusted each and every one of us with VERY valuable things. As Christians, we’ve all already been entrusted with the greatest treasure in the entire universe: God himself! (And like money, this gift definitely grows and multiplies when shared and invested!) We’ve also been given the people we know (family and friends at school or work) and the opportunities available to us (all of the places we can go). Imagine if we used all of that that God has given to us and eagerly went to work today like the first two servants!<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Well let’s stop imagining now and let’s do it! Girls, I want to challenge all of you (and myself because the Lord knows I need it too!) to pray and search for ways to invest and share Jesus Christ today and this coming week, and then to act! Let’s be like the first two servants: let’s look for every opportunity today to serve God, serve His people, and share the treasure of Jesus Christ in our lives! Is there a new girl at school who’s having some trouble making new friends? Befriend her, love her like Jesus does, and pray and search for opportunities to share the Gospel with her! Is there a community service club at your school? Join it, and even suggest a new service project that you’re passionate about! Does your church need some help with watching children, phone calls, cleaning, greeting, or anything like that? Volunteer yourself today! Pray for such opportunities and God has promised that He will open the door! <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Peace and God bless, girlies!<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><i>~Rose<o:p></o:p></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i>Feel free to email me or check out my blog!</i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i>roseeflores@gmail.com</i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i>rosiewalkingthewalk.blogspot.com</i></div>Passion Magazinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08578541889042263288noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7914105270932205104.post-30007787131657606402012-01-25T11:05:00.001-08:002012-02-06T16:26:54.409-08:00Classic Cleanout-No More Acting Clueless<h3 class="post-title entry-title"><br />
</h3><div class="post-header"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eoQERBoM4C4/Tx7GVpP8VlI/AAAAAAAAAN4/g6ZKKXaGgQw/s1600/clueless_image30.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eoQERBoM4C4/Tx7GVpP8VlI/AAAAAAAAAN4/g6ZKKXaGgQw/s400/clueless_image30.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sIO5FYuuSSc/Tx7EDrbdUmI/AAAAAAAAANo/7rE6bO4Xu50/s1600/Clueless-closet_300.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
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Yesterday, I came to the realization that I really needed to clean out my closet. It was getting ridiculous. I forced myself to give away 25 items including dresses, skirts, vests, jeans, tops, and bags no matter their cost or age. This time there would be no justifying to myself why I should keep a certain piece of clothing or accessory or convincing myself that I'd wear it again in the near future. No more being clueless. This stuff had to go. So, I started pulling and grabbing, throwing the lovely discarded items on my closet floor never to look back again. <br />
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Oh. my. gosh. I must pause due to my inability to stop laughing...is anyone having a Clueless flashback? You know-when Cher goes through her gigantic, technologically advanced closet to give away outfits for the disaster relief she had volunteered to lead and organize for Ms. Geist?? Classic!<br />
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As in life, there are things that I know I should give away (to God) in order to rid myself of unwanted, unnecessary clutter. Sin-things that have or may have the potential to cause me to stray from my walk with God-even for a moment. It's not healthy-it's hoarding (and good grief, watch one episode of Hoarders and you'll give everything in your house away)! Hoarding leads to severe distress, anxiety and emotional/physical health problems. We have got to stop being so clueless. Why keep toxicity in your life? Especially in your heart?! As Cher would say, "ugh, as if!" (wow, I really need help...)<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><i>“Let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up.”<br />
Hebrews 12:1 (NLT)</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>I let them go. I feel strong, fresh and anew. With no justifications or stipulations hiding in the back of my mind (I threw those away as well), it has made it easier to let go of my unwanted "items". When you hold on to a small part of what you are trying to let go, it makes it not only harder to turn away from. but it makes it impossible. God commands you to clean out your closet. Start pulling and grabbing-never looking back! Should this be an option in your life? UGH, WHATEVER (in my best valley girl voice)! It's a commandment! Duh?! <br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><i>"...If your hand or your foot causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life maimed or crippled than to have two hands or two feet and be thrown into eternal fire. And if your eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into the fire of hell." </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Matthew 18:7-9</i><br />
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<i>Brynlea Taylor</i><br />
<i>Follow me for fashion and devotions! </i><br />
<i>http://fabyoulousgals.blogspot.com </i><br />
<i>twitter: bryntayl </i> <br />
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</span></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Brynlea Taylor Cunniff is a tomboy in a tutu. With a desire to be the Proverbs 31 woman God created her to be, she walks down the runway of life hand-in-hand with her Designer (in heels...and cowboy boots). Brynlea has a true passion for the young ladies of today's generation, so she has a blog dedicated to devotions, fashion and everything girly! Follow her on http://fabyoulousgals.blogspot.com and Twitter @bryntayl. She would love for you to join her Facebook group "Fabyoulousgals" for Godly encouragement and girl chat!</span></i></div></div>Passion Magazinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08578541889042263288noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7914105270932205104.post-58550719061465999222012-01-23T13:00:00.000-08:002012-02-04T11:43:29.033-08:00Who Am I?<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">~ I am forgiven (Romans 5:1)</div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">~ I am a member of Christ’s body (1 Cor <st1:time hour="12" minute="27" w:st="on">12:27</st1:time>)</div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">~ I am a saint ( Eph. 1:1)</div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">~ I am complete in Christ (<st1:state w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Col</st1:place></st1:state> <st1:time hour="14" minute="10" w:st="on">2:10</st1:time>)</div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">~ I am free (<st1:state w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Col</st1:place></st1:state> <st1:time hour="13" minute="14" w:st="on">1:14</st1:time>)</div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">~I am loved (Romans 5:8)</div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">~ I am Christ’s friend (John <st1:time hour="15" minute="15" w:st="on">15:15</st1:time>)</div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">~ I am one in spirit with Him (1 Cor <st1:time hour="18" minute="17" w:st="on">6:17</st1:time>)</div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">~ I am God’s (1 Cor <st1:time hour="18" minute="19" w:st="on">6:19</st1:time>-20)</div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">With Christ, we are all of these, but without Christ, we are nothing. Have you accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior? If you would like to know more, please email us at <a href="mailto:passion@passionwebmag.com"><span style="color: blue;">passion@passionwebmag.com</span></a> and we would be happy to tell you all about our wonderful Savior!</div><br />
