Mar. 1, 2008 - Love overcomes a multitude of sins
Wow...It's March 1st already! Time seriously has been flying by fast. So, it's about time to post something new, right?
Today I was reading in my Daily Light devotional what the Bible verses were for today, and one of them was 1 Peter 4:8 - and it says:
"And above all things have fervent love for one another, for 'love will cover a multitude of sins.'"
The Bible seems to talk about how important it is to love one another. It's become something everyone is used to reading, or hearing about, that I don't think people truly know what it means to act lovingly to one another. It's totally thrown out of the picture, when it should be a huge priority to everyone. I will admit that several times I have forgotten to act lovingly towards other people. And even worse, they don't act lovingly back. This creates a stone-hearted barrier between people, and God knows why - it's because of the lack of love and respect and forgiveness.
1 John 4:20 says, "If anyone says, 'I love God,' yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen." -
Who here ADMITS they have ever had a hateful heart towards a sibling, or a friend? Yes, they may not be perfect, but love covers a multitude of sins. Their imperfections do NOT matter anymore. Do you think God hates us because of our past sins? Of COURSE not, He's forgiven us and paid the price for our sins. If we come before God and ask for forgiveness, He has forgiven us freely. But see, with a person, this is harder to do. If someone comes to you and asks forgiveness, and you know you've done them wrong as well - ask forgiveness yourself, and then forgive them. So that basically means - it doesn't matter who you are, what you've done, what they've done - when you're trying to make amends, MAKE amends, not excuses.
Here's Romans 12, and it's an AMAZING chapter to read. Read it completely, and you'll understand what we mean. It's so powerful!
1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
3 For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith. 4 For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, 5 so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. 6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; 7 or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; 8 he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.
9 Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. 10 Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; 11 not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; 12 rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; 13 distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality.
14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. 16 Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion.
17 Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. 18 If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. 19 Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,”says the Lord. 20 Therefore
“ If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
If he is thirsty, give him a drink;
For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.”
21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
It's so refreshing to be comforted by words of wisdom, than by being comforted by foolish words we tell ourselves...Right?
God bless you all!
~Rachel & Jillian~
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Feb. 22, 2008 - "A Letter to my Future Husband"
This is a really sweet contribution we recieved awhile back, and included it in our summer 2006 newsletter. We later decided to put it on our website, and it became a favorite among members...
(Thank you so much Jaimie, for contributing this beautiful article! We hope it will touch others as much as it has touched us! - Rachel & Jillian)
May each of you have a blessed day!
~Rachel & Jillian~
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Feb. 15, 2008 - "Three Days To See" by Helen Keller
Just wanted to post this for yall....it's such an amazing essay. It just makes us think about how much we take for granted...
"Three Days to See"
By Helen Keller
All of us have read thrilling stories in which the hero had only a limited and specified time to live. Sometimes it was as long as a year; sometimes as short as twenty-four hours. But always we were interested in discovering just how the doomed man chose to spend his last days or his last hours. I speak, of course, of free men who have a choice, not condemned criminals whose sphere of activities is strictly delimited.
Such stories set us thinking, wondering what we should do under similar circumstances. What events, what experiences, what associations, should we crowd into those last hours as mortal beings? What happiness should we find in reviewing the past, what regrets?
Sometimes I have thought it would be an excellent rule to live each day as if we should die to-morrow. Such an attitude would emphasize sharply the values of life. We should live each day with a gentleness, a vigor, and a keenness of appreciation which are often lost when time stretches before us in the constant panorama of more days and months and years to come. There are those, of course, who would adopt the epicurean motto of 'Eat, drink, and be merry,' but most people would be chastened by the certainty of impending death.
In stories, the doomed hero is usually saved at the last minute by some stroke of fortune, but almost always his sense of values is changed. He becomes more appreciative of the meaning of life and its permanent spiritual values. It has often been noted that those who live, or have lived, in the shadow of death bring a mellow sweetness to everything they do.
Most of us, however, take life for granted. We know that one day we must die, but usually we picture that day as far in the future. When we are in buoyant health, death is all but unimaginable. We seldom think of it. The days stretch out in an endless vista. So we go about our petty tasks, hardly aware of our listless attitude toward life.
The same lethargy, I am afraid, characterizes the use of all our facilities and senses. Only the deaf appreciate hearing, only the blind realize the manifold blessings that lie in sight. Particularly does this observation apply to those who have lost sight and hearing in adult life. But those who have never suffered impairment of sight or hearing seldom make the fullest use of these blessed faculties. Their eyes and ears take in all sights and sounds hazily, without concentration and with little appreciation. It is the same old story of not being grateful for what we have until we lose it, of not being conscious of health until we are ill.
I have often thought it would be a blessing if each human being were stricken blind and deaf for a few days at some time during his early adult life. Darkness would make him more appreciative of sight; silence would teach him the joys of sound.
Now and then I have tested my seeing friends to discover what they see. Recently I was visited by a very good friend who had just returned from a long walk in the woods, and I asked her what she had observed. 'Nothing in particular,' she replied. I might have been incredulous had I not been accustomed to such responses, for long ago I became convinced that the seeing see little.
How was it possible, I asked myself, to walk for an hour through the woods and see nothing worthy of note? I who cannot see find hundreds of things to interest me through mere touch. I feel the delicate symmetry of a leaf. I pass my hands lovingly about the smooth skin of a silver birch, or the rough, shaggy bark of a pine. In spring I touch the branches of trees hopefully in search of a bud, the first sign of awakening Nature after her winter's sleep. I feel the delightful, velvety texture of a flower, and discover its remarkable convolutions; and something of the miracle of Nature is revealed to me. Occasionally, if I am very fortunate, I place my hand gently on a small tree and feel the happy quiver of a bird in full song. I am delighted to have the cool waters of a brook rush through my open fingers. To me a lush carpet of pine needles or spongy grass is more welcome than the most luxurious Persian rug. To me the pageant of seasons is a thrilling and unending drama, the action of which streams through my finger tips.
