I Remember When

I remember when.....this is my favorite line from "I Will Praise You in this Storm". I wrote Bethany a long list of memories today- most of which are too personal to post on here. But right now my life is changing a lot- and its great to look back and see where God carried me through when times were rough.


Today I finished a book on sin. I highly reccomend "The Enemy Within" by Kris Lungard. (Bethi was so kind to let me borrow it.) I loved it. I think I've developed a better attitude towards sin. Lately, I've been swinging on a pendulum: letting my sin control me, not caring, then caring and asking for forgivness, OR, hating my sin, not sinning during this time but fighting it really hard and then sinning and wishing to be in Heaven where no one sins.

A little mood swingy eh? But here's the thing- I don't want to sin. I should fight my sin as hard as I can. But there's a secret- though I shouldn't dwell to much on this (well, no, I should, but it shouldn't be "YAY forgivness! I can sin!" It should be- Yay, God's grace will help me NOT to sin, but will always forgive me if I do) - God is going to impart His grace to me, because of the death of my Savior. So, when I do sin-though, like Paul, I don't want to- I am forgiven.

I hope that makes sense, and no one thinks I've gone off the deep end into some sort of Rick Warren doctrine! Ahh my. But sin. Its an interesting subject. Grace is even more interesting. I'll think about that now, and telly ou all my oh so deep thoughts later!

Love Jesus More.

Books

I write about books a lot it seems.

But I love them!

I am going to read 30 Books this Summer! My goal is not to be idle- idle hands invited the devil...or something like that! I'm taking up knitting, embroidery; I plan to cook, sew, garden, walk, read, write...everything!

Here's my summer book list:

1. Before You Meet Prince Charming- Sarah Malley
Bethany and I are going to be reading this together and discussing it.
2. When I Don't Desire God- John Piper
Looks really good, and John Piper always is a good read.
3. Living the Cross Centered Life- CJ Mahaney
I love CJ Mahaney. He is one of my most favorite authors EVER.
4. Total Truth- Nancy Pearcy
One of my dad's favorites, its on worldview, and I'm reading it just cause I know he would like it if I did.
5. God is the Gospel- John Piper
My dad's favorite so far this year, and as mentioned, John Piper is a favorite of mine.
6. Always Ready- Greg Bahnsen
Recommended by Alex and Brett, and we own it. Looks good for learning to defend the faith.
7. Twelve Extraordinary Women- John MacArthur
Looks good, and my Grandma liked it.
8. Pilgrims Progress- John Bunyan
Of course I've read this before, many times actually, but its been a while.
9. A Path Through Suffering- Elizabeth Elliot
I bought it several months ago, and never read it.
10. The Valley of Vision

I'll post the next 20 later.

'Cause Its May

Okay, first of all, Bethany and I have a new blog which is www.somethinggreaterblog.wordpress.com we started it in April, and we are currently finishing up a series on Femininity. It is a blog for young ladies, and I hope "you all" (which is so little people!) will check it out.

Secondly, its May. On Tuesday I went outside, at about 8:00 AM, and I walked up "The Hill" and it was foggy, and of course, I had my iPod, and I listened to "Far Away" by Nickleback, and it was a lovely way to spend 10 minutes. And I went to the park and went on the swing.

What else have I done to celebrate May? Today I'm going over to Bethi's. We'll go in the spa, and paint our nails, and watch Pride and Prejudice, and celebrate.

I also wore a long pretty skirt yesterday, cause its May!

'Cause its May everything is beautiful.

I Know Nothing...

....but I also know everything. I don't know a lot of things. Spanish completely boggles me. Algebra 1 completely hates me, and the feeling is mutual. I don't know so many things about the Bible, and I strive to learn more and more. But I do know one thing. Just one. Uno. And because of it I am the most blessed person in the world.

I know that Jesus died on the cross and rose again on the third day, according to the Scriptures. I know this, and better then knowing it, I believe that. I believe that, and I base my life on it, nothing else. Isn't that the greatest thing in the world? I know the "good news", the Gospel, as Pr. Ardo said yesterday. Why did I get the privelege to know this from practically birth? I don't know. Why do so many people not know this, or believe this? I don't know. But I do know this one thing.

I just thought of that on my way to the librarey (person from 168, I think I have finally spelled this correctly? Maybe? :) because me and Bethany were struggling (in other words, debating/thinking) about a number of topics on Saturday. So yeah.

I also know something else! No where near as important, but I love May. It is the best month of the year. One day I, Lord willing, will get married in May. I'm getting baptized next month- in May. I'm ending school, kind of, - in May. In May it will get warmer so I can wear light, airy, frilly skirts. I can ditch my coats and sweatshirts- in May. I want to name my daughter May someday. Or Mae, like the band and Beth's middle name. Emma Mae. Very pretty. (Emma- Jane Austen. I'm going to start reading that- in May). May. May. May! I love May!

Vision Forum

I love Vision Forum, and since I want to post- but have no time- I encourage you to check out these two links:

www.visionforum.com or www.visonforum.org (Not sure whether it is an "org" or "com"!)

www.veritaspress.com

The second sells homeschooling curriculum. I currently do non-Christian curriculum, however, I am growing more tired of learning from a non-Christian worldview every day, so we may switch next year to Veritas Press, or something similar.

Blessings!

Gaurding the Heart

I was reading on another blog about how an article talks about how girls that "give their hearts to there fathers are less likely to search for love from a guy." I believe that's true, to an extent. When I seek attention from a guy its not because I don't feel cherished by my dad. I love my dad so much, and I know he loves me more then anything! (Except God, and my mom!) But that doesn't stop me sometimes from desiring attention from a guy.

But, the reason I try to fight wanting attention, is not because I wish to gaurd my heart for my future husband. Yes, that would be great. The main reason I desire to guard my heart is because I know that is what God requires of me, and it will help me to love and glorify Him more.

We've all read many articles and books, I'm sure, on how to guard the heart. I do not wish to add noise! However, I hope that we all consider the motive for guarding out hearts.

I know its hard to guard our hearts. But lets think also about the rewards:

- We know it is glorifying to God, and hopefully our motive is to serve and love Him more.
- We can be an encouragement to other girls who are struggling with this.
- We can live up to God's standards for us as women, thus being a precious jewel to our father or possibly husband. (Titus 2- pure!)
- (This is the lowest reason to me.) If we are ever married, we will have a beautiful heart to give to our future husband, one that is guarded and kept only for him. That is wonderful, and worth striving for.

Pray for a guarded heart girls! Let's strive to have this quality exhibited in our lives.

Been a while...

I've been busy.

1. I got myself organized! I am using my planner..which is spiffy...and its nice to have everything written down. I was inspired by Alex and Brett's post, on the Reb., and today I wrote down a really good verse in it. Its about how God and His grace are sufficent, and it was fantastic. I read it throughout the day.

2. I've been babysitting so much! Last Friday, yesterday morning, tonight from 6-7 with one person, and then 7-..., tomorrow morning, Friday again all afternoon, and lastly, next Wednesday.

3. I've been reading a lot.

Too tired to write.