Love Much,<br />
Haylie<br />
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<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16<o:p></o:p></i></div>Passion Magazinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08578541889042263288noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7914105270932205104.post-24798417869444267602012-01-16T09:05:00.000-08:002012-02-05T10:21:38.394-08:00New SemesterAs we enter a new semester of school, whether it be middle school, high school, or college, I want to encourage all of you to remember something. I know that once we get back into the swing of school and life gets crazy with assignments, papers and projects due, it's easy to lose focus of the most important thing in life.<br />
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The bible tells us to be heavenly minded, not earthly minded. Colossians 3:2: "Set your mind on things above, not on the things that are on earth."Though school may seem all important right now, we need to keep our focus on heavenly things--on God's plan and purpose.<br />
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I think Paul understood this "earthly tendency" when he wrote this verse. Notice he wrote "Set your mind..." This implies that it is a conscious choice you have to make. Our minds naturally tend to focus on what's immediately in front us. For us that is the upcoming test we may have, social pressures, and academic anxiety. But Paul gives us this verse for a reason. When we place our focus on Christ, it puts the rest of our lives in perspective, and it honors God.<br />
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So this semester, let's all set our minds on things above!<br />
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~Megan<br />
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Megan Brainerd, from New York, is a busy nursing student who loves to hang out with her friends, read, and play the piano :) Her email is </span><a href="mailto:piano93@verizon.net" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #1155cc; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" target="_blank">piano93@verizon.net</a><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">.</span>Passion Magazinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08578541889042263288noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7914105270932205104.post-82770174875490939572012-01-13T14:21:00.000-08:002012-01-13T14:21:31.158-08:00Amazima Ministries Video<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">"If there is a poor man among you, one of your brothers, in any of the towns of the land which the LORD your God is giving you, you shall not harden your heart, nor close your hand to your poor brother; but you shall freely open your hand to him, and generously lend him sufficient for his need in whatever he lacks." -Deuteronomy 15:7</div><div><br />
</div><div>Support Amazima Ministries this month!</div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/1iL3fKAx9wE?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://amazima.org/">Learn more about Amazima and the work they are doing in Uganda here</a></div>Passion Magazinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08578541889042263288noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7914105270932205104.post-76479172336668836342011-12-28T08:09:00.000-08:002012-02-05T10:21:32.789-08:00Worship SongsAs the year closes out, I wanted to share some of what I think are the best worship songs of 2011 with you.<br />
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1) God is Able--Hillsong United<br />
2) Waiting Here for You--Passion<br />
3) Always--Passion<br />
4) Break Every Chain--Jesus Culture<br />
5) All Things New--Elevation Worship<br />
6) Give Me Faith--Elevation Worship<br />
7) Take Heart--Hillsong United<br />
8) Search My Heart--Hillsong United<br />
9) Rhythms of Grace--Hillsong United<br />
10) Like an Avalanche--Hillsong United<br />
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You will be blessed by these songs.<br />
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Also, look up Katie Davis' ministry, Amazima ministries, and her new book, Kisses from Katie. Her story is so inspirational! She left to live in Uganda and do missions work there right out of highschool!<br />
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Happy New Year!<br />
~Megan<br />
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Megan Brainerd, from New York, is a busy nursing student who loves to hang out with her friends, read, and play the piano :) Her email is </span><a href="mailto:piano93@verizon.net" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #1155cc; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" target="_blank">piano93@verizon.net</a><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">.</span>Passion Magazinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08578541889042263288noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7914105270932205104.post-34186254707130518652011-12-22T07:30:00.000-08:002011-12-22T07:30:03.897-08:00The Gift of Christmas<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">Christmas comes faster every year.</div><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">Just after Thanksgiving, holiday music is all we hear.</div><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">Bright colored paper, tinsel and snow,</div><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">Candles are lit, giving a soft, Christmas glow.</div><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">Holidays shoppers fill up the shops.</div><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">They’re running around making all the necessary stops.</div><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">Children are sitting on Santa Claus’s lap,</div><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">As their parents stand watching, desperately wanting a nap.</div><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">But is this what Christmas is really about?</div><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">Do we have to be nice and not cry or pout?</div><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">Is Santa the real thing or is there something better?</div><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">Santa may give us toys, but God gave us something greater.</div><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">He gave us His Son on that Christmas day.</div><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">Born in a stable in a manger of hay.</div><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">This tiny little baby saved us all,</div><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">Now isn’t that better than some new rag doll?</div><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">This gift of eternal life is the greatest gift ever.</div><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">Now let us celebrate Christmas like we have never.</div><br />
