tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17007916606953538612024-02-18T21:22:19.980-08:00In The Life of MeJoanna Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03240506825764536504noreply@blogger.comBlogger67125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1700791660695353861.post-75395524856721426402014-10-20T16:59:00.000-07:002014-10-20T18:26:52.211-07:00Engagement Photos - Disney Princess Inspired! Engagement is an exciting time. Wedding planning, the fluttery butterflies of thinking "I'm getting <i>married</i>!", shooting engagement photos... Well, that last one we got done last Saturday and the photos were sent last night! ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥<br />
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We had the great fortune to be working with Theresa of <a href="https://www.facebook.com/withlovephotographyblog" target="_blank">With Love Photography</a> to make this possibly the cutest photoshoot ever done. ;) The outfits were made by myself, Joanna Marie. :D Anywho, here we are, dressed up as no prince/princess in particular, but inspired by Disney Princesses, and my dress inspired by Stella De Libero. ;)<br />
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<br />Joanna Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12389913491622412783noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1700791660695353861.post-71835538472960358962014-04-14T08:50:00.001-07:002014-04-14T08:50:17.387-07:00The Beginning Of Happily Ever After<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".4b.1:3:1:$comment232615246931548_232645066928566:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.0:$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".4b.1:3:1:$comment232615246931548_232645066928566:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.0:$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".4b.1:3:1:$comment232615246931548_232645066928566:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.0:$comment-body.0.0"><span data-reactid=".4b.1:3:1:$comment232615246931548_232645066928566:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.0:$comment-body.0.0.$end:0:$0:0">We met on OkCupid, and have been dating for about 7 1/2 months. </span></span></span></span><br />
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<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".4b.1:3:1:$comment232615246931548_232645066928566:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.0:$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".4b.1:3:1:$comment232615246931548_232645066928566:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.0:$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".4b.1:3:1:$comment232615246931548_232645066928566:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.0:$comment-body.0.0"><span data-reactid=".4b.1:3:1:$comment232615246931548_232645066928566:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.0:$comment-body.0.0.$end:0:$0:0">So.
We'd been planning this date for a couple weeks now. He would say "it's
just a date!" "It's just dinner! Not really that important", but he
knew I knew anyways. <span class="emoticon emoticon_wink" title=";)"></span> So he rented a snazzy car and picked me up at about 11:30, looking like Mr. Summer</span></span><span data-reactid=".4b.1:3:1:$comment232615246931548_232645066928566:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.0:$comment-body.0.3"><span data-reactid=".4b.1:3:1:$comment232615246931548_232645066928566:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.0:$comment-body.0.3.0"><span data-reactid=".4b.1:3:1:$comment232615246931548_232645066928566:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.0:$comment-body.0.3.0.$text0:0:$0:0"> (wearing khakis, a pale blue shirt and sunglasses... he never wears
sunglasses!). </span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9A51D-AtNvQqUqYP_WxPFLk18o166atbaLiw3WrPfDssOFQpbGjtZqpWwwu43MmjpBWg5iBRAAc6vmbM4tNRZ8LpCWMWtyvCRzHbdnD3xUBdE-Awk147lUNsp1sqscEJYwoOKXmKRVr_O/s1600/IMG_1576.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9A51D-AtNvQqUqYP_WxPFLk18o166atbaLiw3WrPfDssOFQpbGjtZqpWwwu43MmjpBWg5iBRAAc6vmbM4tNRZ8LpCWMWtyvCRzHbdnD3xUBdE-Awk147lUNsp1sqscEJYwoOKXmKRVr_O/s1600/IMG_1576.JPG" height="320" width="239" /></a></div>
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<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".4b.1:3:1:$comment232615246931548_232645066928566:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.0:$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".4b.1:3:1:$comment232615246931548_232645066928566:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.0:$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".4b.1:3:1:$comment232615246931548_232645066928566:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.0:$comment-body.0.3"><span data-reactid=".4b.1:3:1:$comment232615246931548_232645066928566:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.0:$comment-body.0.3.0"><span data-reactid=".4b.1:3:1:$comment232615246931548_232645066928566:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.0:$comment-body.0.3.0.$text0:0:$0:0">We went to lunch, then he took me to the Phoenix Zoo,
which was pretty awesome (and we've been talking about going for
MONTHS), even though most of the cool animals were just laying around in
the shade LOL... We walked around there for a couple hours, then went
to see Muppets Most Wanted at the theater, which was soooo hilarious. <span class="emoticon emoticon_grin" title=":D"></span>
After the movie, we went to his house to change into our fancay dinner
clothes (I wore a black knee length dress with gold sequins on it, with
my new sparkly heels and a super fab fake diamond necklace, and he wore
some black pinstripe pants and a dark grey shirt and tie) </span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".4b.1:3:1:$comment232615246931548_232645066928566:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.0:$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".4b.1:3:1:$comment232615246931548_232645066928566:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.0:$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".4b.1:3:1:$comment232615246931548_232645066928566:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.0:$comment-body.0.3"><span data-reactid=".4b.1:3:1:$comment232615246931548_232645066928566:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.0:$comment-body.0.3.0"><span data-reactid=".4b.1:3:1:$comment232615246931548_232645066928566:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.0:$comment-body.0.3.0.$text0:0:$0:0"><br /></span></span></span></span></span>
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".4b.1:3:1:$comment232615246931548_232645066928566:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.0:$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".4b.1:3:1:$comment232615246931548_232645066928566:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.0:$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".4b.1:3:1:$comment232615246931548_232645066928566:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.0:$comment-body.0.3"><span data-reactid=".4b.1:3:1:$comment232615246931548_232645066928566:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.0:$comment-body.0.3.0"><span data-reactid=".4b.1:3:1:$comment232615246931548_232645066928566:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.0:$comment-body.0.3.0.$text0:0:$0:0">And went to
dinner at a suuuuuuuuuper nice steakhouse. (I'm using stock photos from
google images, because we failed to take ANY pictures. Except the selfie above.)</span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".4b.1:3:1:$comment232615246931548_232645066928566:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.0:$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".4b.1:3:1:$comment232615246931548_232645066928566:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.0:$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".4b.1:3:1:$comment232615246931548_232645066928566:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.0:$comment-body.0.3"><span data-reactid=".4b.1:3:1:$comment232615246931548_232645066928566:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.0:$comment-body.0.3.0"><span data-reactid=".4b.1:3:1:$comment232615246931548_232645066928566:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.0:$comment-body.0.3.0.$text0:0:$0:0"></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".4b.1:3:1:$comment232615246931548_232645066928566:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.0:$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".4b.1:3:1:$comment232615246931548_232645066928566:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.0:$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".4b.1:3:1:$comment232615246931548_232645066928566:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.0:$comment-body.0.3"><span data-reactid=".4b.1:3:1:$comment232615246931548_232645066928566:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.0:$comment-body.0.3.0"><span data-reactid=".4b.1:3:1:$comment232615246931548_232645066928566:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.0:$comment-body.0.3.0.$text0:0:$0:0"><span class="emoticon emoticon_tongue" title=":P"></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjYQcWP0Mdmaa6pxYifLHhZxfmiSTudWA-N6r3PCrjEi8uphSVVTTj3MtMz5xTRJ_MF3wsMUf1WYEBf0DFjgK6x26iP7oUdd3yGs9Kbx4mvUsZqqpQ63-1thfviEhJ1XvLirrU1_eetsq6/s1600/RETOUCHEDRuth_Cris__155a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjYQcWP0Mdmaa6pxYifLHhZxfmiSTudWA-N6r3PCrjEi8uphSVVTTj3MtMz5xTRJ_MF3wsMUf1WYEBf0DFjgK6x26iP7oUdd3yGs9Kbx4mvUsZqqpQ63-1thfviEhJ1XvLirrU1_eetsq6/s1600/RETOUCHEDRuth_Cris__155a.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".4b.1:3:1:$comment232615246931548_232645066928566:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.0:$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".4b.1:3:1:$comment232615246931548_232645066928566:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.0:$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".4b.1:3:1:$comment232615246931548_232645066928566:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.0:$comment-body.0.3"><span data-reactid=".4b.1:3:1:$comment232615246931548_232645066928566:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.0:$comment-body.0.3.0"><span data-reactid=".4b.1:3:1:$comment232615246931548_232645066928566:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.0:$comment-body.0.3.0.$text0:0:$0:0"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".4b.1:3:1:$comment232615246931548_232645206928552:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.0:$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".4b.1:3:1:$comment232615246931548_232645206928552:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.0:$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".4b.1:3:1:$comment232615246931548_232645206928552:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.0:$comment-body.0.$end:0:$0:0">So
after dinner, he was like "I wanna walk off this food" (which we do a
lot), so he drove us to this bridge that stretches out over a lake in
the city. It was dark out, so the lights were all gleaming, and not too
many cars were driving by. I knew it was coming soon, but I wasn't sure
exactly when.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".4b.1:3:1:$comment232615246931548_232645066928566:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.0:$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".4b.1:3:1:$comment232615246931548_232645066928566:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.0:$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".4b.1:3:1:$comment232615246931548_232645066928566:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.0:$comment-body.0.3"><span data-reactid=".4b.1:3:1:$comment232615246931548_232645066928566:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.0:$comment-body.0.3.0"><span data-reactid=".4b.1:3:1:$comment232615246931548_232645066928566:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.0:$comment-body.0.3.0.$text0:0:$0:0"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".4b.1:3:1:$comment232615246931548_232645206928552:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.0:$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".4b.1:3:1:$comment232615246931548_232645206928552:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.0:$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".4b.1:3:1:$comment232615246931548_232645206928552:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.0:$comment-body.0.$end:0:$0:0"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".4b.1:3:1:$comment232615246931548_232645370261869:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.0:$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".4b.1:3:1:$comment232615246931548_232645370261869:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.0:$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".4b.1:3:1:$comment232615246931548_232645370261869:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.0:$comment-body.0.$end:0:$0:0">We
went up to one of these little "cubbies" that have a small bench inside
(that you can kind of see in this photo), and we peeked out the little
windows and chatted for a few, then he checked to make sure no cars were
coming across the bridge, and said "Joanna. I have a question to ask
