The dreams and musings of a lover of the Sword of the Spirit, the Word of God. The prayers and experiences of a warrior of the King. The reflections and journeys of a ransomed, forever grateful soul. My days as I stroll through fields of spiritual wonders, delve into the adventures of Biblical womanhood, and explore the excitements of growing up and pursuing the dreams planted in my soul! http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/swordwieldingmaiden/ en-us Homeschool Blogger Fri, 20 Nov 2009 12:23:00 -0600 Fri, 20 Nov 2009 12:23:00 -0600 For those who have been following my posts on anger, I will be doing one more post on that subject soon. But, in light of some special events in my home, I thought a quick break was in order. Recently, my family celebrated the birthday of my sister, Maid Marian. I remember that one special birthday I had when I received my Purity Ring. This was that special time for my sweet little sister. Millie Keith has had her ring for a couple more years already... and I have had mine even longer. Our family sees our rings as a beautiful gift, but also as a great responsibilty for the wearer. It is a promise to trust our parents in any future "romantic" relationship, it is a pledge to lean on our father as our protector until marriage, and it is a sacred trust that we will be discerning and careful in protecting our purity as young women. I have decided, with the full support of my parents, to save my first kiss until my wedding day. My two lovely sisters have also determined to do the same. My Purity Ring is an amazing reminder to me of my promise to my parents, myself, my future husband, and (most importantly) to God. It can also be a reminder to pray for my future husband, whoever he may be. Even if you don't have a Purity Ring (aka Promise or Virgin Rings), it is always a good idea to pray for God to protect and guide your future spouse. My ring is also an amazing opportunity to share my faith with other people. People have thought I'm married because of the ring on my left hand or have simply been curious about it. I've been able to share my convictions about purity and also my faith because of a simple ring! If you don't have a ring... I would encourage you to talk to your parents about it. Maybe it doesn't have to be a ring... it could be a bracelet or necklace! Parents uninterested? Make it a pledge between yourself and your Savior! Purity is also about the thoughts and emotions... that's where it gets rougher. Purity of mind is usually stolen at a young age... but God is able to redeem that and give you a pure heart all over again. I've experienced that first-hand. Physical, emotional, and mental purity are important, but spiritual purity should always be the priority. It says in the Bible that all our own righteousness are like filthy rags before God. If we haven't asked God to forgive us of our sins and impurities, all other efforts are worthless. If you have never trusted Christ as the Savior from your sins, I'd encourage you to seriously consider it. If you have already... you might still have sin in your life that needs to be confessed. Whether its impure thoughts OR actions, God can redeem what you have lost! He is the One who restores and can make you a Maiden (or Man) of Promise. (Yes, I have known young men who wear Purity Rings!!) Those of you who have decided to make this commitment (or already had prior to reading this), keep going! It is worth it. Thanks for reading!!!! God bless! WarriorMaiden http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/swordwieldingmaiden/746227/ Fri, 20 Nov 2009 12:23:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/swordwieldingmaiden/746227/        “He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty,          And he who rules his spirit, than he who captures a city.”                                       Prov. 16:32 Better than the mighty? More powerful than someone who captures a city? That sounds like a category I’d like to be in! Hmm, and what does it say we have to do? Be slow to anger and rule (or take charge of) our spirits. To take charge of our spirit is to be watchful of our lifestyle. To not give in to wrong thoughts, actions and the like. When we're angry, it’s so hard to keep those hurtful words from spewing out, isn’t it? Or to keep that temper from flaring, right? We, as humans, want to fight back and hurt those who hurt us. But that’s not what we’re called to do! So, what does the Bible say about God when it comes to anger? “Then the LORD passed by in front of him and proclaimed, "The LORD, the LORD God, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in lovingkindness and truth;” Exodus 34:6 “But You, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious,          Slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness and truth.”                                                 