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<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16<o:p></o:p></i></div>Passion Magazinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08578541889042263288noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7914105270932205104.post-71066686814834837452011-12-20T07:10:00.000-08:002011-12-21T15:19:56.089-08:00Christmas Pursuit Giveaway!<div style="text-align: justify;">Hey girls! Passion Magazine is hosting a new Christmas drawing for the book <i>Praying For Your Future Husband</i> by Robin Jones Gunn. RJG is one of the most known authors for Christian teen girl fiction, and I know personally that her books are absolutely fantastic! (The Christy Miller and Katie Weldon were my personal favorites.) Recently she gave an interview with our friend Lilies Among Thorns Magazine, <a href="http://liliesamongthornsmagazine.blogspot.com/2011/12/interview-with-robin-jones-gunn.html">found here</a>. Definitely check it out!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: justify;">This is the prize we'll be giving away.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://shop.robingunn.com/images/Product/medium/114.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://shop.robingunn.com/images/Product/medium/114.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>From when we were small girls, most of us dream of “The One,” our future husband. We wonder who that special guy is and when we'll find him. The great news is that what you do now can make a difference in your life and the life of your future husband!</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br />
</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>In </i>Praying for Your Future Husband<i>, authors Robin Jones Gunn and Tricia Goyer share their two vastly different experiences, including the things they did right and the mistakes they made on the path to meeting and marrying their husbands. Each chapter includes helpful Bible verses, prayers, and practical application, along with true stories of women who prayed for a husband and how God answered in remarkable ways. </i></div><div><br />
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<div style="text-align: justify;">Entering the drawing is easy. Just be a subscriber to this blog and post a comment that has your name and you'll be entered into the drawing. We'll send you a confirmation email that you've been entered. (We'll only have your name in the database if you are a subscriber of Passion Magazine, so if you aren't, include your email in the comment, or simply subscribe at passionwebmag.com.) We will take new people into the drawing until the very end of this month, and announce the winner in January.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
EDIT: If you are a subscriber and are only comfortable providing your first name in the below comments, we probably have a lot of people with that name subscribed to the webmag, so please provide an extra piece of information like your last name, where you're from, or part of your email so we'll know which girl you are. :) If you don't like that you can also just email us at passion@passionwebmag.com to enter.<br />
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</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Ariel</i></div>Passion Magazinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08578541889042263288noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7914105270932205104.post-37367460891534425312011-12-07T07:30:00.000-08:002011-12-07T07:30:01.071-08:00Christmas Check List<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh92p67q9jke61HxudFmMHJd_8JA7-I9ruTg-80Gu0GOov1g-plSRIHd75R-0pS6bSxfhjYcPWQH3wGxqW-zGFqSOO99KJ4mm5lQ6E0BargvG5yDmKNkDBiMhAGNSsyMqsPKzUpUEuhs-Vn/s1600/Christmas-Tree-Wallpaper-christmas-8142630-1024-768.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh92p67q9jke61HxudFmMHJd_8JA7-I9ruTg-80Gu0GOov1g-plSRIHd75R-0pS6bSxfhjYcPWQH3wGxqW-zGFqSOO99KJ4mm5lQ6E0BargvG5yDmKNkDBiMhAGNSsyMqsPKzUpUEuhs-Vn/s320/Christmas-Tree-Wallpaper-christmas-8142630-1024-768.jpg" width="320" /></a>Christmas comes by so fast that we often forget to sit back and enjoy the wonderful season. I composed of a list of things to do this Christmas so that we make sure to enjoy every bit of it!</div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 39pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 39.0pt; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: #00ccff; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 26pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">*<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>Invite some friends over and make Christmas cards.</div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 39pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 39.0pt; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: #00ccff; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 26pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">*<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>Volunteer at an animal shelter or food pantry.</div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 39pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 39.0pt; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: #00ccff; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 26pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">*<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>Grab your camera and capture every bit of your Christmas holiday.</div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 39pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 39.0pt; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: #00ccff; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 26pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">*<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>Invite the shy girl from your church/school out for coffee.</div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 39pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 39.0pt; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: #00ccff; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 26pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">*<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>Read “The Christmas Bus” by Melody Carlson.</div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 39pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 39.0pt; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: #00ccff; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 26pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">*<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>Write God a letter thanking Him for everything He has given you instead of writing a letter to Santa asking him for things.</div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 39pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 39.0pt; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: #00ccff; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 26pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">*<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>Give everyone in your youth group a candy cane.</div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 39pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 39.0pt; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: #00ccff; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 26pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">*<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>Get cozy in a warm sweater and enjoy your favorite treat or beverage.</div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 39pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 39.0pt; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: #00ccff; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 26pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">*<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>Read Luke 2 and remember what to true meaning of Christmas is about.</div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 39pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 39.0pt; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: #00ccff; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 26pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">*<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>Make a pie or baked goodies and give it to a family in need.</div><br />