you."</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd3nykOWFl2Pj0y9MTuCnVJS1XZ52QYiD68r4NI-U58xHsv__VP0YFgdCAWOxios2z8fBbXAOKYRVj1ej-y4Kkk-WrYlbFH2-0a-jdU_DrRTVsx4nSytosLCqHlhBDVUAAvuKv44FVxrZR/s1600/Tempe_Town_Bridge_Deck_cjw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd3nykOWFl2Pj0y9MTuCnVJS1XZ52QYiD68r4NI-U58xHsv__VP0YFgdCAWOxios2z8fBbXAOKYRVj1ej-y4Kkk-WrYlbFH2-0a-jdU_DrRTVsx4nSytosLCqHlhBDVUAAvuKv44FVxrZR/s1600/Tempe_Town_Bridge_Deck_cjw.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".4b.1:3:1:$comment232615246931548_232645066928566:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.0:$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".4b.1:3:1:$comment232615246931548_232645066928566:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.0:$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".4b.1:3:1:$comment232615246931548_232645066928566:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.0:$comment-body.0.3"><span data-reactid=".4b.1:3:1:$comment232615246931548_232645066928566:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.0:$comment-body.0.3.0"><span data-reactid=".4b.1:3:1:$comment232615246931548_232645066928566:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.0:$comment-body.0.3.0.$text0:0:$0:0"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".4b.1:3:1:$comment232615246931548_232645206928552:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.0:$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".4b.1:3:1:$comment232615246931548_232645206928552:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.0:$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".4b.1:3:1:$comment232615246931548_232645206928552:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.0:$comment-body.0.$end:0:$0:0"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".4b.1:3:1:$comment232615246931548_232645370261869:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.0:$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".4b.1:3:1:$comment232615246931548_232645370261869:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.0:$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".4b.1:3:1:$comment232615246931548_232645370261869:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.0:$comment-body.0.$end:0:$0:0"><span data-reactid=".4b.1:3:1:$comment232615246931548_232645486928524:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.0:2"> </span><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".4b.1:3:1:$comment232615246931548_232645486928524:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.0:$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".4b.1:3:1:$comment232615246931548_232645486928524:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.0:$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".4b.1:3:1:$comment232615246931548_232645486928524:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.0:$comment-body.0.0"><span data-reactid=".4b.1:3:1:$comment232615246931548_232645486928524:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.0:$comment-body.0.0.$end:0:$0:0">I
was all "Yessssss???" And he went into sort of a speech about love and
fifty years and all that, then he got down on one knee and put a ring on
it. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".4b.1:3:1:$comment232615246931548_232645066928566:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.0:$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".4b.1:3:1:$comment232615246931548_232645066928566:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.0:$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".4b.1:3:1:$comment232615246931548_232645066928566:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.0:$comment-body.0.3"><span data-reactid=".4b.1:3:1:$comment232615246931548_232645066928566:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.0:$comment-body.0.3.0"><span data-reactid=".4b.1:3:1:$comment232615246931548_232645066928566:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.0:$comment-body.0.3.0.$text0:0:$0:0"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".4b.1:3:1:$comment232615246931548_232645206928552:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.0:$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".4b.1:3:1:$comment232615246931548_232645206928552:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.0:$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".4b.1:3:1:$comment232615246931548_232645206928552:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.0:$comment-body.0.$end:0:$0:0"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".4b.1:3:1:$comment232615246931548_232645370261869:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.0:$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".4b.1:3:1:$comment232615246931548_232645370261869:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.0:$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".4b.1:3:1:$comment232615246931548_232645370261869:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.0:$comment-body.0.$end:0:$0:0"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".4b.1:3:1:$comment232615246931548_232645486928524:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.0:$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".4b.1:3:1:$comment232615246931548_232645486928524:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.0:$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".4b.1:3:1:$comment232615246931548_232645486928524:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.0:$comment-body.0.0"><span data-reactid=".4b.1:3:1:$comment232615246931548_232645486928524:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.0:$comment-body.0.0.$end:0:$0:0"></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd475faU-a3AYFuoNanpblsERadlAN51OdtzJ8SinHufGYMS_-dkFZRe2ghRTvVKLFqawA-VimYVp7MJ1VKfF6u1KJczWWUJuTLN21zFeDrbad7VVQvC0lLEBxV3d2_RLD4YqBaIo0lhU2/s1600/IMG_1595.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd475faU-a3AYFuoNanpblsERadlAN51OdtzJ8SinHufGYMS_-dkFZRe2ghRTvVKLFqawA-VimYVp7MJ1VKfF6u1KJczWWUJuTLN21zFeDrbad7VVQvC0lLEBxV3d2_RLD4YqBaIo0lhU2/s1600/IMG_1595.JPG" height="320" width="239" /></a></div>
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".4b.1:3:1:$comment232615246931548_232645066928566:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.0:$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".4b.1:3:1:$comment232615246931548_232645066928566:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.0:$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".4b.1:3:1:$comment232615246931548_232645066928566:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.0:$comment-body.0.3"><span data-reactid=".4b.1:3:1:$comment232615246931548_232645066928566:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.0:$comment-body.0.3.0"><span data-reactid=".4b.1:3:1:$comment232615246931548_232645066928566:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.0:$comment-body.0.3.0.$text0:0:$0:0"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".4b.1:3:1:$comment232615246931548_232645206928552:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.0:$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".4b.1:3:1:$comment232615246931548_232645206928552:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.0:$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".4b.1:3:1:$comment232615246931548_232645206928552:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.0:$comment-body.0.$end:0:$0:0"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".4b.1:3:1:$comment232615246931548_232645370261869:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.0:$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".4b.1:3:1:$comment232615246931548_232645370261869:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.0:$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".4b.1:3:1:$comment232615246931548_232645370261869:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.0:$comment-body.0.$end:0:$0:0"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".4b.1:3:1:$comment232615246931548_232645486928524:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.0:$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".4b.1:3:1:$comment232615246931548_232645486928524:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.0:$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".4b.1:3:1:$comment232615246931548_232645486928524:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.0:$comment-body.0.0"><span data-reactid=".4b.1:3:1:$comment232615246931548_232645486928524:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.0:$comment-body.0.0.$end:0:$0:0"><span class="emoticon emoticon_wink" title=";)"></span></span><br data-reactid=".4b.1:3:1:$comment232615246931548_232645486928524:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.0:$comment-body.0.0.$end:0:$3:0" /><span data-reactid=".4b.1:3:1:$comment232615246931548_232645486928524:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.0:$comment-body.0.0.$end:0:$4:0">And then after a hug and a kiss, he stepped out on the sidewalk and screamed "YEESSSSSSSS!!!!" </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> </span></span></span></span></span>Joanna Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12389913491622412783noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1700791660695353861.post-29778069913435643742013-06-24T16:40:00.001-07:002013-06-24T16:40:16.727-07:00Big Changes – A Move, An Internship, A New Life (ish)<span style="color: black;">Every day, it seems, I have to mentally pinch myself and remember that in 6 weeks, I will be moved to Phoenix, AZ and off on a completely new stage of my life. Away from my family, away from all of my childhood friends, away from life as I have known it up till now.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;">Moving away to help start a new church, Compel Church. Moving away to not only have more job and art opportunities, but to learn how to stretch myself and extend a hand of love to everyone I meet. I have never been good at easily connecting with people... I have never had a compelling reason to learn. I can be quite lazy at times. Here, I will not have the opportunity to be lazy, I will not be allowed laziness.</span>
<span style="color: black;"> </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;">This is about personal growth, and about touching hearts and lives. </span><br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="213" mozallowfullscreen="" src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/63104438" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="500"></iframe> <br />
<a href="http://vimeo.com/63104438">Compel Church</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/user17424279">Compel Church</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.<br />
<h3>
<span style="color: black;"><b>What is this internship to me?</b> </span></h3>
<span style="color: black;">The opportunity to mature as a person. The chance to, in a sense, grow up. I will be far from my family and friends, having to bond with a new family and friend group.</span>
<span style="color: black;"> </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;">The opportunity to build a church from the ground up, to put ministerial skills into practice. I am already working on getting certified as a minister, and getting licensed next year will be part of this program.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;">The opportunity to learn how to truly love others, especially those who may first be thought to be "unlovable." I will need to reach outside of myself and create friendships. I will need to learn how to strike up friendships rather than just making bad small talk. </span>
<span style="color: black;"><b> </b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;"><b>This is God's call on my life.</b> </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;"> </span><span style="color: black;">I am going to answer.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;">If you would like to join with me on this journey, you can <a href="https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=QYP772LUV7GP8" target="_blank"><span style="color: black;">Donate directly through Paypal.</span></a></span> <span style="color: black;">Thank you for reading!</span>Joanna Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12389913491622412783noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1700791660695353861.post-79012961642850687062013-05-09T21:43:00.001-07:002013-05-09T21:50:21.576-07:00The Utopia Principle<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl19IPyOPJhQxmdgWCRAsPAmdWdNwclDlKHUiFf8JM4jXvtb_7Y5jVO29AFTIlOesxOTNYqWBWxUn_StVVOB4a8k8h2aCZx6P29MwWPKHalmMUqgOSjscsBgFj6IgH04LpjJK2wa3rI3k/s1600/Utopia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl19IPyOPJhQxmdgWCRAsPAmdWdNwclDlKHUiFf8JM4jXvtb_7Y5jVO29AFTIlOesxOTNYqWBWxUn_StVVOB4a8k8h2aCZx6P29MwWPKHalmMUqgOSjscsBgFj6IgH04LpjJK2wa3rI3k/s320/Utopia.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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I seem to be coming across this idea,
this mindset, and it has been causing me to think and ponder. It is
this thought that there is some sort of utopian circumstance, in
which you live exactly as God intended and spelled out in the Bible, but that there are exceptions made to certain commands if one does
not live within that utopian circumstance.
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For example, all women should be stay
at home mothers/homemaker – unless their life circumstance requires
them to work outside the home, such as in the case of their husband
leaving them, or dying, or being physically unable to work at all.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Or that a woman can NEVER teach a
man... unless there are no men willing/worthy to do the teaching,
THEN a woman can take up the duty. (The reason for this is cited as
the story of the Israelite Judge, Deborah (Judges 4-5), though upon
reading the passage, there is not even a hint of such an idea. I'd
think it would be important enough to mention “there were no worthy
men, so a woman was made judge.”) Much as we may want to, we can
make no such inference into the text, the idea is simply not there.</div>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The truth is... There is no '<b><span style="font-weight: normal;">utopia</span></b>
principle' of Christian life. The Bible never hints, much less
states, that Christians should act one way in a certain situation,
and a completely different way in a different situation. Where does
it say a wife is to submit “except in sin”? And if the submission
teaching is quite solid, and implies a wife ought to sin on behalf of
her husband, then perhaps we ought to reexamine our interpretation of
those verses.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The idea that Christians should act one
way in a utopian situation and a different way in a third
world/persecution situation or a “less than desirable” situation
is completely false. Are we to be peaceful only when our “utopian”
situation allows for it? Are women only allowed to lead men if they
are within a less-than desirable situation? And if it is permissible
for Deborah, why is it not permissible for me?</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
If our dogmatic ideas about a select
few verses does not hold up against the rest of the Bible, or if
there are certain “exceptions” made to them in the Bible, should
we not examine those verses to make sure we are understanding them
correctly?</div>
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<br /></div>
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“Thou shalt follow all of these
rules... when in a utopian ideal situation, otherwise you'll have to
ad lib.”</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
If it doesn't make sense for the
commands to pray, love, witness, be truthful, faithfulness, and the
myriad of other Biblical commands to be on a “utopia principle”
basis, how can it make sense in the case of women teaching, working
outside the home, never cutting their hair, men never growing their
hair long, the man always being the breadwinner, etc?</div>
Joanna Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12389913491622412783noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1700791660695353861.post-88118873350478350172013-04-15T22:45:00.001-07:002013-04-15T22:45:18.668-07:00A Kind Of Woman...
