Dec. 31, 2008 UnderCover- The Online Magazine is CANCELLED
Due to various reasons (click HERE) UnderCover- The Online Magazine is cancelled. We are sorry if this causes an inconvenience to anyone. We will be using some of the articles sent in for UnderCover- The Online Magazine in our other magazine, Pure Little Ladies Ministry.
Again, we're sorry for any inconvenience. Right now we don't know exactly sure what will be done with UC, we may turn it back into a blog but again, we're still not sure.
Blessings,
UnderCover |
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Nov. 3, 2008 Another Update on UC Mag 09
Please click HERE for more updates on UC's Mag 09; it'll give you the titles of articles we're hoping to get, etc.
Guys are also welcome to send in articles, please don't be offended by being sent to a "girly" site for the details on how to submit stuff. ^_^
And also, REMEMBER: UC won't be able to last long if YOU don't submit an article. The contents of the new magazine is mostly written by readers like you!
*DEADLINE FOR SUBMITTING IS DECEMBER 18!*
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Blessings, Hugs, and Love,
Miss Toria
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Oct. 2, 2008 Updates on the Happy Humps and UNDERCOVER
Hello to all the faithful readers of UnderCover! I thought it was about time I gave everyone an update on what's going on at my place and at UnderCover.
As everyone knows, school is back in session and that consumes a lot of my day, leaving little or no time left to write devotional posts, unfortunately. My writing time (and my time for everything else I don't have time for during the week) is usually on the weekends now, which is also packed with home fellowship and family time. Of course that means that UnderCover hasn't been posting articles as fast as it did during the summer months when school was out. Not to worry, I'm still on top of things and I'm still posting articles on here, I'm just not as fast as I used to be a few months ago. ^_^
KeelCoolDude ( www.homeschoolblogger.com/keel0thoughts ) (former Knight of UnderCover) is still blogging and has been talking about posted on his blog but with his school, he hardly has time for that, too. But I assure you, he is very much alive. ^_^
My dad is still trying to get everything in order for his book to be published and as of now we're trying to get a website set up. I'll let everyone know when that's done.
My mom is doing better and thank you SO MUCH to all those who were praying and are continuing to pray for her. Loosing Isaiah was a extremely tough thing to go through and we are SO THANKFUL that we had all of you!! As my dear friend Meggy says, "We've got your back!" Ya'll truly backed us up with prayer through are difficult time; thanks SO MUCH!
As for me, I've decided to put novel writing on the back burner for now. Once my dad's publishing house is up and running I'll get Johanna's Trust published but other than that all other books will be put aside as I pursue a different avenue: magazine writing. I've done some in the past and I'm hoping to do it more often now. I'm also in the process of starting up a ministry called Pure Little Ladies Ministry that I'm hoping the girls in my home church will run with me at one point, right now it's all my articles. ^_^ I've set it up on Blogspot so it's a whole new world to me but I'm enjoying it. PLLM is dedicated to "purity, modest, and loving the Messiah" and is geared more towards Torah observant Christians, and if you would like the link, comment me and let me know. As I've already said, it's in the works so nothing's perfect yet.
Another thing that is going to be new at UnderCover is that I'm accepting blog posts from YOU! Want to join UnderCover as a Guest Blogger? Comment this post and let me know. Don't forget to give me your blog address, too! I'll need to be able to contact you and give you my guidelines for writing. One more thing that might be coming to UnderCover is instead of posting spur-of-the-moment, I may change it to a monthly online magazine if I have enough young men and lady Believers to write for me. Ages 8-18 is what I'm looking for, although that may be subject to change, you never know with me. ^_^ But this'll only happen once I see how many are interested in writing for me, I'll need a handful of them in order to have enough articles. If you're interested, comment and leave the same information asked if you want to be a Guest Blogger. I'm really excited to see how this goes!! Hopefully I'll have enough writers and articles to start putting the first issue out January 1, 2009.
Before I go, Guest Blogger for UnderCover, Maiden Princess, just had a birthday and I totally flopped it, forgetting to send a card and post on my normal blog although I didn't forget a gift. Unfortunately, no one knows when that'll get to her. ^_^ But anyhow, HAPPY BIRTHDAY MP!!
I hope everyone has a blessed day, and keep close to the Master!
~*~Princess Croc Toria~*~
(also known on the blog-o-sphere as Lady Toria the Teaser, Croc Toria, and Miss Toria)
Co-founder of UnderCover and founder of Pure Little Ladies Ministry |
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Oct. 2, 2008 How Deep The Fathers Love For Us: Part 1- Maiden Princess
How Deep The Father’s Love For Us: Part 1
By Maiden Princess
“But God demonstrates His own love towards us, in that while we were sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8
Lately, as I have been reading through the Scripture, I am amazed at how deep and wide and long is the love of God for His children- for me! To think that the Maker of the Universe loves me. He held me in His hands and knit me together in my Mother’s womb. He breathed life into me and gave me a destiny even before I was born. He created me to glorify Him and has given me the privilege to serve Him even after all I’ve done wrong. He gives me abounding grace and never stops loving me, even when I become very unlovely. I look at my life and say, why me? What does God see in me that He would love me enough to give His Son’s life in exchange for mine? I am not even near the child He was. I cannot comprehend this love He has for me. It makes me cry, laugh, and bow down in humility all at the same time. “And to know the love of Christ which surpasses all knowledge that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God.” Ephesians 3:19 His love surpasses what I can even comprehend…amazing! So if you look at yourself today and think that you are alone and unloved remember that you have a God who created you, brought you into being, and loves you more than love can demonstrate. Truly, how deep is the Father’s love for us.
What Have I Done by Addie Camp
What have I done, Lord Jesus, to deserve Your endless love/ What have I done, Lord Jesus, to be worthy of Your grace/ What have I done, Lord Jesus, to be standing here with You/ What have I done, Lord Jesus, to be worthy of You/
Chorus: For I am nothing yet you love me/ I am no one yet You care/ You thought of me when You died/ What have I done to deserve this love
OOOOOOOOO….OOOOOOOOOOOO
And I lay down my will/ To do Yours until/ My life I give henceforth to live for You alone/ For I am nothing yet You love me/ I am no one yet You care/ You thought of me when You died/ What have I done to deserve this love
OOOOO….OOOO…OOOO
Repeat the first verse
You make me worthy of You/ You make me worthy of You
In every tree that turns color, in every ray of sun that warms my skin, in every gurgle and tumble the water takes, in the vast oceans and lakes, in the crashing waves, in the way the clouds float effortlessly across the sky, in the Cardinals and songbirds flitting here and there along there merry way, in the green grass that sways in the breeze, in the rain drops forming a symphony on the roof, in the bold lightning strikes across the dark sky, and the booming thunder shaking the house, in the blooming, blossoming flowers at my feet; all of this speaks of His love for me. Each His very own sticky note in my day reminding me of His unending love. And although I feel unworthy I embrace Him and know that I can do nothing but give my life for Him as a return token of my affection. He is worthy of no less!
May God be glorified in my life and yours forevermore.
Maiden Princess
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Sep. 2, 2008 I Never Thought It Would Happen To My Family- Princess Croc Toria
Princess Croc Toria: Wildlife Warrior and Soilder of the Cross- It's all for HIM
I never thought it would happen to my family.
All my life, I used to pray for another sibling...it didn't seem fair that I prayed and prayed and prayed while other kids I knew had lots of other siblings, and they didn't pray half as hard as I did for one. After 12 years, I gave up. What's the use of praying when you don't get answers? The hope for another sibling died out, like a candle blown out by the wind on a dark day. I thought that I believed God could do anything, but by giving up hope I was actually telling God that I thought He was no longer able.
Years went by, all hope of a baby vanished.
I never thought it would happen to my family.
On July 9th, 2008, my mom found out that she was pregnant.
We were all so happy, and I had a feeling in my heart that this baby would be apart of something bigger than real life, something amazing, a "really big God thing". All the people we called...all the excitement...all the debates over middle names...all the plans for the baby's room...all unannounced to us that no baby would really be joining us; the time that we thought would be years with him would turn into only weeks.
Mom was having some pain about a week or two later, so she thought she should go to her doctor just to make sure everything was okay.
It wasn't.
They saw no heartbeat, and her hormone levels didn't double like they were supposed to. It rocked our world and our future we thought would be firm. So many people spent so much time praying for us and for our miracle baby, but even still we thought there would be no change as we walked into the doctor's office once again on July 21st. We spent so many hours in prayer that weekend as we dreaded the 21st. But something happened...there was a Bible verse that spoke to us, from the book of Daniel. That's when we knew it was a boy. We felt it deep down, a feeling I can't explain. After hours of debating middle names, we knew it was to be Isaiah Daniel...but we didn't know we would never hold him in our arms. We would've called you crazy if you told us that the Savior would be the One to give him his first kiss, that He would hold him in His arms instead of our arms. Crazy.
I never thought it would happen to my family.
I sat there in the waiting room with Keel, preparing myself for when the door would open and my mom's tear-stained face would look into mine and say "He's gone". But behind one of those closed doors back there, by dad was saying, "Isaiah, ARISE!" then turning to the ultrasound screen, he broke down in tears. Our miracle baby's heartbeat was there. Our miracle baby was alive. It was one of the best days of my life. That day we would've called you crazy if you told us that our precious Isaiah Daniel would die just a few days after...and that we wouldn't know until 3 weeks later.
I never thought it would happen to my family.
August 19th...we were at the doctor's once again. And this time my mom's tear-stained face met mine.
Why? Why my Isaiah Daniel, why the baby I prayed for all my life? Why our miracle baby? Why us?
I never...in my wildest dreams...would've thought it would happen to my family.
The only thing that kept me moving was the song that whispered in my ear as I walked down the hallway towards the door out of the dreaded doctor building..."You give and take away/You give and take away/My heart will choose to say/Lord blessed be Your Name" I told myself that just like in Job 2:10, we needed to accept the bad along with the good. Although we didn't know what it was, God had a plan for taking our baby.
I was right when I knew that our baby would be apart of something great. Throughout the whole time, our baby touched lives. Isaiah gave hope to couples who had given up the hope of having another child, and through his death people marveled at our faith. God used Isaiah for things bigger and greater than I could've dreamed....he was used for real big God things. Although I'll always carry that baby-shaped hole in my heart, I'll always be thankful for what God did for my family.
Thank you to all of those who prayed for Isaiah, your prayers were not in vain. God brought our baby back to life that day on July 21st to show that He does answer prayer. Thank you to all those who sent (and are sending) cards or gifts, it means a lot to have something to remember our baby by.
Baby Dear, know that I love you and I can't wait to meet you. You're Home, in the Place where you belong...a Perfect Place, for a perfect miracle.