At times my heart cries out with longing to see all these things. If I can get so much pleasure from mere touch, how much more beauty must be revealed by sight. Yet, those who have eyes apparently see little. The panorama of color and action which fills the world is taken for granted. It is human, perhaps, to appreciate little that which have and to long for that which we have not, but it is a great pity that in the world of light the gift of sight is used only as a mere convenience rather than as a means of adding fullness to life.
If I were the president of a university I should establish a compulsory course in 'How to Use Your Eyes'. The professor would try to show his pupils how they could add joy to their lives by really seeing what passes unnoticed before them. He would try to awake their dormant and sluggish faculties.
II
Perhaps I can best illustrate by imagining what I should most like to see if I was given the use of my eyes, say, for just three days. And while I am imagining, suppose you, too, set your mind to work on the problem of how to work on the problem of how you would use your own eyes if you had only three days to see. If with the oncoming darkness if the third night you knew that the sun would never rise for you again, how would you spend those three intervening days? What would you most want to let your gaze rest upon?
I, naturally, should want most to see the things which have become dear to me through my years of darkness. You, too, would want to let your eyes rest long on the things that have become dear to you so that you could take the memory of them with you into the night that loomed before you.
If, by some miracle, I were granted three seeing days, to be followed by a relapse into darkness, I should divide the period into three parts.
On the first day, I should want to see the people whose kindness and gentleness and companionship have made my life worth living. First I should like to gaze long upon the face of my dear teacher, Mrs. Ann Sullivan Macy, who came to me when I was a child and opened the outer world to me. I should want not merely to see the outline of her face, so that I could cherish it in my memory, but to study that face and find in it the living evidence of the sympathetic tenderness and patience with which she accomplished the difficult task of my education. I should like to see in her eyes that strength of character which has enabled her to stand firm in the face of difficulties, and that compassion for all humanity which she has revealed to me so often.
I do not know what it is to see into the heart of a friend through that 'window of the soul,' the eye. I can only 'see' through my finger tips the outline of a face. I can detect laughter, sorrow, and many other obvious emotions. I know my friends from the feel of their faces. But I cannot really picture their personalities, of course, through the thoughts they express to me, through whatever of their actions are revealed to me. But I am denied that deeper understanding of them which I am sure would come through sight of them, through watching their reactions to various expressed and circumstances, through noting the immediate and fleeting reactions of their eyes and countenance.
Friends who are near to me I know well, because through the months and years they reveal themselves to me in all their phases; but of casual friends I have only an incomplete impression, an impression gained from handclasp, from spoken words which I take from their lips with my finger tips, or which they tap into the palm of my hand.
How much easier, how much more satisfying it is for you who can see to grasp quickly the essential qualities of another person by watching the subtleties of expression, the quiver of a muscle, the flutter of a hand. But does it ever occur to you to use your sight to see the inner nature of a friend or acquaintance? Do not most of you seeing people grasp casually the outward features of a face and let it go at that?
For instance, can you describe accurately the faces of five good friends? Some of you can, but many cannot. As an experiment, I have questioned husbands of long standing about the color of their wives' eyes, and often they express embarrassed confusion and admit that they so not know. And, incidentally, it is a chronic complaint of wives that their husbands do not notice new dresses, new hats, and changes in household arrangements.
The eyes of seeing persons soon become accustomed to the routine of their surroundings, and they actually see only the startling and spectacular. But even in viewing the most spectacular sights the eyes are lazy. Court records reveal every day how inaccurately 'eyewitnesses' see. A given event will be 'seen' in several different ways by as many witnesses. Some see more than others, but few see everything that is within the range of their vision.
Oh, the things that I should see if I had the power of sight for just three days!
The first day would be a busy one. I should call to me all my dear friends and look long into their faces, imprinting upon my mind the outward evidence of the beauty that is within them. I should let my eyes rest, too, on the face of a baby, so that I could catch a vision of the eager, innocent beauty which precedes the individuals consciousness of the conflicts which life develops.
And I should like to look into the loyal, trusting eyes of my dogs - the grave, canny little Scottie, Darkie, and the stalwart, understanding Great Dane, Helga, whose warm, tender, and playful friendships are so comforting to me.
On that busy first day I should also view the small simple things of my home. I want to see the warm colors in the rugs under my feet, the pictures on the walls, the intimate trifles that transform a house into a home. My eyes would rest respectfully on the books in raised type which I have read, but they would be more eagerly interested in the printed books which seeing people can read, for during the long night of my life the books I have read and those which have been read to me have built themselves into a great shining lighthouse, revealing to me the deepest channels of human life and the human spirit.
In the afternoon of that first seeing day, I should take a long walk in the woods and intoxicate my eyes on the beauties of the world of Nature, trying desperately to absorb in a few hours the vast splendor which is constantly unfolding itself to those who can see. On the way home from my woodland jaunt my path would lie near a farm so that I might see the patient horses ploughing in the field (perhaps I should see only a tractor!) and the serene content of men living close to the soil. And I should pray for the glory of a colorful sunset.
When dusk had fallen, I should experience the double delight of being able to see by artificial light, which the genius of man has created to extend the power of his sight when Nature decrees darkness.
In the night of that first day of sight, I should not be able to sleep, so full would be my mind of the memories of the day.
III
The next day - the second day of sight - I should arise with the dawn and see the thrilling miracle by which night is transformed into day. I should behold with awe the magnificent panorama of light with which the sun awakens the sleeping earth.
