Maiden of Honor

Reflections on a Tuesday Afternoon - GUEST POST

2008-04-12T15:29:00.000-07:00

Note: Remember that my new blog is: www.beggarlybouquet.com. We have fixed the issues that it previously had and is now search able on google etc, plus you can add it to your Google Reader account if you have one. This will likely be one of the last posts I put on this blog for a while (*sniff*), though I almost don't want to give it up. I think you will enjoy the new one just as much - if not better, though.
:)

-~-~-

Reflections on a Tuesday Afternoon

by Margaret H.

My alarm went off.

I rolled over and saw “5:01am” flashing back at me in bright red numbers.

“Ugh!” I murmured to myself and reached out to switch the button to “off.” I swung my feet over the side of the bed and shivered as they slapped against the cold floor. I looked around; someone coughed and I shivered again.

This wasn’t exactly my idea of a mission trip, getting up at this ungodly hour for a dunking in the Atlantic Ocean. I shuffled sleepy-eyed into the bathroom, not really eager to fish out of the toilet boil either. I stood in the shower, trying to gather the courage to do what had to be done. I stepped under the shower-head for a split second and lost my breath. My teeth chattered and I could feel my face turning purple as I shampooed my hair.

“Okay God, what is it now? Why am I here? I love Ecuador, but something isn’t right this time. What are you trying to tell me?”

--

“Margaret! Welcome home! How was your trip?”

I honestly dread this question. As a public speaker, I know that’s a terrible thing to say. But I can’t hide the truth. How can I explain a life-changing experience in thirty seconds or less to the casual inquirer? I can’t; it’s just impossible. But I still have to answer that question.

I learned a lot in Ecuador; I’m still learning a lot. Like a cow chewing his cud, I keep going over the trip in mind, retrieving a new gem every time I do.

--

“I’m sorry miss, but airport guidelines state that all liquids in carry-on luggage must be contained in three ounce bottles; your hair gel is in a five ounce bottle.” She continued looking. “I’m sorry miss, but you can’t take this coca-cola either; no glass is allowed on the plane.” I sighed. “Oh and miss, you must drink this water or you can’t take the water bottle on the plane.” I drank the water. She smiled a bit too smugly and handed me my backpack. I glared back at her and walked over to Jodi.

“So, what did she take?”

You should have seen me. I jerked off my jacket and sun glasses, yanked off my backpack, pulled out my Nalgene water bottle and threw them all on the floor. I sat down, cradled my head in my hands and just sobbed like a little baby. Believe me, people stared and pointed. But I didn’t care. “Just get me home, God, please!” I begged. I was sick; bronchitis was settling in, I was losing my voice, running a high fever, delirious and just exhausted. My body cried “Bed! Water! Sleep! A hug, someone?” but this Delta Agent was telling me I couldn’t have my coke? Something was wrong with this picture; really wrong. I lay down on the chairs and shivered. “I hate fevers!” I grumbled to myself and just closed my eyes with the pinched, painful face that said “kill me now!”

--

What had happened to me? Just twenty-four hours earlier I had been in tears; but those were different tears. I cried as we drove back to Quito through the Andes Mountains on The Pan American Highway. “God this is where my heart is! Why do I have to leave? Why can’t I stay? God, bring me back, please! I thought this was where you wanted me.”

Have you ever had a God moment? Where He pours His version of tobacco sauce into your heart and you just kneel down and sigh and say “Okay, okay I still believe.”

I learned to be content in Ecuador.

I thrive on the “something more” to life. I’m a socialite and am always looking for a new version of life; something to make my blood race. I’m always looking over someone’s shoulder, thinking “Oh wow, that looks like fun! Why can’t I be there?” In fact, that’s my line. Why?

But you don’t see that question in Ecuador; the people are content. You know, you can’t really begin to fathom their poverty. You really can’t even begin to imagine how they live until you’ve gone and seen it for yourself. They are poor. But they are content. How is that possible? They have nothing. They have no money and they scrap the bottom of the barrel for life. But they’re always smiling. They’re always hospitable. They’re always kind. They just go about their daily business and keep on keeping on when life seems to throw them lemon after lemon. I don’t have that kind of fortitude. I don’t have that kind of contentment; the kind that makes you smile even when life isn’t smiling at you. The kind of contentment that… well, just gives you peace and calms that yearning for more. Sure, the Ecuadorians have struggles of their own. They are not perfect and I’m sure they struggle with the same sinful tendencies that you and I do. But as a culture… they’re much more content and peaceful that America is and perhaps ever will be.

Their hospitality and graciousness left a deep mark on me. Can I be content with the small things in life: a lollipop, a hot wheels car, a new scrunchie or a piece of chalk? Can I keep going when it gets tough? Can I be content in any circumstance? Can I stop wanting more?

and then furthermore... can I let go of myself? I feel like I hang on to so much and so many people... is He enough for me?

“Margaret, this is where I’ve called you to be. This is your place, right here, in Franklin Pennsylvania. Come be the best sister… Come be the best daughter…. Come be the best friend that you could possibly be. Come serve me right and here and now on April 8th. Come live for me. Stop wanting more. I am your all; I’m everything you need. You’re written on the palm of my hand and I love you. Come love me too.”

I felt my spirit fighting. “But! But God I don’t want to do that! You know where I want to be.”

“Margaret, have you forgotten? He who is faithful in the small things… to Him I will give greater things.”

--

That was my lesson. Contentment.

I fought it that Monday night in Quito. I cried. I fought it the whole trip coming home. I fought it even at home. My spirit was restless. But God got through to me; He is faithful, isn’t He? How was this trip life changing?

A life of discontentment… of searching for “more”…. Turned upside down into a passion for Him and for where He has me. That’s how.

Are you content? Or are you looking for more?

Sure, there other lessons too..

Like surviving on three hours of sleep instead of thirteen… or sleeping on tree slat beds instead of my foot thick mattress… or eating guinea pig instead of KFC’s chicken fingers. You get the idea, don’t you?

Just reflections… from one little girl… about her Daddy… on a beautiful Tuesday afternoon.

Here’s to being content, me and you.
Starting right now.

-Margaret

Lessons from Jonah - Part Two

2008-04-11T07:27:00.000-07:00

God used Jonah to warn the people of Nineveh of their coming destruction - if they would not repent and turn from their evil ways. Jonah felt in his heart that the people of Nineveh deserved whatever punishment they would get…but when God chose not to punish the Ninevites at all, Jonah felt that He -GOD - was making a mistake!

“When God saw what they did, how they turned from their evil way, God relented of the disaster that he had said he would do to them, and he did not do it.” Jonah 3:10

Jonah got angry and said he’d rather die than live (um…pity-party?). The Lord simply asked him, “Do you do well to be angry?” twice (vs. 4, 9). He didn’t argue with Jonah that His way was best, or try to prove that his way was better (it already was - Jonah just had to wake up and realize that)…he let Jonah think it through.

When things don’t go our way getting angry is definitely not the answer. Anger does not help us in any way. Our hearts should be humbly submitted to God’s will - understanding that His ways are always true and right (easier said than done, I know), despite what we can see in our limited view that may look like we are going out of control. Often, when looking OUT for our own interests, we forget to look AROUND at God’s glory, and his hands which always hold us up.

So, back to Jonah. He went to the edge of the city, and decided to sit and wait to see if God would re-consider and punish the Ninevites. As silly as he was, God still had compassion on him, and made a plant to grow up to shade Jonah ad provide comfort as he sat there. And, just as quickly, God took it away. (vs. 6-7) He the scorching sun to beat down on Jonah and make him faint…and it’s here that Jonah again says he’d rather die than live without the plant that he did nothing to make grow, and yet, he felt that he deserved somehow.

In the same way, God can provide times of “shade” from the scorching heat of this world, he can provide comfort amidst the chaos…and he can also take it away (he IS God) and test us - to see how we will react when the heat is turned on.
Do we have pity-parties when God takes away that which we think we deserve? Or can we trust that He has a better plan than we could ever dream up on our own? Do we resist his will, or submit to it - even if it doesn’t make complete sense to us?

As Job put it, when he was tested in a way that not many people are (he lost pretty much everything except his wife in a short period of time

“Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head and fell on the ground and worshiped. And he said, ‘Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.’ ” Job 1:20-21

Now, we never really are told if Jonah ever “got it” or not…but we can at least learn from this book what perhaps Jonah missed.
Oh that we would have the faith of Job to worship God through the trials and times when we can’t understand what He is doing…and trust that God knows best!

~Lady Tai
(Next up: Another GUEST POST! Stay tuned.)

Lessons from Jonah - Part One

2008-04-04T09:54:00.000-07:00

“Now the word of the Lord came to Jonah the son of Amittai, saying, ‘Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and call out against it, for their evil has come up before me.’ But Jonah rose to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the Lord. He went down to Joppa and found a ship going to Tarshish. So he paid the fare and went on board, to go with them to Tarshish, away from the presence of the Lord.

But the Lord hurled a great wind upon the sea, and there was a mighty tempest on the sea, so that the ship threatened to break up. Then the mariners were afraid, and each cried out to his god. And they hurled the cargo that was in the ship into the sea to lighten it for them. But Jonah had gone down into the inner part of the ship and had lain down and was fast asleep. So the captain came and said to him, ‘What do you mean, you sleeper? Arise, call out to your god! Perhaps the god will give a thought to us, that we may not perish.’ ” Jonah 1:1-6

This first chapter of the book of Jonah is all about God’s calling to Jonah to tell the people of Nineveh about the ways in which they were sinning - and giving them a call to repentance - and how Jonah chose to run in the opposite direction instead; trying to run away from the presence of the Lord.

But as far as he made it, God still pursued him. God then (mercifully) gave Jonah a chance to re-think what he had been doing…and in Chapter 2, Jonah calls out to God from within the “great fish” with something that sounds like a Psalm, and the fish then vomits Jonah onto the dry land (what FUN!).

The greatest joy we can receive in this life is to walk in the way that God has for us to go in…and if we attempt to run away from that and/or force our OWN wills, that deepest joy will elude us…and we will be lost. Looking for something that we can’t explain. That something being God’s own plan - which we’ve chosen to ignore.

The beautiful thing is that, if we find ourselves having wandered away from what God has called us to, we can still cry out to Him from a pure heart…a heart of true repentance. When we do, God will hear us, and answer us - though it may not be in the way we expect.

“When my life was fainting away,
I remembered the Lord,
and my prayer came to you,
into your holy temple.
Those who pay regard to vain idols
forsake their hope of steadfast love.
But I with the voice of thanksgiving
will sacrifice to you;
what I have vowed I will pay.
Salvation belongs to the Lord!” Jonah 2:7-9

This is not to say that we should deliberately rebel against God all the time and just expect that, since He is merciful, he will forgive us. God is righteous…he is just. He gives grace, but he must also punish sin. Paul deals with this issue in Romans 6.

“What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it? Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. ” Romans 6:1-4

When we become Christians, we are to walk in “newness of life”. To live differently from the way the world lives…to obey God and trust God.

Wherever He leads.

Update

2008-03-26T18:50:00.000-07:00

Update on technical difficulties:
It is now possible to load the new blog (www.beggarlybouquet.com) into Google Reader!

However, it is still not possible to search for the site. My sidekick is still working on that...but I don't think it will be necessary to update you on that.
Just be content in knowing that Google Reader now recognizes it.
:D

~Lady Tai

(And I'm hoping my next update will be a REAL post!)

Technical Difficulties

2008-03-26T17:01:00.001-07:00

You may or may not have noticed: but we were having trouble with some things on the technical side of the new blog. Including things that made it impossible to add to Google Reader lists and which also made it not search-able on google.com (or most other search sites).

My trusty sidekick is working now to fix these issues. SO, if you were wondering about any of that - now you know. And if not; so sorry to interrupt your bliss.
:P
I will let you know when this is fixed so that those of you with Google Reader or a similar program (if there is one) can use it and add www.beggerlybouquet.com to your list.
And trust me, I know y'all are out there.
Muahahahaha!

~Lady Tai

The Unveiling

2008-03-23T20:32:00.000-07:00

"Laadddieesss and Gentlemennnnn..."

Introducing the shiny-NEW blog of Lady Tai, now open for public viewing!
It is not 100% completed, but I figured that I could always work on it more AFTER unveiling it. I have merely transferred all of my posts from this blog to that (now conveniently organized by category), plus one - the new welcoming post.

I thought about making you hunt for it in cyberspace - but that probably wouldn't be so cool to some of you (most of you).
So I'm just going to put it out in the open - the web address/link to my NEW site (or you can just click on the picture above).

PLEASE be sure to bookmark it and add it to your Google Reader list (or whatever you do)!

Here it is: www.beggarlybouquet.com

Leave me a comment there if you think of it!
~Lady Tai

Update

2008-03-17T09:53:00.000-07:00

Well, my friends. Here's the "inside look" at what's goin' on:
I've got a new web address for my blog PLUS a new name. So, instead of being a blogger site, it's going to be my own ".com".
:)
Thanks to Eric Novak for helpin' me with that.

We've got most of the layout done...but not quite. However, as soon as it is "good enough" to present to the public, I will let you know where to find this new secret place which is now only lurking out there on the web with no prestige and no history to prove itself by. It's just a brand-new site with tons of potential.
:D

Soon...very soon...

~Lady Tai

My Lack

2008-03-07T14:26:00.000-08:00

I am sorry to keep leaving you, my faithful readers hanging for the past couple of weeks...but I have been thinking and praying about possibly renaming my blog (some of you may be asking what could possibly be so important about THAT...more to follow). That would mean I would have to have a new web address...which means you might have to re-bookmark me, or re-add me to your google Reader list, but I hope it will be worth it. There will be a new look AND a new name. I am still pondering over several choices...so bear with me.
If you have any ideas, feel free to comment with them.
Otherwise...I suggest a look through some of my older posts - why not start at the beginning and work your way back, if you're new?

Thank you SOO much for stopping by. Come back!

Oh...and leave me a comment if you think of it. I love comments. It's almost like getting "real" mail...almost. More like a package, actually.
;)
haha
Annywayyyy...
I am also working on another project which I MAY post some pictures of when it's done.
Muahahahaha!

Here is a quote to last you until my next post:

"A good character is the best tombstone. Those who loved you and were helped by you will remember you when forget-me-nots have withered. Carve your name on hearts, not on marble."
Charles Spurgeon

~Lady Tai

When Can God Use Us?

2008-02-22T14:18:00.000-08:00

Eric Novak – a fellow Christian blogger – approached me recently about doing a joint post after he saw we had had the same idea: To write about 1 Timothy 4:12. I thought it was a grand idea, and that it would be neat to put heads together with another beacon of light in the blogging community. Thus, “When Can God Use Us?” was created.

God’s Choice

Eric: When I was a little kid, I wanted to know the answer to one question: “When can God use me?” Looking in the Bible, there were some great examples of people that God used to accomplish great things. But Joseph, David, and Solomon were such big Bible characters. God used them to build the nation of Israel. Until reading their stories, I never realized that it was God’s choice of when and how to use me.

Youth in Action

Eric: It is amazing to see how God used young people, many of them authors of the greatest books of the Bible.

Tai: In this day and age, it can be so easy to get caught up in wanting to “be someone” and make our mark on the world. But we must begin by being faithful in the things that God gives us. You will notice in the following looks at men and women of the Bible whom God used, that none of them were out to make something of themselves. They were out to serve God humbly, through whatever circumstances came their way - and many were unpleasant. And as they followed God's leading, he used their lives in amazing ways.

How did God use young people?

To save Israel in the time of famine.

It was through Joseph that God provided Israel a means to survive a famine.

He was seventeen years old when sold as a slave to Potiphar (Genesis 37:2).

To deliver Israel from the Philistines.

God used David to defeat Goliath, even though he was "but a youth" according to King Saul. (1 Samuel 17:33)

To lead Israel to its greatest heights

David appointed Solomon to succeed him, who when he became king, thought of himself as but "a little child" (1Kings 3:7)

To restore Judah to the true worship of God

When he was just eight, Josiah became king, and he was a good one (2 Chronicles 34:1). When he was sixteen, he sought to serve God (2 Chronicles 34:3). When he was twenty, he instituted religious reforms throughout Judah (2 Chronicles 34:3). When he was twenty-six, he restored the temple and the Passover (2 Chronicles 34:8; 35:18-19).

To prophesy to the nations

Jeremiah tried to escape his prophetic call (Jeremiah 1:4-6), but God told him not to say, "I am a youth," because He would be with him (Jeremiah 1:7-8).

To reveal the sovereignty of God over the nations

This God did through Daniel, who was possibly twelve to fifteen when taken into Babylonian captivity (Daniel 1:3-5).

Making him fifteen to eighteen when brought to Nebuchadnezzar and began serving as his counselor (Daniel 1:18-20).

To bring the savior into the world

Mary was but a young virgin (Luke 1:26-33).

To proclaim the gospel to the lost

Timothy was selected by Paul to join him on his journeys (Acts 16:1-3).

He must have been quite young, for it was over twenty years later that Paul tells him to let no one despise his youth(1Timothy 4:12)!

The Kind of Young People God Can Use

1Timothy 4:12 says, “Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe.” This verse can mean two things. First, don’t let anyone look down on you because of your age or it can mean to act a specific way so that no one has any reason to look down on you. I have a tendency to believe it means the latter. If we look at young people in the Bible, we find amazing examples of the kind of character qualities that God looked for in young people.

He looked for those willing to flee immorality - Joseph

Tai: Joseph was a young man who God was able to use to express His glory because he was committed to serving God in whatever circumstances he found himself. One big test for Joseph came in the form of his Egyptian master, Potiphar’s wife. Joseph was handsome and Potiphar’s wife was attracted to him. In Genesis 39:7, she tried to lure him into committing adultery, but Joseph refused out of honor for his master and obedience to God. Later, when she grabbed his robe and tried to tempt him again, Joseph didn’t say, “Oh, you’ve got me by my robe, I guess I have to give in now.” Nope. He wasted no time in leaving behind what may have been one of his only earthly possessions as he fled from Potiphar’s wife. God blessed him for his wise decisions, taking him from being a humble shepherd and eventually making him a ruler over Egypt. He used him not only to save all of Egypt during a terrible 7-year famine, but also Israel, including the very brothers who had sold him into slavery over jealousy, years before.

Eric: Notice that Joseph left his robe in the hands of Potiphar’s wife. He dropped his prized possession and fled immorality. We should embrace that attitude, as well. 1 Corinthians 6:18 says, “Flee immorality. Every other sin that a man commits is outside the body, but the immoral man sins against his own body.”

Those willing to trust in God – David

Tai: David trusted God with all of his heart and was willing to attempt great things for Him. When he was just a young man, he stood before a giant whom no one else in the Israelites’ army seemed willing to fight. With just a sling, five stones, and God’s help, the fierce Giant was slain by this small shepherd boy. As he grew older, he trusted God to help him overcome many armies larger than his own. He also let Saul, who had been searching to unjustly kill him for quite a while, escape when he could have killed Saul himself more than once. He believed God’s justice was better than his own. God blessed him and set him as king over Israel. God said of him, “I have found in David the son of Jesse a man after my heart, who will do all my will” (1 Samuel 13:13-14, Acts 13:22). David was ready to do anything that the Lord sent him to do and the Lord was pleased. He was faithful with the small things and the Lord gave him larger and larger things, as he continued to be faithful.

Eric: David had amazing faith. Do you wonder why he picked up five stones? Was it because he was afraid he would miss? Goliath actually had four brothers and David’s faith was so great that he was going to take out all the brothers with just his sling (2 Samuel 21:15-22)!

Those willing to seek first thing first – Solomon

Tai: First Kings 3:7-9 says, “And now, O Lord my God, you have made your servant king in place of David my father, although I am but a little child. I do not know how to go out or come in. And your servant is in the midst of your people whom you have chosen, a great people, too many to be numbered or counted for multitude. Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, that I may discern between good and evil, for who is able to govern this, your great people?”

Now that's what I call humility – and it was spoken by one of Israel’s greatest (and wisest) kings! Solomon realized his human weakness, and the lack of ability to judge the land correctly on his own. He wasted no time in going right to the top in his search for wisdom. Because of his humility, God not only gave him wisdom, but added to it both riches and honor.

Eric: Solomon had an extremely hard choice to make. From the hand of God, he could ask for anything – money, happiness, honor or power – he could have asked for any one of a thousand earthly things (1 Kings 3:5). Instead, he decided to take wisdom. Because of his decision he was the wisest king in the history of Israel. Proverbs 1:7 says, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge.” Solomon feared the Lord first and then God gave him wisdom.

Those willing to seek the lord with humility – Josiah

Tai: Josiah was only eight years old when he began to reign in Jerusalem. He found favor in God’s sight, and walked in His ways. When he was 16 he began to seek God. When he was 20, he instituted religious reform in Judah and tore down the places of worship to false gods. When he was 26 he repaired the temple, restored the people’s worship of the true God, and kept the Passover. He was committed to seeing the name of God lifted above all other things, and his obedience to God’s standards was reflected in the whole land of Judah.

Eric: Josiah was one of Israel’s youngest kings, devoting his life to God from his youth. Jonathan Edwards felt that devoting these very young, tender years to the Lord’s service is “a peculiar honor to God.” He said, “Boys who are pious early, dedicate the flower of their lives to God.”

While Josiah was king he destroyed the high places of Asherim. He tore down the altars of Baals, chopped up the incense altars above the Baals, and broke the carved and molten images into pieces and ground to powder. He scattered the ground powder on the graves of those who had sacrificed to the false gods and then burned the bones of the priests on their altars. Josiah was so devoted to God that he didn’t care about what the people wanted to do. He cared about what God wanted them to do.