Blessed Be the Name
Blessed be Your Name
In the land that is plentiful
Where Your streams of abundance flow
Blessed be Your Name
Blessed be Your Name
When I’m found in the desert place
Though I walk through the wilderness
Blessed be Your Name
(Chorus)
Every blessing You pour out, I’ll turn back to praise
And when the darkness closes in, LORD, still I will say:
Blessed be the Name of the LORD
Blessed be Your Name
Blessed be the Name of the LORD
Blessed be Your glorious Name
Blessed be Your Name
When the sun’s shining down on me
When the world’s all as it should be
Blessed be Your Name
Blessed be Your Name
On the road marked with suffering
Though there’s pain in the offering
Blessed be Your Name
(Chorus)
You give and take away
You give and take away
My heart will choose to say
LORD, blessed be Your Name
Blessed be the Name of the LORD
Blessed be Your Name
Blessed be the Name of the LORD
Blessed be Your glorious Name
(Repeat x 2)
~*~
You consume me, You consume me
Like a burning flame running through my veins
You consume me, You consume me
Any time any place You invade my space
You consume me, You consume me
( Consume Me, DC Talk)
~*~
God weeps too, God weeps too
Although we question Him for all that we go through
Still it helps me believe
And my pain it does relieve
When I think that God weeps too
( God Weeps Too, Eli)
~*~
He hasn't left you out to dry
Even now
You haven't left His watching Eye
Even now
So children sing it when you don't see how
My Father's worthy of my hope
Even now
( Even Now, Foolish Things)
~*~
I'm falling apart
I'm barely breathing
With a broken heart
That's still beating
In the pain
There is healing
In Your Name
I find cleaning
So I'm holding on
I'm holding on
I'm holding on
I'm barely holding on to You
I'm hanging on another day
As to see what You will throw my way
I'm hanging on to the words You say
You said that I will be okay
( Broken, Lifehouse)
~*~
Then I'll see Your Face
I know I'm finally Yours
I find everything
I thought I had lost before
You call my name
I come to Your in pieces
So You can make me whole
( Pieces, RED)
~*~
Be my Light in this darkened room
I'm on my face and I'm calling You
I can't fathom all You've done for me
Every time it finds me on my knees
Like sunlight in the winter cold
And everything about You
It takes my breath away
Hallelujah
I tried this once without You
And it was my great mistake
( Everything About You, Sanctus Real)
~*~
Whatever You're Doing
(Sanctus Real)
It's time for healing
Time to move on
It's time to fix what's been broken too long
Time to make right
What has been wrong
It's time to find my way to where I belong
There's a wave that's crashing over me
And all I can do is surrender
(Chorus)
Whatever You're doing
Inside of me
It feels like chaos
But somehow there's peace
And it's hard to surrender
To what I can't see
But I'm giving into something heavenly
Time for a milestone
Time to begin again
Reevaluate who I really am
And by doing everything
To follow Your will
It's like climbing aimlessly over these hills
So show me what it is You want from me
I give everything
I surrender
(Repeat Chorus)
Something heavenly
Time to face up
Clean this old house
Time to breath in and let everything out
That I've wanted to say
For so many years
Time to release all my held-back tears
Whatever You're doing
Inside of me
It feels like chaos
But I believe
You're up to something
Bigger than me
Larger than life
Something Heavenly
Whatever You're doing
Inside of me
It feels like chaos
But now I can see
This is something
Bigger than me
Larger than life
Something heavenly
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Sep. 2, 2008 What Message Are You Sending The World- Maiden Princess
“I shouldn’t have to tell you who I am, because who I am should be speaking for itself.” From “Mistaken” by Warren Bartfield
Basically, are your actions, attitudes, and the words that come out of your mouth conveying the message of a lover and disciple of Jesus or are they speaking in a different language?
“But prove yourselves doers of the Word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves.” James 1:22
“ But one who looks intently at the perfect law, the law of liberty, and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an effectual doer, this man will be blessed.” James 1:25
“But someone may well say, ‘You have faith and I have works; show me your faith without the works and I will show you my faith by my works.’” James 2:18
“You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe and shudder.” James 2:19
Is it enough to just go worship on the Sabbath and then go home and get back into your “comfy” self-serving style of living? NO! If we are Chameleons, easily blending in to our surroundings wherever we are, then we are not being set apart for God. Like it or not, our actions, attitudes, and words are sending a message about what we believe and how we live it out. What kind of message are you sending? Are walking the walk or just talking a good talk?
Last thought: How does someone we love know 100% that we love them? We can tell them, yes, but, doesn’t showing them really convince them that we are earnest. Are you just telling God that you love Him but aren’t backing it up with your actions? Then, how does God know that you truly love Him? Do you truly love Him or do you just say you do? Today, let’s not only tell God we love Him but let’s act on that love!
May He be glorified in my life and yours forevermore,
Maiden Princess |
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Aug. 19, 2008 Are YOU letting yourself be turned into Oreo goo?
Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? -2 Corinthians 6:14
"And WHY are you sending your son to a PUBLIC school?"
"We need to be a light to the world! My son needs to shine in the dark school system!"
Now, I agree with the "needing to be a light to the world" part, but does it necessarily mean sending your son into a dangerous environment?
I remember hearing those words years ago. It was my neighbor's voice declaring the news that they were sending their son to a public school, and sometimes I wonder if the words she said haunts her to this day.
Her son DIDN'T shine.
He fell for the evil company of the world. He's been in jail too may times to count. He couldn't put smoking or alcohol away, and when we were little my brother and I would be scared silly at night when we saw the lines of cars and loud music (not to mention the way people would stagger outta there!) at his house, with way too many wild people ready to "party" until the wee hours of the morning.
The hope of being a light to the school system is false. It just ain't happenin' these days. Thirty or twenty, maybe even ten years ago Christian kids could have made a difference without falling away from the faith, but the pressure to be "cool" is too strong for success.
It's kind of like this: Have you ever had to crush Oreo's for a topping or for a pie? If you remove all the white and just left the black cookie, but you put in ONE whole cookie with the white icing and crushed them all together...what color would you get?
Black. You can't shine when unbelievers are hitting you in the head every day.
And what if you took all the white icing and just put ONE whole cookie with the black cracker and crushed that all together? Yeah. You'd be nearing the black side of things.
Depending on the ratio of white to black (it doesn't take much!), most always your Oreo "goo" will be black.
What can light do with darkness? What do the righteous have to do with the wicked?
The neighbor guy wanted to be accepted in school. He wanted to be in the "in" crowd. He was turning into Oreo goo before everyone's eyes, but no one saw it before it was too late.
Even if we let a few unbelievers into our "circle" of things, more often than not THEY'LL change US. I'm not saying that we should never be with unbelievers, and I'm defiantly NOT saying that I'm against evangelism. We just need to be SO careful about the people we choose to surround ourselves with.
So, let me ask you this: Are YOU letting yourself be turned into Oreo goo? Be on your guard!
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Aug. 19, 2008 BEFORE YOU MEET PRINCE CHARMING- Maiden Princess
*Please Note: Maiden Princess and I both do not agree with some of Sarah Mally's doctrine beliefs*
Before You Meet Prince Charming
A Book Review by Maiden Princess
I recently borrowed “Before You Meet Prince Charming” by Sarah Mally from one of my friends and just a few pages in I knew this was gonna be a great book with a message I really needed to hear. I had looked at this book on-line and read great reviews but still wondered what it was about and when I saw it on my friend’s bookshelf I asked if I could snap it up. The first chapter really struck me with how to guard to your heart emotionally and how powerful of a decision that is. The world is very quick to demean our great ambition of being pure by telling us that we are “missing out” or the question is often used, “How do you know what you’re missing if you don’t even try it?”. The problem is, we too often listen to these discouraging voices and allow them to change our point of view. In this book Sarah points out how to remain firm in our decisions to be pure even in the little areas. She refreshingly gives the encouragement of an older and wiser Sister in Christ. She speaks about the issues of impure thoughts, temptation, how to deal with a crush, and giving your heart to your earthly and heavenly Father from real-life experience. The main focus of the book is how to be radiantly pure for our Heavenly Groom. She lovingly points out that we should not be satisfied with just walking that little tightrope between sin and holiness but that we should be as pure and innocent as we can be, so as to be the brightest lights possible for our King. This book is very nicely written and is discreet enough for girls of all ages and I must say that I commend her for that very highly. In a physically-minded world, this book is a refreshing new read. |
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Jul. 22, 2008 Are YOU "blind" and "handicapped"?
"As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?" "Neither this man nor his parents sinned," said Jesus, "but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life.'" ~John 9:1-3
The story of the blind man in John 9 amazes me. Here's a guy who has lived all his life in total darkness while people are bashing him over and over again. "You sinned!" "You're good for nothing!" "You'll never make it in the real world!" "You're not perfect, so stay away!" People have shouted at him. Yelled at him. Shunned him. Mocked him. Judged him. And some have probably spat on him more than once.
The world is looking bleak for the poor dude. Even Jesus' disciples start guessing about the mysterious one who sinned and made the man blind. Peter states firmly that it was the man who sinned. Phillip argued that it was the parents. James says he sides with Phillip, it must of been the parents. Peter asks Judas who he's siding with. Judas mumbles and kicks some dirt, wondering why on earth he was there.
Finally they ask Jesus.
His reply shocks them. "The man is blind because...of what, Jesus?!" Peter, the loud one, shouts. Jesus calmly restates his answer: "...this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life."
Whoa. Andrew's mouth is hanging open, Peter's sputtering, James and John look like their eyes were opened for the first time, and Judas is rolling his eyes heavenward. They never thought about that before.
And neither do we.
Do we judge and mock the blind/handicap of today? One of the worst things your could ever see in your life is to see someone "less fortunate" being made fun of.
When I'd go to my grandma's house when I was little, sometimes we would go next door and visit the neighbors' horses. Now, the neighbors also had a son who was younger than I was. He couldn't talk, used a walker, and always wanted to hold my hand or touch my hair. He was handicapped, but since I knew him ever since he was a baby it didn't bother me. I never noticed that he was way different than me. He really was a sweet little boy if you look the time to know him, but most people won't.
We are the ones in the world that are "blind" and "handicapped". We never think that the ones who have physical trouble might be used to glorify God, that the work of God, the Creator, might be displayed in their lives.
Are YOU "blind" and "handicapped"? Next time you see someone who is mentally/physically challenged, give them a smile. They need encouragement even more than you do. Remember that they just might be a vessel used to display the work of God. |
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Jul. 22, 2008 Out of Focus- Maiden Princess
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Out of Focus
" But seeing the wind he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, ‘Lord, save me!' Immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and took hold of him, and said to him, "You of little faith, why did you doubt?'" Matthew 14:30-31
Recently while I was on vacation I had an experience with blurry vision. Not physically but spiritually. I was busy and on-the-go and I neglected to let God be first priority in my life. I was out of focus. This verse has always been one of my favorites for so many reasons, but today I want to look at "Seeing the wind....and beginning to sink," When we take our focus off our Lord and Master, if we take our own little path, and think our way is most certainly the better road God has placed us on; we're treading on dangerous water. Somehow while on our way to Him, we stop and take heed of our surroundings, suddenly doubting what He says is not the truth, as if wanting to figure it out for ourselves and have our own opinions in what He's going to do with our lives. We stop there for awhile, just standing on top of the lake, testing the waters, so to speak...wanting to see if God's way really is what's best. Then we begin to sink...a little water at the ankles first, not much to notice, but soon we are up to our necks and we cry out, "Lord, save me!" as Peter did. How could this happen? We wanted to serve God with all our hearts...why are we struggling so much? How did we allow ourselves to be caught up in the fast-paced tide of this world, when we really know that God only desires our best?
Notice God's response...."Immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and took hold of Him." He looks at us with sorry eyes and the pain of his broken heart is evident in His voice. “‘You of little faith, why did you doubt?'" Why did you not believe that my way was best? Why did you not trust me to bring you safely through? Did your taste of the world satisfy or only leave you with scars and regrets?
If we are not focused on our Father, then what is it that we are looking to ? Is this new object blurring the lines of truth, justice, and obedience out of a pure conscience.. Are we losing our innocence and inner beauty? Are we becoming consumed with our outer appearance so that we can impress, instead of being concerned about what the status of our heart so that you can bless God? When we don't focus on God, it's like seeing the world through blurry eyes. This is very dangerous and hurtful.