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Do you want a woman with a mind, with
wisdom and the power to reason? Or do you want a woman who will
simply agree with whatever you say?</div>
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</div>
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Do you want a woman of strength, a
powerful person? Or do you want a woman who will bend to your every
whim, regardless of whether she feels it is wrong or not?</div>
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</div>
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Do you want a woman who will challenge
you, who will keep you accountable as you keep her? Or do you want a
woman who will never call you out and will simply allow you to
continue down a wrong path?</div>
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</div>
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Do you want a woman who will come
alongside you, work with you, and carry you when you need it? Or do
you want a woman who needs you to always be her strength, because she
has none herself?</div>
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<br />
</div>
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Do you want a woman who reads and
studies the Bible herself in order to be a workman who is not ashamed
and rightly divides the Word of truth? Or do you want a woman who
simply stands with your interpretation because she doesn't have any
need or desire to study herself?</div>
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<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Do you want a woman who will fight for
you, emotionally, mentally, physically, spiritually? Or do you want a
woman who cannot fight because she is leaning on you for all her
strength?</div>
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<br />
</div>
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Do you want a woman who cultivates her
mind and intelligence? Or do you want a woman who has no desire for
further education because she won't need it?</div>
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<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Do you want a woman who can engage you
in deep and riveting debates and conversations? Or do you want a
woman who cannot disagree or debate with you because she puts aside
her own thoughts in order to agree with you in everything?</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
You said you wanted a woman like me.
You said you loved my spirit, my strength, my power, my passion. And
yet... you wanted to remove those same things from me in the name of
'biblical gender roles.' The woman you imagine you want to marry is
not the same sort of woman you fell in love with, and in fact you
will never meet such a woman; one who could magically meld together
two completely opposing personalities.
</div>
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</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
What you loved about me is directly
opposed to what you believe is the ideal 'biblical' woman. Don't you
know that if I'd become that woman, I would have had to change all
the reasons you were interested in me in the first place?</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
So, then, what kind of a woman do you
really want?</div>
Joanna Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12389913491622412783noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1700791660695353861.post-53466740672299011862013-03-25T21:32:00.000-07:002013-03-25T21:32:37.222-07:00Once Upon A Summer...We disagreed.<br />
<br />
We knew that from day 4. Yet, something kept us from giving up, something compelled us to at least try... try to change each other's mind.<br />
<br />
I didn't post only for you, though, I didn't share my mind and beliefs so openly simply for your benefit. I was sharing long before that, and will continue sharing long after you are merely a distant memory of a past friendship.<br />
<br />
You drove me, you pushed me to really THINK about what I believed, to really research and solidify the WHY. You debated with me, giving me a reason to work out what I really thought through speech and writing.<br />
<br />
We never managed to change each other's mind. I know, for my part, I only became more firm in my stance, more solid in my beliefs, seeing more truth in them than ever before.<br />
<br />
To the man I loved: Thank you, for making me stronger. Thank you for being the vehicle that really drove me to examining and reassessing my stance. Thank you for loving me back.<br />
<br />
Once upon a summer.Joanna Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12389913491622412783noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1700791660695353861.post-31524227976434635852013-03-15T09:20:00.001-07:002013-03-15T09:20:34.212-07:00To Truly Love
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
“ <i>'Love the Lord your God with all
your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all
your strength.' The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.’
There is no commandment greater than these.” Mark 12:30-31</i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
So often, we are so focused on not
condoning (or appearing to condone) sin, that we've lost the real
message of Jesus. A message of reaching out and loving others. A
message of hope and peace to the broken and lost.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Even Jesus himself was accused of being
a sinner, a glutton, a drunkard, and many other things simply because
of the fact that he kept company with “that sort of person”. Many
were horrified that he let a prostitute wash his feet.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7zTxolV-qcSgmZgbbiFttCBxD7TpZmRzLxQWySxG5oKp_HTCD4myDAskXbmihAmNAhvXAPfRIITF83oKaKAPxr6vu5wSEE3F1AidYRXuT1nPdqw2VKneUdcHh9iwG9FT9H7Kt_nioYPrC/s1600/DSCF4231.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7zTxolV-qcSgmZgbbiFttCBxD7TpZmRzLxQWySxG5oKp_HTCD4myDAskXbmihAmNAhvXAPfRIITF83oKaKAPxr6vu5wSEE3F1AidYRXuT1nPdqw2VKneUdcHh9iwG9FT9H7Kt_nioYPrC/s400/DSCF4231.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Jesus was not worried about false
labels, he was concerned with reaching the hearts of those around
Him, and touching their lives with His love and salvation. It seems
we as Christians are so afraid of being labeled wrongly, that we go
out of our way not to associate with the very people we are called to
reach out to. Or we strive to explain our interactions with them so
much that they end up not wanting anything to do with US.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Love your neighbor as yourself.”
When Jesus was asked “who is my neighbor?” he told the story of
what we call the Good Samaritan. The ending moral being, our neighbor
is not only the person we live next to in our physical house, or the
people we go to church with, or the nice cashier we like to chat
with. Our neighbor is every person we come in contact with, even if
they are an enemy. It would have been acceptable for the Samaritan to
leave the man where he laid in the dirt, for the cultural divide was
fierce. Instead, he chose to show love for his “neighbor,” in the
same way he would care for his family or his own self.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=1700791660695353861" name="en-NKJV-25400"></a><i>[Jesus
asked] “So which of these three do you think was neighbor to him
who fell among the thieves?”</i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=1700791660695353861" name="en-NKJV-25401"></a><i>And he
said, “He who showed mercy on him.”</i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i>Then Jesus said to him, “Go and do
likewise.” Luke 10:36-37</i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
It is not our job to be the
condemnation of God to those around us, but rather to have mercy on
them. Certainly, do not change the gospel, but even Jesus did not
come into the world to condemn it, but to bring salvation. How can
anyone believe in the love of God if they aren't seeing it in me, who
claims to be His child?</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i>Jesus entered Jericho and was
passing through. A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a
chief tax collector and was wealthy. He wanted to see who Jesus was,
but because he was short he could not see over the crowd. So he ran
ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was
coming that way. </i>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i>When Jesus reached the spot, he
looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I
must stay at your house today.” So he came down at once and
welcomed him gladly. All the people saw this and began to mutter, “He
has gone to be the guest of a sinner.” Luke 19:1-7 </i>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Imagine if Jesus had said, “Zacchaeus,
come down from there, I am going to your house. But first I want you
to know that I absolutely am against the terrible way you have been
stealing from everyone and the wicked way you've been living.”
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Stating such a thing would have started
off on an antagonistic foot, and probably would have angered
Zacchaeus. Jesus never would have even reached the point of being
able to touch Zacchaeus' heart. But he made no such declaration.
Surely making some such statement would have appeased the minds of
those so concerned about his being “the guest of a sinner,” but
Jesus did not seem the slightest bit worried about such accusations.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i>Jesus told [the Samaritan woman],
“Go, call your husband and come back.”</i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=1700791660695353861" name="en-NIV-26174"></a>“<i>I have
no husband,” she replied.</i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=1700791660695353861" name="en-NIV-26175"></a><i>Jesus
said to her, “You are right when you say you have no husband. The
fact is, you have had five husbands, and the man you now have is not
your husband. What you have just said is quite true.”</i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=1700791660695353861" name="en-NIV-26176"></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=1700791660695353861" name="en-NIV-26177"></a>
“<i>Sir,” the woman said, “I can see that you are a prophet.
Our ancestors worshiped on this mountain, but you Jews claim that the
place where we must worship is in Jerusalem.” John 4:16-20</i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Again, imagine if Jesus had condemned
her for her sins. Rather than stating even his opinion on her life,
he simply told the truth of what she'd done. Condemnation toward her
would only have turned her away, just as it now turns people away.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Certainly, there is a time and a place
for taking a hard line against sinful behavior, but too often, we
heap condemnation on others for the benefit of our reputation and
call it “telling the truth in love.”
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
How can I reach out to the lost around
me if I am too afraid of being labeled “one of them”? How can I
love others if I have to explain every interaction with drawing a
line against their life decisions?
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
How can I show Christ to a dying world
when I am petrified at the opinions of my fellow Christians?</div>
Joanna Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12389913491622412783noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1700791660695353861.post-39555959948408875042013-03-07T20:57:00.000-08:002013-03-07T21:02:05.825-08:00Comfort ZonesI don't think often about my comfort zone, and even less about moving out of it. I don't often wonder how I would deal with such a situation, as I am rarely presented with one.<br />
<br />
Being in my comfort zone has been my way of life for as long as I can remember, and it has been very nice. The time has come, however, in which I need to move past my comfort, step out of where I know everything and move into perhaps a situation I can't handle on my own. <br />
<br />
In the face of potentially moving completely out of my comfort zone, I'm finding myself alternately excited and worried.<br />
<br />
I desire to change my situation, my surroundings. How else can I grow if I am never stretched? <br />
<br />
It is frightening as well. What if I hate it? What if I don't adjust well to the harsh change? <br />
<br />
So yes, I am a little frightened at the thought of the jump from completely comfortable to a situation that is totally new to me in every way.<br />
<br />
But even more than that...<br />
<br />
I am excited. Bring it on!Joanna Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12389913491622412783noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1700791660695353861.post-56008112782451742852013-03-03T20:33:00.000-08:002013-03-03T20:33:27.953-08:00Secondarily A Christ Follower?<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7UzXE_bh_tPA8oUdG-RaFlLM1wTOeomKIhHM_jBgtoXXahc1mxsiL-4q0OdYa9rAbPiL3RZrrcXU5SKaf4PMPhGywKRGcPXmJUT3DGYsW3ifSEkwJfOYgnpEtOOyCNOP6IvEHR6-8mvDb/s1600/DSCF3678.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7UzXE_bh_tPA8oUdG-RaFlLM1wTOeomKIhHM_jBgtoXXahc1mxsiL-4q0OdYa9rAbPiL3RZrrcXU5SKaf4PMPhGywKRGcPXmJUT3DGYsW3ifSEkwJfOYgnpEtOOyCNOP6IvEHR6-8mvDb/s320/DSCF3678.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Teen Challenge from Tucson.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The service this morning held an
interesting question for me. Teen Challenge of Tucson came down and
sang a couple songs, and the leader had a short sermon prepared as
well. Anyways, one particular statement really struck me.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Is your identity based in your
talents/possessions/relationships or in Christ?