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<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">Have a very Merry Christmas!</div>Passion Magazinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08578541889042263288noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7914105270932205104.post-74125262347110458912011-12-01T20:48:00.000-08:002011-12-01T20:48:01.228-08:00What to do with your life??<div style="text-align: justify;">Until recently in my older teenage years, I've always stressed out about how I was going to live my life and how my future was going to go. Namely, I wanted to make sure that I was doing God's will in my life, and I hoped, hoped, hoped that I would never make the mistake of going to the "wrong" college, getting the wrong career, marrying the wrong person, moving to the wrong city...I kind of waited for God to suddenly appear in a glowing figuration as I prayed and send me to a country as a missionary, or tell me to go to this college, or just give me some kind of mission for my future!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">But what I never knew was that, although God certainly does choose to personally in a very direct way guide us on a specific path... most of the time, we should just focus on glorifying Him in our daily lives, loving others at least as much as ourselves, and doing what we desire.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Whoa... did I just say that?? Doing what we want in life?? Let me explain.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Something that changed my perspective on this concept was a book excerpt by John MacArthur called "Found: God's Will". I encourage you to find it and purchase the book - it's definitely worth it. But he described that if we simply <i>find our delight in the Lord, </i>He will shape the direct of our heart and we can simply go after what we want, whether that's being an artist, moving to California, or volunteering for something. This is not an unbiblical concept. You see Paul and the team of people he was doing missionary work with in Acts executing this philosophy. Check out how it turned out:</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">"Paul and his companions traveled throughout the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia. When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to. So they passed by Mysia and went down to Troas. During the night Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and begging him, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” After Paul had seen the vision, we got ready at once to leave for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them." Acts 16:6-10</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Paul and his companions simply went from town to town, preaching the gospel everywhere, and where they want. They decided that they wanted to preach in a certain place of Asia - so they tried to get in. The Scripture doesn't say how the Spirit did it (perhaps it was by a closed door of opportunity?), but He kept them from going into the area. They kept trying, though! They didn't just give up and write it off as not God's will! In life, it's like we're all in a maze of walls, mirrors, and opened and closed doors, and we bump into these things and feel our way through until we find the right opening to continue on. And that's exactly what this missionary team did. They kept trying to get into Asia. Through that, it led them to other areas where they might not have gone otherwise to preach the gospel, but also they were led down a slightly different path - God wanted them to go to Europe! Christianity no longer would be an Asian cult, but spread throughout the globe through their missionary acts there.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">This post is getting long, so I just want to encourage you girls about something I've learned and am learning. Abide in God, and prayerfully and intelligently go after what you want as long as it's holy, and don't give up. Pray, pray, pray, and worship Jesus, and live how He wants you to live - in kindness, in relationship, in strength, and in the Spirit, and don't worry about getting some grand vision from God about what to do with your future. If you are simply with Him, He is with you, and watching out for you - so go in life. Run. It's a short run until we reach eternity with our Father - let's live it to the fullest and to the glory of God.</div>Passion Magazinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08578541889042263288noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7914105270932205104.post-53189734726884190022011-11-30T10:31:00.000-08:002012-02-05T10:21:26.751-08:00Becoming Like JesusHere's food for thought: am I more like Jesus today than I was yesterday? I actually have this question posted on my computer dashboard. It's so thought provoking! I mean how many of us really consider each day to be special and an opportunity to grow in Christ? I know I don't. Each day is more like something I just try to get through...I'm often in survival mode!<br />
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But this is where God calls us to be different. We're not supposed to go from day to day merely sustaining ourselves. We're supposed to make the most of each day, no matter how mundane, so we can grow in Him and glorify Him! So let's really evaluate our progress. I challenge you, before you go to sleep at night, to think over the day and consider what you accomplished for Him, and if you're more like Jesus as a result. Let me know what happens!<br />
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~Megan<br />
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Megan Brainerd, from New York, is a busy nursing student who loves to hang out with her friends, read, and play the piano :) Her email is </span><a href="mailto:piano93@verizon.net" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #1155cc; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" target="_blank">piano93@verizon.net</a><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">.</span>Passion Magazinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08578541889042263288noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7914105270932205104.post-39479784049871293202011-11-21T07:30:00.000-08:002011-11-21T07:30:03.510-08:00That Powerful Tongue of Ours<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">I am a very quick witted person. If you say something, I will almost always have a witty comeback. Sometimes it’s good because it can get a conversation rolling, but other times it causes me to either offend someone or put my foot in my mouth. </div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">The tongue is a very powerful thing. It can bring someone up or tear someone down. I believe the worse thing about the tongue is that you can never take back what you said. I always found it weird that, when sending an email, you have every option except “un-send”. They have forward, resend, delete, ignore and flag, but not un-send. You can never take back anything you have said which is why we are to be careful with our tongue. </div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">There are four different ‘types’ of tongues. There is the controlled tongue, the caring tongue, the conniving tongue and the careless tongue. We are to have a controlled and caring tongue, but we were born with a conniving and careless tongue. As Christians, we are to trying to develop a controlled and caring tongue. Now, I am going to explain to you what each tongue is with some verses to back it up.</div><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">The Controlled Tongue: To think before speaking, to know when to be silent and to give wise advice<o:p></o:p></b></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Proverbs <st1:time hour="10" minute="19" w:st="on">10:19</st1:time> says, “In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refrained his lips is wise.”</div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Proverbs <st1:time hour="11" minute="12" w:st="on">11:12</st1:time> says, “He that is void of wisdom despiseth his neighbor: but a man of understanding holdeth his peace.”