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Saturday, May 24, 2008

Saturday, November 24, 2007

  • thanksgiving break= reading time!

    I had some time to read this week, because I refused to read anything school related on my break.

    I read If by Amy Carmichael, and it was really good.

    I included some of my favorite '"if's":




    [taken from "If" by Amy Carmichael]

    "That which I know not, teach Thou me, O Lord, my God."

    If I have not compassion on my fellow-servant, even as my Lord had pity on me, then I know nothing of Calvary love

    If I belittle those whom I am called to serve, talk of their weak points in contrast perhaps with what I think of as my strong points; if I adopt a superior attitude ... then I know nothing of Calvary love

    If I can write an unkind letter, speak an unkind word, think an unkind thought without grief or shame, then I know nothing of Calvary love

    If in dealing with one who does not respond, I weary of the strain, and slip from under the burden, then I know nothing of Calvary love

    If I cast up a confessed, repented, and forsaken sin agaisnt another, and allow my remembrance of that sin to color my thinking and feed my suspicions, then I know nothing of Calvary love

    If I am afraid to speak the truth, lest I lose affection ... if I put my own good name before the other's highest good, then I know nothing of Calvary love

    If I put my own happiness before the well-being of the work entrusted to me ... then I know nothing of Calvary love

    If I myself dominate myself; if my thoughts revolve around myself, then I know nothing of Calvary love

    If when I am able to discover something which ahs baffled others, I forget Him who revealeth the deep and secret things ... if I forget that it is He who granted that ray of light to His most unworthy servant, then I know nothing of Calvary love

    If a suddent jar can cause me to speak an impatient, unloving word, then I know nothing of Calvary love

    If I feel bitterly towards those who condemn me, as it seems to me, unjustly, forgetting that if they knew me as I know myself they would condemn me much more, then I know nothing of Calvary love

    If I say, "Yes, I forgive, but I cannot forget," as though God could not wash such memories from my mind, then I know nothing of Calvary love

    If there be any reserve in my giving to Him who so loved that He gave His Dearest for me; if there be a secret "but" in my prayer ("Anything but THAT, Lord") then I know nothing of Calvary love

    If things or places or people hold me back from obedience to my Lord, then I know nothing of Calvary love

    If I love to be loved more than to love, to be served more than to serve, then I know nothing of Calvary love

    If I crave hungrily to be used to show the way of liberty to a soul in bondage, instead of caring only that it be delivered ... then I know nothing of Calvary love

    If I want to be shown as the doer of something that has proved the right thing, or as the one who suggested that it should be done, then I know nothing of Calvary love

    If when an answer I did not expect comes to a prayer which I believed I truly meant, I shrink back from it; if the burden my Lord asks me to bear be not the burden of my heart's choice, and I fret inwardly and do not welcome His will, then I know nothing of Calvary love

    If I covet any place on earth but the dust at the food of the cross, then I know nothing of Calvary love

     
    I also read When Dreams Come True by Eric and Leslie Ludy. It was AMAZING!
     
    I've read other books by them (When God Writes Your Love Story and Authentic Beauty) and this was so great. It is the story of their God-written love story, and after reading the other books by them, it made their whole message all come together like a beautifully woven piece of art. Throughout their books, they speak about the importance of giving up our 'pen' and allowing God to be the Author of this very dear part in our lives. He is the only One that truly knows us, so it only makes sense that HE should be the one doing the planning and picking... NOT ME! My job is to live a lifestyle of purity that glorifies my Lord. Not until I am completely satisfied with my Divine Romance with my Savior am I ready for a romance with my future husband. In a world that is constantly screaming, "You're getting old!! Get married!! Find a guy!!", these books are a constant joy. They remind me that God truly has beautiful plans for my life, and these plans include my love life. But I have to hand all my dreams, desires, and goals over to Him, so that He can mold me and make me after His Will. Only then will I be truly happy (Jeremiah 29:11 has become my constant verse to remind me of His awesome plans).
     