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Which led me to another line of
thought... Am I a Christ-follower first and artist second? Or vice
versa? If I am being honest, it is usually first an artist and second
a Christ-follower.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I have a lot of confidence in my
abilities. I know what I can do, and I know I can do it well. I don't
think this is always a bad thing, but I do certainly think it can
become a bad thing.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Oftentimes, I want God to show me what
I can do for Him, how I can serve through the things I know, how I
can use my abilities to touch lives. I want the game plan so I can
get it done, because I know I have the ability to.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
And that is just the problem. Where is
God at work if I already am able to accomplish it all on my own? When
do I learn to trust if I can handle all of my situations with ease?
How do I learn to step out in faith if I can just do what I set out
to do solely by my own willpower?</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
It's a comfort zone of mine. I know my
talents and abilities, and I do believe God gave them to me for a
reason... but I have a tendency to lean only on the things I know
beyond a shadow of a doubt that I cannot fail at. I want to serve
God... my way.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxOcep9SDbkzf8g9ip04WMyTlmayXfJtq1HWXJzXGon8qMRAOVfqEzMAIaYR7Cm7OP_V_iTodBKSwBDD1PICzu4bznnaZlovFaEw-OT1kUo8BcIm1LwtB8jcf4hC0FrSqdYe6uP_VzEYoy/s1600/talents+pic.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxOcep9SDbkzf8g9ip04WMyTlmayXfJtq1HWXJzXGon8qMRAOVfqEzMAIaYR7Cm7OP_V_iTodBKSwBDD1PICzu4bznnaZlovFaEw-OT1kUo8BcIm1LwtB8jcf4hC0FrSqdYe6uP_VzEYoy/s320/talents+pic.png" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I need to be pushed out of my comfort
zone. It's comfortable to sit in my home painting a picture for
someone. I cannot fail at that. But God wants me for more than just
doing good things in my own power. He wants me to perform miracles,
to change lives. He wants me to speak his word, to make an impact.
Perhaps a part of that will come through art, I don't doubt that it
will... But a larger part of me fears that I will be taken from where
I'm comfortable and thrown into a situation I can't handle on my own,
be called to pray for things that are impossible, asked to accomplish
tasks that must be divinely orchestrated in order to succeed.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I need to step out into living by
faith, and leaning on God's power rather than my own strength.
Instead of focusing on how great I am, looking to Jesus for my
validation and strength. I am not sure yet how this will play out,
but I can feel a change is coming in some form. I only pray that I
will be ready when my comfort zone is gone and I can do nothing but
lean on Jesus.
</div>
Joanna Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12389913491622412783noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1700791660695353861.post-53612518591498939332013-02-27T12:47:00.003-08:002013-02-27T12:54:47.120-08:00Perceptions and DreamsReading through some old poetry... this from 2010. Even truer now than when I wrote it.<br />
<br />
*** <br />
<br />
Weird how our heart plays tricks on our mind<br />
What we thought that we wanted changed over time<br />
<br />
The one that you liked not too long ago<br />
Turned out not to be the one that you know<br />
<br />
Strange when we think we know what we want<br />
Turns to something different, brought to the front<br />
<br />
The one that you thought you could not like at all<br />
Turns out to be the best one of all<br />
<br />
What really is important to me?<br />
Finding the answer, that is the key<br />
<br />
What I think I want may not be on God's mind<br />
I find my preferences change over time<br />
<br />
Perceptions and daydreams shattered by truth<br />
It doesn't hurt quite as much as I had assumed<br />
<br />
How can it be what I wanted so bad<br />
Seems not so important as previously had?<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_hJIq5mO0KXGIHqMAB4Ggym6Rndqhe0S6DJE9N39oTe8xqsiHpZWAbMi7PNzJQxeloqE4X-FXC7BMVMgJ7tXv8vqOjG8JQnvovxQ1z4ET4XFhyrRjV-HvT63nh3ZdMwkfkrGkMHvW9_gc/s1600/DSCF1402.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_hJIq5mO0KXGIHqMAB4Ggym6Rndqhe0S6DJE9N39oTe8xqsiHpZWAbMi7PNzJQxeloqE4X-FXC7BMVMgJ7tXv8vqOjG8JQnvovxQ1z4ET4XFhyrRjV-HvT63nh3ZdMwkfkrGkMHvW9_gc/s320/DSCF1402.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
Joanna Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12389913491622412783noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1700791660695353861.post-77700205452728568662013-02-05T12:39:00.000-08:002013-02-05T12:52:03.414-08:00Goals<span style="font-size: large;">Goal: Make this dress.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dy2pbLbUpa2XdYL4DuXIOG3c9WZz7D5hG5FFKiXvEGieydzbdWgMCMyknH3NUWLd-HcYZmI8na4lvWuvpzujw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">Next: </span>Find a man.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Then: Learn to dance. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">♥ <span style="font-size: small;">♥ </span>♥<span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="font-size: small;">♥ </span>♥</span></span>Joanna Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12389913491622412783noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1700791660695353861.post-17077611441611868512013-01-14T19:44:00.002-08:002013-01-14T19:48:42.363-08:00An Amazing Man<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I had something of an epiphany the
other day. It shouldn't have been so surprising to me, but it was.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i><b>If you want to marry an amazing
Christian man, BE an amazing Christian woman.</b></i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2wOJ16rYw_wg-Xbpps1I3HvF_TRD9ksogv9WOpQzeKxQWDSjmpKQT2kp0LRmkFZfCLtwNf1PO4OPmqtN8ehUqnjefPzFz7_sC_4uQmYpqa4E4M9xlnOCk2WbO1d8SLjq4U2Yb06YIJLEk/s1600/159877855492627777_hDWGKLsl_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2wOJ16rYw_wg-Xbpps1I3HvF_TRD9ksogv9WOpQzeKxQWDSjmpKQT2kp0LRmkFZfCLtwNf1PO4OPmqtN8ehUqnjefPzFz7_sC_4uQmYpqa4E4M9xlnOCk2WbO1d8SLjq4U2Yb06YIJLEk/s1600/159877855492627777_hDWGKLsl_b.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The thought hit me in the gut, and
though I wanted to ignore it, it pushed itself into my mind until I
consented to consider it. There are many qualities I desire for my
hypothetical future husband, but less often do I consider whether I
truly seek those same qualities out in myself. Am I the sort of
Christian that I hope to marry?</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I want to marry a man who never settles
for mediocrity, who always seeks out new ways to grow in Christ, to
reach out, and to minister to others. <b>Do I settle for mediocrity, or
do I always seek out new ways to grow in Christ, to reach out, and to
minister to others?</b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I want to marry a man willing to
sacrifice for others. <b>Am I willing to sacrifice for others?</b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I want to marry a man who always thinks
of others, and is compassionate toward all. <b>Do I always think of
others and am I compassionate toward all?</b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I want to marry a man who is dedicated
to daily scripture reading/study and prayer. <b>Am I dedicated to daily
scripture reading and prayer?</b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I want to marry a man with a heart
burning for the lost and broken in the world. <b>Does my heart burn for
the lost and broken of the world?</b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I want to marry a man willing to give
up everything to follow the call of God. <b>Am I willing to give up
everything to follow the call of God?</b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I want to marry a man who is helpful,
giving, and loves everyone. <b>Am I helpful, giving, and loving toward
everyone?</b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I want to marry a man who will shun the
lusts of the flesh and instead cling to God for strength in weakness.