This day I should devote to a hasty glimpse of the world, past and present. I should want to see the pageant of man's progress, the kaleidoscope of the ages. How can so much compressed into one day? Through the museums, of course. Often I have visited the New York Museum of Natural History to touch with my hands many of the objects there exhibited, but I have longed to see with my eyes the condensed history of the earth and its inhabitants displayed there - animals and the races of men pictured in their native environment; gigantic carcasses of dinosaurs and mastodons which roamed the earth long before man appeared, with his tiny stature and powerful brain, to conquer the animal kingdom; realistic presentations of the processes of evolution in animals, and in the implements which man has used to fashion for himself a secure home on this planet; and a thousand and one other aspects of natural history.
I wonder how many readers of this article have viewed this panorama of the face of living things as pictured in that inspiring museum. Many, of course, have not had the opportunity, but, I am sure that many who have had the opportunity have not made use of it. There, indeed, is a place to use your eyes. You who can see can spend many fruitful days there, but I, with my imaginary three days of sight, could only take a hasty glimpse, and pass on.
My next stop would be the Metropolitan Museum of Art, for just as the Museum of Natural History reveals the material aspects of the world, so does the Metropolitan show the myriad facets of the human spirit. Throughout the history of humanity the urge to artistic expression has been almost as powerful as the urge for food, shelter, and procreation. And here, in the vast chambers of the Metropolitan Museum, is unfolded before me the spirit of Egypt, Greece, and Rome, as expressed in their art. I know well through my hands the sculptured gods and goddesses of the ancient Nile-land. I have a few copies of Parthenon friezes, and I have sensed the rhythmic beauty of charging Athenian warriors. Apollos and Venuses and the winged victory of Samothrace are friends of my finger tips. The gnarled, bearded features of Homer are dear to me, for he, too, knew blindness.
My hands have lingered upon the living marvel of Roman sculpture as well as that of later generations. I have passed my hands over a plaster cast of Michelangelo's inspiring and heroic Moses; I have sensed the power of Rodin; I have been awed by the devoted spirit of Gothic wood carving. These arts which can be touched have meaning for me, but even they were meant to be seen rather than felt, and I can only guess at the beauty which remains hidden from me. I can admire the simple lines of a Greek vase, but its figured decorations are lost to me.
So on this, my second day of sight, I should try to probe into the soul of man through his art. The things I knew through touch I should now see. More splendid still, the whole magnificent world of painting would be opened to me, from the Italian Primitives, with their serene religious devotion, to the Moderns, with their feverish visions. I should look deep into the canvases of Raphael, Leonardo Da Vinci, Titian, Rembrandt. I should want to feast my eyes upon the warm colors of Veronese, study the mysteries of El Greco, catch a new vision of Nature from Corot. Oh, there is so much rich meaning and beauty in the art of the ages for you who have eyes to see!
Upon my short visit to this temple of art I should not be able to review a fraction of that great world of art which is open to you. I should be able to get only a superficial impression. Artists tell me that for a deep and true appreciation of art one must educate the eye. One must learn from experience to weigh the merits of line, of composition, of form and color. If I had eyes, how happily would I embark upon so fascinating a study! Yet I am told that, to many of you who have eyes to see, the world of art is a dark night, unexplored and unilluminated.
It would be with extreme reluctance that I should leave the Metropolitan Museum, which contains the key to beauty - a beauty so neglected. Seeing persons, however, do not need a Metropolitan to find this key to beauty. The same key lies waiting in smaller museums, and in books on the shelves of even small libraries. But naturally, in my limited time of imaginary sight, I should choose the place where the key unlocks the greatest treasures in the shortest time.
The evening of my second day of sight I should spend at a theatre or at the movies. Even now I often attend theatrical performances of all sorts, but the action of the play must be spelled into my hand by a companion. But how I should like to see with my own eyes the fascinating figure of Hamlet, or the gusty Falstaff amid colorful Elizabethan trappings! How I should like to follow each movement of the graceful Hamlet, each strut of the hearty Falstaff! And since I could see only one play, I should be confronted by a many-horned dilemma, for there are scores of plays I should want to see. You who have eyes can see any you like. How many of you, I wonder, when you gaze at a play, a movie, or any spectacle, realize and give thanks for the miracle of sight which enables you to enjoy its color, grace, and movement?
I cannot enjoy the beauty rythmic movement except in a sphere restricted to the touch of my hands. I can vision only dimly the grace of a Pavlowa, although I know something of the delight of rhythm, for often I can sense the beat of music as it vibrates through the floor. I can well imagine that cadenced motion must be one of the most pleasing sights in the world. I have been able to gather something of this by tracing with my fingers the lines in sculptured marble; if this static grace can be so lovely, how much more acute must be the thrill of seeing grace in motion.
One of my dearest memories is of the time when Joseph Jefferson allowed me to touch his face and hands as he went through some of the gestures and speeches of his beloved Rip Van Winkle. I was able to catch thus a meager glimpse of the world of drama, and I shall never forget the delight of that moment. But, oh, how much I must miss, and how much pleasure you seeing ones can derive from watching and hearing the interplay of speech and movement in the unfolding of a dramatic performance! If I could see only one play, I should know how to picture in my mind the action of a hundred plays which I have read or had transferred to me through the medium of manual alphabet.
So, through the evening of my second imaginary day of sight, the great figures of dramatic literature would crowd sleep from my eyes.
IV
The following morning, I should again greet the dawn, anxious to discover new delights, for I am sure that, for those who have eyes which really see, the dawn of each day must be a perpetually new revelation of beauty.
This, according to the terms of my imagined miracle, is to be my third and last day of sight. I shall have no time to waste in regrets or longings; there is too much to see. The first day I devoted to my friends, animate and inanimate. The second revealed to me the history of man and Nature. To-day I shall spend in the workday world of the present, amid the haunts of men going about the business of life. And where one can find so many activities and conditions of men as in New York? So the city becomes my destination.