    Anyways, if anyone has not read any of Eric and Leslie Ludy's books, I encourage you to check them out ... and I can loan you my copies too!! I know these books are amazing because after reading each one of them, I would go on my knees and talk to my Lord. These books spoke about putting God in the center of your life before even thinking about a guy- relationship. My relationship with my Creator was blossomed because I was constantly reminded of God's goodness. He WILL provide!!
     
    I was also remined of his provision when I re-read this (it was a really old email that I stumbled upon this week):
     
    Delight yourself in the Lord and

    He will give you the desires of your heart.

    -Psalm 37:4

    Everyone longs to give themselves completely to someone; to have a deep soul relationship with another, to be loved thoroughly and exclusively. But to a Christian, God says no. Not until you’re satisfied and fulfilled and content, unreservedly to Me alone. I do love you my child, and until you discover that only in Me is your satisfaction to be found, you will not be capable of the perfect human relationship that I have planned for you. You will never be united with another until you are united with Me, exclusive of any other desires or longings. I want you to stop planning, stop wishing, and allow Me to bring it to you. You just Keep watching Me, expecting the greatest things. Keep experiencing the satisfaction of knowing that I am. Keep learning and listening to the things I tell you. You must wait. Don’t be anxious. Don’t worry. Don’t look around at the things that others have gotten or that I’ve given them. Don’t look around at the things that you think you want. Just keep looking off and away up to Me, or you’ll miss what I want to show you. And when you’re ready, I’ll surprise you with a love far more wonderful than anyone would ever dream of. You see, until you are ready and until the one I have for you is ready, until you are both satisfied exclusively with Me and the life I have planned for you, you won’t be able to experience the love that exemplifies your relationship with Me, and is thus perfect love. I am working eve this minute, to have both of you ready at the same time. And dear child, I want you to have themost
    wonderful love. I want you to see in the flesh a picture of your own relationship with Me, and to enjoy materially and concretely the everlasting union of beauty and perfection that I offer you with Myself.


    KNOW THAT I LOVE YOU. I AM ALMIGHTY GOD.

    BELIEVE AND BE SATISFIED.

     


Tuesday, October 23, 2007

  • Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord. I will be joyful in God my Savior. The Sovereign LORD is my strength; He makes my feet like the feet of deer, He enables me to go on the heights.

    Habakkuk 3:17-19

    * * *

Saturday, August 25, 2007

  •   I just finished reading 3 amazing books, and I recommend them all.

     

    Authentic Beauty by Leslie Ludy

    An amazing book about being set-apart for our heavenly Prince. Only when we are set-apart for Him can we live a pure lifestyle. Anything by Eric or Leslie Ludy is a gem.

    "In a culture that mocks our longing for tender romance, in a world where fairy tales never seem to come true — do we dare hope for more? For every young woman asking that question, this book is an invitation. With refreshing candor and vulnerability, bestselling author Leslie Ludy reveals how, starting today, you can experience the passion and intimacy you long for. You can begin a never-ending love story with your true Prince. Discover the authentic beauty of a life fully set-apart for Him. Experience a romance that will transform every part of your existence and fulfill the deepest longings of your feminine heart. "

     

     

     

    The Practice of the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence

    "Brother Lawrence was a man of humble beginnings who discovered the greatest secret of living in the kingdom of God here on earth. It is the art of "practicing the presence of God in one single act that does not end." He often stated that it is God who paints Himself in the depths of our soul. We must merely open our hearts to receive Him and His loving presence. For nearly 300 years this unparalleled classic has given both blessing and instruction to those who can be content with nothing less than knowing God in all His majesty and feeling His loving presence throughout each simple day."

     

     

    The Great Divorce by C.S. Lewis

    Another gem (anything by Lewis is absolutely amazing). The idea that we have to completely let go of ourselves to have God, and all the ways we can hold on to ourselves, are frighteningly relevant 62 years after The Great Divorce was written. The writer, in a dream, boards a bus on a drizzly afternoon and embarks on an incredible voyage through Heaven and Hell. He meets a host of supernatural beings far removed from his expectations and comes to significant realizations about the ultimate consequences of everyday behavior. This is the starting point for a profound meditation upon good and evil. "If we insist on keeping Hell (or even earth) we shall not see Heaven: if we accept Heaven we shall not be able to retain even the smallest and most intimate souvenirs of Hell."