God wants us to trust Him implicitly with our whole hearts and minds. However, if you have wandered away and rejected the glasses He so lovingly offers there is forgiveness and hope in His comforting arms. He will carry you to the boat and you can start afresh. Once you have been swallowed by the waves, you will realize why He is the best thing you can ever have and stand more firmly in your resolve that He can be fully trusted. Look into His eyes today as you cross this lake that we call earth, lock your gaze into His and be fully satisfied in the love that it holds.
You do not need to look beyond, for in Him is everything you need and are hoping for.
Put on His glasses, let your vision become clear, and walk hand in hand with our Savior to His destination for your life. Though the waves may offer some tempting things, He is the only one who can truly be your all in all. He can hold and heal your heart.
Peace to You,
Maiden Princess |
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Jul. 3, 2008 Are YOU walking step by step?
"He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters." ~Psalm 23:2
Busy doing this, busy doing that. Running here, running there. Late for this, late for that. In our chaotic schedules of today, we hardly ever take the time to talk with God. To walk with God. To be close to God. Sure, we pray in the morning and pray at night, but do we ever talk to God in the house in between? Do we even want to walk with God...step by step?
For my last two guitar lessons, I've been working on the chords and strum for "Step By Step" and as I was playing it for the 16th time today I realized how many Christians don't take the song to heart.
Oh God You are my God, and I will ever praise You- Now wait a minute. I want everyone to think back on their day. I'm sure we all (myself included!) can think of at least one or more times that we grumbled against God. Most of the times its over stupid little things, such as being thirsty and not having water, the car in front is going too slow, etc., and we complain about it. Do we really praise God, always?
I will seek You in the morning- How many times have we jumped out of bed and forgotten to give the day to the Lord?
And I will learn to walk in Your ways- One of the biggest problems in some churches today is the "pick and choose" doctrine. People only pick out the bits and pieces of the Bible that aren't a big effort for them to do/apply to their lives. They want to hear things that make them feel good, not hear the things that change their lives. Do we really want to learn about and walk in God's ways? Are we willing?
And step by step You'll lead me- God's willing to lead us, by the hand, through life's joys and sorrows. He's there to comfort us, yet we're "too busy" to even take him up on His offer. Is that how we should treat a promise from the Maker of the universe?
And I will follow You all of my days- Are we really willing to follow God, to forsake what we want and give it all to Him?
"Life's hard, yard by yard. Inch by inch, it's a cinch." Life is difficult, stressful, and emotional. In the fast-passed world we live in, sometimes we just want to break under the brutalness of life. But take it easy! Take a deep breath and slow down your clock. Walk life with God, step for step. Enjoy the green pasture you're in, walking with your Maker.
So, let me ask you this: Are YOU walking step by step? |
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Jul. 3, 2008 As Long As I Live
As Long As I Live
By Maiden Princess
"Because Your lovingkindess is better than life, my lips will praise You. So I will bless You as long as I live; I will lift up my hands in Your name. My soul is satisfied as with marrow and fatness, and my mouth offers praises with joyful lips." Psalm 63:3-5
I was reading those verses this afternoon in the car, I was struck once again with "as long as I live". No circumstances attached. Just praise Him. WHY? Because "His lovingkindness is better than life". Hmmm...so when the sun is hot when your working outside and there's no breeze, praise Him. When you burn your bread because you accidentally didn't hear the timer (yeah, that bread you spent all day baking) praise Him. hen you the ride in the car for 8 hours on end with little room to move...yeah, it's still a good idea to praise Him! As long as we live, with each breath we take we should be praising God for all He is because just knowing that He loves us should fill us with a wellspring of unquenchable joy.
Just a side note: Did you notice that in the last part of the verse it says "with my mouth"? Not only do we need to be thinking it but to be declaring it! There is great power in our words. We can either use them to build up or tear down. Our words also come from our hearts and if our words are declaring the praises of God then our attitudes will be as well.
As my cousin and I were watching Facing The Giants today they said, " Your attitude is like the aroma of your heart." Is your aroma pleasent? I know mine is not always but I must remind myself, no matter what is going on, I should be blessing God just because of His great love for me. I should take my eyes off of myself and think about Him for awhile, wouldn't you agree? I will leave you with this last thought--- "Whatever season of life, attitude makes the biggest difference." ~Unknown
" I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth." Psalm 34:1
Do a Scripture search on praise verses and you will be amazed at what you find.
May we all press on together and encourage one another to bless our Creator with every breath we take.
Because of Grace,
Maiden Princess
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Jun. 20, 2008 What will YOU do with the time that's left? Will YOU serve?
"Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves." ~Romans 12:10
We all hate doing this. We never like raising someone else up to make them look better than us. We don't like going into the shadows so the light falls on someone else. We don't like stooping low to do something else for someone. We like the world revolving around us, not around others. Didn't they just see that we already ran upstairs to get something once, and now they're asking us to do it again? Can't they see we're running late, and we don't want to stop? Let's face it, no one likes being the servant.
But when we do serve, it's showing honor. It's showing brotherly love. It's showing you care. It's showing that you think the needs of others are more important that you and what you want to do.
We can show honor in our actions, in our words, in our attitudes, and in our time. We can show honor in our actions by going the extra mile to help our younger siblings. We can show honor in our words by not speaking badly of our parents or raising up the kid at school that everyone picks on. We can show honor in our attitudes by having a smile and a cheerful heart when doing things for others. We can show honor with our time by giving it for the service of others. We can show honor in many ways...it's just a matter of will we show it or if we'll just ignore it.
We don't want to be remembered for not helping others or not honoring others. We don't want to be remembered for always wanting the world to revolve around us of for speaking badly of others. Wouldn't you rather want to be remembered for giving your all for others and doing it with a smile?
We don't know how long we're here for. What will you do with the time that's left? Will you give honor to others and live so that you will have no regrets with the time that slips and fades, never to return again? Love, honor, and cherish to your final breath. We have a legacy that we're leaving...what will it be? Good or bad? Full of honor or selfishness? |
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Jun. 20, 2008 Sprouts of Joy- Maiden Princess
Sprouts of Joy
by Maiden Princess
The other day as I was watering our newly planted garden, I couldn't help but be overjoyed at some of the beautiful, small, green sprouts popping their heads out of the soil. As i went back to the hose to fill up my watering can, a thought came to me--- I wonder if that is how God, our Master Gardener, feels when He sees one of His children growing in His ways? I then realized that the same joyful feeling I experienced about the sprout is the feeling that I want My Gardener to have about me all the time. I have purposed from now on, to the best of my ability, to be a sprout of joy to my Father. Happy Growing!!!
May God be glorified in my life and yours forevermore!
Maiden Princess |
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May. 26, 2008 Will YOU be a Warrior of Prayer?
Princess Croc Toria (Lady Toria the Teaser): Wildlife Warrior and Soldier of the Cross- It's all for HIM
Note: I'll be posting part two of my story from my last post in a few weeks
For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. 2 Corinthians 10:3
This is WAR!
For those who shrug it off lightly, you'll want to think again. We are fighting a Spiritual War, and it's real. And the world needs real people with real prayers and real faith to fight it.
Sometimes I feel like walking into churches and yelling WAKE UP PEOPLE like on the Pepsi commercials. The Warriors of Prayer seem to be lacking...sleeping...too comfortable for their own good. Where are the Warriors of prayer? This is WAR! We need to fight, pray, and stand guard!
So many things are happening to Christian people that I know. Horrible things, devastating things, things that you never want to hear about happening to good people. They need our prayers!!!! They need the Warriors of Prayer to get on their knees and pray!!
Wee need to join together as Warriors of Prayer! Sometimes it seems to me that some Christians in the church just think that living a good life and doing good things for people is all it takes....where's the prayer?! We need to be praying for one another! If you have a prayer request, please do not hesitate to comment me and tell me about it so we can all be praying! We need to lift one another up to the Lord constantly (note that I have a "prayer request" section on my sidebar now so everyone who comes to this blog will know what to be praying for) No request is too small or too big for God to answer! To start, here are some people that need prayers. Please pray! We need the Warriors of Prayer!
Sunday, 4 o'clock: It was a beautiful day, and a particular Christian man by the name of David was out on his motorcycle enjoying the afternoon. More than likely he wasn't aware of what was happening until it happened: someone made a turn...and didn't see him. Weeks later, he's still in the hospital. The doctors had to amputate his foot, but they were able to save most of his leg. He's upset that he won't be able to do the stuff he used to do with his son and family, and he needs our prayers!
"He was drowning in his own blood" 15-year-old Ami (Ah-mee) didn't see it coming. NO one did, really. To him the box he held was an ordinary package that was delivered to their apartment in Israel. No one knew what would happen, nor could their wildest dreams think it up. Suddenly, without warning, the box in Ami's arms exploded. Some hadn't handed him a package, but a bomb. By God's amazing grace, Ami's still alive to tell the story. Months passed and he's finally on the mend. Their apartment is finally fixes, but the memories are haunting the family. The parents assume the dirty, low-down and almost fatal bomb deed was done because they believe Jesus was the Messiah. They need our prayers!
One horrible nightmare is going on with fellow HSB blogger Sarah and her family. At 3 am, the morning after Mother's Day, Sarah's family was awakened by a state trooper banging on the door...and the nightmare began. The man bore the news of a guy named Elgin being dead from a truck crash...that also exploded. Confusion started when they thought the trooper was talking about the son and brother of their family, but they finally found out: it wasn't Sarah's brother...it was her dad. Their hero and provider was dead. Sarah's family needs our prayers!
Arise, Warriors of the Lord! Arm yourself and get on your knees!
This is WAR! |
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May. 26, 2008 Flowers among the grass- Maiden Princess
Flowers Among the Grass
By Maiden Princess
One thing I always found interesting about Jesus is that He never had to go and lure people to listen to Him . He never had to go and hunt people down to be have an audience to hear His testimony.. They always came to Him. Why??? Because His life was an open book. Basically, His relationship with His Father was on display for everyone. He didn’t try to hide the fact that H e loved God with all His heart, soul, mind , and strength. He lived according to His Father’s instructions and was not afraid to be bold about His faith. In fact, that was about all He talked about! He was a perfect representation of His Father and as God’s sons and daughters we should be striving for the same thing. We should do as Jesus did. Being gentle, kind, loving, loyal, faithful, hungry and passionate, on fire for God, saturated in His love, living out His plan for us in perfect obedience. We should show the world that there is a God who lives and He is living in each and every one of us as Lord and Master of our lives. He has set-us apart as His children and we are to be different from the world. It is our responsibility to show them how good it is to be a child of God. Is it possible to do that if we want to just look like the grass? If we throw away our calling to be different are we really content with the love God provides or are we looking for something the world has to offer. If we walk, talk, and act like the world then we must not know God like we should. Do we want more than what He can offer? Do we want more than freedom and life, love and loyalty, discipline out of love, kindness instead of hate, and compassion and grace instead of unbending grudges? This makes absolutely no sense! Why do we want what the world has to offer, when all is has to offer, is only a fraction of what we already possess as heirs of His kingdom? Why do we think that we have no freedom in Christ? Why do we look at His command to be set-apart as a death sentence instead of a divine calling of love? Can we show the world how great God is if we, His children, don’t seem to be satisfied with Him? If we are seeking what the world has to offer then why would the world seek what we have? It would be a waste of time. May God open our eyes to see that He is all we will ever need in this life and the next. As His children, may we realize that what the world has to offer is death to our souls and is really of no value. May God help us to see that our calling to be different should be obeyed out of our love for Him. Father, fill us with overflowing love for You! Help us to want to be different. To want to be dandelions and stand up for who You are and to represent You rightly. Help us to be an extension of You in all we say, do, and think. Help us to show that we are Your children today by allowing You to change us from the inside out. Let us not desire what the world has but let Your great love be enough for us. Help us to remember how deep and wide Your love truly is .