Those willing to boldly do God’s will – Jeremiah

Tai: “Ah, Lord God! Behold, I do not know how to speak, for I am only a youth.” How many times have we said or thought the same thing to ourselves? “I can’t talk to that person about God, I’m just a kid!” That was Jeremiah’s initial response to learning that God had appointed him to be a prophet “to the nations.” But God replied with this remark: “Do not say, ‘I am only a youth;’ for to all to whom I send you, you shall go, and whatever I command you, you shall speak. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you, declares the Lord.” (Jer. 1:7-8) God has called us to share his glory with the world, and he will give us the words to speak. We just have to GO and boldly do God’s will.

Eric: Jeremiah was just a youth when God chose to use him. Even though Jeremiah was slightly like Moses (in the sense that they both were afraid to speak for God), He still chose to use him. The reason was because there are no limitations with God. If he could take a rock and make it speak, then he can take a youth and use him (or her) convey His message.

Those willing to be true to their convictions – Daniel

Tai: Daniel was just a youth when he was taken into Babylonian captivity. But even then, at the very beginning of his imprisonment, he stood firm in his convictions not to eat or drink any of the king’s food or wine. God blessed him greatly for that. (Daniel 1:8) Later, he was willing to stand up for the one true God, despite the huge threat of being thrown into a fiery furnace if he would not bow down to an idol. He did not bow and consequently he was thrown into the furnace, as promised, along with his three friends. But God protected them there, and they came out unharmed (not even a single hair of their heads was singed). (Daniel 3:27) Daniel stood firm in his convictions, never wavering, and God was glorified through his faith.

Eric: Daniel had strong convictions. After refusing to eat the king's food, being thrown into a fiery furnace, and tossed into a den of lions, he was still in one piece. God told him, “Do not be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to them.” (Daniel 10:10 -12).

Those willing to humbly submit to God’s will – Mary

Tai: Mary was a young woman of no social standing, with no outstanding qualities – except for her humility. And because of this, she found favor in the eyes of God (Luke 1:30) and was chosen out of all the women on earth to bear the Son of God. When the angel of the Lord told her that she would be the one to bear Jesus, something that she knew could have a terrible effect on her reputation, she said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” She wholeheartedly submitted to God’s will. Oh, that we all would be so humbly submitted.

Eric: I always find amazing that Mary was able to submit to God’s will for her life. Look at the scandal that could have followed her. She knew from the moment the Angel appeared to her that she could be stoned to death, and yet she made the decision to surrender her life to God’s service, anyway. Do we have that kind of courage today?

Those willing to be an example to others - Paul instructing Timothy

Tai: “Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.” Timothy was a young disciple, whom Paul chose to accompany him (Acts 16:1-3), and for whom he became a spiritual mentor. In the verse above, Paul was writing to Timothy to encourage him to be an example for the other believers in Ephesus, where Timothy was serving. It isn’t always easy, but as Christians, we are called to be examples of Jesus and His glory. “In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven”(Matthew 5:16).

Eric: Timothy was a young man who Paul befriended in Lystra around 49AD. Most of Paul’s letters were addressed in some way to Timothy. In fact, only three letters make no mention of him (Ephesians, Titus and Gelatins). Timothy 4:12 says, “Let no one look down on your for your youth.” Not only does this means “young” it means "a new believer" too!

The Greek word “youthfulness” is the word Neotes, meaning “young” and “youth.” This word is derived from "ananeoo" which means "to renew, to make young, to be renewed insofar as spiritual vitality is concerned." Youthfulness is also derived from the word "Neophutos" which means "Newly Planted." This would make a lot of sense as Paul would be saying, "Don't let anyone look down on you for being a new Christian" in addition to "Don't let anyone look down on you for being youthful." Timothy may have been a “newer” Christian when the book of Timothy was written, and when Paul told him to “set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.”

Making Change – Teens Today

I find it amazing that some people think most young people aren’t old enough to have a ministry. Who are we to tell God, whom He can and cannot use? God didn’t just use young people in the Bible; He is using them all over the world today.

What Can God Do With You?

Jeremiah said, “I am but a youth.” And God’s reply was stunning. “Do not say, ‘I am a youth’ because everywhere I send you, you shall go, and all that I command you, you shall speak!” God was not telling Jeremiah that it was an option to serve Him; He was commanding him to serve Him and not to take his youth into account. God basically said, “Don’t use that terminology in my presence, young man!”

This whole topic really comes down to a question. What will you allow God to do with you? If you have the mentality that God cannot use you, He will not use you. If you have a teachable spirit and believe that “everything is possible with God,” He will use you. The Great Commission doesn’t say, “All adults go make disciples of all nations.” Jesus did say, "Go, therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." (Matthew 28:16-20)

The Dearest Place on Earth

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"If I had never joined a church till I had found one that was perfect, I should never
have joined one at all; and the moment I did join it, if I had found one, I should have
spoiled it, for it would not have been a perfect church after I had become a member of
it. Still, imperfect as it is, it is the dearest place on earth to us." - Charles Spurgeon

Below is a speech that was given by my friend, Alex, several weeks ago when we had the great privilege of making a public commitment to our local church, after going through a 10-week course on the mission, doctrine, and beliefs of our particular church. Our pastor usually likes to have one of the new members give a testimony of how they came to feel called to the church...but this year was a little different, since Alex and I had both been going to the church for several years, being members with our families. I asked him to type up and send me basically what he shared at church, because I thought it really communicated the heart and passion we should all have for our church families.

* * *

Will Meiklejohn once asked me,

“So…Alex - what is it that you are most passionate about?”

“Well, that’s a weird question.” I replied. I then proceeded to fumble through some lame answer only to realize later that I had never really answered it. However, I think I have the answer this morning. Perhaps one of the most significant events in the history of my family was standing up here together four years ago. It is now one of my greatest joys to stand here today and personally commit to this local church body.

This church is my home. It means more to me then just a place where I go on Sundays. When I think of this church I think of the first believers in Acts; that sweetness of fellowship and sense of family is alive and well in this church.

This is a group of people seeking to be as biblical as possible - and the implications of that are amazing! We are accountable to one another, we have solid doctrine that magnifies the Glory of God, and we are marked by a pursuit of spiritual gifts. This church has also taught me how to better fulfill Gods call on my life as a single man and this has in turn taught me how to better respect and honor the young women in my life. If it were not for this church I never would have learned such a valuable lesson.

However, the most important thing that this church has taught me goes much deeper than this; it cuts to the very core of my existence. You see, the difference between now and the day when I stood weeping in my Dad’s arms in the middle of a hockey arena (at a Promise Keepers conference), is that now I understand more fully what happened on that day. That day I was regenerated. At that moment a holy God looked upon me and no longer did he see my sin, but he saw Christ’s perfect life. I stood justified by the blood of Christ. Now day-by-day, from glory to glory, I am becoming more like him. I am on my way with this church to a place where our feet should have never touched.

You see, the local Church is not only a conduit for the gospel to go forth in this community, but it is also a place where the gospel can be practically lived out in our lives. I could not commit to a church that did not celebrate this, worship God for this, and preach this every Sunday. For this reason I will invest my life and any pathetic gifting God may have given me into Sovereign Grace Church. I am a sinner marking myself among other sinners, joining my hands with them in the building of a local church for the glory of the God who sovereignly brought it into existence.

Part Five: 1 Timothy 4:12 - Purity

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1 Timothy 4:12 “Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.”

“Deliver me from attachment to things unclean, from wrong associations, from the predominance of evil passions, from the sugar of sin a well as its gall, that with self-loathing, deep contrition, earnest heart searching – I may come to thee, cast myself on thee, trust in thee, cry to thee, be delivered by thee. O God, the Eternal All, help me to know that all things are shadows, but thou art substance, all things are quicksands, but thou art mountain, all things are shifting, but thou art anchor, all things are ignorance, but thou art wisdom. If my life is to be a crucible amid burning heat, so be it, but do thou sit at the furnace mouth to watch the ore that nothing be lost.” From The Valley of Vision - Purification

“But teach me…that I fall short of the purity thou requirest, because in thinking I am holy I do not seek holiness, or, believing I am impotent, I do no more.” From The Valley of Vision – Reliance

“My thoughts are not screened from thy gaze, my secret sins blaze in the light of thy countenance.” From The Valley of Vision – New Beginning

I discussed some aspects of purity in my previous post on being an example in Love. Especially that we are to treat friends as brothers and sisters in Christ, with all purity. But what IS purity? Is it just in how we act or what we say? Well, it does include those things (not taking what is rightfully not ours yet, and thinking of what will best serve the other person rather than just following our own selfish passions), but purity is an attitude of the heart. It starts with a resolve to do all that God has commanded, and to surrender all the passions of the heart, and all of the sins – once discovered – into God’s care. It is after it has started deep within – with that resolve – that it can and will then seep out into all we do and say. It will affect our relationships, how we spend our time, and how we pray. And, as the writer of one of the prayers from The Valley of Vision above stated, God may use the crucible – fire…the difficult times – to purify us, and grow us, but if we ask him to guard the growth, so that no lesson is lost, while that which is imperfect is melted away, he will be sure to do so. When purity characterizes our lives, others will notice the difference.

“Flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart." 2 Timothy 2:22

As this verse states, as we seek to grow in purity and to live lives characterized by it, we are to do it with others who’s passions are the same as our own – who call on the Lord from a pure heart. We need friends who will be honest with us and friends whom we can trust to keep us accountable. They are a great source of growth in my life.

I would encourage you to seek out these people in your own life, and ask God to help you humbly consider whatever correction they may bring.

Again, I have written about this several times before…but why would you want to give away part of your heart or body to someone who is not your spouse? I emphatically encourage you to save all you possibly can for that one person until your wedding day. What is a heart that is torn into a hundred different pieces for a hundred different people? God can and will forgive mistakes like that, but the truth remains that your heart can never be completely the same. Would you like to receive a small piece of a torn-up heart, or one whole and beating with passion?

Save all you can, and you and whomever you marry one day, if God allows, will both rejoice – though it may be hard at times before then – it will be more than worth it.

"Be warm, but pure." - Lord Byron

Part Four: 1 Timothy 4:12 - Faith

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1 Timothy 4:12 “Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.”

“O LORD, The world is artful to entrap, approaches in fascinating guise, extends many a gilded bait, presents many a charming face. Let my faith scan every painted bauble, and escape every bewitching snare in a victory that overcomes all things. In my duties give me firmness, energy, zeal, devotion to thy cause, courage in thy name, love as a working grace, and all commensurate with my trust. Let faith stride forth in giant power, and love respond with energy in every act. I often mourn the absence of my beloved Lord whose smile makes earth paradise, whose voice is sweetest music, whose presence gives all graces strength. But by unbelief I often keep him outside my door. Let faith give entrance that he may abide with me forever.” From The Valley of Vision – Faith and the World

“I bless thee that thou hast given me the eye of faith, to see thee as Father, to know thee as covenant God, to experience thy love planted in me; for faith is the grace of union by which I spell out my entitlement to thee: faith casts my anchor upwards where I trust in thee and engage thee to be my Lord. Be pleased to live and move within me, breathing in my prayers, inhabiting my praises, speaking in my words, moving in my actions, living in my life, causing me to grow in grace. Thy bounteous goodness has helped me believe, but my faith is weak and wavering, its light dim, its steps tottering, its increase slow, its backsliding frequent; It should scale the heavens, but lies groveling in the dust. Lord, fan this divine spark into glowing flame. When faith sleeps, my heart becomes an unclean thing, the fount of every loathsome desire, the cage of unclean lusts, all fluttering to escape, the noxious tree of deadly fruit, the open wayside of earthly tares. Lord, awake faith to put forth its strength until all heaven fills my soul and all impurity is cast out.” From The Valley of Vision – Faith.

Faith. Well, I think that, over the past week or so, God has been trying to say something to me about my faith…and for the longest time, I didn’t want to hear it.

For a little while, it can seem so much easier to take things into our own control, trusting on our own strength to hold us up, and not having to rely on anyone else; not having to make ourselves vulnerable.

But trusting in our own strength to get places is like running on a treadmill. No matter how hard and fast you run, you aren’t getting anywhere too fast…in fact, when you stop, you’ll see that you’re right back where you were before and loads more exhausted.

Faith is trusting God in all things, and believing that there is a purpose behind every circumstance that baffles our finite minds, knowing that he is all-powerful, and that he will keep his promises.

Faith is still believing that God will come through, even when everything around us says otherwise.

I read the chapter in C.J. Mahaney’s book (“Humility – True Greatness”) called, “Responding Humbly to Trials”. In this chapter he points to Habakkuk as an example of someone who, in his human-ness, felt that God had forgotten him and his people…and yet, after having his eyes opened by God, set us a distinct example for where our hearts should always be in faith.

This is how the book of Habakkuk opens:

“O Lord, how long shall I cry for help, and you will not hear? Or cry to you “Violence!” and you will not save?” Habakkuk 1:2

Habakkuk here is in a pit of human despair. He has lost faith in his God, believing that, since what he would say is help and justice has not happened, God isn’t doing anything. Yet, this is how he ends the book:

“Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation. God, the Lord, is my strength; he makes my feet like the deer's; he makes me tread on my high places.” Habakkuk 3:17-19

Wow. How did he get to that place where he had complete faith in the Lord, even if all of the good things in his land failed – even to the extent that he would have no food?

As C.J. Mahaney put it:

“What a surprise! A cataclysmic change has occurred in the disposition of Habakkuk’s heart, and yet there has been absolutely no improvement in his circumstances. Nothing has changed, and yet, for Habakkuk’s heart, everything has changed. He’s no longer puffed up. Instead he’s humbly trusting God. Having been informed by God that the righteous one lives by his faith (2:4), Habakkuk has become an illustration and the personification of that truth. Faith is indeed what he’s now living by.”

To think that our way is better than God's way is most definitely pride. How can we change the attitudes of our hearts, even when our circumstances don't seem like they are going to change? How did Habakkuk do it?

First off, he talked to God. When he didn’t understand, he cried out to God, and God, in his mercy, answered him. He also waited on the Lord, and was quiet before him.

In chapter 3, Habakkuk then recounts the amazing acts of God throughout history. I firmly believe that looking back at what God has done, as we march forward in faith is a wonderful way to remind us of God’s goodness, and to strengthen our hearts in faith, believing that, “with God, all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26). When we are tempted to worry, or forget all that God has worked together for good, we should look back and praise him for where he has brought us, even though we couldn’t see at the time.

Worry, complaining, and fear are not ways to be examples of faith in God. In fact, those are all things that can make others take a few steps back and decided that they don’t want what we have.

If God is not our all-in-all, what makes us any different from anyone else of any other religion (or lack thereof) – if he is only our “sometimes-when-I-can’t-do-it-by-myself” God…well…what does that say about us, and, more importantly, what does it say about our God?

To be true examples of faith, we will have to learn to put aside our own worries and fears, stop all of our complaining (I know someone is thinking “easier said than done”…) and let our hearts be filled with love for our savior. Filled with trust in Him and his perfect plan. Filled with joy and peace and contentment, realizing that there is no better place to be than right where God wants us. And that can only happen when we let go of our pride, and let God take control.

Part Three: 1 Timothy 4:12 - Love

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1 Timothy 4:12 “Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.”

"Holiness is a spark from thy love kindled into a flame by thy Spirit, and so it ever turns to the place from which it comes. Let me see thy love everywhere, not only in the cross, but in the fellowship of believers and in the world around me. When I feel the warmth of the sun may I praise thee who art the Sun of righteousness with healing power. When I feel the tender rain may I think of the gospel showers that water my soul. When I walk by the riverside may I praise thee for that stream that makes the eternal city glad, and washes white my robes that I may have the right to the tree of life. Thy infinite love is a mystery of mysteries, and my eternal rest lies in the eternal enjoyment of it.” From The Valley of Vision – Love.

“May I grow in thy love and manifest it to mankind.” From The Valley of Vision – Christian Love.

Love comes in many different shapes and forms. In fact, the Greek has several different words for the one word we use to describe our “love” of potato chips, family, friends, husband/wife, movies etc.

Eros: (passionate love, with sensual desire and longing)

We can be an example in this kind of love by acting in purity, and treating young men like brothers, and young ladies like sisters, as Paul tells Timothy:

"Do not rebuke an older man but encourage him as you would a father, younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, younger women as sisters, in all purity." 1 Timothy 5:1-2

I think that one of the best examples that I know of a godly love in this area would have to be my friends Jesse and Jessica Aiduk. Jesse came to our church from another church to serve us by doing community outreaches (etc.) with several other young adults, including his older sister, in the summer of 2005. It was there that he met Jessica. Unfortunately for me, my family began going to that church several months after their first meeting, but I wish I could have been there, though it would not have seemed significant at the time. In fact, though, after a while, in Jesse’s heart, Jessica became significant to him, he never let on throughout their whole friendship that he was growing to love her, in an effort to guard her heart. As Jessica put it at a breakfast date she had with me, “He was my ‘student’ for over a year, and I never knew it.” And, to her, that was a blessing. He wanted nothing to get in the way of her growth in godliness, and her pursuit of Him. He also didn’t want emotions to get in the way of her other friendships, until he was sure it was the right time, and they were both ready. So they were just friends – no one thinking more of their relationship than a brother and sister. In fact, it could have stayed that way, and they would both still be glorifying God for their friendship, because wisdom was used there. But then, last year, about this time, Jesse asked Jessica (after gaining her father’s permission) to court her. And, after praying about it, Jessica said yes. Their courtship story inspired me, and I wrote this poem for them, which was read at their wedding – in July 2007 – (after I added the last verse as a surprise):

Jesse and Jessica ~ 2007
By Tai Sophia Polczynski

A little baby girl was born -
She filled her house with joy,
But little did she dream then:
That God was preparing her a baby boy.
* * *
He lived in Massachusetts,
She – many miles away…
But little did either dream then:
That God would bring them together one day.
* * *
The years seemed to rush right by;
He grew up straight and tall,
Her hair grew long – her eyes grew bright,
And, before long, they each answered God's call.
* * *
Of course they sinned and made mistakes,
But God was always there
To dry their tears and bind their wounds
And protect them in his care.
* * *
And sometimes she would wonder
If her dreams would ever come true
-and, if they would, then how? And when?
…but Jesus knew.
* * *
And sometimes he would wonder
If "she" was out there now…
And if she was – where was she?
Would he know her when he saw her? How?
* * *
Though she and he could only see
-one at a time- each small step align,
God could see all of each of their paths
And how they'd intertwine.
* * *
So they met one summer day
When he came to serve her church.
And, though they may not have known it just then,
They had both come to the end of their search.
* * *
Just friends they were for quite some time,
And golden days were those…
But then came the day, when he asked at last
And, after much prayer – she chose.
* * *
The things they couldn't understand before
Now seemed to all make sense!
God's timing had been perfect, his guidance sure,
And this pure love had sprung from their obedience.
* * *
Now exchanging rings, and vows, and love, you stand
On this day that will never come again
And, one day you'll joyfully recount, as you hold your child's hand:
"Look at what God did then!"

We can be examples in this area as we act in purity and genuine love for one another, and consider, before we do or say something if it will be serving the other person, or just our selfishness…and you may want to consider, “What if that person’s future husband/wife was sitting next to them right now?” “Love” for a person of the opposite sex can’t truly be love until it is backed up with commitment. Besides, you want someone to love your character as much - actually MORE than they love your looks.

Philia (Philos): (friendship)

" A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity." Proverbs 17:17

God has given us friends to grow us, to encourage us, to be tools of sanctification in our lives, and to remind us ever of God and his amazing grace (ok…and to have fun with, too…;).

We in turn, are to be these things for others. A true friend encourages and points out evidences of grace in others’ lives. A true friend doesn’t let other friends just wallow blindly in sin, but helps them to see where they are slipping, and reminds them that God is there to help them change. A true friend follows the leading of the Holy Spirit in interactions with fellow believers. A true friend invites correction and the input of others. A true friend strives after humility, knowing that they are sinners like the rest. A true friend seeks to serve instead of continually being served. A true friend likes to listen as much – if not more – than talking.

I realize that we will never be perfect at this whole friendship business – and many a time will come when we will mess up, blush over our words, realize how foolish our actions were etc. Time after time I’ve come home after being at a friend’s house, only now realizing how silly I must have seemed, or how foolishly I acted/spoke.

Thankfully for us, God gives us second chances. I need them.

Friends are not only those people at church or school, but they should also be those dear people whom God has sovereignly brought us into the world with, and whom we daily do life together with: Our family. Before we can be friends with others, I think we must first learn how to appreciate our very own families for who they are. My parents told me that once, years ago, and I thought it was silly. “Friends are…well…friends.” I thought, “And my family, I’m just stuck with.” Now I know that is not true. Perfect or imperfect as your family may be, God has placed you with them for a reason…and if you can’t get along with them, how can you expect to be able to Philos anyone else?

When others see the way we put others above ourselves, and seek to humbly serve, they will be drawn to the only one who is the Truest Friend.

(And one more thing…about “cliques”. You know – the people you always hang out with. Well, it is wonderful to cultivate those friendships, but don’t forget to keep a watchful eye out for those who need someone to talk to – those people not usually in your little “circles”.)

Agape: (love - unconditional love)

I don’t think any human can ever fully understand this type of love. It is the love that made Jesus Christ come to earth as a man, and, taking all of our sins on himself, dying a sinner’s death, though he was perfect.

It is the love that looks on us – filthy, ragged, desperately wicked sinners – and sees us in clean linen, covered by the blood of The Lamb.

We can be an example to others as we marvel at this love, which we cannot ever fully attain apart from God’s grace, and as we marvel, we share it with those around us.

"For God SO LOVED the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16

It can be, in some small way, manifested in parent’s love for their children – a love that would scale mountains and cross oceans for them - , and also in the love of such heroes of the faith as Adoniram Judson, Mary Slessor, Jim Elliot and others.

It could be a glimpse into this kind of love that made the men on the “unsinkable” Titanic stay aboard the ship as it indeed did sink on April 14, 1912, letting the women escape to safety in the insufficient number of lifeboats - one of the greatest acts of chivalry we have seen…and one of the last.

"Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends." John 15:13

May we be examples of the power of Christ's unconditional love to the world.

Part Two: 1 Timothy 4:12 - Conduct

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1 Timothy 4:12 “Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.”

“Give me such deadness to the world, such love to the Saviour, such attachment to his house, such devotedness to his service, as proves me a subject of his salvation. May every part of my character and conduct make a serious and amiable impression on others, and impel them to ask the way to the master.” From The Valley of Vision; Confidence.

Conduct means “manner of life”. It is the way we do everything from serving our church to making our bed. It means what we do when no one is looking. It means what we do when someone is annoying us, or when something doesn’t go how we planned, or when we go through the sometimes-mundane “daily grind”. It includes our little quirks and habits, and what we do for entertainment.

“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.” Colossians 3:23

“So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” 1 Corinthians 10:31

Often the way we live our lives can be as much – if not more – of a witness to God’s glory as our words. By the way that we talk and the things that we do, we can, at any moment, be impacting someone’s life. Will we be pointing to God, or showing that we really aren’t all that different from all of the lost souls out there?

Of course, on our own, we can never accomplish all of this. We need to lean on God, and ask for his Spirit to work in and through us. Even then, we are still inherently sinful, and definitely human. There will be times we will fail, but we need to ask for God’s forgiveness (and anyone else we may have hurt) and get back up again.

I saw a quote on a friend’s wall that said something like, “Live in such a way that if anyone were to speak badly of you, no one would believe it.”

I double-doggy-dare you.

Part One: 1 Timothy 4:12 - Speech

2008-02-04T14:45:00.001-08:00

1 Timothy 4:12 “Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.”

“Give me a deeper trust, that I may lose myself to find myself in Thee, the ground of my rest, the spring of my being. Give me a deeper knowledge of Thyself as saviour, master, lord, and king. Give me deeper power in private prayer, more sweetness in Thy Word, more steadfast grip on its truth. Give me deeper holiness in speech, thought, action, and let me not seek moral virtue apart from Thee.” From The Valley of Vision; The Deeps.

As Andrew Farmer (pastor from Covenant Fellowship Church) says, “Our speech has an amazing ability to reveal our hearts; it is the loud-speaker of our lives. It broadcasts who we are – for better or worse – far beyond our ability to control it. Our speech can alienate people or get us in a heap of trouble without our even knowing it.”

James 3:3-12 says, “If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well. Look at the ships also: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell. For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so. Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and salt water? Can a fig tree, my brothers, bear olives, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a salt pond yield fresh water.”

We can see from these verses and many others, that our speech is very powerful, and very likely to get out of control very fast. We are all sinners, and since we all have sin in our hearts, and our mouths reflect what is deep inside, the inevitable is bound to happen: we say something unkind, gossipy, judgmental, rude, or just plain foolish. As Andrew Farmer said, we are bound to hurt people by what we say without even knowing it. We are walking balls of fire. Our tongues are more deadly than a King Cobra. We must realize all of the damage that we can do with our tongues that can never be undone, before we can be fully aware of our need for grace. There is no way we could ever go about putting out all of the fires we are bound to start with our mouths on our own. There is no way we can put a bridle on that wriggling, restless, unstoppable thing we call “The Tongue”. We would be lost; trapped in a burning forest of our own making, trampled by that unruly beast of a tongue…but God.

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.” Matthew 5:6

“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” Matthew 7:7

Cry out to Jesus daily and ask him to help you to guard your tongue. Immerse yourself in His word, so that your heart sings of his love, instead of rotting with your disease of sin. Ask the Holy Spirit to fill you and to use your words to bless and build up instead of tear down. Never stop keeping watch over your heart and you mouth – for a nice, controlled fire can quickly get out of control and become a destructive blaze. And…think before you speak.

With so much evil that can come of our spoken words, one could get frightened and want to hide from conversations since you never know when you may say something you wish you hadn’t. However, there is SO much good that your words can do in this world when God becomes the master and the Holy Spirit becomes the bridle. An encouraging word spoken in season can strengthen a person to do all that God has called them to do, it may dissolve doubts, confirm convictions, and cause a greater love and passion for God to grow in them. A word of correction spoken in love can save a person’s foot from swerving from the Path and guard their souls from Hell. A kind word spoken when a harsh one would have been easier to say can cause heads to turn in wonder and cause curiosity to grown in them as to what secret you have that allows you to speak with gentleness. In these ways, and many others, you can be an example for others in your speech.

Coming Soon

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Coming soon to a blog near you: A short series of posts on 1 Timothy 4:12. Check back very soon.

~Lady Tai

Trust

2008-01-19T14:43:00.000-08:00

Last night, at a "care-group" meeting, the subject of sanctification was discussed. (Sanctification is the ongoing process of God molding us to be more like him.) In that discussion we brought up our need to pursue Biblical fellowship with other believers, to encourage one another and challenge one another in growth.
But to have meaningful Biblical fellowship, we must have trust...and this is where my post comes in. It just so happens that the second journal entry I made this year was all about trust, and I decided that I would give you a peek into the pages of my journal (which, in the past have often not been so thoughtful).
Feel privileged? You should.
FYI: I don't always finish off my thoughts in my journal entries (*cough*), but these are some things to ponder...

"Trust. What is trust, and how does/should it show itself in our lives?
The other night we watched a movie which was done of Charles Dickens' story "Our Mutual Friend". One of the main threads of the story was trust. That included a young lady's trust in her father, despite the fact that some people accused him of being a murderer; and also another young lady's trust in her newly-wed husband, even though she didn't know all the details of several (false) accusations against him etc.
I think that kind of trust is inspiring; being so sure of another person's integrity that you would stand true in your opinion of them, even when others waver.
Granted, there won't be tons of people you would trust that much...but I think it is important to know your friends/family, know who has integrity and who is trustworthy, and be willing to stick by them no matter what.
Trust includes surrendering the little doubts that may enter your mind - in fact, refusing to listen to them at all - and having faith that the other person will not fail you.
People, however ARE sinners, and we must be able to forgive even the person we may think is the most trustworthy, if they fall.
Trust s basically complete vulnerability before someone; putting in their hands the power to dash us to the earth, but believing with all of our hearts that they won't.
A person's trust is a sacred sort of thing though - but how simple we can be as we recklessly bestow our trust on things/people unworthy of it!
Think of all the things we daily put our trust in: Our beds, our chairs, our houses, our cars, our groceries, our co-workers, our own bodies...
Why is it so easy for us to trust so many things - to put our very lives in the balance daily, and yet, it is so difficult for us to trust God?
Why do we worry so much about so many little things that God has already promised that he would take care of for us?
Hmmm...the strange ways of the human mind.
We trust pathetic, finite things - as long as we can see them, or they can be proven...but we struggle so much to completely surrender to the only one who wholly cares for us, and who really has all under his command. The only one who is completely trustworthy, and worth becoming vulnerable to.
Oh God, help me to trust you more."

Hooked on Huckabee

2008-01-12T12:03:00.000-08:00

Here are some clips from Mike Huckabee's speeches during various events this past year. I put this out there in hopes that one of the following may be true:
1.) That you would register to vote if you are the right age and have not yet.
2.) That your palette would be whetted, and you would continue to research Mike Huckabee, realizing that no human is perfect, but that Mr. Huckabee would make an excellent leader for our nation.
3.) That, even if you are supporting another candidate right now, you would take the time to consider what Mr. Huckabee is saying.
4.) If you have not looked into the candidates for the 2008 presidency thus far, that you would get out there and start!

May truth and right prevail!

~Lady Tai

Lessons From The Christmas Tree

2007-12-12T15:40:00.001-08:00

The Alpha and Omega - beginning and end, first and last, creator, savior, king. This little ornament has been on our Christmas tree every year ever since I can remember. It has always been the most significant, and my parents are the only ones who ever put it on the tree. Why? Well, mostly just tradition, but it is our most special ornament. Here are some of the things it represents:

The "A" and "O" stand for Jesus being the Alpha and the Omega. He was before anything else was ever made, and he will always be, for eternity. He is the Great Mystery. He should be first, last and everything in-between in our hearts.

Jesus died for our sins. Do you see the cross in the ornament? He was condemed to die, though he was innocent of every charge - and he did it for you and I. He took every sin we have ever committed, and every sin we will ever commit and bore them on the cross, so that we could be completely forgiven. Never once did he say "It's not mine!" - even when God turned his face away.

Jesus is our shepherd, and we are his sheep. Can you see the shepherd's staff represented here? (Psalm 23) Jesus guides our steps like a good shepherd, he provides for our needs, he protects us, and he refreshes our spirits when we feel weak. When we really know our shepherd, his is the only voice we respond to.

Jesus is the Pearl of Great Price - hence why the ornament is made of pearls. (Matthew 13:45-46, "'Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, 46 who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it.'") There are many things that appear to be pearls in this world, but when someone finds the Pearl of Great Price, he/she is ready - even eager - to sell all they have to obtain it. Likewise, we must be willing to give up everything for the sake of Christ. He is more than worth it. He is EVERYTHING.

Merry CHRISTmas!

~Lady Tai

Thanks-giving

2007-11-18T17:28:00.000-08:00

"Happy Thanksgiving!"
"Yeah, you too."
"What are you doing for thanksgiving this year?"
"Oh, eating some pumpkin pie...hanging out with relatives...you know, the usual."
"Neat. Well...see you around."

Hmmm...how often have we had conversations like the above example? It seems like "Thanksgiving" just rolls off of our tongues without a second thought. Thanksgiving is not about fat turkeys or pumpkin pie. It is about celebrating the sovereign hand of God which protected the pilgrims, as they began life in this New World. We should also remember with thankfulness all that God has done in our lives thus far. But "Thanksgiving" is not the only time we should give thanks to God.

Psalm 50:14
"Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving,
and perform your vows to the Most High."

1 Corinthians 1:4
"I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that was given you in Christ Jesus,"

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
"Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."

We should be giving thanks ALWAYS - in ALL circumstances. And do you notice what Psalm 50:14 says? It says "a sacrifice of thanksgiving". What does that mean to us? Well, what is a sacrifice? It is surrendering something that is important to us. That verse seems to imply that we will not always feel like giving thanks - in fact, sometimes it may be downright hard. But God blesses those who do give a sacrifice of thanksgiving. First Thessalonians also says that we are to give thanks in all circumstances. Think God is trying to tell us something here?

Psalm 50:23
"The one who offers thanksgiving as his sacrifice glorifies me;
to one who orders his way rightly
I will show the salvation of God!"

It may seem a whole lot easier to complain or grumble or shake your fist sometimes, but God is in control, even when things seem like they are going haywire. More than likely he is testing us, to see what our response will be (see Job)...but no matter what happens, he is more than worthy of our adoration and thanks.

Do others think of you as thankful? Start cultivating an attitude of thankfulness to God today.

~Lady Tai

Blogging With A Purpose Award!

2007-11-12T06:29:00.000-08:00

"Blogging with a Purpose - 2nd Award Post

November 11th, 2007

Who I am Awarding

Tai ~ Maiden of Honor

I’ve only know Tai for around two months, but I’ve visited her blog quite a bit. The reason I keep coming back is because she really does blog from her heart. Tai is a strong Christian and you can really tell it from her writing. Almost all of her entries are on a spiritual subject. Her site Maiden of Honor is a really great blog to visit. She is blogging with a purpose."

Well, I was pleasantly surprised today to have received a comment on my blog from Eric Novac (founder of the Blogging With A Purpose Award) letting me know that he had decided to give me said award! I was blessed...especially at this time when I had been considering possibly shutting down my blogs, because it seemed that no one ever visited them any more. I guess you never REALLY know who you may be reaching when you blog...and that was definitely and encouragement for me to press on.
Plus now I get to display the award on my blogs! Yippee!
;)
Here is the original post.
Thank-you!

~Lady Tai

Living Like The Moon

2007-11-12T06:00:00.000-08:00

You Are The Sun
Sarah Groves

You are the sun shining down on everyone
Light of the world giving light to everything I see
Beauty so brilliant I can hardly take it in
And everywhere you are is warmth and light

And I am the moon with no light of my own
Still you have made me to shine
And as I glow in this cold dark night
I know I can't be a light unless I turn my face to you

Shine on me with your light
Without you I'm a cold dark stone
Shine on me I have no light of my own
You are the sun, you are the sun, you are the sun
And I am the moon

I was reflecting (pun intended) on the characteristics of the moon the other day, and the song above came rolling into my mind. It's easy to hear words to a song, and even sing along without really paying attention. I know - I do it all of the time. But as I looked at the moon, and hummed the song, I was amazed once again at how God was speaking to me through his creation (which brought to mind another song...but I'll save that for another time)! He was reminding me again that, without him - I am nothing. Without HIS light causing me to shine, I would be just another cold, dark stone. I can start thinking "Oh, look at me shining in this dark world!" Buuuttt...it's not really me shining, is it? Without God, I would really and truly be nothing, but it is HIS GRACE that shines on me, when I look to him as my source of life, hope, and my EVERYTHING...my all-in-all! I want it to be no other way: when others look at me, what they are really seeing is a reflection of God. And we could never truly see even during the day unless Jesus is lighting up our ways. May the trials of this world never eclipse the power of his amazing grace in my life.

Until next time,
~Lady Tai

P.S. I am sorry that I keep having a lull in updating, BUT blogger.com keeps having some issues, and when that happens, it will not allow me to even log into my account, let alone make a post. Alas.
;)

In Celebration

2007-10-24T14:53:00.000-07:00

NOTE: I am sorry for not posting again sooner, but blogspot was not letting me access my blog for QUITE a while. It seems like they may have fixed the problem now! Yay! Keep checking back for more soon.
~LT

"If a man is called to be a streetsweeper, he should sweep streets even as Michelangelo painted, or Beethoven composed music, or Shakespeare wrote poetry. He should sweep streets so well that all the hosts of heaven and earth will pause to say, 'here lived a great streetsweeper who did his job well'. "
Martin Luther King, Jr.

I was looking for a good quote about writing. This was not what I had in mind at first, but when I read it, I liked it...alot!
This post is in celebration of my finishing seven chapters of my book...and, actually, this is a very encouraging and appropriate quote.
Even if no one ever reads my book, if it never gets published...I can at least write it with the best of my ability, to touch lives and to glorify God.
Oh my...I wasn't planning to write an in-depth post...but I feel one coming on, so bear with me!

Colossians 3:17
"And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."

Philippians 2:14-15
"Do all things without grumbling or questioning, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world."

I should love to write a story about such a street sweeper as Martin Luther King Jr. mentioned...to see where the typing away of my fingers would take him. Perhaps I shall include such a noble sweeper in my book...hmmm...
Really, though, the lesson of that quote and of the verses above is to do EVERYTHING as if we were doing it for God...because, really, we are! Whether writing, or mopping the floor, or mowing the lawn, or just being faithful in the seemingly small and ordinary tasks of our lives...we must remember to do it all for God's glory, and to be a light in the universe, whether anyone sees us or not.
I have a quote in my room which says, "See Jesus in everything, and in everything you will find blessing." I have found that to be true. When we stop worrying about how we feel, or how we think someone else should be treating us, and simply focus on serving Jesus with the tasks he has given us, it is wonderful...and he will bless our faithfulness.

Sooo...in celebration of finishing the seventh chapter, here is a portion of it...copyright of course by me - though if anyone wants to try to duplicate the previous 6 chapters going only on this...feel free to try! JUST KIDDING!

A portion of Chapter 7:
by Tai Sophia Polczynski

Conan came to a place in the path where it divided into two separate roads. They seemed to run somewhat parallel to each other for a while, but by squinting, it seemed that he could make out that one gradually curved to the left, and one quickly cut to the right some ways ahead. He had no idea which road he should take, and wondered why the others had not caught up to him yet, so that they could discuss it together. (Since he had gone into the forest first, he did not know about the odd things that were happening to the others on the path behind him.) He thought that, perhaps, he could travel down one a little ways, and if it did not please him, why, he could always come back and take the other.
Perhaps...but what if that way led on to another, and he could not get back? He remembered the parchment-book that they had been given, and reached for it in his saddle bags. He drew it out and flipped through the bits of maps and accounts of previous travelers. He skimmed some of the accounts, but each seemed to have a different story of what they encountered. How could this help him? He began to close the book when his eyes caught on a part of a sentence: "...Many have taken the road that gently curves." Of course, by the time this struck him as meaningful, he had already closed the book, and could not seem to find that exact page again. However, this seemed like a sign of sorts to him, and he decided to go ahead and take the road that gently curved to the left. If many have taken it, he thought, then it must be a good road. However, he had forgotten that many of the people who had ventured into this forest had never been seen again.

Sir Torrin was really not so very far behind Conan, but even so, when he had come to the divide in the road, it was beginning to get even darker than it had been before, and Sir Torrin assumed that the sun must be setting. He thought of the parchment-book, but it was growing too dark to read, and he did not want to delay a moment, or rely on a silly book...so, he chose a path from instinct, and coincidentally, it was the same path which Conan had chosen; the one which curved to the left...although he had been given not two but three different roads to choose from - one of which ran straight ahead.

By the time Leith came to the split in the road, his way was lit only by a little white moonlight, which somehow managed to sneak through the thick canopy of branches and leaves above him. He pulled his horse to a stand-still, and gazed to the left and to the right. He decided that he could never make the choice of which road to take without seeing what the parchment-book had to say first, so he tied his horse, and laid down on the hard ground with only his cloak to cover him, for the long night which followed.

As for Sonas, well...he was nowhere near the split in the road at the time that darkness fell, and couldn't see himself sleeping at this point in the journey...not yet. So, he continued on down the road, letting his horse choose its own pace, keeping alert and ready to defend himself at every rustle and cracking twig.
On and on through the chilly night he kept on. It seemed like only a few hours to him, though, before the light began to get stronger - not very noticeable at first, but increasing more and more. It was a relief for him to be able to see the path again, after the deep darkness of the night...and as the greenish light filtered through the leaves, he saw a small, irregular mound in the distance...and a horse nearby. He was immediately suspicious, and grasped his sword's hilt...but as he drew nearer he recognized the horse. It was Leith's horse, and Leith, aroused by the hoofbeats of Sonas' horse, was now sitting up, and gave a wide smile as he recognized Sonas.
"Sonas! I can't begin to tell you how glad I am to see you! I was beginning to think I would have to go it alone."
"As was I. It was a long and lonesome night I spent, for sure. Why ever did you and Sir Torrin disappear so rapidly?"
"It seems that this path has something of a mind of it's own...though I am not sure if it is working for this quest or against it. It seems that we could all be walking at the same pace, and yet, one person would end up far, far ahead of another, and one would end up far behind. I was not able to keep pace with Sir Torrin's horse while it was walking, unless my horse was at a full gallop!"
"It would almost seem like an unfair advantage."
"It would but I have a feeling that it is really about the same in the end."
"And what of this divide in the road? Which of the roads are we to take?"
"I do not yet know, but I plan to look in my parchment-book to see if I might find some guidance there...but first, breakfast!"
So, Leith and Sonas split up and looked for anything edible which was not too far from the path. Sonas found a little woodland spring, which one would have missed had it been dark, and he filled up their water jugs with the clear, cool water. He also found some wild blueberries, which he carried back to the road in his hat.
Leith had succeeded in slaying a squirrel, and had already cleaned it by the time Sonas returned.
"See here," Leith began, "I have this squirrel, which is better than nothing...but I have never been much good at starting fires..."
"Ah, I see. The man who can do everything must at last admit defeat. I am only joking. Let me see what I can do."
In ten minutes or so, they had a beautifully blazing fire, and Sonas had even rigged up a little spit for the squirrel to cook on. Leith shook his head in amazement as he and Sonas enjoyed the wild blueberries while they waited.
After breakfast, Leith pulled out his parchment book and opened it. His eyes widened as he began reading, and looking at the fragments of maps and drawings.
"There is so much in here!" he exclaimed, "But it's not laid out from things at the beginning of the path to the end...it's just all mixed in random-seeming order together. How will we ever find what we are looking for in all of this?"
"Let me get my copy out too. I will start at the back and work my way forward - that way there will be two sets of eyes on duty, instead of just one."
"My, my! I should have looked at this book before I even began down this path. I don't know why it didn't enter my head to do so! Here is a part about the road being different for each person...oh!" Leith stopped, as his eyes lighted on a paragraph.
"I think," he excitedly began, "I have found something referring to where we are now! The man who wrote this is talking about how one person can suddenly get far ahead of the other on this road - like we experienced - until the divide in the road. If we set out on the right path, that will no longer occur. He says, 'Some people see two paths, and others see three, and I cannot yet explain why. Many have taken the road that gently curves,'" Leith flipped the page and then continued, "' but that is a treacherous path, full of jagged rocks and sheer cliffs. That road is nearly twice as long as it need be, though it eventually intersects the right road again. Some take the straight road - they that can see it - because it looks easily traveled, but it is full of quicksand which, if one is not careful, can be their end, and suck them in - never to let go. It is the path to the right that is the safest route - though none is ever truly safe in this wood. I cannot say what you will meet along the way, for it changes according to he that travels it, but I can guarantee a safe path for your feet, at least. There will be hills and stones to be sure. It is not easy, but it is firm. You will find that your pace returns to normal once you have set out on this road. Beware and do not take any road just for the thrill of it, for you will find that you will not be able to return to the divide in the road once you have set out down one way, however long you may try to ride back. Very few have ever gotten back and been able to choose another path...very few indeed.' And that is all he has written for this section...there's a little sketch of the roads here, with arrows pointing down the road to the right. How many roads do you see, Sonas?"
"Three, of course...and you?"
"How odd...it is true what he wrote then...for I only see two."
"I wonder where the straight looking road leads. He never said."
"That, my friend, is probably because no one has ever survived on it long enough to find out. Oh! I do hope Sir Torrin and Conan haven't taken that road."
"Why not? That would be fine with me."
Leith stared long and hard at Sonas before replying,
"I have never heard you say something so un-dignified before now!"
Sonas looked a bit abashed, and taken aback. Then, it seemed, he realized how selfish what he had said must have sounded and hung his head.
"Forgive me, Leith. I don't know why I have even attempted this contest. I would make a terrible king, and anyone can see that you are the most worthy of us all to become one."
"Oh, do stop! Don't begin to sulk. Take a correction like a man. I am far from being a worthy king - in fact, I almost forfeited my place in this contest...but my only hope is to somehow perhaps win back Breenna, if I can - for she was one of the three chosen to stand at the end of the contest and perhaps be chosen to become the next queen. I could not bear to see that happen, without having tried to reclaim her. I am immature and selfish and proud, just like the next man...but my father taught me, when I was little, to take correction and to learn from it, instead of pouting or putting up walls. That was one of the most valuable lessons he taught me while he was still living."
"I am sorry, Leith. I guess I am proud and selfish...and immature too. I will try to learn and change."
"Try as you will, Sonas, you will never accomplish that by your own power. Only God can truly change a man...or woman. Sonas...I care about you. I care what happens in your heart."
Sonas sighed, and said,
"Well...shall we take the road to the right then?"
"I suppose so, if you are ready to go on." Leith replied.
"Yes....I am."
So, they loaded their saddle bags once again, adding some blueberries and squirrel meat wrapped in leaves to the cargo, and mounted their horses. Then they nudged them onto the path which would carry them on...to where, they did not know.