<b>Do I shun the lusts of the flesh and instead cling to God for
strength in weakness?</b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
This is less of a lesson in “who do I
want to marry” and more a lesson of <u>“am I settling for just
plateauing in my Christian life, or am I constantly pushing for
greater heights?”</u> Too often, I get comfortable in my flat plane of
life. I slack off a little here, a little there.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i>It's no big deal.</i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>But isn't it?</b> Certainly, I believe that
constantly growing in Christ is the goal, the ideal... but how often
do I really take it to heart and make it a personal goal? How often do I
desire in my own life the things I so desire to see in the life of a
future spouse? <b>Unfortunately, far less than I should.</b>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
If you want to
marry an amazing Christian man, BE an amazing Christian woman.</div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
If you never
marry, BE an amazing Christian woman.</div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">If you do nothing
else in life, BE an amazing Christian woman!</span></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>That</b> is the goal. </div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i>That is my goal.</i></div>
Joanna Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12389913491622412783noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1700791660695353861.post-9733641125377175562013-01-12T22:03:00.002-08:002013-01-12T22:03:47.779-08:00Tell Me<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
Tell me, tell me</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
I whisper to the sun
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
Tell me your secrets</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
Of happiness, of fun</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGBEAbUDe_ji367D0ijn2Wj7CxEg7gj_jw4StzWABPOQJ3PLarkpZyLowcsrvprQKIg4EMwZtbIej9i0V34UeNSoAmBazP_ak3rkzt7gzsdV8wtDQHuaDp3OZq3XgSFa8bdIHR1iwLtzIx/s1600/IMG_6812.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGBEAbUDe_ji367D0ijn2Wj7CxEg7gj_jw4StzWABPOQJ3PLarkpZyLowcsrvprQKIg4EMwZtbIej9i0V34UeNSoAmBazP_ak3rkzt7gzsdV8wtDQHuaDp3OZq3XgSFa8bdIHR1iwLtzIx/s400/IMG_6812.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
Give me your heart</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
Your love for the day</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
Show me how to love</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
How to care, a way</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
Whisper your sweetness</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
Into my heart</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
Show me your dreams</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
Make me a part</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
Tell me, tell me</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
Again I cry</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
Give me your wings</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
Help me to fly</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
I fall so fast</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
Down to the ground</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
Crazy, as I</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
Keep spinning around</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
Hope of tomorrow</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
Ever before</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
Perhaps I will be</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
All I dream and more</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
Tell me, tell me</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
Once more I plead</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
How to grow happiness</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
Where is the seed?</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
Is it afar</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
A journey apart?</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
Or is it within</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
Deep in my heart?</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
Perhaps you shall find it</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
The sun whispers back</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
If only you'll search for</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
The strength that you lack</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
Joanna Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12389913491622412783noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1700791660695353861.post-9680220645607814702013-01-09T14:33:00.000-08:002013-01-09T14:33:46.176-08:00Uncontrollable
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I hate not having control. I hate
having to sit back and watch others make decisions and live
destructively, and there is nothing I can do about it.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I hate the feeling of helplessness, of
desperately wanting to make the situation right again, but there is
nothing... nothing that can be done.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I hate watching the impending reaping
of wrong decisions, waiting for the blow that will take the situation
beyond anyone's control.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I hate seeing those I love be hurt,
especially the ones too young and innocent to do anything. They have
no voice. I have no voice.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
It's situations like this when I'm
reminded how necessary, how needed prayer is. There is nothing I CAN
do, but pray.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Lord, help me to be strong in prayer,
when there is nothing else I can be.</div>
Joanna Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12389913491622412783noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1700791660695353861.post-18318364294440616182013-01-07T12:03:00.002-08:002013-01-07T12:03:56.154-08:00Hair!So... I decided to bleach my hair! Well, part of it. I was just getting bored with the solid brown, but I did NOT want to cut it, because I absolutely love the length. So I decided to do some bleach, and get some fabulous contrast. So here are some pictures!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjawh1tttrqpAMHKIynK9M1Gyb6vZvRjAvd-nB00TOlb3zUmfuxkGFQuKpUnLxzBWqbq5HmOvAOlKUyd-sno5pL45F-rL4x0ka-o-S0_3wYa12Hw7r2f_ZMfcmFRgkrb3d_87Z9HDNTDJWT/s1600/bleach+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjawh1tttrqpAMHKIynK9M1Gyb6vZvRjAvd-nB00TOlb3zUmfuxkGFQuKpUnLxzBWqbq5HmOvAOlKUyd-sno5pL45F-rL4x0ka-o-S0_3wYa12Hw7r2f_ZMfcmFRgkrb3d_87Z9HDNTDJWT/s320/bleach+3.jpg" width="129" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Up in braids. I love this!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRre45B7xQ7I3uB4bB3CZLloStdCBljmM1PTh2yAzC-6RQpJB7f7wmdZ4vaPOSXLMA3K2rKXd79S8ldEnSvo0vCiFxuLzxCdTl6kz6yjQCWXX_3IZptXMOQTPZOXNVsyTTf4PhJTKceqN9/s1600/bleach+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRre45B7xQ7I3uB4bB3CZLloStdCBljmM1PTh2yAzC-6RQpJB7f7wmdZ4vaPOSXLMA3K2rKXd79S8ldEnSvo0vCiFxuLzxCdTl6kz6yjQCWXX_3IZptXMOQTPZOXNVsyTTf4PhJTKceqN9/s320/bleach+2.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBxkBxSbFggGDNLXU3a4HB5_lBxS8Adrt5pRon_Ro-kjm92J36Ub_wBiSLuT2j92wdk20oM_avV8_eo87Bs_wncr80V51bGN05J_sPW_9kuI3o99FMihsgmeajnfOYiBemAoUQxodKP59b/s1600/bleach+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBxkBxSbFggGDNLXU3a4HB5_lBxS8Adrt5pRon_Ro-kjm92J36Ub_wBiSLuT2j92wdk20oM_avV8_eo87Bs_wncr80V51bGN05J_sPW_9kuI3o99FMihsgmeajnfOYiBemAoUQxodKP59b/s320/bleach+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Up in a "Katniss braid", except a french braid rather than dutch.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbGaLgsg96nWaho-z3GZkSzwUYbZBYJnU0BgSLXKaDikCBXia10uwmqkzC8H-qBNauFIQCQGnTwpoZxT3prBJE9XYOX_8yQuSBbahR7y7JKcIX_zfRWKYT9_ymZiqwh-wnnU29RpK9ckma/s1600/bleach+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbGaLgsg96nWaho-z3GZkSzwUYbZBYJnU0BgSLXKaDikCBXia10uwmqkzC8H-qBNauFIQCQGnTwpoZxT3prBJE9XYOX_8yQuSBbahR7y7JKcIX_zfRWKYT9_ymZiqwh-wnnU29RpK9ckma/s320/bleach+4.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black and white.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I looooove it! :D And I have been keeping a very close watch on the moisture levels, making sure the bleached part doesn't get too dry. It's been pretty awesome so far!Joanna Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12389913491622412783noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1700791660695353861.post-49626369564042695362012-12-02T18:03:00.000-08:002012-12-11T15:11:30.718-08:00Dreamlander: A Review<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">This is a review of t<span style="font-size: small;">he book "Dreamlander" by author K.M. Weiland.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">*** </span> </span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXzISfNsoQueRiFkTqU8qhJOQqsE9V1eslPtkhE1PslO-rUva4ADuu_xaQsEe9boqw_37XXS6P7vvAq1_a2bPfAYgoFlEFhzDANGb59gKVAehVtbL237V2C12Wbwnsk8fbvpa21rqxaQB5/s1600/200353333.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXzISfNsoQueRiFkTqU8qhJOQqsE9V1eslPtkhE1PslO-rUva4ADuu_xaQsEe9boqw_37XXS6P7vvAq1_a2bPfAYgoFlEFhzDANGb59gKVAehVtbL237V2C12Wbwnsk8fbvpa21rqxaQB5/s320/200353333.JPG" width="212" /></a></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;">What
if the world of our dreams is not simply a creation of our
subconscious mind, but is just as real and physical as the one we
live in now? What if one person lived two lives, a foot in each
world?<br /><br /> </span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span><br />
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;">These are the questions author K.M. Weiland asks of her
readers, as she leads us along with Chris Redston to discover the
answers. Unwillingly, he finds himself thrust into a world and a
responsibility he never wanted - and does his best to be rid of.
However, as he battles not only for his life and the world of his
dreams, he finds that there is far more at stake than he could have
imagined.<br /><br />The story not only moves through the characters,
changing their lives and their hearts, but will take you along with
them, laughing and crying as they do, fighting and loving, dreaming
and mourning. The author holds back no stops in bringing her world to
life.<br /><br />I fell in love with these characters as they both stole
and broke my heart all throughout the book! The author has done a
masterful job in building a believable world and crafting relatable
characters all while keeping the plot moving and my heart
pumping!<br /><br />The ending was definitely a surprising twist - not
what I was expecting, and certainly was cause for a great amount of
introspection. Though it was not what I had hoped it would be - <span style="font-size: small;">it </span>was right for the story. I sincerely enjoyed this novel. </span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">***</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">This book is available on <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00A9WU99Q/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00A9WU99Q&linkCode=as2&tag=httpwwwkmweil-20" target="_blank">Amazon</a> a<span style="font-size: small;">s well as <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/dreamlander-km-weiland/1113823428?ean=2940015728484" target="_blank">Barnes & Noble</a></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"> for purchase.<span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></span><span style="font-weight: normal;">Check out this blog post to see about winning some fabulous prizes during Dreamlander’s launch week! </span><a href="http://www.helpingwritersbecomeauthors.com/2012/12/win-kindle-fire-17th-century-italian.html" target="_blank" title="Helping Writers Become Authors">http://www.helpingwritersbecomeauthors.com/2012/12/win-kindle-fire-17th-century-italian.html</a></span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
Joanna Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03240506825764536504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1700791660695353861.post-90800162345826477992012-11-17T17:29:00.001-08:002012-11-17T17:38:48.389-08:00Heartbreak<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
There isn't really any solution to
avoiding a broken heart. Even marrying the first person you ever
loved, there will be some level of heartbreak even after marriage.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Then there's the times you fall in love
with someone who was never more than a friend – yet you both wanted
it to go further. Those times when you fall in love so fast you
barely have time to blink before you realize you disagree wildly and
vehemently on just a few issues, yet those few being some of the
biggest marriage dealbreakers one can have.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
And you wonder, “Should I stay and
hold on, or just walk away?” “Should I pray for his mind to be
changed, or just assume that's a useless endeavor?”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
You talk, and talk, and debate, and
discuss. You push and pull and hope beyond hope that they will see
the error of their beliefs, or that your errors will be revealed.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Yet after a few months, you realize it
just won't work. A load of bricks drops on your hopes, your dreams.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i>Why? Why, Lord? Why bring the
potential perfect spouse, yet it's someone I could never marry? </i>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-style: normal;">Then
it ends, just as quickly as it began, one broken heart more and one
best friend less. What could you have done differently, how could you
have avoided it all? </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-style: normal;">The
sad and incredibly true answer is that... you couldn't have. Feelings
already spiraling out of control even before the pertinent issues
were discussed – on the 4</span><sup><span style="font-style: normal;">th</span></sup><span style="font-style: normal;">
day of the friendship. It was crazy, and terrible, and fun and
heartbreaking.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-style: normal;">So,
moral of the story, kids! Try not to fall in love with someone who
you disagree with on incredibly important doctrinal issues. :P</span></div>
Joanna Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03240506825764536504noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1700791660695353861.post-2741924810183827922012-11-12T19:51:00.004-08:002012-11-12T19:53:57.868-08:00Can't Make A Sound<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
It's needing a shoulder to cry on, but
nobody to listen. An ear to speak to, but nobody to tell.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
It's when you want to speak, want to
shout, want to cry, but you can't make a sound.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Can't make a sound.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Took me out of your life</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Took me out of your life</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
No longer in mine</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
And I cry</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
And the tears are fallin' down</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Tears fallin' down</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Tears in my hands</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
And I can't make a sound</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
It's needing you to talk to, the only
one who'd understand. The one I need, only one for me.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
It's dreaming of your arms holding me,
but waking up alone. Painful and heartbroken, but I,</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Can't make a sound.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Took me out of your life</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Took me out of your life</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
No longer in mine</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
And I cry</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
And the tears are fallin' down</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Tears fallin' down</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Tears in my hands</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
And I can't make a sound</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
And the pain, the pain is overtaking me</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
When I think I won't see you again</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Never again</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Cut out of my life in a new way every
day</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The hole's getting bigger and you're
not there</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Never again</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Took me out of your life</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Took me out of your life</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
No longer in mine</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
And I cry</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
And the tears are fallin' down</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Tears fallin' down</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Tears in my hands</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
And I can't make a sound</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Can't make a sound.</div>
Joanna Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03240506825764536504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1700791660695353861.post-81257491650611703102012-10-21T09:19:00.002-07:002012-10-21T09:20:37.949-07:00Need Votes!<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Hey!</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
All right, so here's the deal... I
entered an art contest online, and it is entirely popular vote based.