</div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Proverbs 13:3 says, “He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: but he that openeth wise his lips shall have destruction.” </div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">These three verses wrap up the meaning of having a controlled tongue. We are to know when to speak and when to be silent. Sometimes, we tend to say things in the heat of the moment, but we have to remember that anger is never the right way to deal with things. It is <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">much</i> better to keep quiet.</div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">The Caring Tongue: To speak with truth while encouraging<o:p></o:p></b></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Proverbs <st1:time hour="10" minute="32" w:st="on">10:32</st1:time> says, “The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable: but the mouth of the wicked speaketh forwardness.” </div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Proverbs <st1:time hour="12" minute="25" w:st="on">12:25</st1:time> says, “Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: but a good word maketh it glad.”</div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Proverbs <st1:time hour="16" minute="24" w:st="on">16:24</st1:time> says, “Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.”</div><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Like I said earlier, our tongue can either build someone up or tear someone down and I think Proverbs 12:25 said that very well! We are to build everyone up, but do it in truth. To me, that means do not tell a girl you love her shoes when you actually do not care for them <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span> </div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">The Conniving Tongue: To speak gossip, twist words around or to slander<o:p></o:p></b></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Proverbs <st1:time hour="16" minute="28" w:st="on">16: 28</st1:time> says, “A forward man soweth strife: and a whisperer separateth chief friends.”</div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Proverbs 18:8 says, “The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.” </div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Proverbs 25:18 says, “A man that beareth false witness against his neighbor is a maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow.”</div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Wow! That last verse makes me want to sit back and think of all the horrible things I have said and go apologizes! Does it do the same for you? Proverbs <st1:time hour="8" minute="13" w:st="on">8:13</st1:time> says, “The fear of the Lord is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the forward mouth, do I hate.” God hates a forward mouth! This should encourage us to think before we speak. </div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">The Careless Tongue: To speak with lies, curses and quick-tempered words<o:p></o:p></b></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Proverbs <st1:time hour="19" minute="18" w:st="on">19:18</st1:time> says, “He that hideth hatred with lying lips, and he that uttereth a slander, is a fool.”</div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Proverbs <st1:time hour="12" minute="16" w:st="on">12:16</st1:time> says, “A fool’s wrath is presently known: but a prudent man covereth shame.”</div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Proverbs 17:9 says, “He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth very friends.”</div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Proverbs <st1:time hour="12" minute="16" w:st="on">12:16</st1:time> stands out to me the most. It says the a fool’s wrath is known. People know that you are quick-tempered! I have an issue with being quick-tempered. If someone is yelling or saying things about me or the people I love, I find it very hard to control my tongue. I have gotten better, but I use to just let the words fly. I regret it so very much. Because of this, I have had to go back and apologize to people for some things I had said. Do no be one of the people known for their anger.</div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">I hope that this has helped you gain a better understanding of how powerful your tongue is. I hope that you try to gain a better control of your tongue and ‘train’ it to be a controlled and caring tongue instead of a conniving and careless tongue like it tends to be. Never forget to pray to God and ask Him for His help in controlling your tongue. He is always there to help His sheep. </div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.” Proverbs 17:28<o:p></o:p></i></div>Passion Magazinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08578541889042263288noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7914105270932205104.post-4753975605692458662011-11-06T17:19:00.000-08:002012-02-05T10:21:20.120-08:00I Love YouSo....just a real quick thought:<br />
<br />
Today in church, my pastor said something that really made me stop and think. He has been going through the attributes of God, and he was "surveying" God's love; basically reminding everyone of the truths that we often forget. He asked us: "If God loved us as much as we love God, where would we be?" Wow! That made us stop and think....often we may think that we love God "enough", but put this way, it's a whole different story! I definitely would be in a bad place if God loved me the way I love Him! Let's all take this to heart and redouble our efforts to put God first in our lives.<br />
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Also...as we approach the holidays, we all know about Samaritan's Purse. In addition to the shoeboxes, you can donate different amounts of money for various gifts. They range from teddy bears to clean wells. I personally am sending money for medical supplies. I think it would be great for everyone to consider supporting them and focusing on the real reason for Christmas!<br />
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~Megan<br />
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Megan Brainerd, from New York, is a busy nursing student who loves to hang out with her friends, read, and play the piano :) Her email is </span><a href="mailto:piano93@verizon.net" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #1155cc; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" target="_blank">piano93@verizon.net</a><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">.</span>Passion Magazinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08578541889042263288noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7914105270932205104.post-32694040007992114612011-10-08T13:32:00.000-07:002012-02-05T10:21:14.253-08:00When Life Is Tough<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Hey Girls,</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">I would like to share something with you that I've been going through...maybe you can relate and it will encourage you ;)</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">So...I've officially survived my first month of college. Let me tell you, it was not easy! I am a nursing major, and they say that nursing students experience more emotions than they know is possible. It's true! The workload is overwhelming and much of the information goes over your head. It is definitely not a "fun" major.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Anyway...I entered college with high hopes and grand plans of enjoying my freshman year. That isn't to say I thought it'd be a walk in the park, but I had no idea what I was about to face. To sum it up, this past month has been the toughest of my life. I have been through all kinds of emotional highs and lows. I have been in times where I cry out to God, thinking I can't go on another day, and I've been in times where I'm rejoicing in His plan for me. My head is still spinning with the amount of work ahead of me for the next few years. It is a blessing that I have such a supportive family.