Things Change

It's been almost two years since I wrote my first post on Silk and Purple. The design and creation of it was something I'd sneak away and work on every moment I could, because it had been an idea for four years beforehand. The ministry of this blog has reached far beyond my imagination, has reached countries closed to the gospel -- and it has and is growing me. I am a different person since 2007, but that is what we all do -- we change.

Our situations, knowledge, aspirations, style...they all change.

Before I continue with these ramblings, I must say I COULD NOT do this without my excellent team of committed individuals whose talents are used not for self, but unto the Lord! I can't tell you how many times a post by Elyse, Hope, Season, or Meghan has encouraged me. And without the countless hours of our editor making sure the posts don't look like this....

she was my frend. We where always happly engadged in games.

(Yes, this is rather close to what things look like before editing of this dyslexic writer.)

Here on Silk and Purple we are turning a new corner! We are all growing up and having new responsibilities and life paths open! Yet we still know the calling of sharing the goodness of Christ and encouraging Christian sisters in the Lord is not something we can give up.

We will be posting on Silk and Purple, but not every day as we once did. As you can tell, our posts are a little stretched out already, so we are going for more quality instead of quantity. If the Lord ever lays a post on your heart, email it to us.

Please pray for us as we start this leg of our journey, that the Lord will clearly show His direction for Silk and Purple. Things change, but our Lord never does, and that is only one of the reasons why we do what we do.

Never-Ending Joy

I don't know if you realize this, but NEVER-ENDING JOY is in your future! And no, I'm not telling you this because I saw it in your horoscope or I'm one of those psychics like you see on TV. I don't have to tell you this is some kind of prediction that only I can give you because I read it from the world's best-selling book, which, in case you didn't know, was inspired by Someone who lives outside of time itself.

John 16:22 says, "So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy."

You know what that means? It means that there will come a day when the things and people of this world that get you down will never again take away the joy that God has given you. There will be no more sickness to damage your body or temptations to trouble your mind. The constant fight to stay pure in a deteriorating world will no longer bear its weight on you, and you will be free from all the worry and strife you face each and every day. Now, reading this, you may think I'm reflecting too much on the negative side of things, but trust me; I'm not. I'm just reminding you that even though we each have our share of troubles on earth, a time of never-ending joy is coming sooner than you think! Can you imagine it? Nothing but ecstasy and joy all day, all the time! I'm sure you can tell by now that I'm really excited about this new and perfect world. But, excited as I am, sometimes the frustrations of life prevent me from looking ahead to the future God has promised for me. If you ever feel this way, take a moment to slow down and remember that the frustrations will all be over soon. Most importantly, remember the reason why this perfect joy will be ours someday.

If it weren't for God, our never-ending joy would never come to be. It takes a perfect God and a personal relationship with His Son to overcome the opposition, and if They'd just left it at that, we'd still be too lost in our sins to have true joy. But Jesus died for us, had that time of unspeakable pain for us so that we may have joy for all eternity. On that note, I have but one thing left to tell you, and it's this. After you've read this, your life probably won't change significantly. But remember the never-ending joy coming to you, and I guarantee it will make life that much sweeter.

Save the World

If you are not aware of the many problems in our world, watch the news for 30 seconds. There's no denying we have some BIG problems.

Maybe you choose to overlook those problems and go on your merry way, or maybe you are caught up in the frantic free fall, desiring to fix all the problems you can and now it has emptied you dry. Either way, you might be unbalanced with the call of saving the world.

As young women we are told by our American culture we can do anything. 

(Anything that is spectacularly amazing, that is.)

 If we are not reaching to gain the impossible, then somehow we are considered lazy and/or dumb. Even within Christian culture, we are encouraged to be "light," and I completely agree.

The Bible calls us to be that light, but oftentimes we imagine that light as a spotlight on us on a huge stage. This spotlight shows the world what we are doing and highlights our great actions and our great failures. It's a lot of pressure, and many of us have been living in that spotlight for so long that we are becoming blinded by the light and are fumbling around as the sinful world watches our weariness overtake our actions. 

We feel the presure to be "great," save the world, and still be beautiful as we accomplish such goals. We start believing that the mundane, boring parts of life are beneath us, because somehow the giving of our time is above the little things like sweeping, washing a dog, caring for the elderly, or investing in a relationship where you have "nothing to gain."