I currently sit at #4 (with 76 votes), but of course I am hoping to
get to #1! The grand prize, according to the contest main page:<a href="http://www.onewiththem.com/contest/" target="_blank">http://www.onewiththem.com/contest/</a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
“The grand prize is a
once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to go on a top-secret trip to meet
with real persecuted Christians. It will change you forever.”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Which sounds pretty fantastic, right?!
So I am currently needing to reach about 210 votes to pull to the
top. There are only 3 more days of round 2 voting, so I would
appreciate it SO much if you would follow the link below and click
the small green “vote” button! (you will have to scroll past the
picture, vote button will be on the right side of the screen.)</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
If you like the artwork... share with
your friends!</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="http://www.onewiththem.com/contest/art/one-in-the-body/" target="_blank">http://www.onewiththem.com/contest/art/one-in-the-body/</a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The title of my artwork is “One In
The Body.”
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
“<a href="http://www.onewiththem.com/wp-content/uploads/formidable/IMG_4267.jpg" target="_blank"><span style="color: navy;"><img align="BOTTOM" border="1" height="300" name="graphics1" src="http://www.onewiththem.com/wp-content/uploads/formidable/IMG_4267.jpg" width="235" /></span></a>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
“This painting is descriptive of our oneness with our brothers
and sisters across the world in persecution situations. Some are in
chains, in prison, constantly harassed, beaten, tortured, and torn
away from their families. But one thing can never be taken from them
– their faith! This same faith that we in free countries have the
comfort to practice in freedom.<br />
We are to remember them, to pray and be intercessors for them. I
hope this painting will make that very evident, and inspire those who
have the freedom to worship Jesus to pray for those who do not.<br />
Hebrews 13:3 – Remember those who are in prison, as though in
prison with them, and those who are mistreated, since you also are in
the body.”<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
For those of you who have already voted for me in this contest,
THANK YOU!!! I don't think it allows for second votes (1 vote per
computer per artwork), but thank you for your contribution!!Joanna Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03240506825764536504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1700791660695353861.post-10520960125422965292012-10-16T08:57:00.000-07:002012-10-16T08:57:59.031-07:00The Birthright of a Son of God<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=1700791660695353861" name="en-ESV-29115"></a><i><b>There
is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is
no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you
are Christ's, then you are Abraham's offspring, heirs according to
promise.</b></i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i>I mean that the heir, as long as he
is a child, is no different from a slave, though he is the owner of
everything, but he is under guardians and managers until the date set
by his father. In the same way we also, when we were children, were
enslaved to the elementary principles of the world. <b>But when the
fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman,
born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that
we might receive adoption as sons. </b><span style="font-weight: normal;">Galatians
3:28-4:5 English Standard Version (ESV)</span></i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
(from <a href="http://2hold.wordpress.com/2012/08/01/the-message-of-gods-kingdom-foundational-equality/" target="_blank">here</a>) “A footnote in my
Bible adds, “The Greek word for <i>adoption to sonship </i>is a
legal term referring to the full legal standing of an adopted male
heir in Roman culture.” Paul is saying that all who are in Christ
Jesus– Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male or female– have
received the <i>same </i>promise of the adoption to sonship. <i>No
one who has faith in Christ has any lesser legal standing, powers or
privileges than anyone else.”</i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
What does it mean to be a son of God?
To have all the rights, privileges and inheritance of a son?</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I have the right to the kingdom of
heaven. I have the right to enter the presence of God and bring my
praise, requests and hopes before Him at any time. I have the right
to the indwelling of His Holy Spirit. I have the right to entirely
equal standing, as a woman, with any man in this world. I have the
birthright to the kingdom of God Himself!</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Yet there is something terrible
happening, something my own Christian sisters and brothers are
promoting and living by.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
<i> “Once when Jacob was cooking
some stew, Esau came in from the open country, famished. He said to
Jacob, "Quick, let me have some of that red stew! I'm famished!"
(That is why he was also called Edom.) Jacob replied, "First
sell me your birthright."<br /> "Look, I am about to die,"
Esau said. "What good is the birthright to me?"<br /> But
Jacob said, "Swear to me first." So he swore an oath to
him, selling his birthright to Jacob.<br /> Then Jacob gave Esau some
bread and some lentil stew. He ate and drank, and then got up and
left. So Esau despised his birthright.” Genesis 25:29-34 New
American Standard Bible (NASB)</i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Just as Esau sold his birthright for
nothing more than a single bowl of soup, so Christian women and girls
are selling their birthright as the Sons of God... for what? To be
accepted among the church. To appear to be “doing everything
right”. Selling it in favor of a false interpretation of a few
verses in the Bible that it seems many do not take the time to study
out to find their true meaning.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
“I cannot be a pastor, I am a woman.”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
“I can't go on the mission field
alone, I am a woman.”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
“I cannot lead my family, I am a
woman.”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
“I can't make that decision, I am a
woman.”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Tell me, is this not giving up your
BIRTHRIGHT as a Son of God? There are no “daughters of God”. Only
Sons, only heirs to the full birthright and inheritance. And if I am
a full heir to the Kingdom of God, who is to tell me that I cannot
serve my Lord as He has provided and led me? Who is to tell me that I am somehow "lesser" and "not able" to operate in equality with my pastor, my father, my husband, my brothers?</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Somehow, as a woman, God cannot put in
me the desire and ability to pastor a church? As a woman, I do not
have the birthright to equality with men? God's Spirit falls on all
who accept it, both MEN & WOMEN. God's blessings are equally
granted to both men and women. God's Spirit and gifts are given to
BOTH men & women!
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Sisters, it is no righteous thing to
give up your birthright in the name of “submission,” or
“obedience,” or “deference.” Brothers, it is no righteous
thing to take away the birthright of any of God's children simply
based on the fact that they are a <i>woman.</i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=1700791660695353861" name="en-ESV-26954"></a><i>But this
is what was uttered through the prophet Joel:</i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=1700791660695353861" name="en-ESV-26955"></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=1700791660695353861" name="en-ESV-26956"></a>
“‘<i>And in the last days it shall be, God declares,<br />that I
will pour out my Spirit on all flesh,<br />and your sons and your
daughters shall prophesy,<br />and your young men shall see
visions,<br />and your old men shall dream dreams;<br />even on my male
servants and female servants<br />in those days I will pour out my
Spirit, and they shall prophesy. Acts 2:16-18 (ESV)</i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-style: normal;">When
Peter announced this on the day of Pentecost, he was stating that
those days of the outpouring of God's Spirit are upon us! That
prophecy from Joel had been fulfilled at that time, and is continuing
to be fulfilled today.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-style: normal;">All of
God's children, both men and women, are commanded to walk in the
fruit of the Spirit. All are warriors in a fierce spiritual battle,
and are to put on the armor of the Lord to FIGHT that battle! Why
would we, as women, remove ourselves from that spiritual battle and
give up our birthright as the Sons of God?</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-style: normal;">Humans
make divisions and hierarchies. Jesus came to redeem us from the Law, from the patriarchal societies that go against God's will and design. In God's eyes, there is no-one
“better,” “stronger,” or “more able.” My strength comes
from Christ, not from my physical self. Women have the indwelling of
the SAME Spirit as men, so how does it make any sense that they would
not be called the same way, given the same gifts, and entrusted the
same mission and ministry as any man?</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-style: normal;">It
does not make sense that after the coming of the Spirit all people
were declared equal in Christ, yet... not in the realm of ministry? Not
in the home? </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-style: normal;">If God
has called and equipped me, it is up to me to </span><i>do what He
would have me do.</i><span style="font-style: normal;"> Do not sell
your birthright for anything! Not for security, comfort, or the
chance to fit in! I may be shunned by many Christians for they cannot
imagine the verses they read to mean anything other than what they
have always heard them interpreted as. Read, study, search it out for
yourself. Accept no teaching without thorough study of how it lines
up with scripture.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-style: normal;">Accept
your birthright as a Son of God, and walk in the power of His Spirit
over your life!</span></div>
Joanna Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03240506825764536504noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1700791660695353861.post-82222299083402015822012-08-28T08:25:00.001-07:002012-08-28T08:26:24.388-07:00That Cloudy Day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqMupg5EZBFEffHtbDhiyN7t9HBUzsbBSEMN1XNTcArJ4iNFHfBYjHDFFbU8NBwRU6d_VrK57WK-6aKBngUt-sbcTvsOdpwBhegrmFhQOhxUjqyoayOkmu-keJZ3ecnJW2R9l6JzaqYqxy/s1600/clouds.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqMupg5EZBFEffHtbDhiyN7t9HBUzsbBSEMN1XNTcArJ4iNFHfBYjHDFFbU8NBwRU6d_VrK57WK-6aKBngUt-sbcTvsOdpwBhegrmFhQOhxUjqyoayOkmu-keJZ3ecnJW2R9l6JzaqYqxy/s1600/clouds.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #20124d; margin-bottom: 0in;">
That moment when the sun is hidden
behind the clouds, and a misty rain falls somewhere in the distance.
That introspective day where everything means something, every
nothing now importance itself.</div>
<div style="color: #20124d; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #20124d; margin-bottom: 0in;">
For a second you see an old friend
and your mind goes back in time. Back when they were a part of your
every day life, every memory with them in it. Now, they don't see you
and you pass on by, a sad twinge in your heart. </div>
<div style="color: #20124d; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #20124d; margin-bottom: 0in;">
What was, to never be again? Yet you
cannot go back in time, cannot change the past, only your present,
every second as you live. </div>
<div style="color: #20124d; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #20124d; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Those new friends you've made, that
one you can't live without. Now a part of your life the way the
others were before, now no more.</div>
<div style="color: #20124d; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #20124d; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Will they stay with you, through your
life? Will you stay with them? Sometime, yes, they must go the way
that all of life does, and change. For the better, or for the worse?