~Lady Tai

The Race

2007-10-03T14:12:00.000-07:00

Today the Mansfield cross-country team raced Wellsboro - the team who came in 2nd at the last PA invitational tournament. Cassie came out to see Ben run! It was quite the race, but Mansfield did well despite the odds...and despite the fact that the first three places were given to Wellsboro. Ben came in at 21:53 and 4th place for his team, breaking his previous home track record.
Go Ben!

Here are some photos:

Ready...set...

Go! And they're off! Can you find Ben's head?

Coming around on the first lap.

Upon the dike...like the wind...

The finish line is in sight.

He wouldn't LOOK at the camera. Alas.

Well, my friends...I hope this post has inspired you to greater vision.
;)

Farewell.

~Lady Tai

What is Beauty?

2007-09-25T09:57:00.000-07:00

The photo above I edited in Photoshop, to show how false "beauty" can be these days. The left side is unedited, while on the right side, she was made up to be "pretty". The power of Photoshop.

In today's culture, the definition of beauty is sadly maimed. The TV's shout to us that true beauty means getting men to lust after you. The billboards say that true beauty means not having a single blemish on your face. So...what is true beauty?

"As a lily among brambles, so is my love among the young women." Song of Solomon 2:2

True beauty includes being willing to stand out as "different" from the culture...and in so doing, people will begin to see your beauty as it stands out against the gnarled and prickly brambles of this world, which are talked up to be ultimate beauty. Hmmm...perhaps - if you want to get stabbed.
So, what can we ask God to do in us, so that we become a beautiful lily among brambles?

We must fear the Lord.

"Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised." Proverbs 31:30

Fearing the Lord does not mean being afraid of him; coming into his presence like a dog with it's tail between its legs. To me, it means being in awe of who he is, loving him with all of our hearts, wanting to grow closer to him...to be in his presence, and being willing to do anything for him.
In the last days, when God's fire burns away all that is worthless, beauty will be found as vain, and charm (as this world knows it) as deceitful.

"For the sun rises with its scorching heat and withers the grass; it's flower falls, and its beauty perishes." James 1:11a

We are called to adorn our hearts with a gentle and quiet spirit - which is imperishable beauty. It will last through the fire, and come out as being worth more than gold.

But let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious." 1 Peter 3:4

Ultimately it doesn't matter what humans think, as long as God is pleased. What is a gentle and quiet spirit? Well, what is the opposite of a gentle and quiet spirit? One that is rough, rude, unsettled, loud...one that is not willing to trust God, one that shouts for attention, one that does not respect parents, one that flirts or teases at others' expense etc. Therefore, a quiet spirit includes trusting fully in God, not needing to be the center of attention - but even working to promote others and lift them up higher than yourself, loving and respecting parents...even if it doesn't make sense at the time, being kind and careful of what comes out of your mouth etc.

We must be willing and eager to spread the good news of the gospel.

"How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who publishes peace, who brings good news of happiness, who publishes salvation, who says to Zion, 'Your God reigns.'" Isaiah 52:7

Think of it - you can have beautiful feet! Trust me, it is better to have beautiful feet in God's eyes, than a beautiful nose in the world's eyes.
I know many who may read this are homeschooled, and you may think you don't have many opportunities to share the Good News...but keep your eyes open. Ask God for opportunities, and then embrace them when they come. There are so many people all around us who need to hear of God's saving grace.

"People are like stained glass windows: they sparkle and shine when the sun is out, but when the darkness sets in, their true beauty is revealed only if there is a light within." - Elizabeth Kubler-Ross

I'm not exactly sure who "Elizabeth" is, but her quote rings very true. When life is going well, and sun shines in a blue sky, anyone can seem to sparkle...but what about the night? When the light is gone, and things are cold and uncertain...perhaps even troubling, our true beauty will only be revealed if Jesus is a light within our hearts. If we are content in him, and willing to let him shine...then is the trues beauty revealed - in the night. It is a beautiful thing to see someone who is so trusting on God, and who has their mind on things above, more than earthly treasures, when they go through a tough season...it is like they radiate peace and joy and beauty.
We can never have true beauty unless Jesus is the light in our hearts. We will only be superficial, until we have asked him to shine through us.

Now, let me just mention here that there is an element of physical beauty that God has given to all women, to delight their husbands someday (not to delight every young man who walks past you on the street). We must guard this beauty for only our husbands. No, we aren't to dress in sackcloth and ashes, but modesty is a key: dressing with thoughtfulness and care for our brothers in Christ.
And, yes, I did say that God has gifted all women with physical beauty of one sort or another....but not all of us are flowers. Some women are beautiful like a river, or a tree, or a sunrise, or a mountain. Perhaps you don't feel beautiful...but perhaps that is because you have been comparing yourself with a flower. Comparing...and envy are two things that we girls often struggle with, but would do well to put aside. God has made us all different, but he loves us all with the same, passionate love.
A flower is pretty to look at, it has a beautiful fragrance, and it gives joy to the heart...but what if the entire world was made up of flowers? They would seem dull and ordinary then. But God has gifted us with rivers to refresh us, trees to stand firm and point us to Him...and also to shade us from the heat of the day, sunrises to remind us of His creativity and glory, and mountains to help us to see the bigger picture and all that God has done so far in our lives...and look forward to see the road ahead and all He will do.
I think my mother is beautiful like a cavern; there's more to her than meets the eye, she goes deep into the strong mountain of God's Word, and if you explore the depths of her, you will come across refreshing pools, and veins of pure gold running here and there throughout.
I love you mom!!! You are beautiful!

~Lady Tai

Ultimate Love

2007-09-17T11:10:00.000-07:00

Alrighty, well...Mr. Snapp preached on Jesus being the Good Shepherd on Sunday...and one sentence he said just stuck with me, and I knew I had to write a song or poem around it somehow...so later that day - I did! The BOLD part of the chorus is a paraphrase of what he said - which was: "You would sooner fall out of the universe than you'd fall out of His love."
It's not a polished song, and it doesn't even have a tune...I just wrote here what came to be on my piece of paper on Sunday afternoon (it seemed like something that should be a song more than a poem...but perhaps I shall write a poem around it too...since I am not so very well versed in song writing)...I even changed a few things when typing it up here, but I'm posting it because I feel it is a resounding truth. Jesus loves us with an infinite, indestructible love. His love is the ultimate love of all. All other loves are just reflections of his glory.
I promise to have another "real" post up soon.

VERSE 1
I know that, sometimes it seems
Night lasts so much longer than the day
With the restlessness and dark fears that fill your head
But when you feel alone and scared
There's a love that melts away the darkness and your fears
And dries your tears

CHORUS
You would fall out of the universe
Before you'd lose His love
Dark skies will turn to rainbows
When you take the time to look above
And I stand convinced that,
As a shepherd leads his sheep
Jesus will lead you
(And in His strong arms you can sleep.)

VERSE 2
Looking out of the window
You see the reflection of your face -
A reminder of the echo in your empty heart.
"What is the point of living
If there's no one to love?"
But there's someone who loves you
Who makes all things new

BRIDGE
What would love be without sacrifice?
When these tears stain my cheeks,
In my weakness, Jesus, I'll remember
The blood that stained yours - ultimate love.

Why Do I Cry?

2007-09-08T06:16:00.000-07:00

I recently started going through the book of Job in my Bible times. Why? Something in it caught my attention while I was looking up verses on contentment. I think that "something" was God's display of power and knowledge and love laid out on paper; a finite glimpse into the never-ending, awe-inspiring depths of God's might. Something else caught my attention too, and is found in this verse:

"...Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked shall I return. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord." Job 1:21b

It made me think. Job had the right view of things - no wonder God was so "proud" of him! After houses falling on top of our children; and all of our servants, donkeys, sheep, and camels being killed...how many of us would have that trusting of a response?

It seems to me that we have a tendency to make things seem way worse than they really are - once viewed in light of eternity. That probably comes naturally with the mindset that earthly possessions are our main source of happiness. That should not be so - and yet, it so often is.
So many times we can be tempted to cling onto something that God is gently trying to pry away from us - for our good - or, our lives can suddenly be altered, and we feel helpless, out of control, and even angry at God. We can desire to yell up at God, "No! You can't take that!" "That's MY job - I need that!" "That's MY uncle!" "It's MY problem if I want to gape at that guy, or grin at that girl." "I need the security of being loved." "I need my own home." "That's MY dream of becoming a world-renowned psychologist!" "I need to be healthy." "Those are MY friends." "How can you be a loving God and let that lady suffer from cancer? You don't know what you're doing - do you?!"

But the truth is: God is completely and totally in control of every circumstance...and, though we often can only see a very short distance, God sees all of the wonderful things he will bring out of this situation, and - if we bear it with dignity, joy, and confidence in Him - all of the lives it will touch.

We may cry - he made us to be emotional people for a reason - but we must let Him dry our tears.

Why does God allow bad things to happen? Well, for one thing, to grow us in character, to draw us closer to Him, and to move us on to a new season He has for our lives. But honestly, I don't know. Do you? Can anyone pretend to understand the depths of God's workings? We are just human...sinful by nature...and, honestly, whatever happens, we deserve worse, but for the grace God gives to us.

"For you say, 'My doctrine is pure, and I am clean in God's eyes.' But oh, that God would speak and open his lips to you, and that he would tell you the secrets of wisdom! For he is manifold in understanding. Know then that God exacts of you less than your guilt deserves." Job 11:4

God can test the hearts of humans with trials, and he can restore abundance like he did for Job. But, whatever he does, our response (easier to say than do, I may add) when trials come, or when our earthly treasures abound, should be: Blessed be the name of the Lord!
He has us in his hands. We also should admit that we really don't know everything...or even CLOSE to everything...but God controls the very air that we breathe, the depths of the earth...and he created the ground we walk on.

"I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted. 'Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge?' Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know." Job 42:2-3

Trust in God's plans when you are worried, lonely, or scared. I have learned (and am still learning), as I look back on my life, I see the fingerprints of God most clearly on those things which seemed, at the time, to be so "unbearable". Things which made no sense. Things which hurt people I love. Things which tore me away from friends...from everything I was familiar with. But now I can say that I am glad. With each tear falling on my pillow, I have grown closer to God, as he bends down to wipe them away. He looks into my eyes. I don't understand it, but I am loved...more deeply than any human can explain.

Why do I cry? I don't know...but it is true that often, God seems closest when he lifts up my head and wipes my tears away. And gold is refined by the fire.

(Matthew 10:29-31)

Do Hard Things: The Race for the Prize.

2007-08-30T09:43:00.000-07:00

Many of you are familiar with the Rebelution.com - Alex and Brett Harris' (brothers of author and pastor Joshua Harris) blog. If you are, then you may realize that they are writing a book called "Do Hard Things" and have been putting up many posts on the subject. I have found them very challenging, and I decided to submit to you my very own post on the subject. I will be using several comments I left on the Rebelution's Forums, answering questions they presented, as the main substance of this post.

How would you define "hard things"? Hard things are things that put us out of our "comfort zones" (our comfort zones which are defined by sinful desires). They are things which put us in situations that make make us feel uncomfortable, inadequate, and/or helpless.

What do all hard things have in common? You will usually have to think twice before responding to a "hard thing" if you want your attitude towards it to be gracious and joy-filled. If we overcome and do the "hard things", then we will usually feel that we have truly accomplished something.

Can something be difficult (e.g. climbing a rock wall) but not really be a hard thing? If so, what's the difference? Yes. I belive that something like climbing a rock wall can be a different sort of "hard thing" than, say, obeying your parents. However, it could also be the same sort of thing depending on the circumstances. If you knew that you had to climb a rock wall to train you for ministering to the mountain people in another country, then I think climbing a rock wall could be considered an actual "hard thing" - especially if you didn't really want to do it, or if you were actually afraid of heights. I think this may lead me to another addition to the previous question(s): Some things in life, like just climbing a rock wall may be "hard" on your body and physically demanding, but I think a true "hard thing" is when something goes against your fleshly desires (what is deep within you - deeper than that which is just physical)...against your will, your desires, your cravings, even your emotions, but brings glory to God through our weakness and our desire to overcome that weakness.

My two cents.
~Lady Tai

-- -- --

I am going to use the analogy of a runner throughout this comment, because I believe it very closely parallels our Christian journey - the race for the prize.

Philippians 3:14 "I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus."

Why do hard things? Why run in a race? Why sweat buckets and end panting? Because we have a reason. The reason that a runner runs is to receive the prize, and to do what he enjoys...namely - running.

1 Corinthians 9:24 "Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it."

As Christians, we press on and do hard things because we know that, in the end there will be a greater reward for these momentary afflictions. Our lives on earth are fleeting like grass - here today and gone tomorrow. Surely we can fix our eyes on the prize - Jesus - like a runner can fix his eyes on the trophy...and surely we can endure the momentary discomfort or pain in order to receive that prize, as a runner endures momentary discomfort to be worthy of the trophy. The reason that I press on and do hard things is to attempt, in some small way, to bring honor and glory to God through my responses to these situations. It is the same sort of thing with my daily Bible times. So often I wake up and something pops into my head - a new idea, maybe I need to check my email...or is it a chore I forgot to do yesterday? If I start following my wandering thoughts, I will be half-way through the day before I realize that I've forgotten God - my greatest lover, my closest friend (and even then I get side-tracked and start doing something else). I have put an idea for the new toothpaste dispenser above quality time with my savior and king. I put practicing my violin above the one who gave me any talent that I may have in the first place! It may be a hard thing for me to discipline my sinful, wandering mind to be tuned first by God's grace, but when I stop and wait on the Lord, my music throughout the day is much more beautiful and in-tune with Him. Would you rather be a stumbling athlete or runner with beautiful form, who runs with total abandon for the prize? Would you rather be an out-of-tune instrument which grates on everyone's nerves and only brings un-due and un-wanted attention to yourself, or a precisely tuned instrument which makes others sing, and brings glory to God's most beautiful song?

How is it rational for us to do these things that we don't enjoy? Well, my answer to the previous question pretty much answers this one too, however, there is more. Think of someone who isn't really in shape, and who's brother told them to run a mile or two, in the hot sun, over rough terrain. This person had just been thinking of sitting down and reading a good book in a comfortable chair, and drinking lemonade. What is this person's response going to be to their brother? "No thank you! I don't feel like it. I have something else I'd rather do." However, what if this same person had been training for months and was in top condition? What if they knew they would be running with many others, and that only the best would make it? What if they knew that hundreds of people would be watching them along the way...and...what if they knew that the winner would receive a huge trophy and a large cash prize? They would barely even notice the rough terrain, though it might hurt a little. They wouldn't care about the hot sun, because their minds would be fixed on the prize. Knowing that others might be taking note of their actions would spur them on.

My point? If we have our minds on the right things, and if our hearts are in the right attitude (which does not always happen), the things that we "don't enjoy" become smaller in light of eternity. When we dedicate our time to God first, these things don't seem so cumbersome or dull or painful any more. I know this from experience. Even just in the small area of obeying my parents right when they tell me to do something. I have a tendancy to put off my list of "jobs" until I "have time" or "feel like it"...I can often say "sure mom, I'll do that" and not do it until a week later! Since this was an obvious sin area in my life, I have been giving alot of attention to it. I've told myself that I will do my jobs as soon as they appear on my list, or as soon as I am asked to do them. I will let my mom know if I am doing something that I feel might be more important that I'd like to finish first. And I have committed to going the extra step and doing things with excellence, a joyful attitude, and finding other things that I can do to bless my mom. Realizing also, that I am not only doing this for mom, but I am doing it for God.

Matthew 25:34-40 "Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’"

Are we just suckers for pain that we want to keep ourselves in perpetual misery?

1 Corinthians 9:25-27 "Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified."

Runners and all athletes exercise. They must stretch and use weights to strengthen them for the race. They also must exercise self-control over what they eat...they must chose the healthy options - not doughnuts for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The stretches can burn, the temptation to eat sweets can seem so overwhelming, and the weights can seem so heavy, but the athletes know that, in this case, the short-term pain is in reality, long-term gain! If they didn't do these things, they wouldn't have a chance at the prize. They would be wimps! They might be able to get a good head start, but very soon they would fall flat on their faces, gasping for breath and unable to move...maybe even feeling rather dizzy. Without some pain, there can be no growth. Pain strengthens us and enables us to face the world with more vigor and run to the prize with more fervor. (And who would want to get disqualified just because they weren't prepared correctly? Not I!) It enables us to serve God in ways that we would never be able to if we were sitting at home in an overstuffed chair, trying to hide from pain...trying to relax and forget about doing hard things. I think it is possible to live a life void of doing hard things, but in that case, the hardest thing you will ever have to do will be to face your creator and His awesome glory on the judgement day...and explain why you wasted your time...why you are so wimpy and weak.

Why do you do hard things and why would you encourage other people to do hard things too?
Doing hard things is not always fun, but it always encourages growth. I want to grow, and to be worthy of the prize someday, and I want to bring honor and glory to God with my actions. This is why I do hard things...this is why I encourage YOU to do hard things too...and to do them joyfully!

~Lady Tai

So - what is looming up in your life as a "hard thing"? Is it people at your job? Honoring your parents? Being generous? Telling the truth? Doing things with excellence? Putting God first?
Whatever it is, hard things confront us all...and they always will. Just because we decide to press on through one hard thing, doesn't mean that we are now free-and-clear for the rest of our lives. Hard things happen, and we can't live in a hole the rest of our lives - we need to put on the armor of God, and work at whatever come our way with joyfulness and peaceful surrender to God. Everything on this earth is temporary, but what we do here can make an eternal difference. God has a plan for your life, and as you trust that he knows best - even when it gets hard - you will begin to see that his ways really are higher than ours.

REVISED: Some of my wedding photos follow...

2007-08-29T22:54:00.000-07:00

P.S. I am starting my own photography studio soon called "Echoing Seasons Studio", so if you need a photographer for anything...let me know! ;)

Today...here I am.

2007-08-24T20:32:00.000-07:00

Today we hung out with the Roberts (for the second time in 2 weeks!!!), and went hiking...and it turned out to be a beautiful day just as I predicted.

I feel like posting (part of) this song again (by Rebecca St.James and co.), because it goes with my thoughts of the day:

Expressions of Your Love

A symphony of color
Painted on a western sky
The thunder roars and the rain it falls
Over fields, over streams, over us,
You're over us...

CHORUS:
Expressions of Your glory
Expressions of Your heart
In all You are
You speak to us
Expressions of Your love

Just seeing all of the beauty that God has made...the sun shining through the trees, a waterfall tumbling to the rocks below, a fern - so green...so full of life...so wonderfully made, the river bringing refreshing coolness...and God said, "It is good."

This wasn't going to be a deep post...I just wanted to let you know that I'm still here...that I'm back from working....share a few random things...and say that I'm SO happy!
:D
Why? Just because!

(Oh...and a "real" post will soon follow.)
Lets see...what other random things can I share...?

1.) My new favorite poem is "The Road Not Taken" by Robert Frost:
Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth.

Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same.

And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I--
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.

2.) I made a feeble attempt at writing a song a month or so ago:

Voyage

When the waves toss me through the sea
You're the hands beneath my ship
Though I can't see them
They're always there
You're always there

You are the lighthouse, showing me the way
Through the stormy seas
I know I'm safe - I'm safe
When your light is there to guide me

-CHORUS-
Show me the way
Lord, keep me safe,
give me the peace that passes understanding...
I cannot do this alone.
-

You are the North Star - you never change
Giving me clear direction
Every night
With your light
You are there

Oh, you guide me like a rudder
I gather your breath in my sail
And the mast of your grace
Holds me together.
You hold me.

(CHORUS)

-Bridge-
You surround me like the sea
Further than my eyes can see
And when I think of you
My heart is filled with wonder
And I fall to my knees...

3.) I wrote a random...un-poem the other day:

O Lord, I adore you!
May the rhythm of your heart-beat
Be the rhythm of my life.
May the whispers of your love for me
Be all that fills my ears.
May the touch of your hand
Calm every tempest in me...
and may my heart...oh, may it beat for you alone.

Every breath that I take
I'm breathing in your glory.
Every step that I take
Is a step you already took.
All I long to do
Is stand in the shadow of your cross...
To look up, and see you
Looking down at me.
All I want to do
Is follow in your footsteps,
To place my hand in yours,
To listen to your heart-beat...
And be overwhelmed - in awe of who you are.