Sisters, this is not what Christ means when He wants us to be lights. Being a light does not mean you have a spotlight on you -- it means that you are the spotlight. You are the one who brings light to darkness, highlighting others and showing not your capabilities for self gain, but for Christ.

I am GUILTY of this sin. I have many times fooled myself thinking I'm an important part of God's work in saving the world... and I am, but He can do His work without me. 

He doesn't need me, but He does want me.

He wants me passionately, because I am His child, but when my ambitions become centered around my pride, then He will find another to truly share His cause. To be a light doesn't mean we are only His servants in the great things like speaking to thousands of people, writing best sellers, or becoming renowned in the arts and sciences -- let's remember our Lord, who washed the feet of His disciples, lived a life of homelessness, and humbled himself to death on a cross... all for us.

Your life will be filled with thankless jobs. It will be boring at times, but if your calling seems less glamorous, do not think it's less important. Serve Christ and build His kingdom! Be that light, but don't seek to gain the spotlight. We CANNOT save the world, but we can lovingly point those to the Christ who has saved us!

Praise Him!

Weary in Well-Doing

Are you weary?

Longing for a change? Hoping for a rest? Filled with unsatisfactory issues or simply the feeling that no one understands and that you are alone?

Instead of listening to my thoughts, I want to share with you how the Lord has been encouraging me. Because, Ladies, I am weary. No, I'm not walking around in life with a little black rain cloud over my head, but there are moments I want to keep to my room and run away from life's troubles.