I start from my home in the quiet little suburb of Forest Hills, Long Island. Here, surrounded by green lawns, trees, and flowers, are neat little houses, happy with the voices and movements of wives and children, havens of peaceful rest for men who toil in the city. I drive across the lacy structure of steel which spans the East River, and I get a new and startling vision of the power and ingenuity of the mind of man. Busy boats chug and scurry about the river - racy speed, boats, stolid, snorting tugs. If I had long days of sight ahead, I should spend many of them watching the delightful activity upon the river.
I look ahead, and before me rise the fantastic towers of New York, a city that seems to have stepped from the pages of a fairy story. What an awe-inspiring sight, these glittering spires, these vast banks of stone and steel - sculptures such as the gods might build for themselves! This animated picture is a part of the lives of millions of people every day. How many, I wonder, give it so much as a second glance? Very few, I fear. Their eyes are blind to this magnificent sight because it is so familiar to them.
I hurry to the top of one of those gigantic structures, the Empire State Building, for there, a short time ago, I 'saw' the city below through the eyes of my secretary. I am anxious to compare my fancy with reality. I am sure I should not be disappointed in the panorama spread out before me, for to me it would be a vision of another world.
Now I begin my rounds of the city. First, I stand at a busy corner, merely looking at people, trying by sight of them to understand something of their lives. I see smiles, and I am happy. I see serious determination, and I am proud. I see suffering, and I am compassionate.
I stroll down Fifth Avenue. I throw my eyes out of focus, so that I see no particular object but a seething kaleidoscope of color. I am certain that the colors of women's dresses moving in a throng must be a gorgeous spectacle of which I should never tire. But perhaps if I had sight I should be like most other women - too interested in styles and the cut of individual dresses to give much attention to the splendor of color in the mass. And I am convinced, too, that I should become an inveterate window shopper, for it must be a delight to the eye to view the myriad articles of beauty on display.
From Fifth Avenue I make a tour of the city - to Park Avenue, to the slums, to factories, to parks where children play. I take a stay-at-home trip abroad by visiting the foreign quarters. Always my eyes are open wide to all the sights of both happiness and misery so that I may probe deep and add to my understanding of how people work and live. My heart is full of the images of people and things. My eye passes lightly over no single trifle; it strives to touch and hold closely each thing its gaze rests upon. Some sights are pleasant, filling the heart with happiness; but some are miserably pathetic. To these latter I do not shut my eyes, for they, too are part of life. To close the eye on them is to close the heart and mind.
My third day of sight is drawing to an end. Perhaps there are many serious pursuits to which I should devote the few remaining hours, but I am afraid that on the evening of that last day I should run away to the theatre, to a hilariously funny play, so that I might appreciate the overtones of comedy in the human spirit.
At midnight my temporary respite from blindness would cease, and permanent night would close in on me again. Naturally in those three short days I should not have seen all I wanted to see. Only when darkness had again descended upon me should I realize how much I had left unseen. But my mind would be so overcrowded with glorious memories that I should have little time for regrets. Thereafter the touch of every object would bring a glowing memory of how that object looked.
Perhaps this short outline of how I should spend three days of sight does not agree with the programme you would set for yourself if you knew that you were about to be stricken blind. I am, however, sure that if you actually faced that fate your eyes would open to things you had never seen before, storing up memories for the long night ahead. You would use your eyes as never before. Everything you saw would become dear to you. Your eyes would touch and embrace every object that came within your range of vision. Then, at last, you would really see, and a new world of beauty would open itself before you.
I who am blind can give one hint to those who see - one admonition to those who would make full use of the gift of sight: Use your eyes as if tomorrow you would be stricken blind. And the same method can be applied to other senses. Hear the music of voices, the song of a bird, the mighty strains of an orchestra, as if you would be stricken deaf to-morrow. Touch each object you want to touch as if tomorrow your tactile sense would fail. Smell the perfume of flowers, taste with relish each morsel, as if tomorrow you could never smell and taste again. Make the most of every sense; glory in all the facets of pleasure and beauty which the world reveals to you through the several means of contact which Nature provides. But of all the senses, I am sure that sight must be the most delightful.
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Feb. 8, 2008 - Interesting Video...
Surfing the web, I came across this video (part of one of his sermons). I just wanted to post it on here, as a reminder to be CAREFUL what you believe. Even when it's coming from a powerful "God-filled" source sometimes, it can be deceptive.
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Jan. 24, 2008 - Of the Imitation of Christ
Hey Everyone,
Here is an excerpt from "The Imitation of Christ" by Thomas à Kempis. It's really a great concept to keep in your mind...
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Of the Imitation of Christ
Thomas à Kempis
He that follows Me shall not walk in darkness, says the Lord (John 8:12).
These are the words of Christ, by which we are urged to imitate His life and virtues, if we wish to be truly enlightened and freed from all blindness of heart.
Therefore, let it be our chief business to meditate upon the life of Jesus Christ.
The teaching of Christ excels all the teachings of the saints; and if a man have His spirit, he shall find therein a hidden manna.
But it so happens that many hear the Gospel frequently and are little affected, because they lack the spirit of Christ.
If you would understand Christ's words fully and taste them truly, you must strive to form your whole life after His pattern.
What good do you get by disputing learnedly about the Trinity, if you be lacking in humility and are therefore displeasing to the Trinity?
Verily, sublime words do not make a man holy and just; it is a virtuous life that makes him dear to God.
I would rather feel compunction than know how to define it.
If you knew the whole Bible by heart, and the sayings of all the philosophers, what would all that profit you without the love of God and His grace?
Vanity of vanities and all is vanity (Ecclesiastes 1:2), except loving God and serving Him only.
This is the highest wisdom: to despise the world and aim at the Kingdom of Heaven.
It is vanity there for to seek perishable riches and to rely on them.
It is vanity also to pursue honours and raise yourself to a high dignity.
It is vanity to follow the lusts of the flesh and to desire what which hereafter will bring greievous punishment.