Will you stay with them?</div>
<div style="color: #20124d; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #20124d; margin-bottom: 0in;">
These thoughts as a flood, filling
your mind and heart to their very depths. As you sit in your
thoughts, a whisper of a breeze blows by your ears and through your
hair, and the sun comes out from behind the clouds.</div>
Joanna Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03240506825764536504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1700791660695353861.post-65581222215690837252012-07-30T11:56:00.002-07:002012-07-30T11:57:54.266-07:00Contentment<div style="color: #20124d;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-xk70sqsrkNDCn2hUrosAfhXFk5IPR2zoEFnGCqFJ-LPm4a3LGt49CqzHY6el_ShDGpuHZbkvDufvdC2HB47YcQxvl-wSb0VRTXUhArUpp93ZiCkJ8dcD4PqtPnXN7y_ARcDRnPcf0qF5/s1600/0823111815.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-xk70sqsrkNDCn2hUrosAfhXFk5IPR2zoEFnGCqFJ-LPm4a3LGt49CqzHY6el_ShDGpuHZbkvDufvdC2HB47YcQxvl-wSb0VRTXUhArUpp93ZiCkJ8dcD4PqtPnXN7y_ARcDRnPcf0qF5/s400/0823111815.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="color: #20124d; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #20124d; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #20124d; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i>Let your character be free from the
love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has
said, "I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsa</i><i>ke
you." - </i><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">Hebrews 13:5</span></i></div>
<div style="color: #20124d; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #20124d; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #20124d; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #20124d; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #20124d; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #20124d; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #20124d; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #20124d; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #20124d; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Contentment.
It can often be a difficult task, to be content. Not just with what I
have (or don't have!), but the situations I find myself in, the
things I do or don't want to do, the ways God is working to mold me
into a woman after His heart.</span></span></div>
<div style="color: #20124d; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #20124d; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i><span style="font-weight: normal;">But
godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into
this world, and it is certain that we can carry nothing out. –
1Timothy 6:6-7</span></i></div>
<div style="color: #20124d; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #20124d; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">It’s
not worth it to be discontent with my situation, or my life, or what
I don’t have, and the list goes on… THINGS are just things,
situations in my life are only temporal. God has put me in my life
exactly where I belong, to do exactly what He has planned for me to
do! Discontentment will only harm my joy and ability to do anything
for anyone else. Our culture is very based on “do/have this to be
happy” and “think about what will make YOU happy”, when really,
I have found the times I am most happy and content is when I am
serving others.</span></span></div>
<div style="color: #20124d; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #20124d; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i><span style="font-weight: normal;">A
sound heart is the life of the flesh: but envy is rottenness to the
bones. – Proverbs 14:30</span></i></div>
<div style="color: #20124d; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #20124d; margin-bottom: 0in;">
So often, we miss or overlook those
little gifts in life that God gives us, those everyday small joys. If
I can’t find joy in the small things… how will I be able to find
true joy in the big things? I have seen that often come to be true;
those who are always looking for something BIG to bring them
happiness, never find true happiness even when those BIG things are
attained. As Paul said,
</div>
<div style="color: #20124d; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #20124d; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=1700791660695353861" name="en-TNIV-29438"></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=1700791660695353861" name="en-TNIV-29439"></a>
<i>I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to
be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in
need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret
of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or
hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. </i>
</div>
<div style="color: #20124d; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i>I can do all things through Christ
who strengthens me. – Philippians 4:11-13</i></div>
<div style="color: #20124d; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #20124d; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">It's
incredibly easy to fall into the trap of thinking that having our
lives be perfectly comfortable and "perfect" will make us
better people, when it's really the opposite. It's only through the
hardships, the trials, the tough times, that God is able to work and
chip at our sins and flaws and mold us into who He has designed us to
be.</span></span></div>
<div style="color: #20124d; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #20124d; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">I
find myself saying "Lord, why this trial? Why this struggle? Why
this hardship?" And He is saying "I want you to learn to
pray. I want you to learn to trust. I want you to focus on me and
only me to be everything you need." Because really... how else
would I learn? </span></span>
</div>
<div style="color: #20124d; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #20124d; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i><span style="font-weight: normal;">And
He said to them, "Beware, and be on your guard against every
form of greed; for not even when one has an abundance does his life
consist of his possessions." Luke 12:15 </span></i>
</div>Joanna Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03240506825764536504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1700791660695353861.post-25351415706248395912012-07-28T12:52:00.001-07:002012-07-28T12:52:17.406-07:00Will I?<i> Look at him! His way with words...Lord, he would be such a great witness if he was a Christian! And her...she just gets people inspired and doing things. How she would be able to speak to people."</i><br /><br /> "And what about you?"<br /><br /><i> Me? Uh...I'm just...me.</i><br /><br /> "You don't think I could use you to speak to people?"<br /><br /><i> Not...not in the same way. They could do such great things for you! I wouldn't even know what to say. I always say the wrong thing, too.</i><br /><br /> "Don't you know I will give you the words to say? You don't think I can work through you as well as anyone?"<br /><i><br /> No...I know you can. You just...could do it better through them.</i><br /><br /> "Better? My power is not strong enough to work as well through you as anyone else?"<br /><br /><i> I know. I know you can. I'm just...I'm scared, Lord.</i><br /><br /> "It is all right to be scared. It is when you are weak and unable that I become able for you. It is when you know you cannot do it on your own that you ask me and I help you. It is when you see the strength you lack and allow me to do my work through you."<br /><br /> <i> What if they reject me? What if they don't even want to listen to anything I say?</i><br /><br /> "It is not for you to change their hearts. That is for me. It is for you to speak the truth. It is for you to tell others about the reason I came and died, regardless of what their reaction is. How can their hearts be changed if they do not hear the truth that will change them?"<br /><br /><i> But...</i><br /><br /> "Enough buts. Will you be the witness I ask you to be? The witness I equip you to be? Will you say the words I give you to say, no matter the cost? Will you?"<br /><br />Will I?Joanna Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03240506825764536504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1700791660695353861.post-21593216540189889872012-07-21T10:14:00.002-07:002012-07-21T10:20:13.823-07:00Commandments of Men?<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=1700791660695353861" name="en-TNIV-23636"></a><i>**Disclaimer - it may seem I am up on this particular (or a similar) soapbox often, and I just want to state it is not aimed at anyone or anything in particular. I just often have conversations with myself in my head, then I write them down and want to share them, because perhaps it may help someone else. So that's why I've been posting so much on this issue recently, it's one I've been thinking about quite a bit.** </i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #20124d; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i>1 Then
some Pharisees and teachers of the law came to Jesus from Jerusalem
and asked, 2 “Why do your disciples break the tradition of the
elders? They don’t wash their hands before they eat!” </i>
</div>
<div style="color: #20124d; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=1700791660695353861" name="en-TNIV-23637"></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=1700791660695353861" name="en-TNIV-23638"></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=1700791660695353861" name="en-TNIV-23639"></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=1700791660695353861" name="en-TNIV-23640"></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=1700791660695353861" name="en-TNIV-23641"></a>
<i>3 Jesus replied, “And why do you break the command of God for
the sake of your tradition? 4 For God said, ‘Honor your father and
mother’ and ‘Anyone who curses their father or mother is to be
put to death.’ 5 But you say that if anyone declares that what
might have been used to help their father or mother is ‘devoted to
God,’ 6 they are not to ‘honor their father or mother’ with it.
Thus you nullify the word of God for the sake of your tradition. 7
You hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you:</i></div>
<div style="color: #20124d; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=1700791660695353861" name="en-TNIV-23642"></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=1700791660695353861" name="en-TNIV-23643"></a>
<i>8 “‘These people honor me with their lips,<br /> but their
hearts are far from me.<br />9 They worship me in vain;<br /> their
teachings are merely human rules. ’”</i></div>
<div style="color: #20124d; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=1700791660695353861" name="en-TNIV-23644"></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=1700791660695353861" name="en-TNIV-23645"></a>
<i>10 Jesus called the crowd to him and said, “Listen and
understand. 11 What goes into your mouth does not defile you, but
what comes out of your mouth, that is what defiles you.” </i>
</div>
<div style="color: #20124d; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=1700791660695353861" name="en-TNIV-23646"></a><i>12 Then
the disciples came to him and asked, “Do you know that the
Pharisees were offended when they heard this?”</i></div>
<div style="color: #20124d; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=1700791660695353861" name="en-TNIV-23647"></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=1700791660695353861" name="en-TNIV-23648"></a>
<i>13 He replied, “Every plant that my heavenly Father has not
planted will be pulled up by the roots. 14 Leave them; they are blind
guides. If the blind lead the blind, both will fall into a pit.” </i>
</div>
<div style="color: #20124d; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=1700791660695353861" name="en-TNIV-23649"></a><i>15 Peter
said, “Explain the parable to us.” </i>
</div>
<div style="color: #20124d; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=1700791660695353861" name="en-TNIV-23650"></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=1700791660695353861" name="en-TNIV-23651"></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=1700791660695353861" name="en-TNIV-23652"></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=1700791660695353861" name="en-TNIV-23653"></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=1700791660695353861" name="en-TNIV-23654"></a>
<i>16 “Are you still so dull?” Jesus asked them. 17 “Don’t
you see that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and then
out of the body? 18 But the things that come out of the mouth come
from the heart, and these defile you. 19 For out of the heart come
evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false
testimony, slander. 20 These are what defile you; but eating with
unwashed hands does not defile you.” Matthew 15:1-20</i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #0c343d; margin-bottom: 0in;">
This morning, I was pondering several
issues, and wanted to touch on a couple of them. Separate issues, but
all intertwined as well.</div>
<div style="color: #0c343d; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #0c343d; margin-bottom: 0in;">
1. The idea that a Christian wife and
mother must be a stay-at-home mom. (Titus 2:3-5, Timothy 5:14)</div>
<div style="color: #0c343d; margin-bottom: 0in;">
2. That all Christian women must grow
their hair long/never cut it. (1 Corinthians 11:6,15)</div>
<div style="color: #0c343d; margin-bottom: 0in;">
3. That women must wear dresses/skirts
and never pants. (Deuteronomy 22:5)</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #20124d; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i>Likewise, teach the older women to
be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to
much wine, but to teach what is good. Then they can train the younger
women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and
pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their
husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God. Titus 2:3-5</i></div>
<div style="color: #20124d; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #20124d; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i>So I counsel younger widows to
marry, to have children, to manage their homes and to give the enemy
no opportunity for slander. - 1 Timothy 5:14</i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #0c343d; margin-bottom: 0in;">
To begin, there have been very few
cultures throughout history in which women even could be a
“stay-at-home” mother. Most were simply trying to survive. Even
in our American culture, it is very recent that almost anyone can
afford one parent to stay at home while the other works. The lower
classes have always had to work, all throughout history and even in
some cultures still. Black slaves in recent history had no such
option. There is no way we can take 1 or 2 verses picked out and call
them God's “ideal” if they cannot be applied to everyone, every
culture, every time era. <b>God's “ideals” transcend all human
thought, laws, cultural divides, and time eras. God has no “ideal”
lifestyle for His children – why else would He have created such
diversity?</b></div>
<div style="color: #0c343d; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #0c343d; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Neither of those verses state all women
must be a stay-at-home mother, and there is "no way" God might call her
to something different (such as the mother working and the father
staying at home). Or both parents working, as may be necessary in
many cases.</div>
<div style="color: #0c343d; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #0c343d; margin-bottom: 0in;">
I am not saying I think being a
stay-at-home mother is somehow “wrong” or “lesser” than
pursuing a career, it is my dream and desire to be a stay-at-home mom
myself. I am simply making the case that it is in no sense “God's
ideal” or any sort of mandate He's place on His children.</div>
<div style="color: #0c343d; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: #4c1130; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">If it is not applicable to every
nation, culture and time era, it is not God's mandate or ideal.</span></div>
<div style="color: #0c343d; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #0c343d; margin-bottom: 0in;">
The same ruling should apply to
hair/clothing as well. What is “men's clothing” or “women's
clothing”, and what is the standard we are basing that off of? Our
current culture? The 1800s? If we're taking for example, the 1800s...