If you are weary, I hope this encourages you. Rest in Him.

~~~

God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water.

Psalm 63:1

Restore us, O God; let your face shine, that we may be saved!

Psalm 80:3

And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.

Galatians 6:9

May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Romans 15:4-6

There's No Place Like Home

When I was little, my favorite movie was The Wizard of Oz. The excitement of the journey to Oz, the frightening Wicked Witch and Dorothy's lovable companions, and the thrill of a sudden change from black and white to color made me so excited that my twin sister and I watched the movie every day. Each time I watched it, it was like a whole new story, and my favorite part was when Dorothy would click her heels together and say, "There's no place like home, there's no place like home, there's no place like home." As a little child, the word "home" brought images of my earthly home in Alabama to mind, but now that I'm older, home has a brand new meaning to me. It's still the same neighborhood that I've known as long as I can remember, but it's also a place I've never been that's too wonderful for me to imagine.

Even though we try to stay focused on what is to come, we Christians often forget that this earth is not our permanent home. We get so caught up in our daily lives that it can be hard to remember that the best is yet to come, and that our home on earth will someday cease to be. The reason this happens is because we are only human and it's hard for us to imagine any home besides the one we are accustomed to, especially if that home is one that is so different from ours. But we must be aware of our home-going so that we can prepare for it.

John 14:2-4 says, "In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going." According to this, not only is God coming back to bring us to our new home, but we know how to get there. And although it's not quite as simple as clicking our heels together, it's not nearly as hard as many people make it out to be. All we have to do is have the same child-like belief that Dorothy had and admit the need for our Savior, who, unlike the "Wizard" of Oz, is completely real and will never fail us. Instead of following the yellow brick road, we follow Christ. If we do this, then God will get us Home when the timing is right.

It's always important to keep in mind the meaning of home. They say that "home is where the heart is," so where is your heart? Is it here on earth, where nothing is permanent, or is it stored up in heaven for all eternity? Because someday soon we will leave our home on earth for a home where we will be united with our Father forever and ever. And I don't know about you, but from what I've heard, this new home is a pretty fantastic place. So no matter how busy you get with the things of this world, take a little time each day to remind yourself that "there's no place like Home."

 

Confidence in God's Normal (You're Not as "Weird" as You Think!)

First off, I want to let you know that I am not someone you'd call a normal teenage girl. I've never had a boyfriend, I like to wear dresses all the time, and, unlike many girls I know, I've watched just about every episode of Leave It to Beaver. I also can be a bit of a chatterbox, even to people I've just met, and (you may want to take another look at this next one) I think my mom is really cool. So none of these things I've listed are completely normal by today's culture. But this next thing beats all when it comes to out of the ordinary.

   A few weeks ago, my family went on a vacation to Orange Beach here in Alabama. On the upper deck of the condo we stayed in, there was a little platform that kind of looked like a stage. So what did we do? My sister, my cousin, and I went back to our room and, instruments in hand, went back to the platform and proceeded to play a two-hour-long show of our favorite songs UNINVITED. And it wasn't popular songs either -- no One Direction or Adele for us. We played everything from "I'll Fly Away" to my own personal favorite "Beulah Land." Now I'm sure you all think that we were either feeling really confident or really crazy that night. I could tell by the pointing and laughing that some of the people at the hotel thought the same thing. But that was not the reason we did it. We wanted to make a statement, to show that teenagers don't have to do things at the beach that they'll regret when they get home -- that instead of dishonoring God by going out and doing sinful things, we could lift Him up and show others the Great Love He has for us.

Now, when hearing this story, you might think, "What a confident girl! She doesn't care what anyone thinks about her." But if you did think that, you'd be wrong. On that night, we saw an opportunity and we took it. But when I think of the world with all its sinfulness coming at me in full force, sometimes I want to be just another face in the crowd. I have times when I doubt whether I can keep it together and show the world who God is because I'm afraid of what other people have to say about it. But then I remember that if God wanted me to blend into my surroundings, then He would've already made it happen. So obviously, He doesn't.  

If there's one thing that helps me when I doubt myself, it's this: the world's normal is not God's normal. And a lot of people think that God's normal is kind of different and weird. But wouldn't it be boring if we were all the same? We "weird" people give the world the variety it so desperately needs. And you know what that means? It means we need to keep it up. So believe in yourself and don't worry about what other people think. God made you who you are for a reason, and you need to honor Him for it. Because He sees you as His perfect creation, and isn't that all that really matters?     
 

When I Think Best

    