So, let me ask you now.......are you going to blend in with the rest of the grass today or are you going to be a bright yellow Dandelion for God’s kingdom? Sometimes it’s tough to be different, but just knowing that God will be pleased is enough to go through anything!
Happy dandelion hunting today!
May He be glorified in my life and yours forevermore!
Maiden Princess
The other day as I was walking in our yard my eyes landed on one of the many dandelions springing up. A profound thought struck me — as followers of the One, True, Living God we should be like dandelions among the grass. We should immediately stand out as different and pleasant. As the Lord’s disciples we should at least be the one beacon of hope in someone’s world-worn day. We should immediately reflect the light and love of our Master. We are supposed to be set-apart people. Dandelions among the grass. However, the problem is, most of the time we aren’t! We are content to be different only when it feels good or when we feel like it. Do you think that Jesus was not sorely tempted to "fit in" with the crowd and just be a "regular Joe". (As He was tempted in all things.) Some people, I’m sure, thought He was a freak and some a puzzle, others a crazy prophet or a ghost; but the main point is that H e never wavered in His conviction to be completely like His Father. He didn’t mind if He got ridiculed and mocked as long as His Father was pleased. Shouldn’t we be at that same place. Willing to be Dandelions no matter what it might cost us?
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Apr. 25, 2008 Pigtails and Dirty Toes (Part One)- Princess Croc Toria
Princess Croc Toria (Lady Toria the Teaser): Wildlife Warrior and Soldier of the Cross- It's all for HIM
Pigtails and Dirty Toes: Part One
As I sat down on my bed, my eyes locked on my bare feet and I noticed how dirty they were. My hand reached up and gently fingered a small curl that had escaped my pigtails, and my mind wandered back, years ago, to dirty feet I had when I was a little girl.
I smile as I picture the little girl, running barefoot on grass and dirt alike with her wavy pigtails streaming behind her, without a care or pain in the world.
Oh, how things change.
My eyes lost their sparkle as I continued to look at my dirty toes. Today was the first day in weeks, months, that I had finally been able to go barefoot, with my toes eager to feel the soft grass between them while me and my brother did yard work. Oh, how I longed to run barefoot again, without a care or pain in the world as days of old! Today I tried...and some of the times as my toes struck the warm dirt, I couldn't feel it.
My chin sinks to my hand and rests there, thinking of olden days gone by. The little girl that climbed in bed with dirt on her feet and smudges on her face, the little girl who used to rub the grime away on her blanket...those days were gone. Long gone.
This winter I realized my feet weren't the calloused pink of other winters past. They were a strange purple...the toes almost an ashy gray. Red welts rose on the dies of my feels, and painful was each step taken. I didn't think much of it at first. I was born a fighter and I just kind of sucked it up...until mom realized that my feet were probably in serious condition. A trip to the doctor made my heart sink. No more barefoot toes. Summer or winter alike I would go barefoot in the house, but this disease (it isn't contagious though) I had changed everything. I didn't have good circulation, and the red, painful welts caused my blood cells to contract and tighten up, unable to deliver blood to my feet. The only thing I could do was keep my feet warm, the doc told us, and it should go away by summer, BUT...it'll be back next winter. And so far it hasn't gone ways this summer, either.
Pushing my will aside, I wore socks most every day this winter; sometimes up to two or three pairs because my feet would go numb. The days of going barefoot were in the past...gone. But I am a fighter, and the first really warm day in a long time found me outside...barefoot.
A sigh escapes my lips. The little girl I used to be was able to feel the earth with her her cute little feet. Now...my feet usually are so cold they're numb, and the purple and gray splotches cover the once dainty toes. I secretly knew they would never be the same again. Tears threaten to fall as I think of the "what ifs". What if this disease gets so bad that it'll be too painful to walk? What if, now that I have the same circulation problem in my hands, I'll never be able to play guitar again? Those feet that were quick to run to help now slow, those hands that were quick to reach out take a little more time to do the job.
This winter has taught me a lot, I muse as my fingers trace the dirt that refuses to come off. Not only about how blood cell contractions can change your life, but how sin can dramatically change your life, too.
You see, we're all born with a pure, beautiful heart. But when sin comes in, it stops the truth, just like my blood cells contract and stops the blood in my feet. Sin turns our hearts gray, starving our souls from much-needed truth. Sin turns our hearts ugly, no longer beautiful. There's no such thing as a "little sin"; it rapidly takes control of our hearts and it hurts our hearts and God. Sin wants to take control of all of us, but we must stand our guard against it!!!
Perhaps one day I'll feel the grass again with feet no longer purple...but I doubt it. I'm realizing that I'll just need to be content in whatever circumstance I'm in. And for now I'm just content that I went barefoot today...and got my toes dirty. |
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Apr. 25, 2008 Captive- Maiden Princess
Captive
By Maiden Princess
"Into Your hands I commit my spirit, You have ransomed me, O LORD, God of truth." Psalm 35:1
"My lips will shout for joy when I sing praise to You; and my soul which You have redeemed." Psalm 71:23
Captured- By Natalie Grant
It must mean somethin’
When I close my eyes
Visions of You come to me and flood my mind
It must mean somethin’
When my heart is true
All that I can think about is You
Chorus:
Everywhere I go You find me
Even when I run
I’m captured
I’m capture in You
Everywhere Your love surrounds me
I cannot escape
I’m captured
I’m captured
I’m captured
It must mean somethin’
When I’m standing still
Yours is the only voice I wanna hear
It must mean somethin’
That I’ve come this far
Lifting up my hands and offering my heart
Repeat Chorus
Bridge:
You are the sky
You are the sea
You are the air I wanna breathe
You’re everywhere
Your love lasts forever
And if I fall
You won’t let go
You hold me when I can’t hold on anymore
You reach out and rescue me
Repeat Chorus
I awake to sun streaming in through my bedroom window and the faint chirping of birds outside. I wrap a shawl around my shoulders and steal through the house trying not to wake anyone from their slumber. I quietly close the door behind me and walk to the shining, dew-covered grass. It tickles my feet with its cold wet kisses. As I look up into the golden sunrise my heart skips a beat. I take a deep breath as my eyes encompass all the glorious beauty around me. I feel the embrace of a loving and faithful God and I know that my heart is no longer my own. I’ve been captured! In every breeze that ruffles my hair, every beam of sun that warms my cheeks, ever bright and cheery flower that makes me smile, every singing songbird, every laughing stream, and every newly blossomed bud makes me fall in love with Him all the more. He is all I have ever wanted, yet, I know I am not worthy of His love. He found and chose ME and captured my heart with one touch. He loves me the way I am but never stops challenging me to become better. He is all I need in life and all I want. He has captured my heart completely for all of my days. Now, I’ll never be the same again. Have you been captured yet?
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Apr. 13, 2008 Will YOU be strong and courageous?
Princess Croc Toria (Lady Toria the Teaser): Wildlife Warrior and Soldier of the Cross- It's all for HIM
Verse: "Only be strong and courageous!" ~Joshua 1:18b
It's rather strange. Three times in the first chapter of Joshua God tells and then commands Joshua to be strong and courageous. Did Moses' right-hand man have a fear problem? Was he afraid of all those big and bad giants lurking in the new land? Was he about to bail out of his new high leadership position? We'll never know. But Joshua chapter one isn't just a confirmation for Joshua that God will be with him always...it's a confirmation for us, too.
You see, Joshua of old isn't the only one with a fear problem. Look at yourself. Yeah, I thought you'd see it. We all fear. That math test? You think it's scary. Those tornado warnings? You're downright petrified. That fear about being with new people? The feeling of panic when you're put on the spot?
Fear is the opposite of trust. Instead of believing and holding onto God and putting our trust in Him, we fear. Fear says we don't believe God can help us, or change the situation, or protect us. Fear is telling the world that our God isn't strong enough to save.
It takes strength to be courageous. It takes faith to trust. It takes courage to stand strong with the rest of the world hides. Being brave in a crowd that's panicked isn't exactly easy. In the face of fear it isn't easy to stop and remember that God "will never leave you nor forsake you."
We'll all still fear. It's a giant in our lives, yet it's human nature. But here's the thing: Will YOU be strong and courageous.....in spite of the fear that grabs our hearts?
The brave man is not he who feels no fear,
For that were stupid and irrational;
But he whose soul its fear subdues,
And bravely dares the
Danger nature shrinks from.
~Billie
"No one will be able to stand up against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you." ~Joshua 1:5
"Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their forefathers to give them." ~Joshua 1:6
"Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you;do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go." ~Joshua 1:7
"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go." ~Joshua 1:9
"Whoever rebels against your word and does not obey your words, whatever you may command them, will be put to death. ONLY BE STRONG AND COURAGEOUS!" ~Joshua 1:18 |
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Apr. 13, 2008 Thunderstorms of Life- Maiden Princess
Thunderstorms of Life
By Maiden Princess
As I sit here on my bed writing this post, my senses are going wild! I can hear pounding on the roof from the dime-sized hail hurling from the heavens along with the soft pattern of rain drops. The lightning flashes that split the sky and light up the dark earth for a moment are accompanied with ground-shaking thunder to add to the symphony. The dog is curled up on my legs, not sure of what’s going on. My family rushes to the windows to watch this spectacular picture of God’s absolute power and majesty unfold before their eyes.
Storms have always spoken to me. However, when I was young I used to be very scared of them, but now, they inspire me. Every time we get a thunderstorm I see it as God’s way of reassuring me that He is still in complete control of all things.
I am also caused to reflect on His majesty, mercy, and awesome power. Our God is truly amazing!
While I was watching the storm beginning to unleash this evening, a thought came to me: It is in the storms of our lives, in the darkest fiercest moments of blackness, we see, most clearly, the power of our Master, Savior, and Father displayed before us. Whether a spiritual or physical thunderstorm God’s power is enough to see you through. Rekindle your faith, refocus your eyes on Him, and calm your fears, for in the midst of the lightning and rain we can reach out to a God of strength and grace. He will take your hand, walk you through, and cause you to love and lean on Him all the more because of it. So, when your next thunderstorm comes will you hide in the curtains or see it as a chance to witness God’s awesome power in your life?
May God be glorified in my life and yours forevermore,
Maiden Princess
" Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth; sing praises to the Lord, to Him who rides upon the highest heavens, which are from ancient times; behold, He speaks forth with His voice, a mighty voice. Ascribe strength to God; His majesty over Israel, and His strength is in the skies. O God, Thou art awesome from Thy sanctuary. The God of Israel Himself gives strength and power to the people. Blessed be God!" Psalm 68:32-35
" For I know that the LORD is great, and that our Lord is above all gods. Whatever the LORD pleases, He does, in heaven and in earth, in the seas and in all the deeps. He causes the vapors to ascend from the ends of the earth; Who makes lightnings for the rain; Who brings forth the wind from His treasuries." Psalm 135:5-7
" I will extol Thee, my God, O King; and I will bless Thy name forever and ever. Every day I will bless Thee, and I will praise Thy name forever and ever. Great is the LORD, and highly to be praised; and His greatness is unsearchable. One generation shall praise Thy works to another, and shall declare Thy mighty acts. On the glorious splendor of Thy majesty, and on Thy wonderful works, I will meditate. And men shall speak of the power of Thine awesome acts; and I will tell of Thy greatness." Psalm 145:1-6
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Dec. 31, 2008
UnderCover- The Online Magazine is CANCELLED
Posted By UnderCover
Due to various reasons (click HERE) UnderCover- The Online Magazine is cancelled. We are sorry if this causes an inconvenience to anyone. We will be using some of the articles sent in for UnderCover- The Online Magazine in our other magazine, Pure Little Ladies Ministry.