     

     

Wednesday, August 01, 2007

  • I have decided to go for my master's degree!!!

    I am graduating with my BSN this coming May, and then if it's God's will, I will be starting a master's program to get my Nurse Midwife certification. I had been thinking about this, but I just wasn't sure I wanted to go to school for two more years. I have been praying that God would guide me to what He wants me to do. Now that I am so close to graduating, it hit me that I still don't know exactly what kind of nursing I want to pursue. But today I got the message: continue school, He will help me, and in the end, He will bless me. YAY! I have a meeting with the Director of Nursing tomorrow and I hope God will just lead me to say the right thing. I want to do His will, not my own. A very exciting thing for me to look forward to is how amazing it will be to be a Nurse Midwife and in the mission field!! So many babies and mothers die because of lack of prenatal care. It would be an awesome way for me to serve the Lord! But I am getting ahead of myself. I need to pray, pray, pray!

    We (Project 31 Girls Bible Study Group) had an amazing night on Monday with the girls from Vancouver church. I heard this question, and it really struck me hard:

    "If God never ever blessed you; if He never gave you what you wanted; never gave you any of your heart's desire's, would you still praise Him? Would you still love Him?"

    Then last night, I was reading The Practice of the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence. It's a classic that was written 300 years ago, but the message is still so powerful. I definetly recommend it!! In second chapter, Brother Lawrence desribed him by saying:

    "He found himself quite well off, which he attributed to the fact that he sought only God and not His gifts. He believed that God is much greater than any of the simple gifts He gives us. Rather than desiring them fom Him, he chose to look beyond the gifts, hoping to learn more about God Himself. Sometimes he even wished that he could avoid recieving his reward so that he would have the pleasure of doing something soley for God."

    That's amazing to me! That is my prayer. That I will seek to love God, not based on His rewards and gifts. But based on LOVE.

     

    I kinda splurged yesterday ... not on clothes this time. I spent $110 on books in one day! I felt a bit guily, but then I realized that the books I bought were all amazing books, and I would have bought them some other time, anyway. It was better than I bought them today, while some of them were on sale. Right? ... Right?!? Well, it made sense to me. Kinda.

    I bought a boxed set of C.S. Lewis (ahhh!!!) which included:

    • The Great Divorce
    • A Grief Observed
    • Mere Christianity
    • Miracles
    • The Problem of Pain
    • The Screwtape Letters

    Then I bought the sequel to one of my favorite books on purity, When God Writes Your Love Story. This book is called When Dreams Come True.

    Then I bought more books on Christian living and lots o' classics!

    • A Shepherd's Look at Psalm 23
    • My Utmost for His Highest
    • Little Pilgrim's Progress
    • Confessions of St. Augustine
    • Mimosa (by Amy Carmicheal!!!)
    • The Practice of the Presence of God
    • These Strange Ashes (by Elisabeth Elliot!!)
    • Five Little Questions That Reveal the Life God Designed for You (by Dannah Gresh!!)
    • The Secret of the Lord (by Dannah Gresh!!)

    {I have the exclamation points next to some of my favorite authors/ inspirational people}

    So I am beyond excited to read all of them!!!

    I also recieved some ammmmazing books for my birthday. And the Bride Wore White by Dannah Gresh is by far one of the most amazing books on purity. it is directly geared towards girls. I really recommend it. Quest for Love and Passion and Purity (both by the amazing author Elisabeth Elliot) are also total winners!

    Let me know if you want to borrow any of these. I'll be willing to part with them for a sort while

     

    Yours truly,

    Elena

ElleLaBelle22

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    • Name: Elle
    • Birthday: 6/22/1986
    • Member Since: 4/23/2004

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