So it's a Sunday night and I'm sitting here at my computer. Like usual, I have no idea what to write for my next blog post. Sometimes I'll sit and think by myself for a long time, sometimes only a few minutes. But in the end I always do the same thing: I just lean back, close my eyes, and ask God to give me the words I need to say to encourage the people who will read what I write. Then the words come and I just let them flow from my brain to my fingers until I'm done. Tonight was just the same as it is every time I write a new post -- until I remembered something.

 

 A few weeks ago, in one of my last ninth grade English assignments, I was instructed to write about "when I think best." It took me a minute, but then I realized that I think best when I'm writing to all of you. A lot of the time I'm so consumed in my own thoughts and feelings that I have a hard time letting God lead. But when I write to other girls, I'm humbled in realizing there are so many things in this world that I don't know how to explain, that I need help from Someone who does. Without this extra help, I don't think I could ever write something new every two weeks. It's a funny thing how when I think best, I'm not really thinking hard at all -- I'm just letting God take over, and in a way, it's like He's writing for me.

 

  The next time you have a decision to make, a deadline to meet, or any other predicament you might be facing, just lean back, close your eyes, and let Him lead. I know you might be capable of doing things on your own, but they'll always turn out better if you get a little extra help. It may not always be in the front of your mind, but you've got a God who wants what is best for you, especially if you're willing to let Him work in your life. So here's to a God who, in spite of my own not knowing, can take a whole lot of nothing and turn it into something He can work with.

In the year I've been writing for Silk and Purple, I've been blessed to get to know the amazing young ladies on this blog team. And most importantly, I've learned a lot about myself. I hope that this post inspires you to let God work wonders in your life. Because just like open arms are better for embracing the people you love, an open heart is better for embracing God's will for your life. Think best and be blessed. If you're like me, it can be hard, but in the end it's more than worth it.  


 

The Woman in the Church

The church was packed that Christmas Eve; candles lit the whole room with illuminating vibrance. Carols rang out to shout the glory of our God becoming a baby to save the world. Hundreds, maybe thousands, gathered of different sizes, color, and culture. It was magical.

A woman with a child walked in and sat down in the pew. She tried to convince the child to sit still. She was not dressed in homely clothing; she didn't look poor. She wore a dress so high on her legs it was shocking and enough plunging neckline to make the dress look more like a towel than a dress. She had the highest, glittery, spiked platform heels one could imagine and the loudest hair and makeup to complete the look. A Proverbs 7 woman was what she portrayed, the woman who beckons attention and arouses lust.

Men were having to turn heads and the squirming people around her were obvious. There was one woman sitting to one side who started rolling her eyes; she whispered and made subtle gestures toward the highly immodest woman. 

Yes, this story is true.

I saw the whole thing play out and was angered -- not at the actions of the woman with the child, but at the actions of the woman in the pew. Now we talk a lot about modesty and it's important, and I hate that women are viewed as objects of lust rather than the magnificent artistry of the Lord, but, Sisters, are our judgmental actions pushing women away from Christ?

Jesus had the same issue.

Early in the morning he came again to the temple. All the people came to him, and he sat down and taught them. The scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery, and placing her in the midst they said to him, “Teacher, this woman has been caught in the act of adultery. Now in the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. So what do you say?” This they said to test him, that they might have some charge to bring against him. Jesus bent down and wrote with his finger on the ground. And as they continued to ask him, he stood up and said to them, “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her.” And once more he bent down and wrote on the ground. But when they heard it, they went away one by one, beginning with the older ones, and Jesus was left alone with the woman standing before him. Jesus stood up and said to her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more.”

John 8:2-11

Imagine this adulteress brought to Jesus. If she was caught in the act of adultery, she probably had lack of clothing when cast in the midst of the crowd. The people would have been staring and casting judgment, even to death. What does Jesus do? He starts writing in the sand. We don't know what He was writing, but in the high tension of the moment, He just bends down and scribbles. Think of the crowd and how the eyes that cast judgment on the adulteress turn to Jesus and change to eyes of wonder. When He speaks, everyone listens. And when their hearts are penetrated, they leave. Jesus took the focus off the woman and onto Himself so that He could speak to the hearts of the people.

This is the point, Sisters! 

The woman who was in church that day I might never see again until Judgment Day. I mourn because I don't know her story. I don't know if she is a follower of Christ. I didn't get to meet her that day and none of the people around me got to meet her, either (as far as my observance).

That woman could have been the "adulteress woman" like the one cast in front of Jesus. And I was not the reaching hands of Christ to her to tell her that none condemn you and to sin no more. I was more concerned about guarding my brother's eyes than saving a soul.

So dear Sisters in Christ, we are faced with the adulteress woman every day. She is dead in sin and has the fate of eternity away from Christ. Jesus may have directed His eyes to the ground, but He did not divert His attention away from her soul. My prayer is that you will help me reach out to these women, looking beyond the exterior and looking to their hearts who need Christ.