whose 1800s, America's, Europe's, Asia's? Because they all were
completely different from each other.</div>
<div style="color: #0c343d; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #0c343d; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Back in Bible times (through many of
those time eras and cultures), everyone wore robes... which in our
current culture appear quite similar to dresses. Does that mean Jesus
was cross-dressing? Does that mean Scottish men are wrong to follow
their ancient tradition of kilts because we in America don't do that,
and kilts look like a skirt? What are we basing this “clothing
ideal” off of anyway? What constitutes “men's” or “women's”
clothing changes with every time era, every culture – it is
constantly in a state of change. However, no matter what culture you
are in, there is always distinctions between what is men's or women's
clothing. It makes far more sense that this verse:</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #20124d; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i>A woman must not wear men’s
clothing, nor a man wear women’s clothing, for the Lord your God
detests anyone who does this. Deuteronomy 22:5</i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #0c343d; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Would be talking about
cross-dressing/transvestite actions, <b><span style="font-size: small;">rather than specific articles of
clothing (pants or skirts) that eternally are “men's” or
“women's”.</span></b> That doesn't even make sense, in light of all the
cultures that have come and gone in the thousands of years the world
has been around.</div>
<div style="color: #0c343d; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #0c343d; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Some say that 1 Corinthians 11 is
stating women should wear a veil/scarf on their head always (or
especially when praying). Others say no, just grow their hair long.
And even others state it is simply meaning “do not ever cut your
hair.” (You can read my breakdown of that passage here:
daughterlivingfree.blogspot.com/2012/07/power-on-my-head.html)</div>
<div style="color: #0c343d; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #0c343d; margin-bottom: 0in;">
But that stipulation only makes sense
in a culture like ours, where hair is something of an afterthought,
and is simple to deal with. However, what about countries where the
women shave all their hair off simply because they have no way to
take care of it? (Like, say, all of Africa.) Are they “shamed”
then, because they do whatever is easiest with their hair because IT
DOESN'T MATTER, and they have other things to worry about, like
survival? Even in the western countries black women have incredibly
unmanageable hair when grown out.</div>
<div style="color: #0c343d; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #0c343d; margin-bottom: 0in;">
To tell women in third world countries
they must “grow their hair long” (which in many cases isn't even
possible – some women cannot physically grow their hair long), or
“never cut their hair” would be putting a terrible and completely
unnecessary burden on them. Does God really put such massive physical
burdens on us, burdens that have 0 eternal significance? That just
doesn't make sense.</div>
<div style="color: #0c343d; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #0c343d; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>God does not give mandates that only
some can accomplish. God is not about arbitrary man-made rules, or
really outward appearance at all.
</b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=1700791660695353861" name="en-NKJV-7603"></a><i style="color: #20124d;">But the
Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at his
physical stature, because I have refused him. For the Lord does not
see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the
Lord looks at the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7</i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #0c343d; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Once you make outward appearance
important, a mandate, then THAT BECOMES YOUR WHOLE FOCUS! It suddenly
becomes more important to “look right” than to actually be
righteous, to love others, and to focus on spreading God's word!
</div>
<div style="color: #0c343d; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #0c343d; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Yes, God does put difficult burdens on
us. He commands us to forgive, not to lust, to be holy. He burdens me
to pray for the lost. He commands us to love others as He loves us.
He tells us to give, and serve, and be a light. These can be very
difficult to accomplish, even in the power of His Spirit. But what do
all of those have in common that is different from
hair/clothing/staying at home? They all are heart issues and have
eternal significance, whereas hair/clothing/staying at home are
simply physical issues that morph and change every few decades. They
are simply part of this physical world that means nothing in light of
eternity.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #20124d; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i>'These people honor me with their
lips,<br /> but their hearts are far from me.<br /> They worship me in
vain;<br /> their teachings are merely human rules.’</i></div>
<div style="color: #20124d; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i><b>You have let go of the commands of
God and are holding on to human traditions</b>. Mark 7:6b-8</i></div>Joanna Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03240506825764536504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1700791660695353861.post-14364993475361063052012-07-16T10:49:00.000-07:002012-07-16T10:53:43.117-07:00Steadfast In Prayer<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDYWYdd44AgwzGkN8_00Gjm7CgYaWTzYUPl4My2X80iro4bwRlPUrcmYraWoD5ljxSnguxY_eCbrysBNpGkoT7ZvmpjfgN3w8eZF82CuE5oYpNF2mVwa913rPpa2z9QmpYTzCz-aAZ-VUb/s1600/WomanPraying.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDYWYdd44AgwzGkN8_00Gjm7CgYaWTzYUPl4My2X80iro4bwRlPUrcmYraWoD5ljxSnguxY_eCbrysBNpGkoT7ZvmpjfgN3w8eZF82CuE5oYpNF2mVwa913rPpa2z9QmpYTzCz-aAZ-VUb/s320/WomanPraying.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #20124d; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><i>Therefore, I tell you,
whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it
shall be done for you. And when you stand to pray, forgive whatever
you may hold against anyone, so that your heavenly Father may also
forgive your sins. Mark 11:24-26</i></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #0b5394; margin-bottom: 0in;">
The more books I read about it, the
more I spend time praying, the more I realize I need to pray! I am
hoping to personally build up to at least 3-4 hours of prayer daily.
Still currently working on 1 hour daily.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #20124d; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i>Pray at all times as the Spirit
inspires you. Keep watch, together with sustained prayer and
supplication for all the holy ones. Ephesians 6:18</i></div>
<div style="color: #0b5394; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #0b5394; margin-bottom: 0in;">
I have always been really bad with
procrastination and self-discipline, especially in this area. I will
do really well for a few weeks or months, then will begin slacking
off and grow stale for a (sometimes very long) while.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #20124d; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i>Be steadfast in prayer and even
spend the night praying and giving thanks. Colossians 4:2</i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #0b5394; margin-bottom: 0in;">
It's time to change the way I do
prayer. With quite a few large changes and events coming up in the
next year (and all needing much prayer!), I figure now is the optimum
time.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #20124d; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i>For the weapons of our warfare are
not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We
destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the
knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ. <span style="font-size: small;">2
Corinthians 10:4-5</span></i></div>
<div style="color: #0b5394; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #0b5394; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">It is time to become the
prayer warrior that God has called me to be, no longer wallowing in
mediocrity, but stepping out in faith and the power of the Holy
Spirit through me. It is time to pray as I ought, with the knowledge
that God has placed in me the weapons by His divine power to destroy
strongholds, and come against every evil thing!</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #20124d; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><i>Pray without ceasing
and give thanks to God at every moment. This is the will of God, your
vocation as Christians. 1 Thessalonians 5:17-18</i></span></div>
<div style="color: #0b5394; font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #0b5394; font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">This
verse has a very interesting statement... it is the will of God for
His children to pray without ceasing and give thanks continually, </span><span style="font-size: small;"><i>as
our vocation!</i></span><span style="font-size: small;"> Do I view prayer as I would a
job? Do I set times to pray and make the commitment to “be there”
with the same commitment that I would a regular job?</span></div>
<div style="color: #0b5394; font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #0b5394; font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Just
as others are counting on me to get to my workplace and do my job, so
also others are counting on my prayers, whether or not they actually
are aware of them. I do not have any way to know if perhaps I am the
only one praying for someone, for their particular situation. </span>
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #20124d; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><i>The prayer said in
faith will save the sick person; the Lord will raise him up and if he
has committed any sins, he will be forgiven. There will be healing if
you confess your sins to one another and pray for each other. The
prayer of the upright man has great power, provided he perseveres.
Elijah was a human being like ourselves and when he prayed earnestly
for it not to rain, no rain fell for three and a half years. Then he
prayed again: the sky yielded rain and the earth produced its fruit.
James 5:15-18</i></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #0b5394; font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Elijah
was just a regular man, no different than me in God's eyes. Yet
through his prayers, God accomplished a mighty feat – no rain for 3
and a half years, then rain again after all that time. God longs to
use me in this same way, if only I am willing and ready to persevere.
</span>
</div>
<div style="color: #0b5394; font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #0b5394; font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">What
did Elijah do that caused his prayers to be effective? There are 2
stipulations I see. In verse 16: The prayer of the upright man has
great power, provided he perseveres. I must be in right standing with
God, and I must be persistent, despite how I feel, or what my
circumstances are, or what anyone says in opposition to it!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><i>And he told them a
parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose
heart. He said, "In a certain city there was a judge who neither
feared God nor respected man. And there was a widow in that city who
kept coming to him and saying, 'Give me justice against my
adversary.' For a while he refused, but afterward he said to himself,
'Though I neither fear God nor respect man, yet because this widow
keeps bothering me, I will give her justice, so that she will not
beat me down by her continual coming.'" And the Lord said, "Hear
what the unrighteous judge says. And will not God give justice to his
elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them? I
tell you, he will give justice to them speedily. Nevertheless, when
the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?" Luke 18:1-8</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">That
is the persistence I should have! If that unrighteous judge gave the
widow what she asked for, how much more will God give justice to His
elect?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><i>This
is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything
according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us -
whatever we ask - we know that we have what we asked of him. - 1
John 5:14-15</i></span></div>Joanna Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03240506825764536504noreply@blogger.com0