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">All that to say, what do you do when you're in a tough spot in life and can't tell heads from tails? When it feels like you're alone, the world is on your shoulders, and God is nowhere to be found? When you fall asleep crying into your pillow, hoping to make it through another day? When you question God's plan for your life?</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">I've been through all that, and there's no magic or easy answer. But I do know that God is faithful even as I experience all kinds of emotions. I still feel like I could lose hold on my calm at any moment, but I've come to the realization that God is bigger. He is bigger than my education. He is bigger than my hopes and plans and dreams. He is bigger than my 4.0 (hopefully a 4.0...lol). He is bigger than my nursing career.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Are you going through something that seems insurmountable and that requires every ounce of strength you have? What motivates you? Personally, God's strength is my lifesaver. I would be a total goner if I didn't have Christ as my foundation. In addition to that, I have had to change my focus on school totally. Instead of expecting to have fun and enjoy my college years (focusing on me), my motivation has changed. When I feel sick over the amount of work I have, or confused about something I'm learning, I remember that when I'm done with school, I will be able to more effectively help the lost. As an aspiring medical missionary, I picture the sick and needy adults and children I will be able to help in other countries once I make it through school. It's no longer about me! I don't have to force myself to study because I enjoy it, but because I will be able to help others! </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Have any one of you gone through a similar experience? I'd love to hear it ;) May we all learn to rely COMPLETELY on God's strength even during the blackest of nights. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">~Megan</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Megan Brainerd, from New York, is a busy nursing student who loves to hang out with her friends, read, and play the piano :) Her email is </span><a href="mailto:piano93@verizon.net" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #1155cc; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" target="_blank">piano93@verizon.net</a><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">.</span>Passion Magazinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08578541889042263288noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7914105270932205104.post-31038864885296474242011-09-26T09:00:00.000-07:002011-09-26T09:00:00.240-07:00Doing the Right Thing“Katey, what are you doing?” I said as I saw her slip a simple, charm bracelet into her cross body bag. <br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">“Autumn, don’t make a scene,” she hissed at me through her gritted teeth. “I’m just taking a bracelet. What’s the big deal?”</div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">“The big deal?” I said in utter shock. “The big deal is that you are stealing! You know that’s wrong, Katey!” I turned my head in every direction. “Where’s Missie? I know she’ll agree with me on this,” I said as I walked around the clothes racks. </div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">I spotted Missie a few clothes racks away and called her over to where Katey and I were standing. “Tell Katey what a big deal stealing is!” I cross my arms, waiting for Missie to freak out.</div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">“Well… Autumn, it’s only a bracelet, and besides, it cost, what, ten dollars maybe? It’s not that big of a deal.”</div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">“Yes it is! Missie, she’s stealing something! We all know that stealing is wrong, no matter how much the item costs!” </div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">“Autumn,” Katey said in a firm voice, as she grabbed my arm and dug her acrylic nails into my skin. “You are drawing attention to us, now shut up and listen. It’s a stupid bracelet. It’s just for a thrill. There’s <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">nothing</i> wrong with that. Now, if I were breaking into someone’s garage and stealing their Porsche, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">that</i> would be totally different, but I’m not stealing a Porsche.” </div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">“You know, you’re right,” I said. “You’re not stealing a Porsche… and you’re not taking that bracelet either, now hand it over!” I said as I stuck my hand out. Katey squinted her deep, brown eyes and stared at me. I stared back. </div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Missie stared at the both of us. “Autumn, we all have been friends since kindergarten. Are we really going to let a stupid bracelet get in the way of that?”</div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Katey stared at me. “Yeah, Autumn, are we?” she said as she cocked one eyebrow at me. I turned my back to them and walked away quickly, causing my flip flops to smack loudly on the tile. </div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">I could not believe it! My two best friends thought that stealing was wrong! How could that be? We’ve all been raised in godly, Christian homes. We went to the same church. We attended the same Bible classes. How could they think that stealing <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">wasn’t</i> wrong? </div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">I knew that I had to do something, but I wasn’t sure what that <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">something</i> was. Multiple thoughts ran through my mind. </div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Should I tell someone? Should I find a store clerk? They might get arrested or something though. Should I call Katey’s parents? Pastor Ron?” </i>I thought to myself.</div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">I, quickly, pulled out of cell phone and called Katey’s mom. The phone rang three times before Mrs. Miller picked up.</div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">“Hello Autumn, is something wrong?”</div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">“Mrs. Miller, I’m sorry to have to bother you, but Katey is trying to steal a bracelet and she won’t listen to me. I was going to tell a clerk, but I knew that you and Mr. Miller would take care of the situation if I told you.”</div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">“She’s what?!” Mrs. Miller exclaimed. “Paul! Paul!” I could hear her yelling through her hand-covered receiver. “Get in the car! Katey’s is trying to steal something!” She brought her attention back to me. “Where is she?” she asked.</div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">“We’re in JcPennies. You need to hurry though.”</div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">“Thank you, Autumn, for calling us and thank you for not telling a clerk. I can assure you that we will take care of this.” You could hear the disappointed in Mrs. Miller’s voice. </div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">“Your welcome, Mrs. Miller. I was just trying to do what was right.” With that, we hung up and I went to find Katey and Missie. </div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">After searching through the jewelry department, the women’s department and the bathroom, I found them trying on clothes in the junior’s department. You could tell by the irritated looks on their faces that they were not happy to see me back. </div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">“What, did you come back to yell at me some more?” Katey asked in a firm voice. </div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">“No, I wanted to apologize for yelling at you too. Yelling was wrong and I am sorry, but you two need to know that stealing is wrong. You know that God hates stealing. He even made it one of the Ten Commandments. I’m just trying to look out for you two.”