You spun the universe into motion,
You were here before time,
And you'll reign forever...
And yet, you came to earth.
You felt my hurts.
You took my sins.
The Lord of All...
And yet, you live in my heart.
You died for my sins...and yet, you live in my
heart.

If Boys Would Be Men, Would Girls Be Ladies?

2007-07-20T16:59:00.000-07:00

Marscel, protecting Susannah's feet from the rocky ground, and giving us a
vivid example of what it is to be a gentleman.

Some of you may recognize that I stole the title of this post from Joshua Harris' book "Boy Meets Girl" (although he may have "stolen" it from somewhere else...), but I thought it was quite appropriate for what I am going to discuss in this post: Our different, yet complimentary God-given roles as men and women.

We have been raised in a culture that applauds ladies acting like guys, being emotionally and physically strong (nothing wrong with that in itself), leaving behind homemaking for "a career", looking down on men as "underlings", flaunting their bodies because it's "their choice" and despising the hindrance of children...not realizing that they are missing a tremendous blessing, AND taking on both the woman's curse (Genesis 3:16) and the man's curse (Genesis 3:17-19). Many ladies will look down their nose with raised eyebrows at a girl who tells them that she isn't planning to go to college, because culture has taught us that that is the only way to spend our single years.

In this country, men are taught to be passive and let the ladies romp all over them, they are taught to view ladies as objects rather than God's creation of infinite worth, they are taught that beauty is skin-deep and they can move on to another lady when the one they "had" before doesn't interest them as much, good old-fashioned manners are considered only for sissies, and of course you have to be in love with a girl to carry her books or groceries to the car. He too is taught that he will be a nothing until he attends a college and spends all of that money he doesn't have to graduate.

It is actually quite the cycle: ladies look down on men as weak, and the more they do, the less the men will try to do and the more the ladies will see them as irrespectable and weak, and the more the woman looks down on him, the less he cherishes her...well...you see my point, I hope.

What can we do?

Well...
1.) We can redeem our single years.
2.) Boys can act like men.
3.) Girls can act like ladies.

We can redeem our single years.

Where has God called you? Don't know? Perhaps it isn't to college you should run to find the answer, but to God. At this point in your life (no matter what age you are), you surely don't want to waste any time doing something that you have no passion for, or do not feel God calling you to do simply because the culture seems to demand it. And college can be a costly mistake if you don't need to go there. Pray. Seek God. How has he made you/with what skills has he gifted you? Do these lead to needing a college degree in any way? Is there any alternative: apprenticeship? For young men to provide for a family someday, it may be more necessary to attend college...BUT as I mentioned, there ARE alternatives, and when our trust is in God and we are diligent to do what he has called us to do, he will provide.

If God has called you to college, use your time there wisely and be sure you know what you want before you dive in. Stand strong for God and be a light in dark places. Don't spend all your school time wishing you were somewhere else, or dreaming about the guys/girls there.
However, if you think there are more profitable things you can do with your time than going to college: starting your own business, learning about home-making, becoming an apprentice to someone who is good at what they do...or even just serving the church, then jump in, by all means and use your time wisely.

Not only should we use our working time wisely, but we should also use our free time wisely. The most important thing you can do in your free time is to seek God and read His Word.
These years as a single, young adult (if you are one) are valuable. They will never come again once you are married, and there will never be the same opportunities to invest your time in the ways that you now can.

So many guys and girls spend all of their single years wishing they were married, and after they get married, they see how very little they actually accomplished while they were single, but no longer have time to do the things they could have done.
So, what can you do now that it might be too late to do once you get married?

Boys can act like men.

You young men were created to lead, to provide, to initiate...and to cherish ladies with all purity, like they were your sisters (1 Timothy 5:2). The culture's wrong view has led men to believe that they should be followers (going along with whatever comes around), that the ladies can provide well enough so that they can stay home and watch TV, that ladies will let them know what they want to do, and that those same ladies are as worthless as a can of tuna.

Yes, ladies should have choices, but there are specific, God-given roles for man and for woman. They are very different, but neither is "better" than the other, and they are meant to be complementary. They are meant to show the perfection of God's plan to the rest of the world.
So, what can you do now? I suggest reading up on Biblical Manhood/roles. John Piper, C.J. Mahaney, John Ensor and Joshua Harris, just to name a few, have great resources out on this subject.

You can also learn some manners! Seem strange? Well, when was the last time you got a book on manners out with the intent of learning all you could? It may not be in the status quo any more, but what ever happened to good, old fashioned gentlemen? Gentlemen who carried ladies' books for them, who opened doors for them, who would give up their seat so a lady would not have to stand, who initiate sincere conversations with ladies with no other purpose than to be friendly or growing in godliness, who take of hats when entering a building or praying, who would do anything that would make a lady feel more comfortable or that would save her honor. Be a gentleman, and show the world what being "different" can accomplish.

One note here, I must say with due pride that several young men I have come into contact with do exhibit the "old-fashioned" manners that I listed above...most notably in my very own church! You will almost never see a lady standing when it is in the power of one of these young men to give her his seat. Never worry about opening a door if your hands are full (or even if they aren't) if these modern-day heroes are around - the doors will open before you as if by magic! If it is raining after church, just look outside, and you will see several young men carrying umbrellas (their own idea) for the ladies as they go to their cars.

To those of you who strive to be gentlemen, you have my most sincere appreciation and honor...which leads me to my last point:

Girls can act like ladies.

Ladies, it is up to us when we see a display of chivalry and gentlemanliness to encourage the young man by taking the offered chair, letting him carry our bags, and saying "thank-you" when he opens a door. If he begins a conversation with us or starts a discussion about spiritual things, we must support him in every way possible. These young men are the leaders of tomorrow...and we must let them lead! Not only must we let them lead, but also we must be their friends...their sisters in Christ, whom they can trust and count on.

For many of us girls, college may not be something that would be as useful to us as it might be to some men. What then are we to do? Embrace the idea that being a godly wife and mother is one of the noblest callings a woman can have, and then prepare. It is a fact that most of us will end up married, and why is it that we think we can spend years at college becoming a teacher or nurse, and think that we don't have to learn anything about homemaking before we are thrust into it? If we go to college for 4 years, and then get a job for...say 2 years before getting married, that is only 6 years in our "career". When we get married, it will be (in most cases) AT LEAST 20 years - probably more! So, why prepare so little for this vocation that will last longer than any other?

I am at a place in my life, where I must choose to put away many of the old things and selfishness and take on a new task: preparing to serve my future husband and make our future home a haven of peace and love. And, it isn't the easiest thing, seeing friends go off to college while you stay behind, but I trust that one day it will be more than worth it, when my future husband sits down to a home-cooked meal in his cozy, clean house.
:)
However, you do not have to spend every waking minute as a homemaking intern (though that may work out best for many families), but also you can use this time to do things for God that you may not have the time to do once you are married. I blog (if you couldn't tell), am working on writing a book, serve with our church and at our church (including taking over leadership of a biblical accountability group for younger girls), I may help my father with his business, and hope to serve some of the families in our church with younger children someday. These are things that might not be so easy to do with a husband and children.

So, growing in Biblical Femininity is a grand adventure that not many people set out on these days. Make the most of it.

For now,
Lady Tai

Why would you want a mouse in your bed?

2007-07-09T23:23:00.000-07:00

I used to want a pet mouse...but no longer. I admit, this photo of a mouse I have here is showcasing an exceptionally cute mouse, but I have little relish for "wild" mice...boxer or no. So, imagine, if you will, that this mouse has red eyes and sharp fangs...

...ok...now imagine that he is covered in germs - nasty germs that could cause nasty diseases if you got them. Why would you want a mouse in your bed?

As a guest preacher said at our church this past Sunday (paraphrasing): "God provides us with many illustrations from our own lives."

For the past few nights, I have been made aware of the presence of a mouse in my bedroom. Not a huge, HUGE deal, because my bedroom is large, and I have poison. I am able to tolerate the scurrying of a mouse for a few nights. I just can't stand being on the same floor as them while I know they are around (hence the pictures of ladies jumping onto chairs whenever a mouse is in the house). I'm not sure what causes this, but perhaps it is a healthy fear of germs and being bitten that God has placed in all women. Perhaps it is the fact that, as long as I'm in control (being able to sleep while the mouse is being poisoned, being ABOVE the mouse and able to squash it if need be) I am alright, but as soon as there is a possibility of the mouse gaining the upper hand (running up my leg - eek!) my resolve weakens. Perhaps.
In any case, tonght I was sure that I would sleep fine, because I could hear the mouse eating the poison I had placed out for his (short-term) delight. I finished what I was reading and shut out the lights. I then closed my eyes and started to doze off into a peaceful slumber. *scuttle, scrape, scuttle, scuttle*
"EEEEEEKKKKKK!" (well...at least, that is what I was THINKING...)
I felt a breif pressure on my covers, and my mind was suddenly VERY awake. I flashed the covers off (throwing whatever had landed on my covers off) and flicked on the lights. I quickly glanced around and assessed the situation. No mouse...oh...wait. There it was, on top of my foot-high CD case rack, behind (of all things) a cat statuette (it's a girl cat, I know it). If there is one nice thing I can say about this mouse, that would be that it is very athletic (I shall call it Jarred! lol). It had somehow jumped onto my bed, and now hopped off of the CD rack.
Needless to say, I grabbed my pillows and charged upstairs, wondering if I would ever be able to have peace from the mice again in my own room.
Then...could it be? - a lightbulb! I have a terrier. Terriers kill mice and rats as part of their instinct. This Terrier is very good at that. Hmmm...
So, Teddy, our dog, is now employed in the honorable service of killing the mouse. What a hero!

So, where am I going with this? Two places:.

We need to choose carefully what we let into our "beds". Everything is not as "innocent" as it seems.
To do this, we need help outside of ourselves, and often that help is right in front of us...but we just keep overlooking it.

"Mice like rats are a major health hazard. They are responsible for the spread of many diseases, some of which can be fatal to man. They can eat food, which is intended for human consumption, and contaminate much more with their urine, droppings and fur. Mice can also cause structural damage to property by gnawing through wiring, pipework and other materials. Diseases spread by mice are Salmonellosis, which is a type of food poisoning, gastro-enteritis accompanied by headache and fever. Parasites include mites, ticks, tapeworm and fleas." - Northampton Borough Council

"This cute mouse can do all of that? No! It can't be true." It is.

What's sad is that, though we may be aware of the damage a mouse can cause, there are many more things that are FAR more damaging to our lives - and our spirits - than mice...and yet, we let them into our lives day after day.
What am I talking about?

Movies/what we see.
Luke 11:34-36
"Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eye is healthy, your whole body is full of light, but when it is bad, your body is full of darkness. Therefore be careful lest the light in you be darkness. If then your whole body is full of light, having no part dark, it will be wholly bright, as when a lamp with its rays gives you light."

Books/what we think on.
Philippians 4:8
"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things."

Video games/what we spend our time doing.
Ephesians 5:15-16
"Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. "

How do you define what you allow "into your bed"? Is it by what "feels" right at the moment? By what your friends dictate? What isn't "TOO bad"? The question isn't how close we can come to some imaginary line - it is: how can we best obey what God has commanded, bring honor and glory to him, and not spiritually hurt ourselves however "big" or "small" it may seem, but in fact, to GROW in Him.
There are many "diseases" out there, hiding in a "cute" or "attractive" skin.
How do we sort out what is pleasing to God and what isn't?

There are so many "half-truths" an "candy-coated lies" out there, that it is virtually impossible to come up with a fool-proof formula for avoiding evil...however, what we need isn't a formula - it is Jesus.
If we are uncertain about the quality of something for our spirit, we should first research it and then evaluate it. Do I really need this? If I have this will it help to mature me into a godly man/woman? If Jesus could have done this with his time, do you think he would have? Does it promote wrong thought patterns/desires/attitudes? Does it cause me to sin? Will it matter 5, 10, or 20 years from now if I don't do this? Etc.
Asking yourself these sorts of questions can help you to take a step back and get a better perspective. Your life won't be ruined by missing going to one movie with your friends, or selling an x-box.
You can also ask a trusted friend. Not one who you know will give you the answer you want, but one who really cares about what you do to your spirit, and will tell you the truth.
The more you allow mice in your bed, the easier it gets to live with it. The more you hear swearing, think about the perfect "happily ever after", view brutal killing, see evil spiritual practices etc, the more you get used to them, and the less "bad" they seem...but no matter how "bad" or not they seem, that doesn't change their effect on your spirit.

The answer is right there: God's Word. We just have to be willing to honestly search for the truth, and be willing to sacrifice what we might enjoy or have become used to in order to nurture our spirits.

We should have the same cautiousness for/wariness of sin entering our lives as we would for a mouse entering our bed. We should attempt to prevent those situations which could cause us to stumble, and if they are thrust upon us, to do what we know would be pleasing to God - to cling to what is true and flee from what is potentially corruptive and damaging.

Well, it is now 2am, and I can't believe I just wrote all of this...but I hope it provokes you to thought. If you have any questions/comments let me know. Anything I could add you may tell me as well...keep in mind that I DID write this at night...when I should have been sleeping.
;)
I ain't letting no mouse in MY bed!

~Lady Tai

The Ultimate Test

2007-06-27T11:14:00.000-07:00

Which would you rather give to your future husband/wife?

A little while back, on one of my previous posts, I received a question as follows:

"Why would you wait ["wait" as in remaining pure, I presume] for marriage...and, like, kissing? Are you serious?" (emphasis and punctuation changes mine)
After verifying that the questioner truly wanted an answer, I promised to devote an entire post to the subject (since I realized that I actually haven't yet, dispite the fact that the subject is very important to me), and here, at last, it is!

Let me start out by saying that I am a Christian, and my desire is to follow after God with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength. If you are not a Christian, and you have no desire to please God...or if you are even clueless about who He is, then you may not understand my reasoning that follows...but I encourage you to read on anyway, and to seriously consider what I am saying.

I'd also like to reccommend 3 books that I may be quoting from (besides the Bible, which I would reccommend first) on this subject, that are written by people who have a great desire for the truth to be known. These books are: "I Kissed Dating Goodbye" and "Boy Meets Girl" by Joshua Harris. And another is "Doing Things Right in Matters of the Heart" by John Ensor (there are also many good books on this topic by other authors like C.J. Mahaney and John Piper etc.). "I Kissed Dating Goobye"explores the origins of "dating" and the consiquences of following blindly in the "dating game"...and then suggests an alternative: courtship (though we shouldn't be "religeous" about these terms because there are "serial courters" and those who "date" with honor). It also reminds us that we really shouldn't be even worrying about dating or courting until we are ready for commitment, but should instead be guarding our brothers and sisters in Christ's hearts. This book is especially good for the teens (to age 18 or so). "Boy Meets Girl" kindof comes in where "I Kissed Dating Goodbye" leaves off. Joshua Harris has said that he felt bad for all of the people who were unsure of what to do next after they broke up, or had committed not to date, so he wrote "Boy Meets Girl" to give them a glimpse into what they are really saving themselves for, and how to walk through an honorable courtship once you think you've found the "right one" and you and those who know you best feel that you are ready for the commitment (and includes some tips on evaluating yourself, having great communication, and dealing with sin in your life now or from your past). Josh weaves the stories of several different courtships through the book (including his own) as an encouragement, but also reminds his readers that no two stories will be the same. It is an excellent book for those who are in or nearing the age when marriage is becoming a more real goal. "Doing Things Right in Matters of the Heart" is a "PG" graded book (graded by me...just because of a reference or two that may not be the best for children to read), that explores the very different, and yet, complimentary roles that God has given to man and woman. Chapter titles include: "He Initiates...She Responds", "He Leads...She Guides", "He Works...She Waits", "He Protects...She Welcomes Protection", "He Abstains to Protect...She, to Test", "His Unmet Desire Drives Him Towards Marriage...Hers Is Rewarded With Marriage", "He Displays Integrity...She, Inner Beauty", "He Loves by Sacrificing...She, by Submitting" etc.

So, seeing how there are books and books written on this topic, what I have to say will merely be a small portion...a summary of all there is to say.

"Why would you wait for marriage?"

Well, the first and foremost reason is that, since I am a Christian, I want to obey what God has commanded...and he has indeed commanded in the Bible that we wait.

"For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God. For God has not called us for impurity, but in holiness. therefore whoever disregards this, disregards not man but God, who gives his Holy Spirit to you."
1 Thessalonians 4:3-5, 7-8.

"Now concerning the matters about which you wrote: "It is good for a man not to have sexual relations with a woman." But because of the temptation to sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife and each woman her own husband. The husband should give to his wife her conjugal rights, and likewise the wife to her husband. For the wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does. Likewise the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does. Do not deprive one another, except perhaps by agreement for a limited time, that you may devote yourselves to prayer; but then come together again, so that Satan may not tempt you because of your lack of self-control."
1 Corinthians 7:1-5

There are many places in the Bible where it tells us to flee sexual immorality and to wait for marriage. Within marriage, however, God blesses intimacy between a man and a woman ("Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.' So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate." - Mark 10:7-8). This is how he created us.

Deep within, we each have a longing to be loved by one man/woman, and to save ourselves for them, and then completely give all of ourselves to them once we are married. However, the culture - filled to overflowing with "instant" everything - instant pleasure, instant love, instant mac 'n cheese - tells us that what we "really" want is to take and break as many hearts as we can while making ourselves feel good - for a while - until someone turns our own game on us.
How much is a date worth to you? You dress up. You cover all your blemishes and imperfections. You let yourself be swept away by this "cute" or "gorgeous"person...expecting that they're being more real than you are. You feel good. You feel loved. Then two weeks later, they find someone they like better than you.

Our hearts are like roses. Each time you get emotionally attached to someone (whether you are dating them or not), it is like they pluck one of the petals off of the sweet-smelling rose of your heart. Person after person greedily grabs at the petals, savoring them for a moment, and then trampling them underfoot in their rush to grab one from someone else. Each person, and your flower looks less and less attractive. Each missing petal reveals another thorn. If you continue, you soon have no petals left, and your fragrance has been dispersed far and wide. You are left with just thorns. And when the person whom you were meant to be with all along, finally makes their appearance in your life, all you have to offer them are thorns. However, I would challenge you to carefully guard the petals of your heart...to wait on God's timing, as your fragrance grows sweeter and stronger. Then, at the right time, The Gardener will come along. He will notice your purity and fragrance. Then, perhaps, another who has also saved their heart will be in His mind, and He will bring both of you together. And on your wedding day, you wil be able to present your love with a heart that is in full bloom, not altogether lacking thorns, but having much fewer than if you had been frivolus in with your heart.

It is not easy to wait. I might add that, it seems to me, that the wait is especially hard for girls, if they are waiting for the young man to make the first move...because he can know months or year before asking her father, that this is the girl he wants to marry someday, and he can be working towards that goal. The girl, however, must grow in patience as she waits for all of that time, not knowing what God might be planning for her - hoping someday that someone will love her enough to want to ask for her hand in marriage, but she does not know anything (besides frivolus guessing games) until the moment he asks.

The fact that it IS hard to wait, makes waiting the ultimate test. But the more in-love we become with God, the easier it is to wait, and to trust His perfect timing.

"Brothers, our power to abstain from sexual impurity and to practice sexual self-control with those with whom we fall in love comes from two sources. One is the love of God accompanied by a
childlike desire to please him. The other is love for others, accompanied by the desire to protect, that such love prompts within us. Brothers, practice sexual self-control out of a desire to protect her
from sin, guilt, shame, embarrassment, pregnancy, and the fallout that all women bear so disproportionately from sex outside of marriage. Manhood Test Kit: Sisters, abstaining from sexual immorality is, for you, too, a matter of submitting to God and his commands. But it is more. It is God's "Mature Manhood Test Kit" for women. The immature, self-centered, ungodly man will test negative in a matter of weeks. The deceitful and cunning predator will test negative in a matter of days. Men willing to wait, and wanting to wait, will test positive. It is not a lack of sexual interest; it is a healthy fear of God. It is love, which at this point rightfully expresses itself as protection from sin and shame. If he weakens, help him succeed. If all else goes well in the development of the relationship, you know you are marrying a godly man, one who has self-control and a clear sense of his calling as a man. Brothers, sexual purity is also a good self-test for mature manhood. Make it a top priority in the relationship. Make it a matter of your leadership. You will see yourself growing in the grace of God. As Paul said about the disciplines of the Christian life,
"Practice these things, devote yourself to them, so that all may see
your progress" (1 Timothy 4:15).
Then if all goes well in the relationship, you will be learning to lead well. If, in the unfolding of the relationship, it becomes clear that she is not the one, you have done the honorable thing. You have followed the first law of medicine contained in the Hippocratic Oath: "I will . . . never do harm to anyone." Your self-control has protected a sister in Christ, who will probably go on to be someone else's wife. She, and he, will deeply appreciate your manly leadership in this delicate matter of intimacy." - John Ensor from "Doing Things Right in Matters of the Heart"

PLUS, God blesses the intimacy of marriage�and curses it outside of marriage. (Mark 10:7-8 again.) Why would you want to do anything less with your short life on this earth, than the best that God has provided for you to do?

So, to sum it up: I want to wait for marriage because God commands it, because I want to save all of myself as a precious wedding gift for my future husband, because it is the ultimate test, and because I WANT TO!

"...and, like, kissing? Are you serious?"

Very serious. I guess that it is more of a matter of opinion on the aspect of kissing...but I want to save my first kiss for my future husband. Seriously, what better gift could I give him on our wedding day?

Think of it this way: What if someone were to give you a toothbrush. Ok. That might be nice, and useful...especially if you were needing a new one. BUT, what if that toothbrush had been used already...by three different people. One who you KNOW has yellow teeth - and one who chews tobacco. Eww! To think of their slobber and germs all over it is almost too much! Would you appriciate that gift half as much as if it had been a brand-new toothbrush with a rubber grip, in your favorite color?

