Going Away for a While ...

Hello girls,
We are going away soon on a family vacation, and so I'll be back in a couple of weeks with some pictures!

lots of love!!!!

Sit Still

Girls, I know that you have the righteous desire to be godly wives one day. I remember, because as I got into my late teens and early twenties, that very desire grew and grew within me. At times like Valentine's Day, or if I attended a wedding, or saw a romantic movie etc. it was so easy to lose focus. A reminder to guard our eyes, minds and hearts!

My mom sent me this wonderful devotional, thinking it might benefit you girls, and I agree. The poem is beautiful - and true.

This devotional is taken from Streams in the Desert by Mrs. Charles E Cowman.

Sit Still
"Ye shall not go out with haste" (Isa. 52:12).
I do not believe that we have begun to understand the marvelous power there is in stillness. We are in such a hurry--we must be doing--so that we are in danger of not giving God a chance to work. You may depend upon it, God never says to us, "Stand still," or "Sit still," or "Be still," unless He is going to do something.

This is our trouble in regard to our Christian life; we want to do something to be Christians when we need to let Him work in us. Do you know how still you have to be when your likeness is being taken?

Now God has one eternal purpose concerning us, and that is that we should be like His Son; and in order that this may be so, we must be passive. We hear so much about activity, may be we need to know what it is to be quiet. --Crumbs

Sit still, my daughter! Just sit calmly still!

Nor deem these days--these waiting days--as ill!

The One who loves thee best, who plans thy way,

Hath not forgotten thy great need today!

And, if He waits, 'tis sure He waits to prove

To thee, His tender child, His heart's deep love.

Sit still, my daughter! Just sit calmly still!

Thou longest much to know thy dear Lord's will!

While anxious thoughts would almost steal their way

Corrodingly within, because of His delay

Persuade thyself in simple faith to rest

That He, who knows and loves, will do the best.

Sit still, my daughter! Just sit calmly still!

Nor move one step, not even one, until His way hath opened.

Then, ah then, how sweet!

How glad thy heart, and then how swift thy feet

Thy inner being then, ah then, how strong!

And waiting days not counted then too long.

Sit still, my daughter! Just sit calmly still!

What higher service could'st thou for Him fill?

'Tis hard! ah yes! But choicest things must cost!

For lack of losing all how much is lost!

'Tis hard, 'tis true! But then--He giveth grace

To count the hardest spot the sweetest place.--J. D. Smith

Thank You

I was humbled to see that sweet Ella had passed this award on to the Girl Inside Blog. To God be the glory! I was very happy because this gives me a chance to let you girls know how much I appreciate your blogs and your hearts for the Lord. I wish I could pass the award back to Ella, but the rules say that it has to be given to someone who hasn't received it before! I hope I'm not breaking the rules too much, but I would like to pass this on to four special ladies ;-)

1. My sister Neesie has a new Blogger blog, and I have been very blessed by her compassion for others, and her needed reminders ... like this post! Love you, Sis!!

2. Sara is another dear sister in Christ. I've appreciated her posts on Hinds Feet on High Places, and also her thoughful posts like this one!

3. Beth has such a peaceful blog. She takes beautiful pictures and she always reminds us to love the hymns of the faith. Here is one of my favorites!

4. Laura is such a sweet girl. Her blog is so honest and sincere. This post about her Grandpa really touched me.

So there you have it -- and enjoy reading the four posts I picked out too. Have a wonderful weekend, girls. I have a poem I want to post for you, but that will have to wait until next week.

Oh - I also wanted to say that I know you are all extremely busy with school and family life, so if you don't have time to pass this award on - I will not be offended at all!

The Garden of Friendship - Unto edification

Time to spruce up those gardens again! One of the things that is very important in a Christian friendship is that each individual is committed to edifying the other! The American Heritage Dictionary defines edify: To instruct especially so as to encourage intellectual, moral, or spiritual improvement.

It is wonderful to enjoy your friends, to have long conversations and to do fun things together, but our friendships as women of God should have a deeper purpose ...

...to build up and encourage in the things of the Lord.

Here are some Scriptures on that very subject. I'm using the NKJV here:

"Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers." Eph 4:29

"Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another." Romans 14:19

"... Let all things be done for edification." I Cor 14:26

Of course, our favorite verse fits in here so well. Philippians 4:8 "Finally brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy -- meditate on these things."

I think that if we are with our friends, and we are careful to speak of and focus on things that are true, noble, just, pure, lovely, of good report, virtuous and praiseworthy, that we will speak unto edification -- will we not? If we are consistently meditating on these things, we will surely speak of them.

Just a reminder for all of us - yes, me too - to think about.

Tidbits From my Journal

I found these quotes nestled in the pages of one of my journals. The date was February 27, 1999. I was nineteen at the time, and in the"middle of a very stressful week..." when these quotes spoke to my heart, so I thought you might benefit from them too.

"It is Saturday. I had to write down a quote from A Woman that Feareth the Lord by Emalyn Spencer. 'J.C. Ryle says that true holiness is a great reality. It is something in a man that can be seen, and known, and marked, and felt by all around him. It is light, if it exists, it will show itself. It is salt, if it exists, its savour will be perceived. It is precious ointment, if it exists, its presence cannot be hid.'"

"A godly woman knows how to listen lovingly, patiently, and attentively, and her responses will be thoughtful and concerned, demonstrating genuine interest."

"The law of kindness cannot be present in the tongue, unless the law of love exists in the heart."

Soon!

Girls,

I'll be back soon with a post, I promise! Just wanted you guys to know I am thinking of you!

My wish for all of you ...

Dearest girls,

This Christmas, I wish for you ...

... a renewed appreciation for the gift of Him.

... happy times with friends and family.

... cozy days with a blanket, something hot to drink and a good book.

... many opportunities to bless others as you continually bless me.

Lots of love,

bev

see you after Christmas