Again, we're sorry for any inconvenience. Right now we don't know exactly sure what will be done with UC, we may turn it back into a blog but again, we're still not sure.
Blessings,
UnderCover |
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Nov. 3, 2008
Another Update on UC Mag 09
Please click HERE for more updates on UC's Mag 09; it'll give you the titles of articles we're hoping to get, etc.
Guys are also welcome to send in articles, please don't be offended by being sent to a "girly" site for the details on how to submit stuff. ^_^
And also, REMEMBER: UC won't be able to last long if YOU don't submit an article. The contents of the new magazine is mostly written by readers like you!
*DEADLINE FOR SUBMITTING IS DECEMBER 18!*
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Blessings, Hugs, and Love,
Miss Toria
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Oct. 2, 2008
Updates on the Happy Humps and UNDERCOVER
Hello to all the faithful readers of UnderCover! I thought it was about time I gave everyone an update on what's going on at my place and at UnderCover.
As everyone knows, school is back in session and that consumes a lot of my day, leaving little or no time left to write devotional posts, unfortunately. My writing time (and my time for everything else I don't have time for during the week) is usually on the weekends now, which is also packed with home fellowship and family time. Of course that means that UnderCover hasn't been posting articles as fast as it did during the summer months when school was out. Not to worry, I'm still on top of things and I'm still posting articles on here, I'm just not as fast as I used to be a few months ago. ^_^
KeelCoolDude ( www.homeschoolblogger.com/keel0thoughts ) (former Knight of UnderCover) is still blogging and has been talking about posted on his blog but with his school, he hardly has time for that, too. But I assure you, he is very much alive. ^_^
My dad is still trying to get everything in order for his book to be published and as of now we're trying to get a website set up. I'll let everyone know when that's done.
My mom is doing better and thank you SO MUCH to all those who were praying and are continuing to pray for her. Loosing Isaiah was a extremely tough thing to go through and we are SO THANKFUL that we had all of you!! As my dear friend Meggy says, "We've got your back!" Ya'll truly backed us up with prayer through are difficult time; thanks SO MUCH!
As for me, I've decided to put novel writing on the back burner for now. Once my dad's publishing house is up and running I'll get Johanna's Trust published but other than that all other books will be put aside as I pursue a different avenue: magazine writing. I've done some in the past and I'm hoping to do it more often now. I'm also in the process of starting up a ministry called Pure Little Ladies Ministry that I'm hoping the girls in my home church will run with me at one point, right now it's all my articles. ^_^ I've set it up on Blogspot so it's a whole new world to me but I'm enjoying it. PLLM is dedicated to "purity, modest, and loving the Messiah" and is geared more towards Torah observant Christians, and if you would like the link, comment me and let me know. As I've already said, it's in the works so nothing's perfect yet.
Another thing that is going to be new at UnderCover is that I'm accepting blog posts from YOU! Want to join UnderCover as a Guest Blogger? Comment this post and let me know. Don't forget to give me your blog address, too! I'll need to be able to contact you and give you my guidelines for writing. One more thing that might be coming to UnderCover is instead of posting spur-of-the-moment, I may change it to a monthly online magazine if I have enough young men and lady Believers to write for me. Ages 8-18 is what I'm looking for, although that may be subject to change, you never know with me. ^_^ But this'll only happen once I see how many are interested in writing for me, I'll need a handful of them in order to have enough articles. If you're interested, comment and leave the same information asked if you want to be a Guest Blogger. I'm really excited to see how this goes!! Hopefully I'll have enough writers and articles to start putting the first issue out January 1, 2009.
Before I go, Guest Blogger for UnderCover, Maiden Princess, just had a birthday and I totally flopped it, forgetting to send a card and post on my normal blog although I didn't forget a gift. Unfortunately, no one knows when that'll get to her. ^_^ But anyhow, HAPPY BIRTHDAY MP!!
I hope everyone has a blessed day, and keep close to the Master!
~*~Princess Croc Toria~*~
(also known on the blog-o-sphere as Lady Toria the Teaser, Croc Toria, and Miss Toria)
Co-founder of UnderCover and founder of Pure Little Ladies Ministry |
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Oct. 2, 2008
How Deep The Fathers Love For Us: Part 1- Maiden Princess
How Deep The Father’s Love For Us: Part 1
By Maiden Princess
“But God demonstrates His own love towards us, in that while we were sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8
Lately, as I have been reading through the Scripture, I am amazed at how deep and wide and long is the love of God for His children- for me! To think that the Maker of the Universe loves me. He held me in His hands and knit me together in my Mother’s womb. He breathed life into me and gave me a destiny even before I was born. He created me to glorify Him and has given me the privilege to serve Him even after all I’ve done wrong. He gives me abounding grace and never stops loving me, even when I become very unlovely. I look at my life and say, why me? What does God see in me that He would love me enough to give His Son’s life in exchange for mine? I am not even near the child He was. I cannot comprehend this love He has for me. It makes me cry, laugh, and bow down in humility all at the same time. “And to know the love of Christ which surpasses all knowledge that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God.” Ephesians 3:19 His love surpasses what I can even comprehend…amazing! So if you look at yourself today and think that you are alone and unloved remember that you have a God who created you, brought you into being, and loves you more than love can demonstrate. Truly, how deep is the Father’s love for us.
What Have I Done by Addie Camp
What have I done, Lord Jesus, to deserve Your endless love/ What have I done, Lord Jesus, to be worthy of Your grace/ What have I done, Lord Jesus, to be standing here with You/ What have I done, Lord Jesus, to be worthy of You/
Chorus: For I am nothing yet you love me/ I am no one yet You care/ You thought of me when You died/ What have I done to deserve this love
OOOOOOOOO….OOOOOOOOOOOO
And I lay down my will/ To do Yours until/ My life I give henceforth to live for You alone/ For I am nothing yet You love me/ I am no one yet You care/ You thought of me when You died/ What have I done to deserve this love
OOOOO….OOOO…OOOO
Repeat the first verse
You make me worthy of You/ You make me worthy of You
In every tree that turns color, in every ray of sun that warms my skin, in every gurgle and tumble the water takes, in the vast oceans and lakes, in the crashing waves, in the way the clouds float effortlessly across the sky, in the Cardinals and songbirds flitting here and there along there merry way, in the green grass that sways in the breeze, in the rain drops forming a symphony on the roof, in the bold lightning strikes across the dark sky, and the booming thunder shaking the house, in the blooming, blossoming flowers at my feet; all of this speaks of His love for me. Each His very own sticky note in my day reminding me of His unending love. And although I feel unworthy I embrace Him and know that I can do nothing but give my life for Him as a return token of my affection. He is worthy of no less!
May God be glorified in my life and yours forevermore.
Maiden Princess
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Sep. 2, 2008
I Never Thought It Would Happen To My Family- Princess Croc Toria
Princess Croc Toria: Wildlife Warrior and Soilder of the Cross- It's all for HIM
I never thought it would happen to my family.
All my life, I used to pray for another sibling...it didn't seem fair that I prayed and prayed and prayed while other kids I knew had lots of other siblings, and they didn't pray half as hard as I did for one. After 12 years, I gave up. What's the use of praying when you don't get answers? The hope for another sibling died out, like a candle blown out by the wind on a dark day. I thought that I believed God could do anything, but by giving up hope I was actually telling God that I thought He was no longer able.
Years went by, all hope of a baby vanished.
I never thought it would happen to my family.
On July 9th, 2008, my mom found out that she was pregnant.
We were all so happy, and I had a feeling in my heart that this baby would be apart of something bigger than real life, something amazing, a "really big God thing". All the people we called...all the excitement...all the debates over middle names...all the plans for the baby's room...all unannounced to us that no baby would really be joining us; the time that we thought would be years with him would turn into only weeks.
Mom was having some pain about a week or two later, so she thought she should go to her doctor just to make sure everything was okay.
It wasn't.
They saw no heartbeat, and her hormone levels didn't double like they were supposed to. It rocked our world and our future we thought would be firm. So many people spent so much time praying for us and for our miracle baby, but even still we thought there would be no change as we walked into the doctor's office once again on July 21st. We spent so many hours in prayer that weekend as we dreaded the 21st. But something happened...there was a Bible verse that spoke to us, from the book of Daniel. That's when we knew it was a boy. We felt it deep down, a feeling I can't explain. After hours of debating middle names, we knew it was to be Isaiah Daniel...but we didn't know we would never hold him in our arms. We would've called you crazy if you told us that the Savior would be the One to give him his first kiss, that He would hold him in His arms instead of our arms. Crazy.
I never thought it would happen to my family.
I sat there in the waiting room with Keel, preparing myself for when the door would open and my mom's tear-stained face would look into mine and say "He's gone". But behind one of those closed doors back there, by dad was saying, "Isaiah, ARISE!" then turning to the ultrasound screen, he broke down in tears. Our miracle baby's heartbeat was there. Our miracle baby was alive. It was one of the best days of my life. That day we would've called you crazy if you told us that our precious Isaiah Daniel would die just a few days after...and that we wouldn't know until 3 weeks later.
I never thought it would happen to my family.
August 19th...we were at the doctor's once again. And this time my mom's tear-stained face met mine.
Why? Why my Isaiah Daniel, why the baby I prayed for all my life? Why our miracle baby? Why us?
I never...in my wildest dreams...would've thought it would happen to my family.
The only thing that kept me moving was the song that whispered in my ear as I walked down the hallway towards the door out of the dreaded doctor building..."You give and take away/You give and take away/My heart will choose to say/Lord blessed be Your Name" I told myself that just like in Job 2:10, we needed to accept the bad along with the good. Although we didn't know what it was, God had a plan for taking our baby.
I was right when I knew that our baby would be apart of something great. Throughout the whole time, our baby touched lives. Isaiah gave hope to couples who had given up the hope of having another child, and through his death people marveled at our faith. God used Isaiah for things bigger and greater than I could've dreamed....he was used for real big God things. Although I'll always carry that baby-shaped hole in my heart, I'll always be thankful for what God did for my family.
Thank you to all of those who prayed for Isaiah, your prayers were not in vain. God brought our baby back to life that day on July 21st to show that He does answer prayer. Thank you to all those who sent (and are sending) cards or gifts, it means a lot to have something to remember our baby by.
Baby Dear, know that I love you and I can't wait to meet you. You're Home, in the Place where you belong...a Perfect Place, for a perfect miracle.