Psalm 86:15 The last phrase of both of these verses “slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness and truth” is used many time to describe our God. It’s repeated over and over throughout the Scriptures how slow He is to anger, how many times He spared His people after they’d angered Him, and how rich He is in lovingkindness. Why is it so important that we know this? Because God is now a perfect example of how we need to live our lives. We can’t just write Him off now. We’re supposed to be striving to become more like Him. We were made in His image right? So now we need to begin ACTING like Him. Okay, not too long of a post.... it's not hard to read.... but to live it out will take a lifetime of improvements!  God bless! WarriorMaiden http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/swordwieldingmaiden/743373/ Mon, 9 Nov 2009 16:09:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/swordwieldingmaiden/743373/        “Scorners set a city aflame,          But wise men turn away anger.” Prov. 29:8          “He who is slow to anger has great understanding,          But he who is quick-tempered exalts folly.” Prov. 14:29 So, not quickly becoming angry and showing malice towards others is a sign of understanding and wisdom! And, oh joy, demonstrating wrath is foolish! Ouch! I know that I sometimes display temper problems... okay, it can be more than sometimes. Life is hard and it’s difficult not to become angry about little things. It’s hard not to get irritated at siblings, parents, friends, teachers… the list could go on forever! But it says in the Bible that we’re not to act out of anger! Well, that's enough to make me angry! (Okay... not really, but it is SUCH a challenge!) So, Jesus got angry a couple times about the use of the temple and the behavior of the priests... was He sinning in doing so? Well, we all know Jesus never sinned, so there is, of course, another verse I want to add! “Be angry, and yet do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger,” Eph. 4:26 We can be angry about something, especially if it’s in a righteous cause. If someone steals your purse, it’s alright to be a little angry that it happened. We just can’t SIN because of that anger. Instead of ranting about what a jerk the guy is, decide to quietly forgive him and not dwell on it anymore (umm, yes, I AM speaking from personal experience about the purse thing!). If someone does something to make you angry, don’t blow up at them or go off and mutter horrid things about them. Kindly ask them to stop and, if they won’t, you can ask God for help and forgive them. Another thing that’s important is not harboring anger towards someone… that turns into bitterness. When you’re bitter, you can’t see anything good in that person and are always irritated with them. It damages you more than anyone else. And, as it said in our verse from a couple weeks ago, we’re to cast both anger AND bitterness from us. Have questions or comments? Please leave feedback! Because of Christ, WarriorMaiden http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/swordwieldingmaiden/741437/ Mon, 2 Nov 2009 11:24:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/swordwieldingmaiden/741437/ “This you know, my beloved brethren, but everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger;” James 1.19  Hmm… that sounds easy doesn’t it? Oh yeah, if everything was perfect and everyone treated us the way we want to be treated. (Hey? Doesn’t that sound like a verse from the Bible?) It actually does say in the Scriptures that’s WE’RE to treat others how WE’D want to be treated. So… it isn’t supposed to matter how other people treat us, just how we act towards them. That can become extremely hard when circumstances seem to fly out of our hands. I have a younger brother who is mentally delayed. He's nine years old and has the understanding, vocabulary, and social skills of (maybe) around a four or five-year-old. He does and says things that sometimes make no sense, will have fits of temper, and can cause feelings of frustration and anger to swell up in me. It's very hard to react in a loving and gentle way to his behavior. But *sigh of resignation* I still have no excuse to sin against him in anger. I must be quick to hear his screams of anger as cries for help. I must be slow to speak words that might hurt him. I must be slow to become angry. I don't understand my brother, but God does. God put him in my life for a purpose. Believe me, there are other people in my life that frustrate me... and I sometimes have a hard time believing that God has a plan beneath it all. But, that's what faith is, right? "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see" (Heb. 11:1). So, I have to have faith in th midst of my frustration and anger! (Doesn't that sound like a major conflict?!) Wow... that's truly something against the human sin nature. This might be a good time to pray! God bless! http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/swordwieldingmaiden/738901/ Sat, 24 Oct 2009 18:26:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/swordwieldingmaiden/738901/ Anger. Hmm, nice word. Sound