It is vanity to wish for a long life and care little about a good life.
It is vanity to attend only to the present life and not to be hastening thither where abides everlasting joy.
Often call to mind the proverb: The eye is not sated with seeing, nor is the ear filled with hearing (Ecclesiastes 1:8).
Study therefore to wean your heart from the love of visible things, and to attend rather to things invisible. For the man who indulges his sensual nature, sullies his concience and loses the grace of God.
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Jan. 19, 2008 - ~Certificate of Purity~
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Jan. 5, 2008 - New Site!
Hello everyone!
Well, after months of trying to get the Priceless Purity official site up, and many disappointments, things are finally pulling together! Now that we have some official help, we should have the site up and running (Lord willing) within the month. In the mean time, please keep visiting our site!
God Bless All!
~Rachel & Jillian~
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Nov. 29, 2007 - It's OUT!
We're happy to say that the Fall issue of Priceless Purity was finally sent out on November 24th! It was quite a long one, and a big improvement, from our last few issues! We have to thank all of you that helped out by sharing or contributing articles. We also have to apologize for leaving some contributions out accidently. It was by no means intentional at all - we just overlooked it in our inbox and folders. (Which we've finally sorted out!) Our winter edition will be including all the articles that got "left out" of this one. Remember, if you have anything to share, send it on to us!
God bless,
~ Rachel & Jillian ~
Minor notes:
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To those of you that have changed your e-mail address - please let us know! A number of our subscibers do not have valid e-mail addresses!
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If you've missed out on this issue, and you'd like to request a copy, please write to PricelessPurity@yahoo.com, and let us know!
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Don't forget to check out our site at: www.PricelessPurity.org There you can read about several different topics, and interact on our message boards!
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Oct. 17, 2007 - ~Feminism Vs. Femininity ~ © 2007 Priceless Purity. All rights reserved.
Sincerely, Jennie Hawthorne "
Sincerely, Rachael Anderson "
"10Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.
11The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.
12She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.
13She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.
14She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar.
15She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.
16She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.
17She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.
18She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.
19She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.
20She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.
21She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.
22She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.
23Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.
24She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.
25Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.
26She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.
27She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.
28Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.
29Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.
30Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.
31Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates."
_
"'Unto the woman', He said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee." - Genesis 3:16
From the "Women" themselves:
Actual quotes by...actual feminists:
"The most merciful thing a large family can do to one of its infant members is to kill it." - Margaret Sanger, founder of Planned Parenthood, in Women and the New Race.
"Marriage has existed for the benefit of men; and has been a legally sanctioned method of control over women...We must work to destroy it. The end of the institution of marriage is a necessary condition for the liberation of women. Therefor it is important for us to encourage women to leave their husbands and not to live individually with men." - The Declaration of Feminism, November 1971.
"...No woman should have to deny herself any opportunities because of her special responsibilities to her children. ... Families will be finally destroyedonly when a revolutionary social and economic organization permits people's needs for love and security to be met the ways that do not impose divions of labor, or any extrenal roles, at all." - Functions of the Family, Linda Gordon, WOMEN: A Journal of Liberation, Fall 1969
- Obviously, something isn't right with those views. Perhaps you think those are just ideas from the '60s and '70s...But actually, those quotes are smiled upon by the modern 21st century feminist as well.
Christianity and femininity can still shine through. One quote, once said by Gloria Steinhem was:
"By the year 2000 we will, I hope, raise our children to believe in human potential, not God." - Gloria Steinhem, editor of Ms. Magazine.
Thankfully, that hasn't come to pass - but who says it isn't still a threat?
~RACHEL & JILLIAN~
Priceless Purity would love to hear your thoughts! What do you think of this discussion? How important is femininity? Is it a true gift that God has crowned us with?
Leave a comment, or write to: PricelessPurity@yahoo.com
Also, check out the Priceless Purity site, and interact on the message boards!
© 2007. Priceless Purity. All rights reserved.
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Oct. 1, 2007 - Know The Word
Some of you already know, but to those of you that don't, you might want
to try joining in the Know the Word Bible study we're hosting. Our aim and goal is to KNOW more about God's Word, and slowly go through the entire Bible - together! For this study, we'll also include a special message board, in which participants can come and discuss things that are studied in the Bible - and in depthly.
Below is a banner we made for it (we also have this on our sidebar now, as you can see) -
Many are signing up to be a participants, and we'll be starting soon! If you'd like to be a part of it, please let us know - this isn't something to miss out on!
Be blessed!!!
~Rachel & Jillian~
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Sep. 9, 2007 - Fall Preview
Hey girls!
We're still putting together the fall newsletter. There are so many great articles, and we're really glad that some of it is coming together. (Although, wow, we have so much more to go.)
We've decided to give you a small preview of the fall issue! Of course, by the time you get the fall issue, we'll probably have more articles and such in it.
Another thing - Since we have written many articles already, we might cut some out, and save them for future newsletter editions. So, if some of the things we have listed don't appear, then, expect to see them in another issue.
By the way, if you have any comments regarding the site and newsletter, feel free to leave them as a comment on this post. We'll include it in our feedback & letters section in our newsletter!
And remember: You still have time to contribute! Please send all contributions to: PricelessPurity@yahoo.com
Here are some excerpts, titles and descriptions of what to expect and look forward to:
Asterisks (*) mean an article is special to this issue.
Introduction:
Introduction to the fall newsletter!
Bulletin Board:
The latest on Priceless Purity!
Quarterly Question:
"Hi Priceless Purity!