Blessed Be the Name
Blessed be Your Name
In the land that is plentiful
Where Your streams of abundance flow
Blessed be Your Name
Blessed be Your Name
When I’m found in the desert place
Though I walk through the wilderness
Blessed be Your Name
(Chorus)
Every blessing You pour out, I’ll turn back to praise
And when the darkness closes in, LORD, still I will say:
Blessed be the Name of the LORD
Blessed be Your Name
Blessed be the Name of the LORD
Blessed be Your glorious Name
Blessed be Your Name
When the sun’s shining down on me
When the world’s all as it should be
Blessed be Your Name
Blessed be Your Name
On the road marked with suffering
Though there’s pain in the offering
Blessed be Your Name
(Chorus)
You give and take away
You give and take away
My heart will choose to say
LORD, blessed be Your Name
Blessed be the Name of the LORD
Blessed be Your Name
Blessed be the Name of the LORD
Blessed be Your glorious Name
(Repeat x 2)
~*~
You consume me, You consume me
Like a burning flame running through my veins
You consume me, You consume me
Any time any place You invade my space
You consume me, You consume me
( Consume Me, DC Talk)
~*~
God weeps too, God weeps too
Although we question Him for all that we go through
Still it helps me believe
And my pain it does relieve
When I think that God weeps too
( God Weeps Too, Eli)
~*~
He hasn't left you out to dry
Even now
You haven't left His watching Eye
Even now
So children sing it when you don't see how
My Father's worthy of my hope
Even now
( Even Now, Foolish Things)
~*~
I'm falling apart
I'm barely breathing
With a broken heart
That's still beating
In the pain
There is healing
In Your Name
I find cleaning
So I'm holding on
I'm holding on
I'm holding on
I'm barely holding on to You
I'm hanging on another day
As to see what You will throw my way
I'm hanging on to the words You say
You said that I will be okay
( Broken, Lifehouse)
~*~
Then I'll see Your Face
I know I'm finally Yours
I find everything
I thought I had lost before
You call my name
I come to Your in pieces
So You can make me whole
( Pieces, RED)
~*~
Be my Light in this darkened room
I'm on my face and I'm calling You
I can't fathom all You've done for me
Every time it finds me on my knees
Like sunlight in the winter cold
And everything about You
It takes my breath away
Hallelujah
I tried this once without You
And it was my great mistake
( Everything About You, Sanctus Real)
~*~
Whatever You're Doing
(Sanctus Real)
It's time for healing
Time to move on
It's time to fix what's been broken too long
Time to make right
What has been wrong
It's time to find my way to where I belong
There's a wave that's crashing over me
And all I can do is surrender
(Chorus)
Whatever You're doing
Inside of me
It feels like chaos
But somehow there's peace
And it's hard to surrender
To what I can't see
But I'm giving into something heavenly
Time for a milestone
Time to begin again
Reevaluate who I really am
And by doing everything
To follow Your will
It's like climbing aimlessly over these hills
So show me what it is You want from me
I give everything
I surrender
(Repeat Chorus)
Something heavenly
Time to face up
Clean this old house
Time to breath in and let everything out
That I've wanted to say
For so many years
Time to release all my held-back tears
Whatever You're doing
Inside of me
It feels like chaos
But I believe
You're up to something
Bigger than me
Larger than life
Something Heavenly
Whatever You're doing
Inside of me
It feels like chaos
But now I can see
This is something
Bigger than me
Larger than life
Something heavenly
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Sep. 2, 2008
What Message Are You Sending The World- Maiden Princess
“I shouldn’t have to tell you who I am, because who I am should be speaking for itself.” From “Mistaken” by Warren Bartfield
Basically, are your actions, attitudes, and the words that come out of your mouth conveying the message of a lover and disciple of Jesus or are they speaking in a different language?
“But prove yourselves doers of the Word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves.” James 1:22
“ But one who looks intently at the perfect law, the law of liberty, and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an effectual doer, this man will be blessed.” James 1:25
“But someone may well say, ‘You have faith and I have works; show me your faith without the works and I will show you my faith by my works.’” James 2:18
“You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe and shudder.” James 2:19
Is it enough to just go worship on the Sabbath and then go home and get back into your “comfy” self-serving style of living? NO! If we are Chameleons, easily blending in to our surroundings wherever we are, then we are not being set apart for God. Like it or not, our actions, attitudes, and words are sending a message about what we believe and how we live it out. What kind of message are you sending? Are walking the walk or just talking a good talk?
Last thought: How does someone we love know 100% that we love them? We can tell them, yes, but, doesn’t showing them really convince them that we are earnest. Are you just telling God that you love Him but aren’t backing it up with your actions? Then, how does God know that you truly love Him? Do you truly love Him or do you just say you do? Today, let’s not only tell God we love Him but let’s act on that love!
May He be glorified in my life and yours forevermore,
Maiden Princess |
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Aug. 19, 2008
Are YOU letting yourself be turned into Oreo goo?
Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? -2 Corinthians 6:14
"And WHY are you sending your son to a PUBLIC school?"
"We need to be a light to the world! My son needs to shine in the dark school system!"
Now, I agree with the "needing to be a light to the world" part, but does it necessarily mean sending your son into a dangerous environment?
I remember hearing those words years ago. It was my neighbor's voice declaring the news that they were sending their son to a public school, and sometimes I wonder if the words she said haunts her to this day.
Her son DIDN'T shine.
He fell for the evil company of the world. He's been in jail too may times to count. He couldn't put smoking or alcohol away, and when we were little my brother and I would be scared silly at night when we saw the lines of cars and loud music (not to mention the way people would stagger outta there!) at his house, with way too many wild people ready to "party" until the wee hours of the morning.
The hope of being a light to the school system is false. It just ain't happenin' these days. Thirty or twenty, maybe even ten years ago Christian kids could have made a difference without falling away from the faith, but the pressure to be "cool" is too strong for success.
It's kind of like this: Have you ever had to crush Oreo's for a topping or for a pie? If you remove all the white and just left the black cookie, but you put in ONE whole cookie with the white icing and crushed them all together...what color would you get?
Black. You can't shine when unbelievers are hitting you in the head every day.
And what if you took all the white icing and just put ONE whole cookie with the black cracker and crushed that all together? Yeah. You'd be nearing the black side of things.
Depending on the ratio of white to black (it doesn't take much!), most always your Oreo "goo" will be black.
What can light do with darkness? What do the righteous have to do with the wicked?
The neighbor guy wanted to be accepted in school. He wanted to be in the "in" crowd. He was turning into Oreo goo before everyone's eyes, but no one saw it before it was too late.
Even if we let a few unbelievers into our "circle" of things, more often than not THEY'LL change US. I'm not saying that we should never be with unbelievers, and I'm defiantly NOT saying that I'm against evangelism. We just need to be SO careful about the people we choose to surround ourselves with.
So, let me ask you this: Are YOU letting yourself be turned into Oreo goo? Be on your guard!
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Aug. 19, 2008
BEFORE YOU MEET PRINCE CHARMING- Maiden Princess
*Please Note: Maiden Princess and I both do not agree with some of Sarah Mally's doctrine beliefs*
Before You Meet Prince Charming
A Book Review by Maiden Princess
I recently borrowed “Before You Meet Prince Charming” by Sarah Mally from one of my friends and just a few pages in I knew this was gonna be a great book with a message I really needed to hear. I had looked at this book on-line and read great reviews but still wondered what it was about and when I saw it on my friend’s bookshelf I asked if I could snap it up. The first chapter really struck me with how to guard to your heart emotionally and how powerful of a decision that is. The world is very quick to demean our great ambition of being pure by telling us that we are “missing out” or the question is often used, “How do you know what you’re missing if you don’t even try it?”. The problem is, we too often listen to these discouraging voices and allow them to change our point of view. In this book Sarah points out how to remain firm in our decisions to be pure even in the little areas. She refreshingly gives the encouragement of an older and wiser Sister in Christ. She speaks about the issues of impure thoughts, temptation, how to deal with a crush, and giving your heart to your earthly and heavenly Father from real-life experience. The main focus of the book is how to be radiantly pure for our Heavenly Groom. She lovingly points out that we should not be satisfied with just walking that little tightrope between sin and holiness but that we should be as pure and innocent as we can be, so as to be the brightest lights possible for our King. This book is very nicely written and is discreet enough for girls of all ages and I must say that I commend her for that very highly. In a physically-minded world, this book is a refreshing new read. |
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Jul. 22, 2008
Are YOU "blind" and "handicapped"?
"As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?" "Neither this man nor his parents sinned," said Jesus, "but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life.'" ~John 9:1-3
The story of the blind man in John 9 amazes me. Here's a guy who has lived all his life in total darkness while people are bashing him over and over again. "You sinned!" "You're good for nothing!" "You'll never make it in the real world!" "You're not perfect, so stay away!" People have shouted at him. Yelled at him. Shunned him. Mocked him. Judged him. And some have probably spat on him more than once.
The world is looking bleak for the poor dude. Even Jesus' disciples start guessing about the mysterious one who sinned and made the man blind. Peter states firmly that it was the man who sinned. Phillip argued that it was the parents. James says he sides with Phillip, it must of been the parents. Peter asks Judas who he's siding with. Judas mumbles and kicks some dirt, wondering why on earth he was there.
Finally they ask Jesus.
His reply shocks them. "The man is blind because...of what, Jesus?!" Peter, the loud one, shouts. Jesus calmly restates his answer: "...this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life."
Whoa. Andrew's mouth is hanging open, Peter's sputtering, James and John look like their eyes were opened for the first time, and Judas is rolling his eyes heavenward. They never thought about that before.
And neither do we.
Do we judge and mock the blind/handicap of today? One of the worst things your could ever see in your life is to see someone "less fortunate" being made fun of.
When I'd go to my grandma's house when I was little, sometimes we would go next door and visit the neighbors' horses. Now, the neighbors also had a son who was younger than I was. He couldn't talk, used a walker, and always wanted to hold my hand or touch my hair. He was handicapped, but since I knew him ever since he was a baby it didn't bother me. I never noticed that he was way different than me. He really was a sweet little boy if you look the time to know him, but most people won't.
We are the ones in the world that are "blind" and "handicapped". We never think that the ones who have physical trouble might be used to glorify God, that the work of God, the Creator, might be displayed in their lives.
Are YOU "blind" and "handicapped"? Next time you see someone who is mentally/physically challenged, give them a smile. They need encouragement even more than you do. Remember that they just might be a vessel used to display the work of God. |
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Jul. 22, 2008
Out of Focus- Maiden Princess
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Out of Focus
" But seeing the wind he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, ‘Lord, save me!' Immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and took hold of him, and said to him, "You of little faith, why did you doubt?'" Matthew 14:30-31
Recently while I was on vacation I had an experience with blurry vision. Not physically but spiritually. I was busy and on-the-go and I neglected to let God be first priority in my life. I was out of focus. This verse has always been one of my favorites for so many reasons, but today I want to look at "Seeing the wind....and beginning to sink," When we take our focus off our Lord and Master, if we take our own little path, and think our way is most certainly the better road God has placed us on; we're treading on dangerous water. Somehow while on our way to Him, we stop and take heed of our surroundings, suddenly doubting what He says is not the truth, as if wanting to figure it out for ourselves and have our own opinions in what He's going to do with our lives. We stop there for awhile, just standing on top of the lake, testing the waters, so to speak...wanting to see if God's way really is what's best. Then we begin to sink...a little water at the ankles first, not much to notice, but soon we are up to our necks and we cry out, "Lord, save me!" as Peter did. How could this happen? We wanted to serve God with all our hearts...why are we struggling so much? How did we allow ourselves to be caught up in the fast-paced tide of this world, when we really know that God only desires our best?
Notice God's response...."Immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and took hold of Him." He looks at us with sorry eyes and the pain of his broken heart is evident in His voice. “‘You of little faith, why did you doubt?'" Why did you not believe that my way was best? Why did you not trust me to bring you safely through? Did your taste of the world satisfy or only leave you with scars and regrets?
If we are not focused on our Father, then what is it that we are looking to ? Is this new object blurring the lines of truth, justice, and obedience out of a pure conscience.. Are we losing our innocence and inner beauty? Are we becoming consumed with our outer appearance so that we can impress, instead of being concerned about what the status of our heart so that you can bless God? When we don't focus on God, it's like seeing the world through blurry eyes. This is very dangerous and hurtful.
