So today I started studying for a new topic in the women's study. We are going to be talking about a lot of different topics.....that are all magically intertwined together.

To start off with we are talking about our position in Christ. What do we become, or rather what should we become when we as young ladies are adopted into the family of the king? The title of the lesson is "Once Upon A Time". I don't know, I think it's rather clever. Anyway.....what does it mean to be a Daughter of the King? A Princess. How does a princess of the Most High act. How does she respond to others. Dress, talk, think? All of these things are going through my head....so much in there...but it's so hard to reign it all in.

So anyway. I am anxious and nervous about this because I want my thoughts for this group to be God's thoughts. My plans His plans. I believe that He has placed this on my heart but it is an undertaking such as I have not done up until now. I would love prayers so that I would be able to organize everything into the lessons and weeks ahead, and that I will deal honestly and openly and with love....and that it will be encouraging and provoking the others to Godliness. Oh and that I won't leave anything out. Oh so much. Anyway....so yeah...prayer would be great!

Princess in Training!

Jaime

A Beastly King's Tale: Based On A True Story!

There was a mighty king of old his heart was lifted high;
His city walls and towers strong his riches made him sigh.

Of all the kingdoms near and far of big and small combine;
no glory shadowed over him no king could match his shine.

And then this king lay down his head for night the sun had dimmed;
he closed his eyes to sleep thought he with pride his heart full brimmed.

Expected he to dream of wealth, of glory, fame, and praise;
instead a root of greatest height began to weave it's maze.

A sturdy tower, a blooming bud, a tree to heaven reached;
its fruit delivered willingly, it's sweetness all men preached.

It's shadow from the noon day heat provided creatures care;
of comfort, peace and sheltered rest for any stopping there.

No woodman's axe, no fires flame could take away it's length;
with passing time it's mighty limbs would only grow in strength.

Until one day a watcher from highest heaven flew;
along with him a holy one with both a mission true.

They felled the mighty trunk, yes and brought it to the ground;
destroying all but lowly stump, beside no leaf was found.

Seven seasons, seven rains, fruitless harvests, blinding rays;
no signature of greatness, no legacy, nor praise.

With this the king woke startled, quite unsure of what he'd seen;
he knew he had to seek it out what could the vision mean.

He called the wisest of the wise he searched for all his gods;
but none could find the reason and left the king at odds.

But then an idea struck him of one that he could call;
he claimed to be a servant of the greatest God of all.

The prophet stood in silence as the king relayed the tale;
and then left in eerie musement once instructed not to fail.

For hours the man sat speechless as Jehovah answered true;
the meaning of this vision brought sorrow coming due.

The tree explained the prophet oh prideful king is you;
reduced to live as cattle, you soon will follow through.

You credit all your power, your greatness and your wealth;
you look not to the maker but find it all in self.

Until you look with in you and see a creature true;
you never will be ready to bow your heart a new.

A day a, a week, a month, a year passed quickly for the king;
until the prophecy became a true and living thing.

His heart was full of wickedness, was woven through with pride;
he looked at all his kingdom and himself he glorified.

And before the next full hour in misery and shame;
the king had lost his senses this man a beast became.

For seven years he lingered his hair and nails grown thick,
he crawled on bended knee and hands as time began to tick.

And then one day God's mercy fell upon the wretched soul;
his memories returned to him, his senses became whole.

And in that very moment he praised the God most high;
for none can rule in power without Him standing by.

The beast became a king once more a modest, wiser king;
all honor and praises to only one would he forever sing.

And now my story's ended its moral should ring true;
a broken contrite spirit yield, lest pride make ruin you!

It's definitely a PETER NIGHT!

OUCH! MY FEET AND LEGS HURT ME SO BAD. I CANNOT SLEEP. PLEASE PRAY FOR ME. I WANT TO BE HEALTHY AGAIN! IT'S SO HARD TO EXPLAIN. IM FRUSTRATED AND UNCOMFORTABLE.

I CAST ALL MY CARES UPON YOU! I LAY ALL OF MY BURDEN DOWN AT YOUR FEET AND ANY TIME THAT I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO I WILL CAST ALL MY CARE UPON YOU.

j

And so today I am officially down to one animal again. Lilly has grown increasingly "ill". I was so worried about her.....not playing, not eating, hiding a lot! Then one night about a week and a half ago she kept waking me up by running all over the place up things, down things, under things, and over them.....I was getting really irritated when I realized...she was trying to get away from Mylie. She just wanted to sleep, she's older, and she's used to sleeping at night. But 6 month old Mylie would not have it. I started paying closer attention and realized that when Lilly would try to eat...Mylie woud stop her...when she tried to drink...Mylie was right there. Poor Lilly is a one person cat...and she truly loves me the best she is able to....but adding another feline to the mix was more than she could take.

She's lived fine with Terriers, Lab mixes, and even a Chiuaua (sp?). She's fine with dogs...but there is only room for one cat around here I guess.