How did you get all your ideas for the stuff you write? Y'all write wonderful stuff!" - Sarah
(The question will appear with our answer following it, in the newsletter. )
Selected Writings (SW): (Selected specially by Rachel Read & Jillian Clark)
*God's Plans for the Future - By Elizabeth Bell: Curious or concerned about God's future plans for you? This article will be a real insight to you!! (SW)
*The Value of Purity - by Priceless Purity member, Debbie: Debbie tells about when she was young, and why purity should be an important quality to every girl. (SW)
Poetry Section: *"Certain Men" By a Christian homeschooled girl named Lexi, who was suddenly inspired by the Word of God, to write this down.
EVERYDAY LIFE COLUMN -
(Written by Rachel Read & Jillian Clark)
* Peer Pressure: (By Rachel Read) "Don't show the world that you're gullible enough to follow the crowd because you don't know where you stand - show the world that you know what you believe, and aren't ashamed of it." - (Excerpt)
*Reputation..? - Come on, everyone's got a reputation! What do you really think people think of you? And how can you maintain one?
*Forgiveness - Forgiving someone...Is it really all that hard?
*Got Guilt? - Been there...Done that...Got guilt?
*The Media - By Jillian Clark: How the media affects us, and creeps into our daily life, and how it can be a destructive tool in our spiritual journey.
Highlighted Quote
Highlighted Verse
Priceless Purity Poll
Member Recommendations - Recommendations sent in by members, regarding books, magazines, CDs, movies and TV shows.
Testimonies! - Testimonies contributed by members & subscribers.
The Afterward - By Rachel & Jillian: The wrap-up of this Fall edition of PRICELESS PURITY.
Thank you for reading the fall preview!
Stay posted; we may update more later!
MAY GOD BLESS YOU PURELY,
~RACHEL & JILLIAN~
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Aug. 25, 2007 - Hello Girls!
Hello girls!
Sorry it's been terribly long since a post! Anyway, we are getting the newsletter back on track. For now, it's all sprawled out in a draft. Please send in anything you'd like to contribute, and we'll definitely add it in. This issue might be extra big, since we're still combining some of the things we were originally writing for the spring and summer issues we cancelled. (Due to working ALOT our site...and...Okay, and to not getting around to doing it as well!) We're already starting to plan out the Winter newsletter, so I'll have to write up a list of things we might need.
Alright, I must go down to breakfast. (This is Rachel writing, since Jillian can't write on here while their computer has a virus.)
Keep the contributions coming! The newsletter will turn out real nicely!
Alright...I was about to give a preview of one of the articles, but I suppose I can't at the moment.
God bless, and I apologize for such a hasty post. I really must go now...
~Rachel, for Priceless Purity~
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Aug. 5, 2007 - A "Dedication" to All Bloggers Out There
This post is dedicated to all bloggers out there, and their journey through the blog world. Firstly, I'd like to mention that there are so many of you with such great blogs, filled with your love of God and the wisdom God has given each of you. But, there are times when we each slip up very badly. Or, if something seems to be just going well for us, it's not rare that we take these moments and swollow our pride whole.
God has given each of you this time to do things on your blog and encourage other Christian homeschoolers, which is such a great honor! It's so hard to find GOOD bloggers out there, because there are so many people on blogs that just get so proud of themselves, that it becomes almost annoying to read their posts, when they speak of themselves highly, and how they believe they are such followers of Christ, how they are so right in so many ways, etc. - because, as you know, it's hard reading about people that put more trust in themselves than in God. (And even worse, when they do not see their wrong.)
Remember, do not lean on your own understanding...There are way too many people doing this. Use what you feel God has given you, and express it.
When you're low on creativity, pray for God to provide you ideas. It makes a difference when you read something that comes truly from your heart, instead of something that is just scribbled down.
You know what is so refreshing to see? Someone who writes from the depths of their heart. Someone who is so sincere, that they are not hiding their true thoughts and opinions on matters. Someone who trusts so much in God, that they are not afraid to speak what is true. Someone that doesn't scheme with things they write, aiming at someone in particular. Someone who will allow others to talk meanly of them, but not lash back in anger - but with love and endurance from the Lord. ( Many are confused with the term "persecution", but that my friends, would be labeled as true persecution, and true patience and trust in the Lord!)
When you are humbled, and when you have a spirit full of joy from God - that is a blessing! You could be one of the wisest and encouraging person on earth, but if you do not humble yourself in the sight of the Lord, He will not lift you higher. If you take the glory that has been given to you, and build yourself a kingdom of selfishness, you will stumble terribly.
Here is something that I'll reveal to you about Jillian and me:
We'll be honest about this, but we have, several times before, built ourselves up a castle of selfishness and pride. And we would do it with, well, half-knowing we were wrong, but mostly tending to think we were right. We would take our positions as followers of Christ, and take advantage of it, in a strange way. We ignored what God was really telling us at times. We'd put our own "wisdom" (which is really folly) in front of God's wisdom sometimes. This caused us to stumble terribly...But thankfully, we knew that there was a Solution to our problem...
God is really the solution to every problem - when we are lost, He shows us the way out. When we are looking for something, He shows us where to find it. But sometimes, we take our knowledge of the Bible, and when we come across those that are so confused with the simplest things, we tend to get very angry at them, for being such a bad Christian. (Or, whatever the situation may be.)
This is what the Word of God says about this:
NOTE: Alright now, before reading these verses and chapters from the Bible, I want you to apply it to yourself. That is a real important step, and it can really open your eyes to certain things. Even if you know certain things may not apply. Just try it, it'll make your experience reading it more worthwhile...
"Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart: So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man. Trust in the Lord with all thine heart, and lean not on thine own understanding. In al thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the Lord, and depart from evil." Proverbs 3:3-7
"Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; and walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling savour." - Ephesians 5:1-2
"Neither filthines, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks." - Ephesians 5:4
Romans chapter 12 is SUCH a great chapter, and there are so many great verses in it, that I'm going to post the entire chapter...So here it is:
"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think somberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; or he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness. Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honor preferring one another; not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; distributing to the necessity of saintsl given to hospitality. Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not. Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits. Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, 'Vengence is mine, I will repay,' saith the Lord. Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good." - Romans 12
James chapter 4:
"From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members? Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not. Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts. Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God. Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy? But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up. Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge. There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy: who art thou that judgest another? Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain: Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that. But now ye rejoice in your boastings: all such rejoicing is evil. Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin." - James 4
Okay, I don't know about you, but the entire book of James in the Bible is so refreshing to read! It is definitely one of my favorite books of the Bible!