familiar? Yes? Okay, than we're on the same page. I've decided that my next several posts will be about the issue of anger (and other things similar to it!). I have chosen a verse to post today and made some notes about it... and added a challenge! Usually I like to write in a "detailed" or "artistic" manner, but this time I'm keeping it simple. The Bible doesn't need my help to be powerful! Ready for the first post on anger? Here we go! “Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice.” Eph. 4:31 Bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor (which means to raise your voice), slander, and malice are things we all struggle with. Think about a situation when you felt one of these emotions. How did you respond? It’s hard to respond positively to someone who makes you angry, isn’t it? When we’re angry we usually want to shout, stomp, and slam doors, don’t we? Maybe we’ll even spend some time sulking and giving ourselves a pity-party. Well, as with all big problems, the Bible has a lot to say about this! One thing that stands out in this verse to me is the feeling of finality and surety in the words "put away". We are to put away, cast far off, all these ungodly feelings and actions. We aren't to sometimes play around with them, we aren't to visit them or hold them to us when life throws us a curve-ball; we are to throw them far and completely away from us. So, here's the challenge: Each time something frustrates you or someone upsets you, take a deep breath (count to 10 if you need to) and respond softly and gently to the situation or person. Do this until you read my next blog update! (Trust me, you won't be the only one doing this, since I'm challenging myself!) Challenge sounds harsh, huh? I know... but trying thing like this help us all to see where we need to grow. When you see areas in need of spiritual maturity, pray and ask God for help and guidance! His strength is what holds us up. Have a blessed week! WarriorMaiden http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/swordwieldingmaiden/735617/ Mon, 12 Oct 2009 20:00:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/swordwieldingmaiden/735617/ Hello all! My friends, the farmgirls, are having givaways for the next couple weeks. I must say, the items they create are just beautiful! Please come check it out at: www.homeschoolblogger.com/sevensisters God bless! WarriorMaiden   http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/swordwieldingmaiden/728134/ Fri, 18 Sep 2009 09:01:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/swordwieldingmaiden/728134/ Girls are like apples on trees. The best ones are at the top of the tree. The boys don't want to reach for the good ones because they are afraid of falling and getting hurt. Instead, they just get the rotten apples from the ground that aren't as good, but easy to grasp. So the apples at the top think something is wrong with them, when in reality, they're amazing. They just have to wait for the right boy to come along, the one who's brave enough to climb all the way to the top of the tree.   I've heard this before and just read it recently on a friend's blog. I think this is a perfect illustration of life as a daughter of God. It can be so hard sometimes... and I definately know the feelings of "is it just me?" and "what's my problem?". This is definately a great reminder of how beautiful and precious I am in God's eyes... and a challenge to young men! Have a blessed week! WarriorMaiden http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/swordwieldingmaiden/722640/ Mon, 31 Aug 2009 17:39:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/swordwieldingmaiden/722640/ Alright, I don't have a valid answer. I could use the excuse that I was gone all last week counselling at a Christian camp. I could also use the excuse that I've been so busy this summer that I've only had one get-together w/ a friend all season. It would probably be understandable for me to claim that my life has been far too hectic, emotional, trying, adventurous, and exciting to even remember my blog.... but I usually get irritated when other people quote excuses like that, even if they're completely true! *smile* I will admit, there have been days when I've had enough time to blog, but haven't. *blush* Nevertheless, I have truly been running around like a lunatic this summer! This next weekend and coming week don't look any more relaxing either.... Well, to exciting matters..... I've known for a while but haven't posted about it: I'm going to have another little sister this December! I'm very excited, as is the whole family. I could tell you her name.... but I won't! (Sorry, the privilege of privacy!)  