</div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Almost like magic, Mr. and Mrs. Miller walked through the doors and spotted Katey, Missie and I. Katey’s eyes grew wide as she turned to look at me. “You called them?” she exclaimed.</div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">“I had to, Katey. It was for your own good.”</div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">“Autumn, I never would have ratted you out! How could you? How can you even call yourself my friend?” Katey yelled. I just looked down.</div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">“Katey Anne Miller, come here right now!” Mrs. Miller yelled. Katey slowly made her way over to her mother. Missie and I stood a distance away from them, trying to give them some privacy.</div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">“Missie, do you really believe that it’s okay to steal?” I asked her. I still couldn’t believe that my two best friends thought that. </div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Missie looked down at her shoes and clicked her heels together. “Well, I never found anything all that wrong with it, but after today and after you reminded me that God made it one of the Ten Commandments, I think it is wrong.”</div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">“Oh no, I knew you’d do something and I’m glad you did. Also, don’t worry about, Katey. She won’t stay mad at you forever. I can guarantee you that this will be a lesson Katey and I will never forget.” </div><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><strong>Have you ever been in Autumn's shoes? Have you ever had to do something hard like rat your friend out because you love and care for her? I have, and believe me when I tell you that it's hard. It's wrong to let someone do something wrong. It may be hard at first to tell on them, but it's the right thing to do, so take courage my sisters. Do the hard thing, do the right thing. </strong></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><strong>Haylie</strong></span></div>Passion Magazinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08578541889042263288noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7914105270932205104.post-63736381333108663292011-09-21T14:04:00.000-07:002012-02-06T16:26:38.275-08:00Foundation<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbBywCClfQDD1OkY6DChQAX9jk0VODz_tO1xjrc03TLcSPjU0dr56bag-g5Wk20iMFkp5itUNoDnwtcfuUWluqfRrBt4MA1qJSJnVn6ejeXaCa_UGtKCYVhyTIEP4nu4fKNdacPv16243x/s1600/makeup_face_foundation.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hca="true" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbBywCClfQDD1OkY6DChQAX9jk0VODz_tO1xjrc03TLcSPjU0dr56bag-g5Wk20iMFkp5itUNoDnwtcfuUWluqfRrBt4MA1qJSJnVn6ejeXaCa_UGtKCYVhyTIEP4nu4fKNdacPv16243x/s320/makeup_face_foundation.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhICSf63H3SLyC_Y6f5RKixScAkUN7x_YmGPAoJZdCF7n2RGx3oseQPbBPbVtN6LGVtzz9IZ0WClpk5WGzUQIgOllGCJHbqEHNbBBhdHMM8X3dnLJ69zKvoCqKDY0BcPdVGzzcO1XU7BxXT/s1600/makeup_face_foundation.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><span style="font-size: large;">Some girls wear it, some don't. Foundation-a creamy concoction of pigments and fillers to create a flawless complexion. With a smooth canvas, a girl can create a masterpiece! </span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">How important is having a foundation? I often think about my childhood and how blessed I am to have a family who set my feet on a firm understanding of God, love, morals and the important lessons of life. I often wonder what I would be like without their support and upbringing. No matter how far or how many times I've strayed, their words-especially those of my mom-resonate in my head, bringing me back to the path of the straight and narrow. Without that smooth foundation, where would I be? Would I be a mess?</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">Then I think about those who didn't have a solid foundation set for them. Their lives were far from flawless and loving. My favorite thing is hearing about those Cinderella type stories where someone goes from nothing to something! The Blind Side was a great example, but the people I know personally who are truly better because of their rocky start and dysfunctional childhood. Those people truly deserve the world and respect! You see, no matter what, you have a choice---be that foundation for someone, someone who needs it!!</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Every makeup artist starts with a blank canvas-flawless or not. It's the teachings, experiences and creativity that helps them create that perfect look. Flawless or not, you have the option of creating a beautiful life for yourself and others. The Lord will honor you and bless you and guide you along the way :) </span><br />
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Psalm 40:2 "...he set my feet upon a rock..."<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Stay FabYOUlous,</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Brynlea</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://fabyoulousgals.blogpsot.com/">http://fabyoulousgals.blogpsot.com/</a> </span><br />
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Brynlea Taylor Cunniff is a tomboy in a tutu. With a desire to be the Proverbs 31 woman God created her to be, she walks down the runway of life hand-in-hand with her Designer (in heels...and cowboy boots). Brynlea has a true passion for the young ladies of today's generation, so she has a blog dedicated to devotions, fashion and everything girly! Follow her on http://fabyoulousgals.blogspot.com and Twitter @bryntayl. She would love for you to join her Facebook group "Fabyoulousgals" for Godly encouragement and girl chat!</span></i></div>Passion Magazinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08578541889042263288noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7914105270932205104.post-62711331824959564042011-09-07T10:40:00.000-07:002012-02-05T10:21:07.498-08:00Have you ever had the experience where you're reading a passage from the Bible that you've read and heard a million times, and all of sudden it pops out at you? For the first time, you really understand what it's saying and you see the connection to your own life? I love when God opens my eyes like that....like He did a couple of weeks ago.<br />
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I was skimming through a few chapters in Hebrews (chaps. 3-5...ish), when my eyes caught on the part where the author is reminding the readers not to repeat the sin of the Israelites. He goes on to summarize what the Israelites had done: they didn't have faith in God! Specifically, when God brought them out of Egypt and to the land of Canaan, they were too scared to take the land. Even though God had promised to fight their battles and give them the land, they didn't trust Him and, as a result, were sentenced to wander in the desert for 40 years.<br />
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Back to Hebrews, I focused on the part where it warned us not to harden our hearts (3:15) and not "fall short" of His promise of entering His rest (4:1). I thought to myself, is there anything that I might be doing that is hindering me from God's rest and His blessing? Am I hardening my heart and not trusting God?<br />
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Then God really convicted me! I've always known that I struggle with trying to control things (my life, others' lives, situations, etc.). But here, God showed me by me trying to control things, I was just like the Israelites! God has promised me great things and will fight my battles, but I have to surrender control to Him. I can't look at situations the way the world does and like the Israelites did when they came to Canaan. God is warning me that I need to stop controlling and let Him do His work or things will end up in a mess, just like they did for the Israelites.<br />