For a minute, I want you to think of something humbling...Something that you have felt guilty for, for a long time. Take that matter to God, to help you clear it up. No matter what it may be. Whether it be pride, or foolishness, or hate towards someone. If you don't have the nerve to ask for forgiveness, ask God to forgive you.
Anyway, I apologize for this long post. (It's okay if you had to skim over some parts!) But I felt that I had to let out what rushed through my heart. I wanted to remind some of you how important the things you write can leave impressions, and to keep on doing what you're doing, and above all, try to include a message throughout everything you write. Sometimes this can be hard, but it can really touch other people. It's not about making them laugh, or impressing a certain someone - it's about writing something true, and using the gifts God has given to YOU! Reveal to people what God has revealed to you. Be a witness, a testimony, in everything.
Pray before your actions - it has become a habit to me to pray really hard before doing things. And it doesn't matter what it is. It could be something very simple, or something of great meaning to you - just keep it all in prayer. Prayer is our way of communicating with God, and it's so important!
"Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." - 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
God bless you!
~PRICELESS PURITY~
P.S. ~ Keep posted, we're hopefully going to make an entry on modesty soon!
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Aug. 3, 2007 - New Layout Underway!
Hey all!
We're working on putting together a new layout! MSN groups is getting hard to deal with, so we're finally putting together a new site layout on Yahoo! SiteBuilder. It might take awhile, mind you, but we're still so glad that God is finally allowing us to take things yet another step further. If any of you have good webdesign tips, please feel free to share some with us.
We'll try to keep you posted about this *new* site! For now, our whole site is still on the MSN Groups server. (Our .org domain still redirects to it as well.)
Sorry if we haven't been getting back to some of you personally on e-mail. We've been caught up in some other things, and so it's been a bit hard.
OH, and if some of you have any articles, poems or any devotionals that you've written, or have compiled, please send it in! We're thinking of getting a Fall newsletter sent out with some new articles and stuff, since we skipped Spring and Summer issues this year, due to focusing on site designing, etc.
Alright, since we've just been mentioning things about the site, here is some wisdom from the Word of God, since we haven't posted any yet, and we always feel better about posting Scripture...
(This comes from the Daily Light devotional NKJV, which is a REALLY great devotional to have around!)
Evening for August 3rd:
"Those who honor Me I will honor. ~
Whoever confesses me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. ~
He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worth of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of me. And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worth of Me. He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it. Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will recieve the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.
Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.
Our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory. ~ Praise, honro, and gglory at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
Scripture from: 1 Sam. 2:30; Matt. 10:32; Matt. 10:37-39; James 1:12; Rev. 2:10, 2 Cor. 4:17; 1 Pet. 1:7
~ Well, may God bless you,
~Rachel & Jillian~
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Jul. 21, 2007 - Pride + Guilt = Humility
Ever got the feeling of guilt and humility swelling up inside of you?
Well, let's find the root of this guilt and humility factor that you have...
First, let's look at Scripture, and see what lessons God has given us...
"A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches and loving favor rather than silver and gold." - Proverbs 22:1
"A prudent man forseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished. By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches, and honor, and life." - Proverbs 22:3
"He that soweth inquity shall reap vanity: and the rod of his anger shall fail." - Proverbs 22:8
"Cast out the scorner, and contention shall go out; yea, strife and reproach shall cease. He that loveth pureness of heart, for the grace of his lips the king shall be his friend." - Proverbs 22:10-11
You know how annoyed you get when a celebrity makes a bad slip, right? It's so aggrivating seeing good people go wrong...Well, it's exactly the same with us.
Pride is so easy to get ahold of...Especially if you are a person that people usually expect more of, and look up to. We are respected for the good things we've done, and we appreciate hearing people talk of us in good ways. If you are an older girl, or woman, your reputation is such one that can be easily lost because of something you did in the past, right? Let's first remember this, "There is none righteous, no, not one." (Romans 3:10)...A few verses later, it says, "For all have sinned, and come short to the glory of God; Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:" (Romans 3:23-24)
Let's first not value ourselves too highly. Some of us might get lots of feedback, or have "good reviews". Sometimes, even smart and gifted people, take this to their heads, and have a mindset full of pride, even though they are unaware of it. (Or maybe they have a SLIGHT awareness...) Sometimes we use our good name for the sake of ourselves, and to get around other people. Everyone at some point lowers others before them, and feels this almost "righteous" power dwelling within them. Whenever you go through a passion of anger towards people, no matter what it may be about, you will probably have a feeling of pride as well. A pride that you are RIGHT. (And even if you are, you are using the WRONG words to deal with it, if you are filled with an angry, prideful, haughty spirit.)
Nothing can be resolved with anger...
"A man's pride shall bring him low: but honor shall uphold the humble spirit." - Proverbs 29:23
"Pride goeth before destruction, and a haughty spirit before the fall." - Proverbs 16:18
Let's think before our actions, no matter what our excuses for them may be. Let's remember that God sees us while doing them, and He knows what is within our hearts..."Shall God not search us out? For He knoweth the secrets of our hearts." - Psalm 44:21
Okay, we've set before you these good verses, but there are SO many more within the Bible...And aren't they just true? It's amazing at how powerful God's Word is! How it can just reflect the truth so wonderfully...