Well...no analogy is perfect. Obviously a kiss is worth more than a toothbrush (to most people), but it is the same sort of thing with saving a first kiss.

Also, it shows to your future husband/wife that you loved them so much before you even met, that you guarded and saved that precious "first" for only them.

Here is an excerpt from a book that I am writing (I would appriciate it if it was not used elsewhere without my permission):

"Leith nodded to a girl who looked up at him in reverence - and perhaps something more? Her eyes...so blue...they reminded him of the girl he had loved once.
She had been everything that he'd thought he wanted in his 15 year-old mind - she was beautiful, funny, and ambitious. She'd looked him in the eye and had said she loved him...but that wasn't enough. Another fellow - Dragel...he could still remember the name - had come along. His eyes were like dark pools of chocolate, and his lips spoke more eloquently than Leith's apparently had. The girl he'd thought that he would marry once he was old enough...she had forgotten him.
Leith bit his lip as the memory rushed back. Of course he had given her up now...it had been 6 years ago, but the thought of her blue eyes sparkling as she said "I love you", and her fresh lips as they carefully formed the words, still almost seeemed too near...too dear. In the following year, he had decided that never again would he be so frivolous with his affections.
Yes, he would treat all young ladies as sisters, with honor and chivalry. Yes, he would still value their input and friendships, but he would be saving that first kiss that he had nearly lost before, for his wedding day. He sighed. "First times" only come once...and he now looked back at all of the "First times" that he wished he had saved for the woman he would one day marry; his first expression of interest. The first piece of his heart, that he had given away to a shadow...he wished he had saved it. That first "I love you" - oh, how he wished he could summon those words back into his heart, to present them, for the first time to the woman he would one day stand before an altar with and declare that he would never forsake!
But now he had vowed to wait for the right timing - when he and the girl were both mature enough, and when God and her parents gave him their approval.
He remembered the night - he had been 16 - when he got down on his knees, with tears streaming down his face, and had begged his sister never to make the same mistakes that he had made - to save all of herself for one man. She had not laughed, or simply said, "Whatever you say." She had gotten down beside him and had laid her head on his shoulder and wept with him. She knew the deep hurt his heart had gone through. And, sobbing, as tears fell rapidly down her face, she whispered into his ear, "I will."
Right now, Leith was just content to observe the character of noble young women, for he knew that he was not yet ready for the commitment of marriage. He knew he still had much character to develop before he would be worthy to ask someone to consider being his wife. He did, however, have his eye on a young peasant girl, named Breenna. She often came to the marketplace to sell vegetables and flowers, and her stand was always near to the gate that Leith stood guarding most often. He had observed her closely and found occasion to talk to her more than once.
She was a fine girl - renowned throughout the village not only for her beauty and grace, but her great abundance of cultivated character. Often the elderly or sick would receive a basket of bread that she had baked, or a vase of flowers picked by her tender hand. She had parties for the little girls to come to and would play with them and teach them all manner of graces and virtues. She was noticeably respectful to her parents and two siblings, and did not find the same pleasure in staring at passing knights in sparkling armor and royal guards with polished swords as many of the other girls did. Just this last virtue of hers alone was enough to make Leith look twice. He no longer cared for the pettiness of most girls...or the momentary pleasure that was found in controlling their fickle hearts, that were too easily won."

The question is not "How close can I get to the line, and still be ok?"...it is "How much can I save for my future husband/wife?"

To end, I am going to quote some of the words of a song, by a group called "Nevertheless":

"We try to come as close as we can
to what we can't
and not get caught.
But instead lets turn
And run towards the Light."

Questions? Ask. I don't have all the answers...but I know Who does!

~Lady Tai

The Meeting of the JTS...account heere followes:

2007-06-21T10:36:00.000-07:00

It was a lovely day. The sun was shining and there was no stress to solve "the next clue". We just hung out at Fort Pocahontas...and got to talk to Sir Joshua the (Good and) Fearless! Here we are by the New Hampshire state flag. Why New Hampshire? Because it felt right! :)

Lady Melanie the Considerate and Lady (Tai) Sophia the Gentle.

And HERE is the photo you have all been waiting for!!! Under the Magna Charta tree, Lady (Tai) Sophia met Sir Daniel the Trustworthy, Valliant, Considerate, Adventurer! (What a lovely photo of me...lol)

We all lean in closer as Mrs. Thomas tells us the exciting tale of their adventure! L to R: Mrs. Thomas, Mrs. Lueken, Mum, and Lady Sophia!

Sharing a laugh together...over who-knows-what...but we were sleep-deprived, so that might explain something. Actually, I think this was when I was telling Lady Melanie how excited I was when her key worked...and how I almost cried I was so happy!

Lady Sophia congratulating Melissa, after the crowd had started to thin out and I could actually get to her without being ground into dust.

Sir Matthew the Wise and Chivalrous conversing with mother-dear.

Another of the 3..."Patriot-eers"!

Right before we left the land of Dixie...a photo with my bro and my cousin, Thatcher Alexander Franke. :)

And...my Aunt, Uncle and Cousin whom we stayed with. Continue below for the rest of the photos from our trip (well...most of them).

Heere follows thee true account...I

2007-06-21T08:05:00.001-07:00

Everything was going so fast...the pictures below may be a little messed up (as far as order of occurence...).
NOTE: THE PHOTOS IN THE FOLLOWING POSTS ARE IN ORDER FROM LAST TO FIRST, SO IF WERE YOU GO DOWN TO THE FIRST PHOTO POST OF THE TRIP AND STARTED FROM THE LAST PHOTO AND WORKED UP, THEN IT WOULD BE IN ORDER OF OCCURENCE.

Mr. Thomas and Melanie...she became very popular very fast.

Still in awe of the final announcement "Melanie Thomas is the fifth trustee of the treasure!"

The Thomases take the platform.

Melanie, making her acceptance speech (actually, I'm not sure that it was inthis photo...but she DID make one). It was very touching, I assure you.

"Can I have your autograph?" Melanie indulging the crowds of children.

The council of men. L to R: Justice Phillips, Joshua L. (Emma is actually behind Joshua), Joshua Phillips (I believe...), Matthew Thomas, Jon L. and Micaiah Thomas.

The council of ladies. Mrs. Thomas in the middle...and Mrs. Lueken on the far right.

Look at all the people.

Mrs. Thomas giving an excited embrace.

Matthew.

Micaiah and Matthew looked over and, when they saw I had a camera, they gave me some smiles...however our camera is not the highest in quality, and the photo came out a bit blurry. Alas!

Mr. Thomas, Melissa, and Melanie. (If you have been wondering, yes. All of the Thomas' names start with the letter "M" and all of the kids' names are 7 letters long.)

The moment of joy! Melanie's key opened the treasure chest!

Fans. ;)

Mr. Thomas, Micaiah, Matthew, Jon, Melissa (the back of her head), and Joshua. (I think Melanie's head is behind the video guy.)

My cousin. Isn't he SO cute?! We stayed at my Aunt and Uncle's house for a few nights. This was on the trip to Fort Pocahontas to see who would win...as if we couldn't guess. Well, we hoped!

Heere follows thee true account...II

2007-06-21T07:35:00.001-07:00

Look at all of the people! If you look closely in the upper, right hand corner, you can see Justice and Joshua Phillips in their very neat costumes.

Eating our (expensive) hot-dogs.

Fifes and drums...so festive!

Some of the boys in the parade.

Melissa, Emma, Melanie and...well...I never met the other girl. Don't they look lovely?

Mrs. Thomas. Love the dress!!!

Jon, Marscel, Joshua, and Matthew (L to R) in the parade.

We made it to Fort Pocahontas...and a balloon greeted us.

Like the armor?

Mr. Phillips..."Huzzah!"

Do I look tired? No! Really?

After a hard day's work...resting...ahhh!

Heere follows thee true account...III

2007-06-21T06:39:00.000-07:00

Aha! Caught them again. The Thomases with a mission.

You'll never guess what happened under the Magna-Charta tree!

Me with the cross.

Uh-oh. We caught Melissa red-handed, fraternizing with the Moderator...and the "guys in sunglasses". Doesn't she look pleased?

Me...in my "losers" shirt, pretending to read the stone (I was still reconciling not making it further in the hunt...).

Pocahontas...and her trusty sidekick.

Me and Cap'n Smith...oh, the adventures we've had.

The only structure still intact from the original Jamestown...the church.

A glimpse...of the Thomases in Jamestowne...shhh!

Wednesday, after we (thought) we solved the clues, mom and dad went to a Yorktown camp re-enactment place...Ben and I stayed in the car and slept.

Someone's pine-needle shelter...whatever works, my friend...whatever works.

The tent.

A nice garden.

We are finally allowed to take photos! Yay! This was at a restaraunt in Yorktown. Very nice. This was Wednesday...after we had finished sending in our answers for the clues at 12:15pm.

Guarding the cell-phone with my life.

Waiting to be seated.

Ben, eyeing up the menu. Where there's food involved, this kid doesn't play around.

Dad's taking random photos again...that makes me nervous.

Yes...I was tired, and the sun was warm...

While You Are Waiting.

2007-06-18T21:35:00.000-07:00

While you (patiently) wait for an official photo post of the Jamestown trip (and, after that a REAL post...if you know what I mean...), here is a photo that I finally got from the Harris boys from when I was at New Attitude.

Yeah...I look cheesy in it...but it's a memory.

~Lady Tai

Murder and ice-cream...

2007-06-16T16:17:00.000-07:00

Yeah - I thought that title would get your attention...and perhaps a comment or two.

Well...the good news first: No one is going to try to follow me home and murder me for the gold!

Now for the better news: I met Sir Daniel!!! Photos to follow.

Now for the stupendously great news: A good friend of mine (name undisclosed at this time) made a promise with me before the hunt. We said that, if I won the gold, I would buy her ice-cream, and if I didn't, she would buy me some. Well...she owes me ice-cream now! :)

Now for the BEST news: My friends that I made on Skype (see archives and look for the post with the painting of the knight being...knighted by the maiden), the Thomas' WON! Out of the last three teams today, they had the key which opened the chest of gold! I was SOOO excited/happy/exuberant! I feel like I know them better than I actually do...but I hope we can hang out more in days to come. They are are really cool family, and God had a plan for them.
I shall post more and some choice photos in the days to come.

~Lady Tai - Spymaster

Second Day!

2007-06-13T16:18:00.001-07:00

Well folks...we made it to and through the second day!!! (Of the actual contest.)
This morning the "moderator" called over half of the people's names and dismissed them...he did it alphabetically, so when he got past the "P's" I was shocked. Seriously I was. I didn't expect AT ALL to make it to the second round.
Today was less intense and book-involved than yesterday...and I tend to think it was based on speed. I have no idea how we did. We made a few blunders at first that cost us a little time...but we shall see tomorrow. It is great having each of our different strengths...I can't imagine doing this part alone like I did the first part. We got a nice R&R time after we finished though!
Keep praying that we would bring glory to God in all we do and say.

P.S. Still have not found Sir Daniel. A few prospects, but I'm not just going to go up to everyone and ask them if their name is Daniel...I was hoping he'd find me.

-Lady Tai

First Day.

2007-06-11T19:10:00.000-07:00

Here I am at the close of our first full day in Virginia. It was a grand day. The Time-Share presentation took THREE whole hours...instead of the 90 minutes we were expecting, but we got free lunch and cheep hotel rooms, so we were glad - after it was over. Then we rushed over to the Williamsburg Mariott for the sign-in for the actual treasure hunt. We stood in line for 3 hours, BUT what made it all worth it was seeing my Skype buddies right off. As soon as we got there, I saw them, and they saw me and came rushing over with big smiles and hugs. I felt loved.
:)
They are cool. Very cool. Now I must find Sir Daniel...which won't be easy since I have no idea what he looks like. However, it may be easier than getting up before the sun tomorrow morning. Beyond that...I can't say anything. But we are going to have a great time - I can tell. (Dispite the fact that we can't casually talk with people about anything to do with the hunt.)

Well...I am off to bed. RIGHT NOW. I need sleeeeeeeppppppppp.

-Lady Tai

I'm Here!

2007-06-10T20:03:00.000-07:00

Well...I have made it safely to Virginia (yeah...we had some "narrow scrapes"...but I'M STILL ALIVE!!!), and am at my aunt and uncle's house. We had a lovely dinner (which included asparagus...which I have never yet been brave enough to try...but it was better than broccoli!)...and I am now ready to sleep (even though I slept half the way down here)! Please pray that my headache leaves, and that the weather continues to be nice (no rain!!!).
Tomorrow we leave to go sit in on a 2 hour lecture on a Time Share property (don't ask), because we get next-to-free hotel rooms for the first four nights if we go to that. Then we have to go register for the hunt in Williamsburg, which is where our hotel will be...so that won't be a long trek.

I shall try to keep you somewhat updated...however, no photos are allowed, so you probably won't get any.
:(

-Lady Tai

I'm Off! Please pray.

2007-06-09T17:27:00.000-07:00

Deep within the ancient lands of the Jamestown, Williamsburg, and Yorktown triangle, rests a Treasure of historic proportions. Hidden somewhere near or by the ancient landmarks of our colonial forefathers, lies a trove of buried treasure. Golden treasure.

Rested within a bolted wooden chest are four hundred solid gold coins
with a value in the tens of thousands of dollars. Whoever cracks the mystery of the Jamestown 400 becomes the sole owner of the treasure trove.

But to crack the code and find the four hundred gold coins, you must take a journey through history that will reveal America’s greatest national treasure — the Providential hand of God in the life of this nation.

-----

Well, I am off to Jamestown, VA tomorrow morning. I have very little idea what to expect, but I am trusting that God has a plan. Please keep us in your prayers...for safety, wisdom, and growth. Pray that we would be lights and that our minds would stay fixed on Jesus.

I know I keep promising a REAL post, but I PROMISE that, once I come back, I will sit down and do that.
:)

~Lady Tai

New Attitude 2007

2007-05-30T19:53:00.001-07:00

ATTENTION: I have started a new blog about my experience at New Attitude '07: www.newattitude07.blogspot.com
I know you are probable thinking, "Oh, great. ANOTHER blog she wants us to bookmark!" However, New Attitude is just too big to fit inside one little blog or xanga post, so I have decided to dedicate an entire blog to this experience, and attempt to encourage the continuation of application throughout the coming year - even for those of you who could not come to the conference for whatever reason. I have also placed a link to the blog on the right, under "links".

-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-

Wow. What a conference.

Never have I been fed with such great truths by so many blessed teachers.

God used this conference to bring to the surface many sins that I had been "stuffing" down in my life, and to bring to light many others that I had been oblivious to.

I have much to work on for the next year, but as C.J. Mahaney and John Piper said...(paraphrased and combined thoughts): "Growth starts by taking small steps, but being specific in your application, and realizing that it is only by grace that you can move foward."

Read my New Attitude blog for much more, and check back often, because I really haven't put much on yet - this being only the day following the conference's close.

~Lady Tai

For such a time as this...

2007-05-24T08:11:00.000-07:00

NEWS FLASH: The Rebelution (A teenage rebellion against low expectations) has been nominated for "Best Religion Blog" for the Blogger Awards - help them come out on top by voting here: http://www.bloggerschoiceawards.com/blogs/show/1662

Esther 4:14
"For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father's house will perish. And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”

"For such a time as this..."

Each of us has been placed on this earth into unique circumstances. We each have different parents, different houses, different school situations, different groups of friends, different jobs, different churches, and different spheres of influence.
And there has been no mistake made by God (who created us and loves us with an everlasting love) about where we now are.
Sometimes we may wonder why we are who we are where we are...but God knows. He knows and has a bigger plan.
It is up to us to use what God has given us and make a difference right where we are. You might think, "How am I supposed to make a difference? I'm homeschooled, and the only places I go consistently are church and home." or "I can't do anything...I'm too scared."
Where is YOUR "kingdom"? If your "kingdom" is at home, and God has placed you there - it is your job to serve him however you can, right where you are. Washing dishes, mopping, mowing the lawn, encouraging siblings, fixing broken things...they are all tasks that can be done to the glory of God, and when we do these things for God, he will find ways to use them to bless others.
Also, if you are placed by Him somewhere with a friend who hasn't had the Gospel explained to them before, you have 2 choices:
1.) You can talk to them about Jesus and risk whatever reaction they might have...
OR
2.) You can ignore them.
However, we are not indispensable to God. He wants to use us where he has placed us, but if we refuse to do what he has called us to do, he can find someone else to do what needs to be done...and think of how sad you would be, at the end of your days, when you stand before God and each action is taken into account...if it sounded like this:

GOD: "I made a way to get you to that dream job you had at the doughnut shop, so that you could talk to that guy - Frank - about me. I gave you opportunity after opportunity to speak with him, but all you were thinking about was making money. He was ready to commit suicide, and if you had told him about me, his life would have been completely turned around...but you didn't. And he was leaving from work one day, completely despairing, going to go home and kill himself, when I had to used Joan to run into him and begin telling him about me. He was changed that day - well done, Joan - but you really missed out on my blessings that time."

YOU: "Umm...I...talked to him...that one time...about...Spiderman 3..."

GOD: "I gave you hundreds of opportunities each day to bless your family members, but you were too concerned with your own cares - like the time when your brother was hurting. He was feeling really lonely, like he had no friends, and he just wanted company. He came over to see what you were doing as you typed away on your computer, and to just hang out with you...can you remember what you said?"

YOU: "Uh...I said...I'd rather not say in front of all these people...right now.

GOD: "You said, 'Leave me alone! Go away and stop looking over my shoulder. Don't you have something better to do with yourself?'"

YOU: "Oh...God!!! FORGIVE ME! I never thought of it that way then...how could I have been so blind?"

(Note: That last story above is true. I love you, Ben...more than you know - but I should probably let you know more often. God has given me the most special brother. If I ever do that again, just say, "How's your eternal perspective, Tai?" )

So, we can bless others and make an eternal difference right where we are. God has placed us with the relationships we have, and the things we can do for a reason...we just have to look past ourselves and see people for who they are: People just like us, whom God loves, and wants to forgive - he gave his life for them. And we must cling to His amazing grace - for, without Him, we are nothing more than dust, which the wind can blow away.

The Last Sin Eater

2007-05-21T09:29:00.000-07:00

Last night I watched "The Last Sin Eater"...and my thumbs-up follows:

The Last Sin Eater

Taiz rating for plot: 4.5 out of 5
Taiz rating for cleanliness: 5 out of 5
Taiz rating for creativity: 4.8 out of 5
Taiz rating for a deeper message: 5 out of 5

Publicly Rated: PG-13
(for violence and thematic elements)

This movie is one of those rare jewels of a Christian movie that is very well done. I began it last night not knowing what to expect. You can form your own ideas about what a movie is going to be like from the cover of the DVD, but generally (more often than not) mine are quite off.
I thought that this might be a really "cheezy" movie with one of those thin plots that got done by a Christian film-maker just because it was Christian in theme...if you know what I mean. (Though, I must admit, I laughed a few times just at the term "Sin Eater" throughout the movie...I'm not really sure why.)
The movie starts out with a rather confusing and mysterious scene...and actually, you don't really start to "get" the movie until half-way through. (ADVICE: Watch it ALL the way though before forming opinions about it, and it would probably be best to watch it more than once. I wouldn't reccommend reading too many reviews about it. I think this movie works best not knowing exactly what will happen next.) They worked it so that pieces of the puzzle are given to you early on, but they are pieces that don't make sense without the rest of the puzzle. I rather like movies like that, because they aren't as predictable.
Here is the general outline of the movie:
A little girl named Caddie is one of the Celtic immigrants to the Appalachians. The Celts have an old practice that requires a "sin eater" to come to the funeral of a person who has died and eat bread and drink wine laid on that person. In this way the sin eater (chosen by another ritual) would take all of their sins on himself, and assure that person forgiveness of their sins in the "after-life". It is against tradition to look at or touch the sin-eater. It is said that, if you DO look at him, evil will follow you always. However, at her grandmother's funeral, Caddie looks the sin-eater in the eye...and she is never the same.
From that time on her past sins come back to haunt her, and especially a terrible sin that she has told herself was all her fault. She feels like she can't live with the guilt of this sin, and that she MUST find the sin-eater, so he can "eat" away her sins, and she can be forgiven - if he can't help her (since she's not dead yet, and traditionally, your sins can only be "eaten" once you are dead), she has been contemplating death.
Her faithful friend, "Fagin" accompanies her on many of her searches, and at one point in the movie, the discourse is as follows: Caddie: "You don't have to go with me." Fagin: "Yes I do! I have to protect you."
I thought that was great. :)
Well, without spoiling the movie, I will say that, Caddie DOES find help from the mysterious sin eater...but not in the same way as she could have hoped.

The scenes that might not be good for little children include:

Caddie's dead grandmother. They show her after she has died. (They also show someone else after he has died, for a few seconds.)
The Sin-Eater is pretty creepy looking...he looks a bit like a ring-wraith from LOTR...so if they've seen that and didn't have nightmares, then they should be fine.
Fagin and a stranger get beat up by Fagin's father...several times. Very severely beat up (includes blood and big bruises). Fagin's father also almost strangles Caddie.
Caddie contemplates throwing herself off of a tree-bridge into a rushing river below several times.
Indians get shot.

So, to sum it up - I cried more in this movie and Facing the Giants than any other two movies that I have seen. It was a very interesting perspective on forgiveness and sin...and ended in a touching way.

It is a movie that I HIGHLY recommend for EVERYONE to see.

P.S. You may want the English subtitles on the first time you watch it.

~Lady Tai

Jamestown...and beyond!