Also, any prayers for my dad at this time would be most appreciated! He's been studying, working, and boldly shoving towards ordination for a while now. This is ordination weekend.... and he's going to be asked lots of questions at the meeting. I'm extremely proud of him, and know he would be blessed by any prayers you would offer on his behalf! I mentioned earlier that I was at camp last week as a counselor. Yep, it's true. I had a wonderful time, besides being totally exhausted after days of running around like a mad-woman, trying to be everywhere at once (while looking after all the campers in my group!). I also played keyboard for the worship team, what an experience! I (literally!) was given the music only about ten minutes (sometimes less) before each performance.... and this was truly just the lyrics printed on the sheet of paper with guitar cords written above them!!! Needless to say, it stretched me, but was something that helped me to trust God and "go with the flow". *grin* If you would, please take a minute to pray for the girls in my group from this summer. Two of them prayed to ask God for forgiveness of their sins and accepted Jesus as the truth. I have been emailing with several of the girls, including those two, and hope to stay in contact with them. Many of them came from hurting homes, or even unbelieving ones. These girls are all ages 10-12.... they need prayer!   I'm reading in 2nd Kings right now, as well as Jeremiah. My mom is also studying Jer., so we enjoy discussing what we've been learning. It used to astound me how stubborn and sinful the Israelites were.... but now, as a young adult, I'm no longer shocked. I see the exact same stories played out in our modern days. People have learned to take sin lightly, have "forgotten how to blush", have covered their ears when the words of God are spoken, and deliberately set their feet on the path of destruction. It grieves my heart to see how our modern world refuses to heed to the mistakes of the before them, and continues to journey in darkness. I see even people close to me surrendering to sin, instead of realizing that the God within them is greater than the prince of darkness. I would encourage each of you to make sure you are honoring God with your life; that you are reflecting His holiness. This world will make life difficult for those who follow Christ.... but, take courage! He has overcome the world!   God bless! WarriorMaiden   http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/swordwieldingmaiden/717380/ Fri, 14 Aug 2009 13:49:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/swordwieldingmaiden/717380/ Sometimes this life here on earth is difficult and disappointing. This is a poem I wrote a couple months ago, as I gave thanks for God's eternal understanding.     Sometimes life is Hard. Sometimes choices are Overwhelming. Do You know what it's like? Drip, drip, drip. Tears fall as the Son of Man Surrenders to the Plan of His Father. "Not my will, but Yours."   Sometimes disappointment Crowds in. Friends fail in their Selfishness. Do You realize how much it hurts? Crow, crow, crow! A rooster calls as the Follower betrays the Friend.   Somtimes my Heart feels Beaten and Mistreated Unjustly! Do You know how that feels? Slash, slash, slash! A whip soars through the Air, ripping the Flesh from the Holy One's back.   Sometimes the Road is Narrow and Rocky. Sometimes I seem to posses No more Strength to Continue. Do You know that exhaustion? Step, step, step. The Savior slowly Drags Himself up the Hill, Burdened with a heavy Cross.   Sometimes my failure and Sin refuses to Leave; It stares me in the Face. Can You understand that humiliation? Bang, bang, bang! A hammer pounds spikes into Skin and Bone. A Redeemer is Hung in Shame, bearing the Sins of All.   Sometimes hope seems lost. Love and Security feel Non-existent. Have You felt that despair? Gasp, gasp, gasp. Suffering in utter Lonliness, the Deliverer fights for every Breath. "My God, why have You Forsaken Me?"   Sometimes hurt cuts Deep. Sometimes forgiveness is Hard to Find. Can You comprehend that pain? Jeer, jeer, jeer! Crowds mock and Curse, rejecting their Rescuer. "Father, forgive them! They don't know what they're doing!"   Sometimes this World seems to be Closing in; Threatening to Suck the Life from my Being.   Do You understand the Weight of Sin? Yes. Do You know the Pain of Rejection? Yes. Have You experienced Total and Hopeless Defeat? No! You are the Conqueror! You are the Strength and Joy that I Need. You understand Me. That is sufficient. http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/swordwieldingmaiden/712982/ Fri, 31 Jul 2009 09:13:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/swordwieldingmaiden/712982/ Hello everyone! I would love if you would go check out my new blog! I'm definately not quitting this blog, but I've started a second blog with the express purpose of encouraging modest clothing styles for young ladies. Please come and comment on my first outfit. Feel free to ask any questions concerning the blog and clothes.  http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/justlovelyfashion/ God bless! WarriorMaiden   http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/swordwieldingmaiden/709650/ Mon, 20 Jul 2009 11:41:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/swordwieldingmaiden/709650/