It is so easy to say things we shouldn't say, and think things of others we shouldn't. It's so easy to do a lot of things actually, but as we know, the easiest things are usually the worst things. We can so easily look down on others, and value ourselves before them. We can so easily feel that we are right, and living the way God would have it, and that there are other Christians that just don't get it.
So before your actions, PRAY. Pray that God will help you speak what is right, in a rightful way- not what is right in a wrongful way. Anyone can make a great point, and anyone can make a great point go wrong. Especially by using anger and pride as their base!
May the Lord purely bless you,
~Rachel & Jillian~
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Jul. 19, 2007 - A Connected Lifestyle
Below is an article found on our site...
A Connected Lifestyle
Some kids and teens feel this need of a loving atmosphere - one that is very hard to find in their daily life, and in schools. This is when they decide to give up. They decide that "life is too complicated" to find happiness and the feeling of being loved and appreciated in their lives. The results? The individuals try to choose a darker, mysterious lifestyle, and dwell on their "bad pasts". They continually are filled with self-pity. This is how they begin to distruct. They'll try out smoking, drugs, etc., because they feel they have no way out, and that they are pretty much at the point of no return. They really need the Lord in their lives, they need light. Instead, they'd rather stand by their sorrows. They become more rebellious towards their parents, because they start to believe that their parents don't know HOW they feel, and that they didn't play their part when they really needed them. They'd rather sit in their rooms and "mope" around all day, or turn up the volume to some crazy song, which they believe reflects their life. When they see OTHERS that "relate" to them, this makes everything even better. They don't feel alone anymore. Now they can go and talk to eachother about their troubles, but, never talking about ways to cease their troubles. That's how some lives are changed, due to the way they were raised. Another problem is, some parents really don't seem to have a clue. They might be basing things on the way they grew up, which is DEFINITELY different from everything today. Plus, it also depends on how parents' relationships with the Lord is. Are they really and sincerely Christians? Do they have ideals and ideas for their children? Do they want their children to grow respecting them? Do they understand and try to help their children when they struggle? Or do they just believe that everything their child is going through is just a "phase" that they'll soon get over?
If you are struggling, and feel that you are in need of your parents, just go talk to them about it. If you're concerned and nervous about talking to them, first go to God and pray about it. He'll work your troubles out in His own timing, we guarantee you!
God has given us parents to depend on - not to hide from. They know so much more than us, and honestly care about you. Sometimes you might feel that they don't give their love to you in any way, just because of their responses to some of the careless things you do from time to time. If they see you doing things that ruin your reputation, it could also ruin theirs' as well - which of course, isn't something they would want from their own children. Kids and teens have caused so many parents heartbreak - because of their childrens' decisions, habits, and views on life. Your parents could be some of the nicest, smartest people on earth, but if their kids aren't even close, and are very different from their parents, what do you expect people would think? Try not to put yourself and your situations first. Maybe you want to sign up for a summer camp, or are dying to go an aquaintance's slumber party, or something like that, and your parents just don't agree at the moment. Even the littlest things like that can cause the strongest bitterness against our parents. Sometimes it's almost too hard to avoid. Everyone naturally is angered when their requests have been turned down. But instead of doing anything about it, why does it seem like we just decide to play the hopeless game? It's all to familiar to everyone, and it happens all the time. Even if you are a MATURE teenager, you do take a slip and sometimes act totally unlike yourself on some days, right? It's partially anger, partially disappointment, and partially embarrassment. Those three things can be a very humiliating experience, ESPECIALLY when they're all happening at the same time. You'll find yourself saying things you just know you're lying about, but don't feel like closing your mouth. (Not the greatest way to vent, huh?) Okay, now, here's a challenge - next time a similar situation arises, try walking away to your room, and come before God with your anger. Ask Him to REMOVE it from you. Yeah, sometimes it's almost impossible to think clearly enough to do that, and some days, you're almost fed up with listening to God and praying to Him as well. When you disconnect yourself from God, you're unplugging all of your spiritual power to move on with things mentally. That's when it gets to the point when it suddenly dawns on you, "Waaait...Why am I alive anyway!? You know, life isn't really that fun or worthwhile anymore..." - that's precisely what Satan wants you to think. When thoughts like these leak into your mind, sit down and THINK. Don't just let sudden strange, impulsive thoughts mystify and captivate you. Even though a lot of us don't have the nerve to commit suicide, some of us might try other things to slowly destroy and deteriorate your life. That is, finding relief in "cutting", smoking, and drugs, and lots of other things that folks shouldn't be involved in. Lots of people choose those options, because, well, they aren't quite sure it's smart enough to commit suicide. That's right, it's NOT smart, but it's also pretty dumb to put yourself in conditions, from smoking, taking drugs and cutting. God does NOT want us to do this to ourselves. We are His children, and He loves us dearly, so when we make bad decisions like that, it really saddens Him. We ARE God's property, basically...
"What? Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For you were bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's." - 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, KJV
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Jul. 19, 2007 - BIBLE STUDY!
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Jun. 17, 2007 - Short update
Well, we've been trying to start updating the site more. For now, we're taking a time out from the newsletter, and we're going to be focusing mainly on the site, and advertising.
Also, if anyone has any articles that they would like to be published in the newsletter, just send them in! If you would like to write for each newsletter we publish, you can discuss that with us as well.
Well, God bless ya'll!!!
The Priceless Purity Managers -
~RACHEL & JILLIAN~
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Apr. 11, 2007 - Amazing Song...
"How Deep the Father's Love for Us"...such an amazing song. Click the link below to listen to a version by Joy Williams.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=UjD0lv8hx5o
It's one of those songs that you know will be around for a long time...
~Rachel and Jillian~
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Apr. 9, 2007 - Site Domain!
Well, we have just purchased a new domain for Priceless Purity - www.PricelessPurity.org. (For now, it will just direct you back to our MSN group site.)
In other news, we're still getting the spring issue together!
GOD BLESS,
~Rachel & Jillian~
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