Dreams Change

    Let me let you in on a little secret.
Dreams Change.

And it's not a bad thing, either. I'm sure if you think hard enough, there's some dream you had a few years ago that isn't something you'd consider important to accomplish now. Now I'm not saying to just give up all your dreams and be done with them. Each dream you have, each goal you want to accomplish, is all just a part of the bigger picture. And, whether or not you actually meet all of your goals, the skills you obtain while striving for them can mold you into the person God wants you to be.

I'm going to share with you a dream I once had, one that God did not allow me to accomplish. When I was eight years old, I wanted more than anything to win the Scripps National Spelling Bee. I spent hours studying over lists of words, most of which I didn't know the meaning of, and in third grade, I was 4th place in my county spelling bee. I was a little disappointed that I didn't get as far as I wanted to, but I knew there was always next year. I continued to study, but for the next three years I never did as well as I had done the first time. For some reason, every time I tried, I got so nervous that I wouldn't make it past the first few rounds because I'd choke up on an easy word. At first, I was so frustrated with myself that I didn't know what to think. But now, I believe that the reason I got so nervous and made mistakes was because it wasn't God's will for me to win. I never realized that God was just as much on my competitors' side as He was on mine, and that winning was His will for someone else. In 7th grade, I became interested in other things and decided not to compete, and in 8th grade, my last year to be eligible, I truthfully just didn't even think about it. Now I'm sure you're thinking, why did she give up on herself? She had a chance, but she didn't take it, and now she'll always wonder what could have been if she had just kept going. But this story is not a sad one, and here's the reason why.

Jeremiah 29:11 says, "'I know the plans I have for you,' says the Lord. 'Plans to prosper you and to give you hope and a future.'" 

  

Winning the National Spelling Bee was not God's plan for me, but those hours studying were not wasted. I realized how much I love words, and that instead of a speller, God wants me to be a writer. If I had not competed in spelling bees when I was younger, I don't think I would be writing this to you today. The four years I spent on a dream I never realized were four wonderful years that I wouldn't trade for the world. Because they contributed to my bigger picture. So don't think of any forgotten dreams you may have as heartaches. Because dreams change for a reason, and an old dream is just another component to make the masterpiece that is completely you that much more beautiful.

 

Dove Beauty Sketches ~ Part 2

A viral video by Dove has hit the Internet. Here is the video.

When I first saw this, I thought that it was a really creative way to talk about beauty! As women, the picture we paint in our minds is usually negative. We focus on the aspects we don't like. 

Now, let's not talk about sales behind this ad. (Dove is a company that sells beauty products.) Let's talk truth about beauty!

The two completed sketches in the video look very different, but what if the woman really did look like the first picture? Would that make her any less beautiful?

As we have talked before, the definition of beauty is one that changes from culture to culture. In order for us to not have a worldly definition of beauty, we must be founded in the Lord's standards.

"Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God shines forth." 
Psalm 50:2

"Your heart was proud because of your beauty; you corrupted your wisdom for the sake of your splendor..." 
Ezekiel 28:17

These two verses show two very different versions of beauty. The first talks about the beauty of the Lord and its perfection. The latter verse talks about the beauty of man being corrupt. Is it not amazing that scripture tells us God has a standard for beauty? The standard is one that is holy and pure and God calls us to strive for that perfect everlasting beauty.

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

So I'm going to say something that might shock you. 

Girls, you are less beautiful than you think.

This being said, I'm NOT talking about exterior beauty -- beauty that is perishable with time and death or that changes with culture or fad. Beauty within the soul is what we should strive to attain that will last into eternity with Christ. Apart from Him, our hearts are not beautiful at all because of sin. It is only the perfect beauty of Christ that covers us and gives us the longing to become beautiful.

I'm not against Dove. I think more people need to encourage women to embrace the bodies the Lord gives us. We should strive for beauty (on the inward person and the exterior) -- NOT for the sake of beauty, but for the glorification of the Lord Who is the Author of beauty!

"One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in his temple."
Psalm 27:4

The Pure Woman, or the Invisible Woman?

          Have you ever noticed how most modern TV shows just won't seem to admit that the pure woman exists? To name a few:

The Gypsy Sisters

Long Island Medium

and, though the title doesn't sound like it,

Preachers' Daughters

I don't know if you've ever heard of these reality shows, but trust me, all I needed to see were their commercials before discerning that the women and young girls on these shows were not doing what God created them to do. Instead of glorifying Him, they are sending a message to the public that glorifies impurity. I can't help but think, "What happened to Laura Ingalls, or Anne of Green Gables? Why'd they have to go and replace them with influences like Jennifer Love Hewitt and the Kardashians?" It's almost as if the Duggar girls are some of the only godly women that TLC will come within a fifty-foot radius of. But the more I thought about it, the more it became clear. One of the big reasons is that the godly girls are a lot less common than we realize.

