Spring Getting to Know You Giveaway - Part Two

This is Part Two of our Spring Giveaway Introduction. If you haven't read Part One, please do so now!

Okay, now that you know what to do, here is the survey that you need to fill out! I also wanted to add that you are invited to participate no matter what age you are. You may know a younger sister in Christ that you want to give the book to if you win it.

I'll list the questions here, and then below I will put my answers ....

1. Give us your name and age (age is optional) please don't put your last name!
2. Who is in your family?
3. What is your favorite Bible verse?
4. Why is it your favorite?
5. What is your favorite thing to do in your spare time?
6. What is your biggest struggle as a woman?
7. What would you like us to talk about in the GI blog in the future?
8. Who is your favorite author?
9. What is your favorite Christian song or poem?
10. Do you have any advice for a fellow sister in Christ?

Now my answers:


1. Give us your name and age (age is optional) please don't put your last name!
My name is Beverly, and yes, most people call me Bev. I am 28 years old.

2. Who is in your family?
My husband, my daughter Selena (2), and my daughter Shana (5 months).

3. What is your favorite Bible verse?
Romans 8:38-39

4. Why is it your favorite?
I love this passage because I can cling to it at anytime in my life and know that no matter what is going on, that NOTHING can separate me from Christ's love. What a wonderful promise!!

5. What is your favorite thing to do in your spare time?
Probably it is a cross between reading, and blogging! I usually have a mug of some sort of hot drink while doing one of the two.

6. What is your biggest struggle as a woman?
Without question it is quieting my sinful worrying nature. I need to cast ALL of my cares on Him.

7. What would you like us to talk about in the GI blog in the future?
Ummm ... this question wasn't really meant for me - but for the rest of you!!

8. Who is your favorite author?
Can I give three? I enjoy Elizabeth George, Bodie and Brock Thoene, and Louisa May Alcott.

9. What is your favorite Christian song or poem?
My favorite songs are More Love to Thee and Take My Life.

10. Do you have any advice for a fellow sister in Christ?
This is a hard one. As a mom, a big sister, and former Sunday School teacher, my advice would be to be mindful of our example to those younger then us at all times. So many younger eyes are watching us, and we definitely always want to point younger ones to Christ.

The next post will contain Sara's answers - so be looking for that!!

Spring Getting to Know You Giveaway

Hi all!

Just here to announce that The Girl Inside is hosting a "Getting to Know You" Spring Giveaway!

We will be giving away one copy of Set Apart Femininity by Leslie Ludy to one of our readers!

Here's what YOU have to do:

I'll be posting a 10 question survey that will help us all get to know each other. Sara and I will answer the survey, but we won't be entering ourselves in the giveaway.

1. Answer the survey and post it on your blog.

2. Title your post: Spring Getting To Know You Giveaway

3. Link to your post using the Mr. Linky below.

4. If you sign up to follow our blog, you'll get your name entered twice. Just let us know in the comments!

5. If you are a non-blogger email me your survey, and I'll enter you.

6. This giveaway closes on Friday, March 27th!!!! The winner will be announced the following week. If you win, you'll be featured on our blog, and you will receive the book as well.

Watch for the 10 questions ... coming in my next post!!

Happy Valentine's Day!

I recently read an article by a young lady who has just started coauthoring an excellent blog titled "Imperishable Beauty". I was so encouraged by the post's message on Valentine's Day, and I thought you would be too, so please read it whenever you get a chance! Here's the link: http://imperishablebeautyblog.blogspot.com/2009/02/redeeming-valentines-day.html.

Happy Valentine's Day from Beverly and Sara!

He Won't Leave Us

I read this in my devotional book by Charles Spurgeon the other day and was so encouraged. I thought I would share it with you.