God wants us to trust Him implicitly with our whole hearts and minds. However, if you have wandered away and rejected the glasses He so lovingly offers there is forgiveness and hope in His comforting arms. He will carry you to the boat and you can start afresh. Once you have been swallowed by the waves, you will realize why He is the best thing you can ever have and stand more firmly in your resolve that He can be fully trusted. Look into His eyes today as you cross this lake that we call earth, lock your gaze into His and be fully satisfied in the love that it holds.
You do not need to look beyond, for in Him is everything you need and are hoping for.
Put on His glasses, let your vision become clear, and walk hand in hand with our Savior to His destination for your life. Though the waves may offer some tempting things, He is the only one who can truly be your all in all. He can hold and heal your heart.
Peace to You,
Maiden Princess |
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Jul. 3, 2008
Are YOU walking step by step?
"He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters." ~Psalm 23:2
Busy doing this, busy doing that. Running here, running there. Late for this, late for that. In our chaotic schedules of today, we hardly ever take the time to talk with God. To walk with God. To be close to God. Sure, we pray in the morning and pray at night, but do we ever talk to God in the house in between? Do we even want to walk with God...step by step?
For my last two guitar lessons, I've been working on the chords and strum for "Step By Step" and as I was playing it for the 16th time today I realized how many Christians don't take the song to heart.
Oh God You are my God, and I will ever praise You- Now wait a minute. I want everyone to think back on their day. I'm sure we all (myself included!) can think of at least one or more times that we grumbled against God. Most of the times its over stupid little things, such as being thirsty and not having water, the car in front is going too slow, etc., and we complain about it. Do we really praise God, always?
I will seek You in the morning- How many times have we jumped out of bed and forgotten to give the day to the Lord?
And I will learn to walk in Your ways- One of the biggest problems in some churches today is the "pick and choose" doctrine. People only pick out the bits and pieces of the Bible that aren't a big effort for them to do/apply to their lives. They want to hear things that make them feel good, not hear the things that change their lives. Do we really want to learn about and walk in God's ways? Are we willing?
And step by step You'll lead me- God's willing to lead us, by the hand, through life's joys and sorrows. He's there to comfort us, yet we're "too busy" to even take him up on His offer. Is that how we should treat a promise from the Maker of the universe?
And I will follow You all of my days- Are we really willing to follow God, to forsake what we want and give it all to Him?
"Life's hard, yard by yard. Inch by inch, it's a cinch." Life is difficult, stressful, and emotional. In the fast-passed world we live in, sometimes we just want to break under the brutalness of life. But take it easy! Take a deep breath and slow down your clock. Walk life with God, step for step. Enjoy the green pasture you're in, walking with your Maker.
So, let me ask you this: Are YOU walking step by step? |
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Jul. 3, 2008
As Long As I Live
As Long As I Live
By Maiden Princess
"Because Your lovingkindess is better than life, my lips will praise You. So I will bless You as long as I live; I will lift up my hands in Your name. My soul is satisfied as with marrow and fatness, and my mouth offers praises with joyful lips." Psalm 63:3-5
I was reading those verses this afternoon in the car, I was struck once again with "as long as I live". No circumstances attached. Just praise Him. WHY? Because "His lovingkindness is better than life". Hmmm...so when the sun is hot when your working outside and there's no breeze, praise Him. When you burn your bread because you accidentally didn't hear the timer (yeah, that bread you spent all day baking) praise Him. hen you the ride in the car for 8 hours on end with little room to move...yeah, it's still a good idea to praise Him! As long as we live, with each breath we take we should be praising God for all He is because just knowing that He loves us should fill us with a wellspring of unquenchable joy.
Just a side note: Did you notice that in the last part of the verse it says "with my mouth"? Not only do we need to be thinking it but to be declaring it! There is great power in our words. We can either use them to build up or tear down. Our words also come from our hearts and if our words are declaring the praises of God then our attitudes will be as well.
As my cousin and I were watching Facing The Giants today they said, " Your attitude is like the aroma of your heart." Is your aroma pleasent? I know mine is not always but I must remind myself, no matter what is going on, I should be blessing God just because of His great love for me. I should take my eyes off of myself and think about Him for awhile, wouldn't you agree? I will leave you with this last thought--- "Whatever season of life, attitude makes the biggest difference." ~Unknown
" I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth." Psalm 34:1
Do a Scripture search on praise verses and you will be amazed at what you find.
May we all press on together and encourage one another to bless our Creator with every breath we take.
Because of Grace,
Maiden Princess
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Jun. 20, 2008
What will YOU do with the time that's left? Will YOU serve?
"Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves." ~Romans 12:10
We all hate doing this. We never like raising someone else up to make them look better than us. We don't like going into the shadows so the light falls on someone else. We don't like stooping low to do something else for someone. We like the world revolving around us, not around others. Didn't they just see that we already ran upstairs to get something once, and now they're asking us to do it again? Can't they see we're running late, and we don't want to stop? Let's face it, no one likes being the servant.
But when we do serve, it's showing honor. It's showing brotherly love. It's showing you care. It's showing that you think the needs of others are more important that you and what you want to do.
We can show honor in our actions, in our words, in our attitudes, and in our time. We can show honor in our actions by going the extra mile to help our younger siblings. We can show honor in our words by not speaking badly of our parents or raising up the kid at school that everyone picks on. We can show honor in our attitudes by having a smile and a cheerful heart when doing things for others. We can show honor with our time by giving it for the service of others. We can show honor in many ways...it's just a matter of will we show it or if we'll just ignore it.
We don't want to be remembered for not helping others or not honoring others. We don't want to be remembered for always wanting the world to revolve around us of for speaking badly of others. Wouldn't you rather want to be remembered for giving your all for others and doing it with a smile?
We don't know how long we're here for. What will you do with the time that's left? Will you give honor to others and live so that you will have no regrets with the time that slips and fades, never to return again? Love, honor, and cherish to your final breath. We have a legacy that we're leaving...what will it be? Good or bad? Full of honor or selfishness? |
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Jun. 20, 2008
Sprouts of Joy- Maiden Princess
Sprouts of Joy
by Maiden Princess
The other day as I was watering our newly planted garden, I couldn't help but be overjoyed at some of the beautiful, small, green sprouts popping their heads out of the soil. As i went back to the hose to fill up my watering can, a thought came to me--- I wonder if that is how God, our Master Gardener, feels when He sees one of His children growing in His ways? I then realized that the same joyful feeling I experienced about the sprout is the feeling that I want My Gardener to have about me all the time. I have purposed from now on, to the best of my ability, to be a sprout of joy to my Father. Happy Growing!!!
May God be glorified in my life and yours forevermore!
Maiden Princess |
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May. 26, 2008
Will YOU be a Warrior of Prayer?
Princess Croc Toria (Lady Toria the Teaser): Wildlife Warrior and Soldier of the Cross- It's all for HIM
Note: I'll be posting part two of my story from my last post in a few weeks
For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. 2 Corinthians 10:3
This is WAR!
For those who shrug it off lightly, you'll want to think again. We are fighting a Spiritual War, and it's real. And the world needs real people with real prayers and real faith to fight it.
Sometimes I feel like walking into churches and yelling WAKE UP PEOPLE like on the Pepsi commercials. The Warriors of Prayer seem to be lacking...sleeping...too comfortable for their own good. Where are the Warriors of prayer? This is WAR! We need to fight, pray, and stand guard!
So many things are happening to Christian people that I know. Horrible things, devastating things, things that you never want to hear about happening to good people. They need our prayers!!!! They need the Warriors of Prayer to get on their knees and pray!!
Wee need to join together as Warriors of Prayer! Sometimes it seems to me that some Christians in the church just think that living a good life and doing good things for people is all it takes....where's the prayer?! We need to be praying for one another! If you have a prayer request, please do not hesitate to comment me and tell me about it so we can all be praying! We need to lift one another up to the Lord constantly (note that I have a "prayer request" section on my sidebar now so everyone who comes to this blog will know what to be praying for) No request is too small or too big for God to answer! To start, here are some people that need prayers. Please pray! We need the Warriors of Prayer!
Sunday, 4 o'clock: It was a beautiful day, and a particular Christian man by the name of David was out on his motorcycle enjoying the afternoon. More than likely he wasn't aware of what was happening until it happened: someone made a turn...and didn't see him. Weeks later, he's still in the hospital. The doctors had to amputate his foot, but they were able to save most of his leg. He's upset that he won't be able to do the stuff he used to do with his son and family, and he needs our prayers!
"He was drowning in his own blood" 15-year-old Ami (Ah-mee) didn't see it coming. NO one did, really. To him the box he held was an ordinary package that was delivered to their apartment in Israel. No one knew what would happen, nor could their wildest dreams think it up. Suddenly, without warning, the box in Ami's arms exploded. Some hadn't handed him a package, but a bomb. By God's amazing grace, Ami's still alive to tell the story. Months passed and he's finally on the mend. Their apartment is finally fixes, but the memories are haunting the family. The parents assume the dirty, low-down and almost fatal bomb deed was done because they believe Jesus was the Messiah. They need our prayers!
One horrible nightmare is going on with fellow HSB blogger Sarah and her family. At 3 am, the morning after Mother's Day, Sarah's family was awakened by a state trooper banging on the door...and the nightmare began. The man bore the news of a guy named Elgin being dead from a truck crash...that also exploded. Confusion started when they thought the trooper was talking about the son and brother of their family, but they finally found out: it wasn't Sarah's brother...it was her dad. Their hero and provider was dead. Sarah's family needs our prayers!
Arise, Warriors of the Lord! Arm yourself and get on your knees!
This is WAR! |
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May. 26, 2008
Flowers among the grass- Maiden Princess
Flowers Among the Grass
By Maiden Princess
One thing I always found interesting about Jesus is that He never had to go and lure people to listen to Him . He never had to go and hunt people down to be have an audience to hear His testimony.. They always came to Him. Why??? Because His life was an open book. Basically, His relationship with His Father was on display for everyone. He didn’t try to hide the fact that H e loved God with all His heart, soul, mind , and strength. He lived according to His Father’s instructions and was not afraid to be bold about His faith. In fact, that was about all He talked about! He was a perfect representation of His Father and as God’s sons and daughters we should be striving for the same thing. We should do as Jesus did. Being gentle, kind, loving, loyal, faithful, hungry and passionate, on fire for God, saturated in His love, living out His plan for us in perfect obedience. We should show the world that there is a God who lives and He is living in each and every one of us as Lord and Master of our lives. He has set-us apart as His children and we are to be different from the world. It is our responsibility to show them how good it is to be a child of God. Is it possible to do that if we want to just look like the grass? If we throw away our calling to be different are we really content with the love God provides or are we looking for something the world has to offer. If we walk, talk, and act like the world then we must not know God like we should. Do we want more than what He can offer? Do we want more than freedom and life, love and loyalty, discipline out of love, kindness instead of hate, and compassion and grace instead of unbending grudges? This makes absolutely no sense! Why do we want what the world has to offer, when all is has to offer, is only a fraction of what we already possess as heirs of His kingdom? Why do we think that we have no freedom in Christ? Why do we look at His command to be set-apart as a death sentence instead of a divine calling of love? Can we show the world how great God is if we, His children, don’t seem to be satisfied with Him? If we are seeking what the world has to offer then why would the world seek what we have? It would be a waste of time. May God open our eyes to see that He is all we will ever need in this life and the next. As His children, may we realize that what the world has to offer is death to our souls and is really of no value. May God help us to see that our calling to be different should be obeyed out of our love for Him. Father, fill us with overflowing love for You! Help us to want to be different. To want to be dandelions and stand up for who You are and to represent You rightly. Help us to be an extension of You in all we say, do, and think. Help us to show that we are Your children today by allowing You to change us from the inside out. Let us not desire what the world has but let Your great love be enough for us. Help us to remember how deep and wide Your love truly is .