Growing up the way I have, I always assumed that women of God were "normal women," but as I've gotten older, I've come to the conclusion that being pure is considered unusual and even unnatural in our world. And some of our most popular TV shows make it even worse by warping our view so that we think that being impure is "the thing to do," and that purity is a sign of being unattractive to those around us. "But purity is a gift from God," we reason. "So that can't be true." Well, I know the truth just as well as you do, but what about all the lost souls out there? They look to the idols of our society as a comfort to fill the empty place in their lives when really they should be looking to God. The pure woman has become the "invisible woman" to them because they don't know anything but what the world has to offer.

Even though it's not so likely that you'll star in a reality show someday, remember this. You are in charge of your own reality, so make it count. Spend time with God and with the godly women in your life and let them be your examples, instead of the people you see on TV. Because let's face it. Half the things they do are fake, but God is real and so are you. As a pure woman, you are not an invisible woman, and it's your job to show that to the world -- one person at a time. Because our God can heal the blind, and thanks to Him, we can be the tool He uses to show light. We can help lift the scales of worldliness off the eyes of the people around us so that they can see our Savior's Glorious Light. Purity is a gift, and if we use it rightly, it can shine brighter than all the glory and fame in the world.  

   

Spring within Our Souls

Here in the sweet southern air, we are surrounded by bees buzzing, birds nesting, flowers blooming! (oh, and tons of disgusting pollen :)

It's utterly amazing. Amazing that death can be life. Sleep is awakened.

This is why sonnets are written, songs sung, and paintings painted, because mankind is in need of that new life within our souls. If you long for spring within your life, if you crave that the clouds of winter within your soul be rolled away, then simply do this:

Follow Jesus.

In Him you will find the beauty and majesty of death turned into life, because if you are living apart from Him, your soul is dead. You need life. He IS life.

If you are a follower of Christ but feel hope is far from you, then don't grow faint, dear sister. I would be lying to you if I said things are always sunny in my own life. Even as I type this, my family is having an argument over things that need to be accomplished and if we are really trusting God. Our family dynamic has been changing over the past few months, and we seem to have had more clouds than sun, but in these moments we hold fast to Christ and His promises. We know that these "winter days" make us long for spring and the everlasting spring to come -- eternity with Christ!

As you crave a spring within your soul, know that it's not just a happy day or a new high of excitement -- it's Christ and His joy and life! He freely gives this, and if you need prayer, talk with your parents, pastors, teachers, and contact us at Silk and Purple. Together we will pray for new life, hope, and joy in Him!

The Kingdom of God and the Role of His Daughters

  This week one of my Sunday School teachers said something that really got me thinking. She said, "What picture comes to mind when you think of the Kingdom of God?" Well, what do you see? I see a group of people, all vastly different and yet one in the same. We are the same because we are linked together by a love for Jesus and a desire to bring His Good News unto the world. Although we aren't perfect, God fills in our gaps, and thanks to Him we can do our own unique jobs to further His Kingdom in our temporary home. Well, thinking about this group where we are all connected and each serves their own purpose, I had another pondering that was really a revelation to me. For the first time in my life, I thought long and hard about our role as women in His Kingdom. And believe it or not, after much prayer and Scripture-reading, I found that our standard job is a lot different than that of our Brothers in Christ.

  For those of you who have read the 23rd and 31st chapters of Proverbs, we know that women are a majestic part of creation as a helper to their husbands and a protector of their children. It saddens me to see so many young girls trying to "change their image" in an attempt to be more like their male counterparts. They think that men are somehow more important than women just because God made men the protectors of the human race and the leaders of many aspects of society. It frustrates them to read in God's Word that "a woman is to be submissive to her husband." Little do they realize that this "softer nature" that God instilled in them is a blessing and not a curse. A gentle spirit is known to be much more persuasive than a harsh one, is it not? So if a woman recognizes the true potential of her role in the Kingdom, she can use it to win others to Christ and to care for His people. Although it may seem that our job description is a little more behind the scenes than that of a male leader, our ability to witness is really just as effective. Because the joy in the heart of a loving servant of the Lord can spread like wildfire and increase the Kingdom in more ways than you would think.

So if someone asks you about the Kingdom of God, don't just tell them about what it will be when we're in heaven. Tell them of the extension of the Kingdom here on earth that is growing every day and the strong, beautiful, confident women that contribute to it. Because, whether you realize it or not, you're one of them. So if you're feeling unimportant, take heart. You're a Daughter of the King, and with His help, you can make diciples for Him until Kingdom Come.

Where did the money go?

You've got your eye on that dress. It's a little overpriced, but you deserve it, right? But you love those shoes with it, so you'll need a pair as well. 

Lunch out with a friend and dinner out with the family.