So today, bundled in a pink blanket...my beautiful gray kitten was sent back to the shelter I got her from. My friend Andrea went with me and as soon as I walk in the door I broke down. The lady behind the counter said...can I help you? To wich I responded with a sob and pointed to Andrea and said "talk". So Andrea started to explain...and the lady said..oh you're the one who called. Thankfully I had called early to explain why Mylie was being surrendered for adoption. The lady remembered and she said....it's ok. I filled out two forms and there you have it...they said we'll do the best we can and that was it.

I was so bummed but when I got home I was greeted by a bouncing happy Lilly. Now confindent in her position...and eating like a pig.

I will never forget that pretty little gray....I pray that she finds a great home...where she too will be queen bee.

I'm going to wait a year or two....then...I'm getting a dog. :-)

Remember When?

As children some of the first verses we learn are Proverbs 3:6&7. Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not unto your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your path.

Yippee! Got it! Here we go, down the path....straight ahead, no bends, no forks in the road, or speed bumps. Better yet no slimy disgusting pits of the devil to fall into! Nothing but blue skies and smooth sailing. Trusting in the Lord and letting Him direct.

Woe wait a minute...that's not you're life? It's not mine I can tell you that. Bumps, bruises, friends that fail, plans that fall apart. People that disappoint. Sound slightly more familiar?

Ok now we're on the same page...so we say Trust in the Lord and He will direct you! It says so right here! Do it! Just do it! Huhu...how?

How do you trust God when you don't know what's coming, when you don't know IF anything is coming at all? When you've been beat up, pushed around and left for dead? Do you muster up all of the Spiritual Fortitude in your tiny little heart and go for broke? Do you blink three times, turn around and spit on the ground? Or how about click your heels together three times? Sorry...they're RED HEELS with sparkles on them! (Ha Ha)

So what's the magic words to make the Trust come flooding into the soul and restore peace, refreshment, and focus?

Think about this:

When Joshua was taking over the leadership of the Israelites he said "remember how God brought you out", when they crossed over Jordan he put up a monument so that they would "remember", over and over year after disappointing year the Israelites were called to remember what God had done for them in the past. And with each memory, strength was renewed, hearts revived, and TRUST restored.

So tonight I sit and remember.....how God got us down a mountain in pitch black...with no head lights then brought a complete stranger to our motel door to pay for the car repairs.

How a small bunch of country folk in a little teeny Texas village gave me and my brother birthday parities...even though they'd never met us.

How many times checks showed up in the mail right when we needed them. Or a big trash bag full Christmas gift showed up on the porch when things were tight.

I remember my parents going to Greenland and coming back with just about as much money as they'd left with. And stories about a little girl in Alaska that gave her heart to God when a man looking for a mission field showed up and preached.

I remember the hundreds of believers that prayed, gave, and encouraged. Many many more than the ones that tore us down and drove us away.

I remember, and I am amazed! I remember and I am ashamed. I want so badly for those certain relationships and people to accept me...and here I am.....accepted by the God of the universe. What is wrong with me?

I remember the strong men that I had the privilege to sit under and learn from. Many of those men got paid to teach preacher boys the stuff I was getting for free. Many a preacher boy had to pay tuition for the stuff I got all summer long.

So I thank Him for the mountains, and I thank Him for the valleys, I thank Him for the trials He's brought me through....cause if I never had a problem I wouldn't know that God could solve em' and I wouldn't know what faith in God could do! Through it all, through it all, I've learned to trust in Jesus and I've learned to trust His Power! Through it all, through it all, I've learned to depend upon His Word!

God's Blessing in Disobedient Times

When I was a little girl I used to constantly read the books of Ruth and Esther over and over again. We were encouraged at very young ages to try to get into a habit of individual reading apart from the family devotions. I was and still am a hopeless romantic. Cinderella was my hero! So I would read Ruth for the obvious romance and Esther because....well who wouldn't want to be queen and save the world?

Finally my dad told me, "Jaime, there are other books in the Bible...pick something else next time!"

So here I find myself once again going through a study in Ruth and Esther. It was chosen for the 12th grade girls at the church and we start it tonight. I get to start the lessons and I'm nervous. I'm always nervous because although I know the material, I don't know sometimes the best way to present it and what exactly the girls are going to need from it. I'm so glad God knows.

There is one over shadowing question in my mind. The amount of speculation that comes into play with the marriages of Ruth and Orpah to Mahlon and Chilion.

When the Elimelech gang packed it up and headed for the hills they were running away from famine, away from their land, their people....and their God. At first glance you think...the man's just providing for his family cut him some slack...but anytime that a Jewish individual took up residency in a pagan land, it was a picture that they were taking matters into their own hands and relying on their own strength. Essentially they were turning their backs on their God.

Disobedience Act 1: Elimelech decided that God could no longer care for his family and that he was going to need to do it himself. He headed to the land of their arch enemies...the Moabites. Unfortunately, trial followed him in Moab and he died there.

Disobedience Act 2: Weather or not the boys took their wives before or after their fathers death is not entirely clear. What is clear is that they shared their parents lack of respect for the God's laws and disbelief that God would provide. Soon after, they also died. Many speculate that their lack of trust and faith in God is what led to their death...this is not indicated in Scripture and can only be speculation.