"Is it not a wonderful and arresting fact that while others leave us and forsake us that God never does? He says to each of His own redeemed people, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." How often do people forsake those whom they call their friends when those friends fall into poverty! The tragedies of some of these cruel forsakings! May you enver know them! Friends who once were cherished are now forgotten. In fact, the man almost pities himself to think that he should have been so unfortunate to have a friend who has fallen so low, and has no pity for his friends because he is so much occupied in pitying himself. In hundreds and thousands and tens of thousands of cases, as soon as the gold has gone, the pretended love has gone; and when the dwelling ahs been changed from the mansion to the cottage, the friendship that once promised to last forever has suddenly disappeared. But God will never leave us on account of poverty: However low we may fall, there it always stands: "I will never leave you nor forsake you." "

I was especially touched by this short devotional because I have experienced many instances where so-called friends of mine have gone out of my life. It is easy to grow bitter and angry, isn't it? And as girls, it is so easy to resort to gossiping and backbiting. I know I am guilty of this as well. Keeping our tongues from evil isn't the easiest task, but that's why prayer is so important. God can give us the patience and strength to bite our tongues and keep silent. What can be very painful and hurtful is when the gossiping is being done toward you. One day it can seem like you have a huge amount of friends, the next day they could all be gone.

Thankfully, the Lord has blessed me with a small group of sweet, Godly friends that I trust and love. But I have experienced the stinging ache of feeling slapped in the face by people I once called my friends. I think it is so comforting to know that even when the closest loved one might turn around and desert us, God is always there. His love is unconditional. He is not fickle and gossipy. He is ready to take us by the hand and walk with us through any difficulty. What an amazing God we serve!

You have my heart

And I am Yours forever

You are my strength

God of grace and power

And everything You hold in Your hand

Still You make time for me

I can't understand

Praise You God of Earth and sky

How beautiful is Your unfailing love

Unfailing love

And You never change God You remain

The Holy One

My unfailing love

Unfailing love

You are my rock

The one I hold on to

You are my song

And I sing for You

~Chris Tomlin

Quotable Quotes ...

"Blessed are the single-hearted, for they shall enjoy much peace. If you refuse to be hurried and pressed, if you stay your soul on God, nothing can keep you from that clearness of spirit which is life and peace. In that stillness you will know what His will is." - -- Amy Carmichael

How often I forget to REFUSE to be hurried and pressed.

How often I NEED to be still.

Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday Sara!

The Bravehearted Gospel

"Once upon a time, Christianity was the stuff of legends and Christ's loyalists were spiritual and moral revolutionaries, the kinds of men and women who turned the world upside down. But over time, something has happened to that once fervent and bravehearted band who dared to be called Christians. Many today have inherited a faith that has no real life or power. Instead of zeal there is apathy. Instead of courage there is timidity. And instead of confidence there is paralyzing doubt."

"Something has to change."

~Introduction to The Bravehearted Gospel.

I've just begun to read Eric Ludy's The Bravehearted Gospel, but even though I've only gotten through the first chapter, I've already been impacted by its message. It's not any easy message to hear...I certainly was cringing while reading some phrases from the book. Am I an Amy Carmichael, rescuing young girls from slavery and prostitution in India's temples? No. Am I a Gladys Alyward, leading a group of children out of dangerous China? I don't think so. These were women who risked their lives for Christ and for others. Yet I'm afraid to simply witness to an unsaved friend.

I know that God doesn't wish all of His children to go on dangerous missions to needy countries, but I think there has been a dramatic change in the Christians of today compared to the Christians of the past. It's so easy to fit in with the rest of the world and to have our religion off to the side. I want to change this in myself, but I know it will be uncomfortable to do so. In chapter 2 of The Bravehearted Gospel, Eric Ludy discusses how Job is a man we are all afraid of being. Job lost everything he cared about, and suffered tremendously until he thought he couldn't bear it any longer.

The question is- could any of us face the challenges that Job went through? Would our faith be strong enough? I want mine to be, but I know I have a long way to go. I wish I had a more passionate fervor for God in my everyday life. By God's grace, I know He can do this work in me, but I have to be willing to let Him transform me. I have to be willing to let Him change and mold me into a braver Christian who isn't afraid of what others think. I have to be willing to be more concerned about "the girl inside" rather than "the girl outside". It's a narrow path to walk, but greater is He who is in me than he who is in the world.

What are some things you struggle with? Do you desire for a closer relationship with Christ that transforms your spiritual life and makes you more fervent for Him?

"The bravest are those who have the clearest vision of what is before them, both the glory and danger alike, and yet nevertheless, go out to meet it."--Thucydides