You have a fetish for fabric so you pick up a couple of yards of new prints for some unknown projects.

Your library card has fines to be paid.

Your checking is overdrawn.

Your mom's birthday is this week.

You bought new songs on iTunes.

Gas, Gas, Gas.

Etc., Etc., Etc.

And you wonder....................... where did the money go?

Money is just a fancy barter system, but it can be hard to manage. (I'll be the first to admit this.) So here is my question: Are you a spender? Does a dollar burn in your pocket till it's gone?

Being a spender in this day often means overspending and ending up in debt. BAD IDEA!

"The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender."
Proverbs 22:7

If your money is running amok, then take control. Stop the spending, then determine what is a need versus a want.

Stay away from sales ads, magazines, and shops. Use only cash and halt the spending for a while -- then gradually save for a dinner with friends, or a movie with your siblings, using only cash.

You CAN learn to be wise.

GIVE to the Lord (10% tithe is the starting point; extra as an offering).

SAVE for the future (at least 3 months' living expenses and for any goals like a car).

SPEND (on living, investing, and pleasure).

P.S. Have you ever had a mannequin lie to you? ;)

Time and Passion, Please

Another hour has passed and your schoolwork isn't done and the pile of chores you know needs done still looms over you like a gray cloud. Instead of being productive, you feel yourself in a tale spin of social media, Internet surfing, game playing, and time-consuming little projects. At the end of the day, what have you accomplished other than witty memes, and "liking" a thousand things?

Time is one of the most precious gifts we are given. And just as with money, we need to learn how to give, spend, and save it. You may not have any money in your life right now, but you do have time that needs managing. So how are you investing your time? Is it in a job? Bad friendships? Helping others?

Look at your time in the perspective of eternity! Our time on earth is very short -- 80 or 100 years max. What we do with our time here will follow us through eternity. So when we stand before God, what shall we say? I had the best pinterest account ever or I knitted 100 scarves?

Now, am I implying that you leave everything you have and go live in Africa? No. I'm saying use your gifting, find your passion, use it to the glory of Christ.

It's just that simple and it's just that hard.

If you knit, then find a group of people who would benefit from your skills, like a pregnancy crisis center. Then make an impact on the Kingdom to come by knitting for unborn babies.

Get creative! Ask for passion from the Lord! Learn what Jeremiah is speaking of when he said there was fire in his bones. Get started on the road God has mapped out for you and your special calling -- be it singing, writing, teaching, or working on cars. As you go through your day, you may start out with passion and drive, but remember this verse:

So I find it to be a law (rule of action of my being) that when I want to do what is right and good, evil is ever present with me and I am subject to its insistent demands.

Romans 7:21

Evil will come against you and you will be tempted. Facebook will call you back for hours of scrolling a newsfeed. Your favorite show will have a marathon beckoning you to sit and forget the tasks you need to accomplish. Spend your time wisely! Give to others, spend it productively, and save some time for relaxation and relationships.

Money Love

Have you ever heard the saying, "Money is the root of all evil"? Well, I want to tell you a truth. This statement is incorrect. This is the real statement.

"For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils."
1 Timothy 6:10

Money is not evil, but the love of it is, because loving wealth oftentimes leads us far away from loving Christ.

"He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves wealth with his income; this also is vanity."

Ecclesiastes 5:10

So how do you know if you love it? 

Answer honestly.

1. Do you view money as yours and it's 
only your business in the way you use it?

2. When you get extra money, 
do you already know what you are spending it on?

3. Are you saving for your comfortable, cushy retirement?

4. Is giving a tithe to your church optional?

5. When you give, do you expect blessings?

6. Do you think money is important?

If you answered yes to Numbers 1 through 5, then you might be in love with the stuff. Number 6 was a trick question -- if you answered yes, then you are correct. Money is VERY important. I recently was under the teaching of Dr. Michael Oh, and he put it very precisely. He believes the church doesn't stress the importance of money enough. As he so well put, money is the blood that flows through the body of Christ. And just as when blood doesn't flow through a body, the body dies.

Now does God need our money to do His good work? Absolutely not, but why would we want to miss out on being part of His work? The first step in not being a lover of money is realizing that money, no matter how large or small the amount, does not belong to us. We are just managers or stewards of what God charges to us.

So our first question is debunked. It's not your money, not your business in how you use it.

"As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace..."
1 Peter 4:10

Defining Success

As a girl, what comes to mind when you think of success? With a lot of people, it's fame. Famous actresses, famous politicians, even ladies who are famous for ungodly things draw lots of attention from the world around them. As much as we hate to admit it, our world's point of view is all too simple: Attention = Success. But in order to be the women God made us to be, we must steer clear of this thinking.

   So if success isn't fame and attention, then what is it? Let's see what the dictionary has to say about it.

Success: (noun)

  1. The accomplishment of an aim or purpose.

2. The attainment of popularity or profit.