So, let me ask you now.......are you going to blend in with the rest of the grass today or are you going to be a bright yellow Dandelion for God’s kingdom? Sometimes it’s tough to be different, but just knowing that God will be pleased is enough to go through anything!
Happy dandelion hunting today!
May He be glorified in my life and yours forevermore!
Maiden Princess
The other day as I was walking in our yard my eyes landed on one of the many dandelions springing up. A profound thought struck me — as followers of the One, True, Living God we should be like dandelions among the grass. We should immediately stand out as different and pleasant. As the Lord’s disciples we should at least be the one beacon of hope in someone’s world-worn day. We should immediately reflect the light and love of our Master. We are supposed to be set-apart people. Dandelions among the grass. However, the problem is, most of the time we aren’t! We are content to be different only when it feels good or when we feel like it. Do you think that Jesus was not sorely tempted to "fit in" with the crowd and just be a "regular Joe". (As He was tempted in all things.) Some people, I’m sure, thought He was a freak and some a puzzle, others a crazy prophet or a ghost; but the main point is that H e never wavered in His conviction to be completely like His Father. He didn’t mind if He got ridiculed and mocked as long as His Father was pleased. Shouldn’t we be at that same place. Willing to be Dandelions no matter what it might cost us?
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Apr. 25, 2008
Pigtails and Dirty Toes (Part One)- Princess Croc Toria
Princess Croc Toria (Lady Toria the Teaser): Wildlife Warrior and Soldier of the Cross- It's all for HIM
Pigtails and Dirty Toes: Part One
As I sat down on my bed, my eyes locked on my bare feet and I noticed how dirty they were. My hand reached up and gently fingered a small curl that had escaped my pigtails, and my mind wandered back, years ago, to dirty feet I had when I was a little girl.
I smile as I picture the little girl, running barefoot on grass and dirt alike with her wavy pigtails streaming behind her, without a care or pain in the world.
Oh, how things change.
My eyes lost their sparkle as I continued to look at my dirty toes. Today was the first day in weeks, months, that I had finally been able to go barefoot, with my toes eager to feel the soft grass between them while me and my brother did yard work. Oh, how I longed to run barefoot again, without a care or pain in the world as days of old! Today I tried...and some of the times as my toes struck the warm dirt, I couldn't feel it.
My chin sinks to my hand and rests there, thinking of olden days gone by. The little girl that climbed in bed with dirt on her feet and smudges on her face, the little girl who used to rub the grime away on her blanket...those days were gone. Long gone.
This winter I realized my feet weren't the calloused pink of other winters past. They were a strange purple...the toes almost an ashy gray. Red welts rose on the dies of my feels, and painful was each step taken. I didn't think much of it at first. I was born a fighter and I just kind of sucked it up...until mom realized that my feet were probably in serious condition. A trip to the doctor made my heart sink. No more barefoot toes. Summer or winter alike I would go barefoot in the house, but this disease (it isn't contagious though) I had changed everything. I didn't have good circulation, and the red, painful welts caused my blood cells to contract and tighten up, unable to deliver blood to my feet. The only thing I could do was keep my feet warm, the doc told us, and it should go away by summer, BUT...it'll be back next winter. And so far it hasn't gone ways this summer, either.
Pushing my will aside, I wore socks most every day this winter; sometimes up to two or three pairs because my feet would go numb. The days of going barefoot were in the past...gone. But I am a fighter, and the first really warm day in a long time found me outside...barefoot.
A sigh escapes my lips. The little girl I used to be was able to feel the earth with her her cute little feet. Now...my feet usually are so cold they're numb, and the purple and gray splotches cover the once dainty toes. I secretly knew they would never be the same again. Tears threaten to fall as I think of the "what ifs". What if this disease gets so bad that it'll be too painful to walk? What if, now that I have the same circulation problem in my hands, I'll never be able to play guitar again? Those feet that were quick to run to help now slow, those hands that were quick to reach out take a little more time to do the job.
This winter has taught me a lot, I muse as my fingers trace the dirt that refuses to come off. Not only about how blood cell contractions can change your life, but how sin can dramatically change your life, too.
You see, we're all born with a pure, beautiful heart. But when sin comes in, it stops the truth, just like my blood cells contract and stops the blood in my feet. Sin turns our hearts gray, starving our souls from much-needed truth. Sin turns our hearts ugly, no longer beautiful. There's no such thing as a "little sin"; it rapidly takes control of our hearts and it hurts our hearts and God. Sin wants to take control of all of us, but we must stand our guard against it!!!
Perhaps one day I'll feel the grass again with feet no longer purple...but I doubt it. I'm realizing that I'll just need to be content in whatever circumstance I'm in. And for now I'm just content that I went barefoot today...and got my toes dirty. |
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Apr. 25, 2008
Captive- Maiden Princess
Captive
By Maiden Princess
"Into Your hands I commit my spirit, You have ransomed me, O LORD, God of truth." Psalm 35:1
"My lips will shout for joy when I sing praise to You; and my soul which You have redeemed." Psalm 71:23
Captured- By Natalie Grant
It must mean somethin’
When I close my eyes
Visions of You come to me and flood my mind
It must mean somethin’
When my heart is true
All that I can think about is You
Chorus:
Everywhere I go You find me
Even when I run
I’m captured
I’m capture in You
Everywhere Your love surrounds me
I cannot escape
I’m captured
I’m captured
I’m captured
It must mean somethin’
When I’m standing still
Yours is the only voice I wanna hear
It must mean somethin’
That I’ve come this far
Lifting up my hands and offering my heart
Repeat Chorus
Bridge:
You are the sky
You are the sea
You are the air I wanna breathe
You’re everywhere
Your love lasts forever
And if I fall
You won’t let go
You hold me when I can’t hold on anymore
You reach out and rescue me
Repeat Chorus
I awake to sun streaming in through my bedroom window and the faint chirping of birds outside. I wrap a shawl around my shoulders and steal through the house trying not to wake anyone from their slumber. I quietly close the door behind me and walk to the shining, dew-covered grass. It tickles my feet with its cold wet kisses. As I look up into the golden sunrise my heart skips a beat. I take a deep breath as my eyes encompass all the glorious beauty around me. I feel the embrace of a loving and faithful God and I know that my heart is no longer my own. I’ve been captured! In every breeze that ruffles my hair, every beam of sun that warms my cheeks, ever bright and cheery flower that makes me smile, every singing songbird, every laughing stream, and every newly blossomed bud makes me fall in love with Him all the more. He is all I have ever wanted, yet, I know I am not worthy of His love. He found and chose ME and captured my heart with one touch. He loves me the way I am but never stops challenging me to become better. He is all I need in life and all I want. He has captured my heart completely for all of my days. Now, I’ll never be the same again. Have you been captured yet?
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Apr. 13, 2008
Will YOU be strong and courageous?
Princess Croc Toria (Lady Toria the Teaser): Wildlife Warrior and Soldier of the Cross- It's all for HIM
Verse: "Only be strong and courageous!" ~Joshua 1:18b
It's rather strange. Three times in the first chapter of Joshua God tells and then commands Joshua to be strong and courageous. Did Moses' right-hand man have a fear problem? Was he afraid of all those big and bad giants lurking in the new land? Was he about to bail out of his new high leadership position? We'll never know. But Joshua chapter one isn't just a confirmation for Joshua that God will be with him always...it's a confirmation for us, too.
You see, Joshua of old isn't the only one with a fear problem. Look at yourself. Yeah, I thought you'd see it. We all fear. That math test? You think it's scary. Those tornado warnings? You're downright petrified. That fear about being with new people? The feeling of panic when you're put on the spot?
Fear is the opposite of trust. Instead of believing and holding onto God and putting our trust in Him, we fear. Fear says we don't believe God can help us, or change the situation, or protect us. Fear is telling the world that our God isn't strong enough to save.
It takes strength to be courageous. It takes faith to trust. It takes courage to stand strong with the rest of the world hides. Being brave in a crowd that's panicked isn't exactly easy. In the face of fear it isn't easy to stop and remember that God "will never leave you nor forsake you."
We'll all still fear. It's a giant in our lives, yet it's human nature. But here's the thing: Will YOU be strong and courageous.....in spite of the fear that grabs our hearts?
The brave man is not he who feels no fear,
For that were stupid and irrational;
But he whose soul its fear subdues,
And bravely dares the
Danger nature shrinks from.
~Billie
"No one will be able to stand up against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you." ~Joshua 1:5
"Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their forefathers to give them." ~Joshua 1:6
"Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you;do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go." ~Joshua 1:7
"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go." ~Joshua 1:9
"Whoever rebels against your word and does not obey your words, whatever you may command them, will be put to death. ONLY BE STRONG AND COURAGEOUS!" ~Joshua 1:18 |
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Apr. 13, 2008
Thunderstorms of Life- Maiden Princess
Thunderstorms of Life
By Maiden Princess
As I sit here on my bed writing this post, my senses are going wild! I can hear pounding on the roof from the dime-sized hail hurling from the heavens along with the soft pattern of rain drops. The lightning flashes that split the sky and light up the dark earth for a moment are accompanied with ground-shaking thunder to add to the symphony. The dog is curled up on my legs, not sure of what’s going on. My family rushes to the windows to watch this spectacular picture of God’s absolute power and majesty unfold before their eyes.
Storms have always spoken to me. However, when I was young I used to be very scared of them, but now, they inspire me. Every time we get a thunderstorm I see it as God’s way of reassuring me that He is still in complete control of all things.
I am also caused to reflect on His majesty, mercy, and awesome power. Our God is truly amazing!
While I was watching the storm beginning to unleash this evening, a thought came to me: It is in the storms of our lives, in the darkest fiercest moments of blackness, we see, most clearly, the power of our Master, Savior, and Father displayed before us. Whether a spiritual or physical thunderstorm God’s power is enough to see you through. Rekindle your faith, refocus your eyes on Him, and calm your fears, for in the midst of the lightning and rain we can reach out to a God of strength and grace. He will take your hand, walk you through, and cause you to love and lean on Him all the more because of it. So, when your next thunderstorm comes will you hide in the curtains or see it as a chance to witness God’s awesome power in your life?
May God be glorified in my life and yours forevermore,
Maiden Princess
" Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth; sing praises to the Lord, to Him who rides upon the highest heavens, which are from ancient times; behold, He speaks forth with His voice, a mighty voice. Ascribe strength to God; His majesty over Israel, and His strength is in the skies. O God, Thou art awesome from Thy sanctuary. The God of Israel Himself gives strength and power to the people. Blessed be God!" Psalm 68:32-35
" For I know that the LORD is great, and that our Lord is above all gods. Whatever the LORD pleases, He does, in heaven and in earth, in the seas and in all the deeps. He causes the vapors to ascend from the ends of the earth; Who makes lightnings for the rain; Who brings forth the wind from His treasuries." Psalm 135:5-7
" I will extol Thee, my God, O King; and I will bless Thy name forever and ever. Every day I will bless Thee, and I will praise Thy name forever and ever. Great is the LORD, and highly to be praised; and His greatness is unsearchable. One generation shall praise Thy works to another, and shall declare Thy mighty acts. On the glorious splendor of Thy majesty, and on Thy wonderful works, I will meditate. And men shall speak of the power of Thine awesome acts; and I will tell of Thy greatness." Psalm 145:1-6
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