The Blessing: So far Ruth is not such a wonderful fairytale aye? We have three men dead, and three widows without a penny to their names. Where is the blessing? Here, a picture of God's grace begins to peak through the clouds as Naomi decides to return home dejected, empty, and alone. In those last moments on the trail before heading down the mountain side Orpah leaves in tears. She's tasted of the God of Israel and all she sees is death and need. But then comes that beautiful speech...the speech so many now use as a picture of commitment in the wedding ceremony... Ruth says to Naomi, where you go, I will go, your people will be my people and your God my God! That is grace right there! God's grace! It is the testimony at the time of Ruth's conversion. She make the decision to follow God...to leave the world, her family, her friends, any chance of material possessions, all of it, behind her. She chooses to follow God....No Turning Back.

Does this mean we encourage disobedience. By no means....what it does mean is that even the stupid, faithless decisions of man cannot stop the work of Christ as He seeks and saves those who are lost. Either you will obey and follow Him and He will perfect His will in you and through you or you will decide to turn from Him and He will perfect His will in spite of you.

Choose to be a vessel of honor fit for His use!


Run with Patience
Heb 12:1
J~

I am a tea cup!

We went away this weekend on a youth retreat for the girls in our church. The name of this retreat is Daughters of the King or DOTK. They rent out some beach houses and take the girls to the beach for the weekend.

There were a lot of great lessons taught. Patti gave an illustration of a little boy who love sail boats, and so his parents bought him a sail boat model kit for him to build. It was tedious work at times but because of his passion for the object he kept working until it was perfect. The next day he took it out and put it in a stream near his home. He ran joyfully beside the river as his beautiful creation floated casually down stream. Before the boy had time to realize it thought the current began moving faster and faster carrying his boat farther and farther from him. There was nothing he could do. He stood there crying as his new boat drifted out of sight. The next day while walking past the toy store in town he saw a boat, HIS boat in the window. He ran inside and excitedly explained to the clerk that the boat was his, he had made it piece by piece...the clerk looked at him and said well boy, for $20 you can take it home. Sadly the boy did not have the money and the clerk forced him to leave without his treasure. Over the next week, the boy worked tirelessly doing anything and everything he could to raise the money to buy back his beloved boat, finally the end of the week arrived and he had enough to pay the price. He ran down town and into the store and threw the money up on the counter....sir, I'm here for my boat, I've paid the price. At last the little boy was handed his boat. He clutched it tightly to his chest as he walked out into the street. As he turned towards home the toy clerk over heard him speaking to the boat as he cradled it in his arms....he said...boat I made you, and I've bought you, you are twice mine!

The Lord of all creation made us. He new from the very beginning of time what we'd be, and who we'd be...but he didn't stop there, He also died to pay the price that we owe for our sins.

He created us, he bought us....we are twice HIS! :-)


The next wonderful story that I heard was that of a tea cup. It was a narration given from the perspective of a beautiful delicate tea cup. I will not attempt to recreate the whole story, it was beautiful and I know I'd mess it up. But the point of the story was this.

This tea cup started out as a clump of mud. After being gathered by the master potter it began a painful process of being beaten, softened, molded, shaped and fired, and then after it cooled is was painted and fired again....through each stage of the process the tea cup explained the terror and pain associated in the process. Many many times through out the ordeal it would plead with the potter, please, please leave me alone...it hurts to much. To which the potter would respond no, not yet, I'm not done yet. After each trip through the fire the tea cup would be set aside on a shelf to cool and each time the potter would reach for it again to perform another transforming step the tea cup would cry please, what will you do with me now? What is next for me?

Many many times, I've felt like that tea cup. Beaten, spinning in circles, and run through the fire of this life. Lonely, sitting on the shelf, wondering, waiting to see what comes next.....sometime crying out to God saying, God it hurts too much, what's next? What do you want from me? What will you do with me now? At the end of the story the tea cup was transformed into a delicate, beautiful creation! More importantly if became useful and needed. A treasure. We don't know what the fire is that we will pass through next....nor how many trips through the kiln we will face....praise our Heavenly Father! He does know, and He know why too! How Great Is OUR GOD!

Day by day and with each passing moment strength I find to meet my trials hear! Trusting in my Fathers wise bestowment I've no cause for worry or for fear. He whose heart is kind beyond all measure give unto each day what deems best lovingly it's part of pain and pleasure mingling toil with peace and rest.

Every day the Lord Himself is near me with special mercy for each hour, all my cares He fain would bear and cheer me He whose name is COUNSELOR and POWER! The protection of His child and treasure is a charge that on Himself He lays...as your days your strength shall be in measure this the pledge to me He made.

Help me then in every tribulation so to trust your promise Oh Lord that I lose not faiths sweet consolation offered me within your Holy Word. Help me Lord when toil and trouble meeting e'er to take as from a Fathers hand. One by one the days the moments fleeting till I reach the promise land.