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Later, I wondered why I (and the Israelites) don't have faith in God to do what He's promised. Why do we feel like we have to do things ourselves? It's so much easier to rely on God. He's already promised to fight our battles! I think this is where our sinful flesh comes in. When things get tough or we face a difficult situation, it SEEMS easier to simply try to take the lead. We know God's promises, but in order to get to them, perhaps we feel it necessary to take things into our own hands. I know it took a while for me to realize this in my own life, because I was doing it subconsciously! But I thank God that He opened my eyes to the problem.<br />
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It is so much more comforting (not to mention less stressful) to surrender control of our lives to God! He will fight our battles! He will go before us! Let's trust Him for our futures!<br />
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~Megan<br />
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Megan Brainerd, from New York, is a busy nursing student who loves to hang out with her friends, read, and play the piano :) Her email is </span><a href="mailto:piano93@verizon.net" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #1155cc; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" target="_blank">piano93@verizon.net</a><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">.</span>Passion Magazinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08578541889042263288noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7914105270932205104.post-61365691229192285992011-08-26T22:58:00.001-07:002012-02-04T11:38:43.400-08:0031 Ways a Girl Can Spend Her Weekend<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-style: italic;">"Redeeming the time..." - Ephesians 5:16</span> </div><br />
1. Read and memorise Psalm 1 <br />
2. Send a greeting card to a friend or relative in another state or country <br />
3. Pray for your future husband <br />
4. Listen to worshipful music and sing to the Lord <br />
5. Wake at sunrise and spend the first golden hour of the day at Jesus' feet <br />
6. Tidy your space to reflect the order and peace of God <br />
7. Watch an inspiring, God-honouring movie. <br />
8. Print out a favourite Scripture or inspiring quote and frame it <br />
9. Email an encouraging Scripture verse to a friend <br />
10. Pray for your pastor and his family <br />
11. Read a devotional by Oswald Chambers or Charles Spurgeon <br />
12. Take a walk, communing with the Lord as you enjoy His beautiful Creation <br />
13. Begin a knitting, sewing or craft project <br />
14. Keep a thankfulness journal <br />
15. Visit a thrift store and buy a modest outfit for under $10 <br />
16. Tell a Bible story to a smaller child at your church <br />
17. Cook a meal for your family <br />
18. Read a chapter of Proverbs slowly and ask God to help you apply it to your life <br />
19. Take the time you normal spend watching TV or surfing the net and play with your siblings instead <br />
20. Pray for your sisters in Christ in the persecuted church <br />
21. Read a pure, God-honouring novel <br />
22. Meditate on 1 Corinthians 13 and pray for these qualities to be cultivated in your life <br />
23. Help out a neighbour <br />
24. Read a book by Elisabeth Elliot, Corrie ten Boom or Leslie Ludy <br />
25. Cut some fresh flowers to decorate your room <br />
26. Complete a project you started <br />
27. Volunteer at a local charity <br />
28. Pray specifically for a missionary <br />
29. Have a heart-to-heart talk with you mom <br />
30. Start a Bible study group <br />
31. Read (or re-read) a few articles from Passion Magazine's <a href="http://passionwebmag.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=75&Itemid=80">archives</a> <br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Girl Talk: In what other creative ways can you spend your weekend?</span>Anniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02314198546941114290noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7914105270932205104.post-12171667598762044232011-08-15T10:37:00.000-07:002012-02-06T16:26:24.240-08:00Do Not Worry?? But What About...?? <br />
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Matthew 6:31-33 (NIV) says, "So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."<br />
Today, I was texting back and forth with my fabulous friend, Christina. She's been looking for the perfect place in Uptown Dallas to live. You've gotta understand---this girl knows what she wants, and she won't settle for anything less! She had an amazing hope built in a fantastic townhouse in a prime area of Uptown, but sadly, it recently fell through. So, she's back to square one. She's getting a bit antsy and anxious about finding the ideal home. As we were texting, I told her not to worry, it will find her! Christina then prompted me to check her Facebook status. She had the verse above posted with the following comment, "Well...what about 'where shall we live?' We need a fabulous place in uptown to live and still no luck so far!" I laughed at this and then became inspired for this posting.<br />
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How many of you feel like Christina? How many of you are becoming impatient, anxious and a bit desperate for something that you feel that you want or need RIGHT NOW?! I'd go out on a tall stiletto here and say just about all of you, including me. But, once again, we are worrying. Even though the good Lord didn't list every single worry or want or need that a girl could possibly have in that verse (we would have to have another Bible written just for those) doesn't mean those worries and stressors aren't important to him. <br />
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The thing is, we don't give him our worries or problems. He asked us to cast our anxiety upon him because he cares for us (1 Peter 5:7) , but us stubborn-headed women are determined to figure it out and handle it ourselves. Sometimes, us independent, strong-willed women like to think we have control over every aspect of our lives, however, when we take off with our own ideas and desires, we often find ourselves in a middle of a gigantic shoe store with absolutely no idea what shoe to buy! We had it all planned and then we find ourselves freaking out thinking....omg, what now??<br />
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Ladies, we often don't stop to pray and ask if (insert desire/need here) is in his will. Is it his will for us to have that perfect townhouse or make that career change....or buy those $725 Manolo Blahnik pumps?! Maybe, maybe not, but who cares? Being in the middle of His will IS the PERFECT place! And that's where we fail as strong women. You see, it takes more strength to admit you need some help and to let someone else take over. It's called delegating. Give it ALL to the One who loves you. He created you. He knows the PERFECT plan for you----yes, even the PERFECT place for you to live, Christina. So, stop and pray about it and be determined to be in the middle of His PERFECT plan for you. It will all work out for the best so...don't worry (even about the place you will live)!<br />
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Brynlea Taylor Cunniff is a tomboy in a tutu. With a desire to be the Proverbs 31 woman God created her to be, she walks down the runway of life hand-in-hand with her Designer (in heels...and cowboy boots). Brynlea has a true passion for the young ladies of today's generation, so she has a blog dedicated to devotions, fashion and everything girly! Follow her on http://fabyoulousgals.blogspot.com and Twitter @bryntayl. She would love for you to join her Facebook group "Fabyoulousgals" for Godly encouragement and girl chat!</span></i>Passion Magazinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08578541889042263288noreply@blogger.com0