2007-05-16T16:33:00.001-07:00

Well, today at 3am (EST) was the end of a long journey (I'm thinking 7months) for many people - myself included. It was the end of Phase 2 of "The Jamestown 400 - Our National Treasure Hunt".
"Treasure hunt?" You may think, "How silly!"
But this treasure hunt (which has been mostly an online journey up to now) has taught me many things - and I am very grateful for the chance I had to participate in it - even if I am not one of the "lucky" 100 people who get to go to Jamestown to search for the REAL buried gold.
The treasure hunt started out with a catologue from Vision Forum (www.visionforum.com) full of hidden clues, which led to several "Secret Websites". From there we began to unravel a plot of true dark deeds (Margaret Sanger *shivers*), some "made up" sinister characters (Burr), some of america's earliest mysteries (Roanoake Island)...but most of all, we got to see God's hand in the History of our nation. From John Smith, Elias Boudinot, Virginia Dare, Alexander Hamilton, George Washington, Hitler, and Margaret Sanger (*shivers again*) to The Culper Spy Ring, the Dare Stones, and codes, codes, CODES, God had a plan.
I learned lots about encouraging others, and pressing on even when it felt like I was getting nowhere. So many times I felt like quitting - and felt sure I would never make it to the end. It seemed like I was wasting my time, and following the hard path was just too hard. But, thanks to others' encouragement, I pressed on.
Encouragement is a powerful thing. I learned that at youth camp at last year, but it helps to be reminded of it often. Encouragement is like the grease on the gears of life - litteraly. Without encouragement, we'd all just run down and come to a standstill.

Hebrews 10:24-25
"And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near."

And, often, just when we felt like there was no right answer and that we would never find it - there it was! And we would never have made it had we quit just when we were feeling like nothing we did was turning out right...and had there been no encouragement to press on.
It took many hours, aching fingers, bleary eyes, and, towards the end, pounding hearts...but it was worth it. I persevered, and I got to meet some cool people - we helped each-other out, encouraged each-other, and prayed together - who also persevered.
We had our own little "Skype Chat" group, and had many humorous moments, as well as serious ones...especially when several of us still had 3 clues left to solve and only a half-hour left in which to solve them.

It is a necessity to mention that I knighted and "ladied" all of the participants whom I met...the list and titles follow:
Sir Matthew the Wise and Chivalrous,
Sir Joshua the (Good and )Fearless,
Sir Daniel the Trustworthy Valliant Considerate Adventurer,
Lady Melanie the Considerate (Lady Blake),
Sir Randy the Jocular,
Sir Nathaniel the Compassionate and Prudent
Sir Juan the Just,
Senora Margarita the Gracias (Lady Margarita the Gracious),
Lady Sophia the Gentle [Sir Joshua named me],
Lady Melissa the Attentive,
Sir Micaiah the Generous
Christopher the Honorable, our very finest paige!

Here is a rather odd (small) portion of our chat which I copied for your amusement (were were generally more serious than this...but sometimes the stress was too overwhelming and we couldn't help ourselves...oh, and you don't HAVE to read it all...but let me know if you do!!! haha!):

Tai Sophia Polczynski says: I was just confirming your status of a knight of the order of Jamestown 400 - "Matthew the Wise" ...we do it all the time at my church - lol!
Matthew Thomas says: Ok, thank you! :)
Josh Lueken says: ooh...I want tobe knighted!
Tai Sophia Polczynski says: You are welcome. Bear your knighthood valiantly!
Matthew Thomas says: BTW, the picture of Peter Bradrick and his wife do NOT have any message in the text
Daniel Rivera says: I CHALLENGE YOU TO A JOUST!!!
Daniel Rivera says: JOSH!
Matthew Thomas says: DITTO! Josh will win!
Josh Lueken says: how about a sword duel...
Josh Lueken says: ;)
Josh Lueken says: that's more up my alley
Matthew Thomas says: Nope, a bagpipe duel!
Tai Sophia Polczynski says: Sir Joshua the Fearless.
Josh Lueken says: mmm....I like it
Josh Lueken says: thanks
Tai Sophia Polczynski says: ^ I knight thee!
Tai Sophia Polczynski says: :)
Matthew Thomas says: um, maybe you should switch our titles.
Tai Sophia Polczynski says: Too late. Sorry.
Matthew Thomas says: lol
Melanie Thomas says: I think it fits them both well
Daniel Rivera says: ALRIGHT, SWORDS IT IS!!
Josh Lueken says: I, Sir Joshua the Fearless Challenge you, Daniel the...um....Tai...give him a name
Matthew Thomas says: Bagpipes!
Daniel Rivera says: {daniel charges and goes flying into the next castle}
Matthew Thomas says: A duel with pistoles!
Josh Lueken says: no...swords
Matthew Thomas says: Ok, Fine! I have a rapier!
Josh Lueken says: I have two
Josh Lueken says: haha
Daniel Rivera says: OH NO!!
Tai Sophia Polczynski says: I knight thee Sir Daniel the Adventurous.
Matthew Thomas says: I have one rapier, a slingshot and a throwing Boot dagger
Daniel Rivera says: AAAHHH!!!
Daniel Rivera says: {RUNS FOR DEAR LIFE}
Josh Lueken says: you dont want to even get me started on what I'[ve got
Matthew Thomas says: I stab Josh in the back and sit on top of him.
Josh Lueken says: lol
Tai Sophia Polczynski says: I've got the power to tell you to be friends.
Matthew Thomas says: Ok we are freinds aint we Josh?
ai Sophia Polczynski says: Or lock you up in the dungeon.
Matthew Thomas says: Jus like Huck and Tom
Melanie Thomas says: that would be nice ;)
Tai Sophia Polczynski says: Or order you to be squashed into jelly.
Matthew Thomas says: I like jelly!
Tai Sophia Polczynski says: OR TAKE AWAY YOUR KNIGHTHOOD!
Daniel Rivera says: {trembles in a corner and puts foot in mouth}
Tai Sophia Polczynski says: lol
Matthew Thomas says: Oh, ok, I'm freinds. Anyway, back to Jamestown...
Josh Lueken says: yes
Daniel Rivera says: What's a Jamestown?
Daniel Rivera says: lol
Daniel Rivera says: Ok.
Daniel Rivera says: :)
Tai Sophia Polczynski says: Jamestown or bust.
Matthew Thomas says: It's a town with people named James.
Tai Sophia Polczynski says: Who is still working on this last clue?
Daniel Rivera says: haha
Daniel Rivera says: I am reading it.
Matthew Thomas says: Not me! I'm done
Tai Sophia Polczynski says: (clap)
Melanie Thomas says: Have you got it Tai?
Tai Sophia Polczynski says: Um...no. I know it's got to be pretty obvious...but those are the clues I always get stuck on the longest it seems...well - mostly.
Daniel Rivera says: haha I know what you mean.
Matthew Thomas says: You can do it.
Tai Sophia Polczynski says: (sweat)
Melanie Thomas says: yeah sometimes it seem like they are just as hard or harder then the ones people say are hard. You can do it though!
Josh Lueken says: Lady Sophia of Ganderburg shall overcome all obsticles with Sir Matthew the Wise, and Sir Joshua the Fearless clearing the way
Josh Lueken says: along with Danilel....who needs a name btw
Daniel Rivera says: ?
Daniel Rivera says: Oh, haha!
Melanie Thomas says: Daniel the adventerous I thought?
Daniel Rivera says: Nice pic, Tai.
Josh Lueken says: oh. ok
Matthew Thomas says: And Mela******
Matthew Thomas says: Melanie needs a name too!
Josh Lueken says: Lady Blake of Cheshire
Daniel Rivera says: Good one!
Melanie Thomas says: thank you
Daniel Rivera says: haha!
Tai Sophia Polczynski says: Lady Melanie the Considerate
Tai Sophia Polczynski says: unless you like Lady Blake better...
Matthew Thomas says: Naaaa Bad name!
Tai Sophia Polczynski says: lol
Matthew Thomas says: I was just kidding. :)
Tai Sophia Polczynski says: Your brother does.
Tai Sophia Polczynski says: lol
Daniel Rivera says: The Confederate?
Daniel Rivera says: Oh, nevermind
Melanie Thomas says: thats cool too :)
Daniel Rivera says: haha
Matthew Thomas says: YES! Confederate!
Matthew Thomas says: I like that!
Tai Sophia Polczynski says: Matthew the wise...do you need another name?
Tai Sophia Polczynski says: ;(
Matthew Thomas says: No, I was talking about Melanies name. (wasntme)
Tai Sophia Polczynski says: I know.
Tai Sophia Polczynski says: That was a THREAT.
Matthew Thomas says: Oh! Haha *gulp* well ...
Tai Sophia Polczynski says: :|
Matthew Thomas says: How's the clue coming Tai and Daniel?
Daniel Rivera says: I DID IT!
Daniel Rivera says: It was so easy!
Matthew Thomas says: Good job!
Tai Sophia Polczynski says: Looking for the obvious in not-so-obvious places. You know, Daniel...
Melanie Thomas says: Way to go

-|-

THE END (For Now)

~Lady Tai

Right Where He Wants Us

2007-05-14T07:10:00.000-07:00

"Suddenly"
By: Superchic[k]
She feels lost in her own life
Treading water just to keep from slipping under
And she wonders if she's where she's supposed to be
Tired of trying to do it right
Her dreams are just too far away to see how steps she's making might be taking her to who she'll be

And suddenly it isn't what it used to be
And after all this time it worked out just fine
And suddenly I am where I'm supposed to be
And after all the tears, I was supposed to be here

She feels locked in her own life
Scared of what she might lose
If she moves away from who she was
And she's afraid of being free
There's a way she knows is right
And she can't feel the things she knows and so each step she's taking
Is a step of faith towards who she'll be

And suddenly it isn't what it used to be
And after all this time it worked out just fine
And suddenly I am where I'm supposed to be
And after all the tears, I was supposed to be here

And here where the night is darkest black
She feels the fear
And the light is farthest back
And through her tears
She can see the dawn
Its coming skies will clear
And the light will find her where she's always been

And suddenly it isn't what it used to be
And after all this time it worked out just fine
And suddenly I am where I'm supposed to be
And after all the tears, I was supposed to be here

(Ok, well this was pretty much my first-ever watercolor painting, so it's not exactly what one would call "quality" (the sail is even going in the opposite direction of the waves...hehe!), but I know that God inspired it...and it's message is convicting and reassuring at the same time...and just happened to go with the theme of this post, so that is why I have placed it here!)

Well, God has been speaking to me lately on the same sort of topic through many different ways. Through wonderful people from our church, through the Bible, and even through the song I posted above.

It's hard not knowing what you are going to do next, after graduating. It's tempting to think that maybe God has forgotten about you, or maybe he didn't plan out your path well enough, and you've come to a dead end. It would be easy to lose faith in Him and begin to believe that he's not there. Sometimes it seems like I am sinking in the waves of life, and I am going to just keep on sinking...but what do you see in the picture above?

Do you think that the people in that boat are a little bit worried at this point? Perhaps ALOT worried?! If I was in there (ok...maybe I AM) I would be crying, probably thinking my life was about to abruptly end...wondering where God was - and why he didn't stop the storm. And, maybe believing that, since he wasn't stopping the storm, he didn't care about me and wasn't there to help me any more.

But we can see the hands tenderly and lovingly upholding the ship. The people in that ship aren't going anywhere He doesn't want them to.

However, when we are in that ship of life, we often can't seem to see past our own circumstances. We can't see past the waves and the lightning. We can't see those hands that are powerful enough to hold up the world, holding us.

In the darkness, we can feel unsure - afraid. It doesn't make sense...at the time, but God has us right where he wants us. One day we will look back with grateful tears in our eyes and fall to our knees in wonder and amazement...and thankfulness to our awesome savor - our closest friend - of this I am sure! When we THOUGHT we had close human friends, and that God was so far, we will see that, in reality GOD was the closest friend we ever had. He walked next to us every step of the way, he dried our tears, he set our feet on firm ground, he held our hands, he defended us, he taught us...he carried us.

Isaiah 41:10
"Fear not, for I am with you;
be not dismayed, for I am your God;
I will strengthen you, I will help you,
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."

Psalm 37:23-24
"The steps of a man are established by the Lord,
when he delights in his way;
though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong,
for the Lord upholds his hand."

God - You flat-out amaze me!

2007-04-28T08:50:00.001-07:00

I found this photo (minus a wee-bit of editing) while scanning through some photos looking for one of ribbon (don't ask me WHY a dog came up while I was searching for ribbon...). I took one look at it and just KNEW that it was going to be in my next blog post (which is long overdue I might add...which you already knew, of course)!
It's a rather self-explanatory photo which almost perfectly depicts how I so often feel when I ponder the awesomeness of God.
One of the BEST ways to be reminded of how awesome God is, and how MUCH he loves us is to read the Greatest Love Letter of All - the Bible.

So often I think we can overlook the importance of God's very words! Imagine getting a letter from your "true love" on this earth (if you don't yet have one...humor me and imagine along). It is handwritten and expresses their deepest feelings for you. The words drip with emotion and you are the center of their affections. Suppose this person, whom you also loved very dearly, gave up his (her) life to save you. You would never see them again (in this life), but you would always have that letter to read, and re-read...again and AGAIN. How many times do you think you would read it? You'd probably read it so often that you would have it memorized shortly.

Why is it then that our Bibles can so often collect dust in a corner of our bookshelves? How is it that we can go through our day thinking that other things are more important than reading the words of our LORD and SAVIOR...who has saved us from MUCH more than any human ever could?!

Psalm 56:13
For you have delivered my soul from death,
yes, my feet from falling,
that I may walk before God
in the light of life.

He has loved us with an everlasting love! He has redeemed our souls from The Pit! How GREAT is our God!!!

Psalm 36:5
Your steadfast love, O Lord, extends to the heavens,
your faithfulness to the clouds.

Psalm 42:8
By day the Lord commands his steadfast love,
and at night his song is with me,
a prayer to the God of my life.

So, when was the last time you savored the VERY WORDS of your lover? What are you waiting for?

~Lady Tai

Pray, Pray, Pray!

2007-04-03T13:23:00.001-07:00

Philippians 4:6-7
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

I've been thinking again! (Muahahahaha!)
Yesterday I was at some friends' house hanging out. Eventually another friend stopped by to hang out as well! We had a grand time, and, while talking, my mom asked this friend what they thought of a job offer they had been given. Then this friend said something along the lines of, "It's been going alot better since I finally just stopped and prayed about it for the first time."
Later that day, we all just had a time of prayer, and my mom prayed that we would all see that every decision we make shapes our future, and that we would take those decisions to God.
And, yes, as usual...that made me think.

EVERY decision we make, no matter how small, or insignificant it may seem, shapes our futures. From deciding whether to buy a new car, or go to a camp, deciding whether to take a job or keep looking...deciding whether to stay at home, go to college, or set out for new horizons...each and EVERY decision shapes our futures! And, when we come to God for guidance, it is HE who determines and shapes our futures, because we have surrendered it to Him.
Of course, I SO OFTEN go through my days worrying about all of these little decision...whether I should graduate early to help my dad's work, whether I should go to NCFCA regionals, whether I should write a fiction book or a non-fiction book - whether I should even waste the time to write a book in the first place, what I am going to do after I graduate, whether I am ever going to go to cosmetology school...and dozens of other decisions, and worries about things that I don't even need to worry about yet!
The answer? Pray. Who am I that I should think I know better than God does? Before I get bogged down with decisions and choices, I need to get on my knees and ask for guidance and direction. God is the creator of everything and the master of the universe - surely he knows the way in which I should go!

Nehemiah 9:12
"By a pillar of cloud you led them in the day, and by a pillar of fire in the night to light for them the way in which they should go."

The Bible is God's very words, spoken to us - so when we need direction, the Bible can be our compass.

An excerpt from that excellent old book - Pilgrim's Progress:

  
  Now night being come again, and the giant (Dispair) and his wife being in bed, she
  asked him concerning the prisoners, and if they had taken his counsel: to
  which he replied, "They are sturdy rogues; they choose rather to bear all
  hardships than to make away with themselves." Then said she, "Take them into
  the castle-yard to-morrow, and show them the bones and skulls of those that
  thou hast already dispatched, and make them believe, ere a week comes to an
  end, thou wilt tear them in pieces, as thou hast done their fellows before
  them."

   So when the morning was come, the giant goes to them again, and takes them
  into the castle-yard, and shows them as his wife had bidden him. "These," said
  he, "were pilgrims, as you are, once, and they trespassed on my grounds, as
  you have done; and when I thought fit I tore them in pieces; and so within
  ten days I will do you: get you down to your den again." And with th
at he
  beat them all the way thither. They lay, therefore, all day on Saturday
in a
  lamentable case, as before. Now, when night was come, and when Mrs.
  Diffidence and her husband the giant(Dispair)was got to bed, they began to renew
  their discourse of their prisoners; and withal, the old giant wondered that
  he could neither by his blows nor counsel bring them to an end. And with
  that his wife replied, "I fear," said she, "that they live in hopes that some
  will come to relieve them; or that they have picklocks about them, by the
  means of which they hope to escape." "And sayest thou so, my dear?" said the
  giant; "I will therefore search them in the morning."

  Well, on Saturday, about midnight they began to pray, and continued in
   prayer till almost break of day.

   Now, a little before it was day, good Christian, as one half amazed, brake
   out into this passionate speech: "What a fool, quoth he, am I, thus to lie in
   a stinking dungeon, when I may as well walk at liberty! I have a key in my
   bosom, called Promise, that will, I am persuaded, open any lock in Doubting
   Castle." Then said Hopeful, "That is good news; good brother, pluck it out of
   thy bosom, and try."


  Then Christian pulled it out of his bosom, and began to try at the
  dungeon-door, whose bolt, as he turned the key, gave back, and the door flew
  open with ease, and Christian and Hopeful both came out. Then he went to the
  outward door that leads into the castle-yard, and with his key opened that
  door also. After he went to the iron gate, for that must be opened too; but
  that lock went desperately hard, yet the key did open it. They then thrust
  open the gate to make their escape with speed; but that gate, as it opened,
  made such a creaking, that it waked Giant Despair, who hastily rising to
  pursue his prisoners, felt his limbs to fail, for his fits took him again,
  so that he could by no means go after them. Then they went on, and came to
  the King’s highway, and so were safe, because they were out of his
  jurisdiction.

 So, you see, that the Promise is always near us, we just have to remember it, grab hold of it, and cling fast to it..and It 
will set us free from doubting!

John 8:36
"So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed."

All I can say, is pray, pray, pray! Make your time with God the PRIORITY of your day. So many times, things can seem more important than reading our Bibles or praying, but if we don't spend time with God - our FOUNDATION - the rest of us will crumble away. Don't say, "Oh, I'll get to it later." but cultivate a hunger and thirst after God and His Word, and run after Him with all your heart. He will uphold you, and provide a light for your path - even He only shows you one step at a time.

Matthew 6:31-33

"Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you."

Psalm 119:105
"Your word is a lamp to my feet
and a light to my path."

~Lady Tai

Audience of One

2007-03-14T10:23:00.000-07:00

EDIT: My own Mama now has a xanga page, set up by yours truly! I thought I'd let you know... it is www.xanga.com/pen_of_fire !

The day dawns, sun streams through your window - it's a beautiful Sunday morning. You hurry to get dressed, and soon are traveling with the rest of your family to church. You take a seat at church, and the music begins. You stand up, with people behind you and in front of you, and begin to sing. You close your eyes and raise your hands. For all intesive purposes, it appears that you are deep in worship - passionate about God...but here is what is going on in your head:
"Blessed be your...you know, I wonder if __ is seeing how passionatly I am worshipping...I bet they would be impressed...maybe I should raise my hands a little higher...in the land that is plentiful...oh, goodness - I think I forgot to eat breakfast this morning! Ugh - I'm SO hungry! Streams of ubandance flow...oh, Mrs. __ just looked at me, I'd better keep my mind on singing! I wouldn't want her to think that I don't care about Jesus..."

After church, you notice someone you want to impress glancing over at you now-and-again...then a lady drops all of the books that she has piled up in her arms onto the floor! Here is what goes through your mind:
"Oh! I bet __ would be impressed if I picked up this lady's books for her! I wonder if they'll notice me, if I help her...maybe I should say, 'Here, let me help you, Ma-am!' just loud enough so that they'll be able to hear me..."

Have you ever heard of "The Fear of Man"? In a nutshell, it includes wanting people to have a good impression of you so much that you often pay more attention to what they think, and trying to impress them, than what God thinks and trying to honor him.
Here is what God has said about that: "Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you." (Matthew 6:1-4)

Maybe you have never experienced situations like those above...or maybe you are tempted in that way almost every day! Whatever your situation, though, we all have times when our focus wavers and our motives are all wrong...and it is in those times when we need to re-focus...to put on our "blinders" that will help point us again to our "Audience of One" - God.

Here are some "blinders" that will re-direct your motives, and remind you that it is all about God:

Blinder #1: Psalm 73:23-28 "Nevertheless, I am continually with you; you hold my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will receive me to glory. Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. For behold, those who are far from you shall perish; you put an end to everyone who is unfaithful to you. But for me it is good to be near God;I have made the Lord God my refuge,that I may tell of all your works.

~God is the only one who can strengthen us, and he is the only one worth desiring to impress. He is always watching us, and ultimately, it is only his opinion that will count.~

Blinder #2: Psalm 63:2-8 "So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary, beholding your power and glory. Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you. So I will bless you as long as I live; in your name I will lift up my hands. My soul will be satisfied as with fat and rich food, and my mouth will praise you with joyful lips, when I remember you upon my bed, and meditate on you in the watches of the night; for you have been my help, and in the shadow of your wings I will sing for joy. My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me."

~When we behold God's power and glory, when we stand in awe of what he's done - even the "little" things like snowflakes or sunshine, we won't be able to help ourselves - praise will flow forth! We are always in the shadow of his loving, protecting wings...and it is there that we can sing for JOY...no matter what we are going through....FOR AS LONG AS WE LIVE! Meditate on Him, and your heart will see that he is the only one worth giving our all to.~

Blinder #3: Isaiah 64:6 "We have all become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment. We all fade like a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away."