   The second definition points the finger right at gaining "popularity  or profit." But what if I told you this one wasn't God's definition, either? I'd say Jesus was pretty successful, and He didn't have a lot of either of those things. So now that that one's out of the way, let's focus on Definition #2: "The accomplishment of an aim or purpose." This here is much closer to what we're looking for, but it depends on how you look at it. Now's the time to ask yourself, "What is my aim or purpose? Am I focused on the world's deceptive view of what I need to accomplish, or am I studying God's Word and looking for what He wants me to do?" I can tell you that in my fourteen years, I've done a lot of both. It's hard to stay on track for God when the popular thing to do is to go the opposite way. But one thing is for sure: no matter what you're doing, if God's in it, it has to be better. Because His definition is way more accurate than Merriam and Webster could ever dream of being.

Success: (true meaning)

The accomplishment of an aim or purpose
of God's divine Plan for one's life.

 If you're following God's Will, you are successful. Even if the rest of the world can't see it, He can, and that's all that really matters. So bring glory to Him daily and work hard to please Him in everything you do. Success is best when you do your part and let Him handle the rest!

   

  

Toddlers & Tiaras

Oh, this show. If you are not familiar with Toddlers & Tiaras, here is a little video of only one of the hundreds of girls that are featured.

Now I could talk about outfits, hair, makeup, and parenting methodologies. Or the exploitation of little ones as no more than the objects of lustful ambitions. I could talk about money and the disillusion of beauty, but I'm not. 

But what I will talk about is the Diva Syndrome.

If you watch any of these shows for long, you'll find that most of these little girls are on a quest to become divas. They have the world revolve around them -- from their princess palace rooms to the staff of four or more who dress them, train them to walk, sculpt their wigs and hair, and bribe them when they are tired and don't want to perform. Their parents, families, and staff believe they are setting up the girls for success, giving them all they want.

But what type of success are they after? Many parents say they're involved to give confidence to their little princess. The argument is you will not get anywhere in life without beauty, but what does scripture say? 

Before destruction a man's heart is haughty, but humility comes before honor.

~ Proverbs 18:12

From scripture we know that we should desire to shape a giving heart rather than strive to be the center of attention. But let's be honest. These attitudes don't just come from being a beauty queen. Pride can creep into ANYTHING we are doing. It creeps into the piano recital, the test you aced, or the table scape you decorated. Does this mean we should never strive for greatness -- that we should just sit down and slide by for humility's sake? Absolutely not! We need to strive to please Christ in whatever we are doing. Focusing on Him takes the attention off of us, or at the very least, keeps us grounded when fame flashes its camera our way.

So... maybe these divas are in need of something greater than a bigger crown or an attitude check, but instead of casting blame and judgment on these families, reflect on what is going on in your heart. Have the little seeds of pride and the longing to be famous at any cost crept in? The cost of fame is much too high for the cost of our souls and the eternity to come. So let's take off our plastic tiaras -- God tells us He is giving us crowns someday, and those crowns we will triumphantly lay at His feet.

Mopey Valentine

I get excited when Valentine's comes around! Not because I receive chocolates, hearts, stuffed bears, or cards from an admiring fellow, but because I love talking about love.

Please be warned this is not another blog post about "loving yourself" or "waiting for love." This is a post about loving, love, and giving love unconditionally!

Now, if you're thinking about love as the Disney type or the romantic comedy, then you don't really love love. Why? Because you really don't understand love. You might understand an imitation, but this fraudulent love is not the same. Guess what? I don't understand true love, either, because to truly understand love would be to truly understand God, for He is love.

Did you grasp that? God is love!

So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.

I John 1:16

He must be a great lover because He loved us so greatly and passionately that while we were still haters of Him, the Holy Spirit pursued us! One of my favorite songs puts it pretty perfectly.

love I made it mine

I made it small I made it blind

I followed hard only to find

it wasn't love

it wasn't love

love of songs and pen

oh love of movie endings

takes out the break

leaves out the bend

misses love

love not of you 

love not of me

come hold us up

come set us free

not as we know it

but as it can be

love's reality 

is not a passing bravery

it holds out hope beyond what's seen

the hope of love

love not of you 

love not of me

come hold us up

come set us free

not as we know it

but as it can be

"Love not as we know it, but as it can be." Wow. If we got beyond paper hearts and candy and found out what it truly is, what would we find? I think it would be a lot of giving of ourselves -- opening our hearts and sharing the burdens of others, not for personal gain. Scripture identifies love.

Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth.  Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

1 Corinthians 13:4-7

Instead of this sweetness of true love in the body of Christ, I see (and I'm sure you've noticed, too) what I call Mopey Valentines. These valentines mope, because they say that they want someone to love them, or that they aren't getting enough attention. The pleasing of self will never fulfill you, but so often we try. I fall into this. It's fun for a little while, but empty in the end.

So no moping allowed! 

Celebrate true love this year! Learn to love, love!

This week on Silk and Purple, we plan to do just that!