~Hmmm...well, obviously none of our "righteous deeds" are any good...on our own. They are filthy - it is like handing a polluted garment to God and saying, "Here are my good deeds!" Why would we want to do that? It is only when we surrender to God's will and do these good things to bring glory to HIM, that they will be like a sweet incense. We are nothing on our own.~

Blinder #4: Psalm 39:1-9 "I said, “I will guard my ways, that I may not sin with my tongue; I will guard my mouth with a muzzle, so long as the wicked are in my presence. I was mute and silent; I held my peace to no avail, and my distress grew worse. My heart became hot within me. As I mused, the fire burned; then I spoke with my tongue: O Lord, make me know my end and what is the measure of my days; let me know how fleeting I am! Behold, you have made my days a few handbreadths, and my lifetime is as nothing before you. Surely all mankind stands as a mere breath! Selah Surely a man goes about as a shadow! Surely for nothing they are in turmoil; man heaps up wealth and does not know who will gather! And now, O Lord, for what do I wait? My hope is in you. Deliver me from all my transgressions. Do not make me the scorn of the fool! I am mute; I do not open my mouth, for it is you who have done it."

~We must guard our tongues and our hearts at all times. Before you do something, evaluate your motives...are you doing something to bring honor and glory to God - even if no one will ever see? Or are you trying to get attention for yourself? We are fleeting shadows in this world of sin, and we must make the most of the time that we are given. Many things in this life may seem important now, but have no eternal significance. We can heap up all of the riches we want to in this life, but if we have no treasures in heaven, we have squandered our time.~

Selah.

Serving Jesus

2007-03-05T11:05:00.000-08:00

Matthew 25:31-40
“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left. Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’”

Yesterday evening I was priveleged to be able to serve many of our church leaders at a special dinner we had for them. It was already arranged, and our wonderful church secretary/do-everything-lady had planned out the night splendidly. All that myself and several other youth (including my cool brother, Ben) had to do was serve the food and make sure that everything went smoothly...and then of course, clean up afterwards.

It went great, and everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves. Then Mr. Snapp (our pastor) gathered everyone together at the end and recounted to us God's amazing ways that had brought everyone who was there to the same church. To think that we could have never even met all of the wonderful friends that we have now...but God.

Then Mr. Snapp prayed to close the meeting. But one phrase that he said got caught in my mind, and I think that God spoke to me right there, in the middle of the prayer - and after the prayer was over, I grabbed a paper-towel and a pen and wrote what I felt down. This is the phrase that Mr. Snapp used:
"Jesus, you are the guest-of-honor."

Simple, right? And then I thought of that night, and many other times when I have served - especially those times when I felt that what I was doing was so insignificant. And those 7 words merged with the pictures I had in my mind of serving the people at "my table" (Table 3 - hehe) that night...and another picture came to my mind - of Jesus sitting at the head of the table, right next to Mr. Rawleigh. Every time I smiled at the "guests", I was really smiling at Jesus. When I was striving to do my best to bless them, I was really blessing Jesus.
That was an awesome thought - and ever so encouraging!

Until...until I think of all of those times when I served, yes, but I served with a bad attitude, or those times I could have served, but didn't "feel like it"...or ignored the need because of selfishness...especially in my very own home, with the people that are nearest to me. Those times when I sighed all through my "duty", or stomped away because I didn't want to do what was asked of me...and now I can see that Jesus was right there...watching me in my bad attitude - probably with tears in his eyes.

So, the long and short of this post is to say, I guess, that it might be helpful to remember that Jesus is there...when we are serving with joy and humbleness...or when our mom asks us to dust and we refuse - we are really refusing to bless 2 people: God and our mother. (And we are sneering at any blessing that God may have bestowed upon us.)

When we least expect it - we are serving Jesus.

True Love and the Titanic

2007-02-28T15:12:00.000-08:00

(All material on this post is copyrighted 2007 by Tai Polczynski and may not be used in whole or in part without written permission from Tai.)

This is my Original Oratory for this year's NCFCA season, and my mom suggested that I post it on my blog (plus I thought you might like to read through it)...so here it is:

All quotes are taken from the testimonies of actual survivors of the Titanic disaster as recorded in "The Sinking of the Titanic" Memorial Edition, published in 1912 - the same year that the Titanic went down.

Seldom was ever a braver battle fought; seldom was inevitable death embraced so nobly; seldom was love for those they cherished so tenderly displayed, as when the cry went up, "Women and children first!" that cold night on the Titanic.
April 14, 1912 was drawing to a close. It had been a beautiful day, and it was now a still, peaceful night. Inside the Titanic lights were still ablaze, and laughter filled the air. The Titanic's engines roared and the propeller blades churned the water faster than usual.
The officers smiled about today being the day when they would, perhaps, break a record...this fast ship full of luxuries. And, yes, a record they made, but one of death and sorrow! But no one could know...so they laughed and danced, not knowing that, in a few short hours they would be parted forever from all that they had known in this life, and would have to face the freezing waters - dark and ominous - the essence of death.
Of course, this ship, possessed 15 water-tight compartments, making her "unsinkable" as some said. She could send out sonar signals that could tell her when another ship, the shore or any other submarine object was at hand. A collision bulkhead would safeguard the ship against being flooded with water, should the bow be torn away.
She can not possibly sink, thought the owners and the commander and all of the passengers. Yet, someone blundered. And this pride of men, this floating palace struck an ice-berg while speeding through the night at 21 knots, and no water-tight compartments or sonar devices could save her now.
What did it matter to the men who stayed behind, or to the women and children placed in the boats - never to see their beloved husbands or fathers again - that the Titanic had Turkish baths, 3 electric elevators, a hospital with an operating room or a palm garden? Did they care about the chandeliers or the silk comforters? Out of all of the luxuries on the boat and all of the comforts that were provided for, the only thing that was inadequate was the lack of life boats. There were enough life boats to carry 1,200 people - but this ship that was the glory of many men was built to carry 3,295 people - far over twice as many as could fit into the life boats!
So quickly did the floating palace disappear. It had taken 3,000 men over 2 years to build the Titanic, and had cost about $10,000,000 and yet, it was gone in several hours - sent helplessly to the bottom of the sea.
But more impressive than the wasted money and the ill-spent hours of labor, were the men and women on board the ship. There were millionaires and nobles - many of them could have summoned a fleet of ships to carry them wherever they wished to go. These people ranged from William T. Stead - an editor from London, to Isadore Straus - a millionaire - and Colonel John Jacob Astor - a man of millions. Yet all of these men - whether poor immigrants, who had been looking forward to seeing the shores of America - or men of substance to whom many would bow...all of them seemed to know of an honor, a chivalry - a love - that kept them on-board the Titanic as the ladies and children were hurried onto the lifeboats. A nobility which caused them to face death with heads held high, and to give their one chance of survival to their wives, their sisters - ladies whom they had never even met. Their sacrifice could now cause the poorest among them to hold his head high - for he had faced the grimmest thing that man can face - for there is only one chance at life, and he had laid down that precious gift so that the ladies and future generation might live...how many of us, I wonder would be able to give up such a chance, were we given the choice?
Young Colonel John Jacob Astor, who I previously mentioned had millions, and had many things to look forward to in life, looked death bravely in the face as he was given the choice between a life of ease, or death in an icy ocean, but life for another. Colonel Astor helped his wife to a place in a boat that was being filled with women. The boat was not completely filled, and no more women seemed to be near it, so the Colonel quietly asked the second officer who was overseeing the loading of the boat, "May I go with my wife? She is ill." The officer agreed. This man who could have had anything that he needed once he reached land, got into the life boat, and this boat was about to be cast off. Then the Colonel suddenly stood up and shouted for them to wait. He had seen a woman hurrying toward the lifeboat. He leapt over the rail and helped her to the place where he had previously been sitting. Mrs. Astor screamed and tried to exit the boat, but Colonel Astor held her back. He gently touched her shoulder, "The ladies first, dear heart." he was heard to say. "I resign myself to my fate." and he then saluted farewell and was not seen again.
Another man gave up his place in a lifeboat to his wife's maid.
All of the glories and accomplishments of men will fade. Great palaces will someday turn to dust, gold and silver will be lost, and life can be snuffed out like a candle, or can change shape as quickly as a cloud. As many people on the Titanic found out, one minute they had everything, and the next minute, all of their earthly possessions were at the bottom of the ocean, covered in mud - the playthings of fishes.
What are we to do with such uncertainty ever near us? With life as fragile as a snowflake - ready to melt away at a mere touch? We surely cannot live in fear, and we cannot hide from pain. We must all face the reality of death someday, but an even more steadfast reality is that of true love...for the only son of God walked this earth in the form of man, teaching us how to live, and then he died a cruel death on a cross - mocked, beaten and despised. But even worse for this only Son of God, was that his Father turned his face away from him, because he took all of our sins on himself, so that, if we trust in him, we might have forgiveness and eternal life. If you are looking for a definition of "true love", then this is it.
So, then, we must live, making the most of every opportunity, embracing the love shown to us by God, bringing honor to Him, and putting the interests of others above our own. We can live like the heroes of the Titanic even in the small, ordinary decisions of our lives, when we are given the choice of doing what we want to do, or doing what God wants us to do...it all depends on our choice.
I have heard several people say that, "God allows the heat to be turned on to see what bubbles over." These men on the Titanic, through no choice of their own, were thrust into a circumstance where the heat was turned on very "high". It is in these times when we must choose carefully how we will respond...and what bubbles over will often display for everyone to see, what is really deep in our hearts. The men like Colonel Astor showed beyond a shadow of a doubt that they were men of character, for what bubbled over was such humility, self-control, love and that quality of preferring others above themselves.
The introduction to the "Sinking of the Titanic" Memorial Edition says, "It was the supreme test, for if a man lose his life he loses all. But, had the grim alternative thought to mock the cowardice of the breed, it was doomed to disappointment.
"Silently these men stood aside. 'Women first,' the inexorable law of the sea, which one disobeys only to court everlasting ignominy, undoubtedly had no place in their minds. 'Women first,' the common law of humanity, born of chivalry and the nobler spirit of self-sacrifice, prevailed.
"They simply stood aside.
"The first blush of poignant grief will pass from those who survive and were bereft. But always will they sense in its fullest meaning this greatest of all sacrifice."
These men, who made this greatest sacrifice will no doubt be among the ranks of the few who have loved most passionately, and loved most sincerely...for:
"Greater love has no one than this, that someone lays down his life for his friends." John 15:13

Happy Birthday?

2007-02-22T23:57:00.000-08:00

Well, tomorrow (February 20), at 6:13pm, I will "officially" be an adult.
How do I feel about this (a popular question, it seems, from the 832 times I've been asked that very thing in 2 days)?
Well...for one thing, turning 18 and "legally" being an adult, doesn't automatically make you one. Nope (sorry to break that news to you who aren't yet 18...*nuts*!). So...when DO we "grow-up"...when are we "mature"? Well...I would venture to guess (from observation) that we are never done "growing up" and no one has reached the pinnacle of "maturity". Read this:

Philippians 3:12-16 "Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. Only let us hold true to what we have attained."

Hmmm...reading these verses makes one think that we must continue to press on and strain ahead for the prize. AND I would guess that this "prize" is not to be had in this life, therefore, we must be pressing foward all of our lives...there is always something that we can learn...and most of us are still working on learning half of the things that "average" people (should) know. So, along with not "suddenly" being "grown up", we do not all of a sudden become wise either...though, alas, I wish it were so! I remember looking up to a ton of 17 and 18 year-olds and thinking, "I can't wait until I am as old as they are. I'll get to have my own house, and go to college, and drive, and get married someday...they must be so mature!"
Haha! Little did I then dream that I WOULD actually be turning 18 one day...and I'll still be living at home, I'm not planning to go to college (at least in the near future), I don't even have my driver's liscense yet (though I like to say that it's not my fault, and I've been trying - only 25 more hours to go... *yippee*), and who KNOWS (but God...) the "how" and "when" of the marriage part!
But, really, those things are trivial. They are not the important parts of life, that will really matter when I'm 70 (I was going to say "80", but I figured I wouldn't push God too far...) . The things that will really matter are things like: Did I care for that hurting person? Did I take the time to laugh at a little girl's newest joke? Was I honest and did I walk in integrity when temptation to do otherwise confronted me? Did I do what God commanded me to do - even if I thought my way was better? Did I smile at the elderly lady as I held the door for her? When I saw a need, did I do something, or did I pretend to ignore it because I didn't feel like doing anything? Did God's love shine through me then? In times when I could have been doing something more "fun", was joy present in my heart while doing the "ordinary" or the "dull" tasks of life? Did I take the time to really care about that person's soul...or did I see them as "just another face" or "the person who sits in the back row at church"?

Things like that will last - even when our finite minds have forgotten the giggle of the child, or the amazed look on the elderly lady's face, or the tears of repentance from a lost soul being set free.

Hmmm...I was going to write more, but I am rather tired, and I think this is as good of a place as any to stop. Maybe I'll add more tomorrow.

~Lady Tai

Questions? Comments? There is a space for that below! FYI, if you have any questions, I'd be more than happy to ponder them and let you know what I think.

Cookies is Required to View This Message

2007-02-22T23:49:00.001-08:00

You Are an Oatmeal Raisin Cookie

On the surface, you're a little plain - but you have many subtle dimensions to your personality.
Sometimes you're down to earth and crunchy. Other times, you're sweet and a little gooey.

What Kind of Cookie Are You?

"A little plain"??? Ahhhh! They obviously haven't met me. Actually, that cookie description describes me better than I'd have guessed from such odd questions that I had to answer to get it...just, instead of "plain", I'd have put "quiet"...though "quiet" can be mis-judged as "plain" sometimes. The one below also goes with me (as my friends will say). I just changed one thing from my answers for the other "cookie" that I wasn't sure about:

You Are a Jam Cookie

On the outside, you project a straight-laced, innocent vibe.
But on the inside, you're complex, exotic, and full of flavor.

Sooo...I'm a 2-cookie person. Actually, I would eat a jam cookie before a oatmeal cookie...if I had a choice.

So - what did you learn from this? Well...You must look past the outward appearance, at the heart and character of a person. Not that they MEAN to be...but outward "appearances" CAN be deceiving.

1 Samuel 16:7 - But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.”

Proverbs 31:30 "Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain,
but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised."

Physical beauty and "good looks" will fade. Someday, Lord willing, you WILL be 50 and you WILL have wrinkles, sags, and bags...where's beauty then? It is in character and nobility and spirit:

1 Peter 3:4 "But let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious."

Start now - cultivate a spirit full of character and honor:

Girls: Fear the Lord (daily devotions/conversations with the King of Kings),
Cultivate a Gentle and Quiet Spirit (surely you know the difference between this and a loud, showy spirit),
Grow in grace and humility,
Be someone that others think and speak highly of.

Guys: Fear the Lord (daily devotions/conversations with your Savior),
Cultivate good character and honor/chivalry,
Grow in humility, and yet, be a strong leader,
Be someone that others think and speak highly of.

This is just a small beginning of ALL of the things you can grow in. You can evaluate where you are by asking, "People DON'T think and speak highly of me - what could I be doing differently?" And instead of doing the LEAST you can do, start LOOKING for ways that you can bless others - daily!

If you aren't sure if something is full of honor or that it would be pleasing to God - ditch it. It is better to run instead of getting as close to the line as we can.

Anyhow...I'm done lecturing now. Every now and again I just have a thought, and I just have to keep writing!

~Lady Tai

Valentine's Day is February 14th.

2007-02-13T07:50:00.000-08:00

Well...what are you doing for Valentine's Day? If you are like most people who read my blog, you are not yet married, and more than likely, not in a dating relationship, because you are waiting for the right time to court. Sooo...what do you do on Valentine's Day? Sit around eating pop-corn and wishing your life away - wishing that you had a "Valentine"? (Though, technically, God is the best, and most romantic "Valentine" you'll ever have!) Well...you can do that...but that might not be the most effective thing you can do with your time. I have been reading around several places where other people also have had this same question...and may I present you with an idea? Here it is:
Instead of using this Valentine's Day selfishly, or moping around the house (or school), why not use this special day to serve others?!
If you are a girl, surely you can use the gifts that God has given you and creative thoughts that He can put into your mind to bless other young ladies that you know, who also have no "Valentine"! What about making them special cards, or pulling them aside to just remind them that Jesus loves them - even more than an earthly "Valentine" ever could. Perhaps you could focus on one particular young lady and write out some verses that God gives you for her in a nice Valentine's Day card. Flowers...or cookies anyone?
Here is another thought: Marriage is a gift from God, so why not use this day to honor and bless those who already have found their earthly Valentines? You could babysit for them if they have young children, so that they can spend the evening alone with each-other. You could write them a card, thanking them for how they have displayed Christ's love through the way that they love and honor each-other. The ideas are endless!
If you are a guy, the same things can apply to you - encourage other young men that you know to keep their hearts pure and wait patiently for the Valentine that God will someday bring them. Tell them how you've seen them grow and how they have encouraged you to press on.

You guys are so creative...think hard, and ask God to show you what He wants you to do this Valentine's Day, and I'm sure you will be able to bless many people.

Happy Valentine's Day!!!

Expressions of His Love

2007-02-13T07:48:00.000-08:00

Do you ever feel like you're "walking through a desert" or that God just isn't speaking to you or making himself known to you? Sometimes I do. But when I start thinking this way, I've made it kind-of a habit to just look up at the sky - blue or gray, and gaze at the trees, the snow, the grass - even look at my own hands. And remembering that God made all of this makes my heart sing again! Then, when I remember that all of this is an expression of his INFINITE love for ME - for YOU...I can only stand amazed at SUCH a God! He made each thing beatiful in it's own way - down to the last atom. He speaks to us in many ways...the question is - are we listening?

So often we get into the "daily grind"...feeling like what we do is so ordinary and useless. I often start worrying about my future when this type of thought pops into my head, and thinking that I will never be good enough, or can never make a difference being "ordinary" as I am.
It's true. I can never be good enough at anything to make a difference just how I am. It is only when I realize my need for a Sovereign Savior and surrender to His will that I can touch lives.
I pray that God will make me a beautiful expression of Jesus' love to others - like He has made the mountains, the trees, the flowers, the animals beautiful expressions of his love. He made my heart, and it is only He who can make it an expression of His.

Selah.

~Lady Tai

2007-02-09T14:37:00.000-08:00

This was just a random banner I made with Adobe Photoshop that I thought I'd share with you!

~Lady Tai

The Fires of Life

2007-02-09T12:24:00.000-08:00

Well,
Yesterday I was privileged to be invited to hang out with the Efthimious. We had a grand day - and Rachael, Dell, Whitney and I went shopping (mostly "window shopping" for me). It was a great time to just hang out and enjoy each-other. After dropping Whitney and Dell off at different places in Corning, Rachael and I made the trip back to the Efthimious'. On entering their driveway, I noticed sparks coming out of their chimney. Thinking to myself that maybe their chimney always did that and it was no problem, I dismissed it from my mind...until, while getting things out of the back of the car, Rachael and I both looked up as we heard a "whooshing" sound, and, with somewhat stunned eyes, beheld the top of their chimney hosting a ball of flames! After I asked an obvious question, to the effect of "I take it that isn't supposed to happen...", Rachael ran onto the house, alerting everyone watching football or talking, to the fact that the large fire in the fireplace, that Mr. Efthimiou had been saving logs for, was not as nice looking coming out of the chimney...
Mr. Efthimiou ran out and had to climb on the roof, using the hose to put out the fire. We had to put out the fire IN the house, and open the doors (it went from toasty to "cool" in there...) but the fire coming out of the top of the chimney didn't stop for a lot longer time. The fire department didn't come for about 15 minutes, and the fire was nearly out by then, but they had to make sure that the fire hadn't crept into the walls at all, so that took about an hour. Fortunately, everyone is fine there and their house is still intact...but I shudder to think "What if Rachael and I hadn't come back just then?"...God was in control there! If Rachael and Whitney hadn't had a "deep conversation" at the Snapps' (where we dropped Whitney off at) for about 15 minutes, we would probably have been IN the house, and not seen the huge ball of fire appear on the chimney! The Efthimious have to replace the chimney lining...but at least they caught it before something worse happened!
The fire is kind-of like sin - in a way. Sometimes sin can seem like a good thing. Sometimes it makes us happy - it gives us a warm feeling. It CAN start as a "little" thing. We realize it's there, but it seems like no one else is being hurt - "so why not do it"? God puts others in our life who can see the effect our sin is having on us - and others. They speak to us about it and try to warn us of the "fires" that will come if we don't give it up - or put it out. But, sooner or later, the sin gets out of control. We may not even realize it, but those whom God has put in our lives do. They are just concerned about our eternal well-being, but we may push them away - thinking that, since we can't SEE anything wrong, they are just trying to ruin our comfort...our "good times". But if we were to see ourselves from their point of view, we could see the fires that are about to consume our lives - once and for all. We only have one chance. Once our lives are "burnt down", there isn't another.
If we step back and see the fires, we may decide that, just in case, we'll put out the fire "down below"...the "little" fire/sin. We think we've gotten everything, and that we "look good" again, but the fire on the roof still rages - hotter and hotter! If we don't fight it with all of our hearts, and refuse to stop until it is all put out, it can destroy us - AND those we love!
After we think the area of sin is gone - when we've been doused in the waters of God's AMAZING grace, we still need the communion with others - pastors, other believers, close friends who can keep an eye on our walls, to make sure that the sparks of the previous fire don't start another fire.
We may have to give up and/or replace something we hold/held dear, but for our eternal salvation, the things on this earth are as nothing...as fleeting as a tissue thrown into the fire is consumed!

Where's the fire in your life, and what are you going to do about it? Are you going to let God have control - are you going to surrender that area to God and let his grace cover you, or are you going to refuse to admit that there is a problem, and risk being burnt?