a merry-go-round

Today we're sharing with you a merry-go-round of things that we thought are worth checking out...

~ The GirlTalkers have a great post on the New Year titled "Maybe This Year"

~ Wanna enter to win a free book?  Then head on over to my (Joanna) personal blog and comment soon (giveaway closes January 19th)!

~ Here's a tutorial on how to make those cute fabric flowers to wear in your hair by Emily Brookshire

~ Looking to be a better steward of the money God has given you and get some freebies, too?  Check out author Crystal Paine's amazing website, Money Saving Mom!

You Can't!

"That is what the gospel is all about - how to get the wrong man out, and the Right Man in - and to exchange the Lie for the Truth! On your own you cannot do it! But I have good news for you!

You can't!

But He can!"

~ Ian Thomas

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas, girls!  May your day be filled with great joy - because Jesus came to rescue us out of darkness and bring us into His glorious light.  Now that is good news!  Hallelujah!

Celebrating Jesus with you!

Joanna, Megan, and Jessina

180 movie

The other day my family and I sat down to watch this "180" movie.  Friends had told me to watch it but I had never heard of it and I had no clue how truly astounding and good it would be.  It was better than good.  It showed Biblcial truth on abortion (aka murder) so powerfully and beautifully and brought tears to my eyes.  Not only that, but as people were interviewed and abortion was explained to them in a new light, they started changing their minds...

Pastor and author John Piper had this to say about "180":

“I give my unflinching, joyful, trembling Yes to ‘180’. Unflinching, because it's right. Joyful, because it's good. Trembling, because this our defeated enemy is still vicious.”

Please, take 33 minutes and sit down and watch "180".  It's so worth it!

an ordinary Friday

An inch long nail rests on my bedside table.  It looks out of the ordinary, I have to admit.  And yet, I leave it.  I even smile as I walk by and see it. 

Do you remember in the Old Testament how God would have the Israelites, at various times, build an altar to remember something He did or said?  Well, that nail is like an altar, so to speak, because…

One ordinary Friday this fall, I was outside walking when suddenly I heard an odd clicking noise.  I couldn’t figure out where it was coming from since every time I stopped moving, the noise also stopped.  After looking all over, I lifted my shoe and to my horror, discovered that I had stepped on a rusty nail!   I extricated it from my shoe and examined my foot.   I expected pain and felt none.  I expected blood and saw none. 

Shaking my head in amazement, I smiled and thanked God that somehow the nail had gone through my tennis shoe, but not through my foot!  Seeing as the nail was one inch and how my shoe was built, it should’ve gone all the way through and pierced my skin.

I sat down in wonder, whispering praise to my Protector.  Only He could’ve orchestrated such protection and leave me in awe of Him because of it!  It was as if He was standing right next to me, gently whispering, “My dear daughter, I care for you and love you so!  See, I am with you always.”

And so the nail stays by my bed, like an altar, reminding me that indeed, He is there for me!

Set Apart Girl Magazine

Recently as I was reading Leslie Ludy's magazine, Set Apart Girl, I came across a very good article.  Written by an anonymous Christian guy, Godly Guy/Girl Interaction, is something that we, as believing young ladies, need to read.  Far too often, instead of listening to a Biblical perspective on guys and relationships, we let the world tell us what we "need" to know.  But like Proverbs is always talking about, we need to be wise and not listen to worldly advice.  Instead, we should be taking in things that line up with Scripture, like this article.

He says, "I, though just a warrior-poet-in-the-making, have a few complaints of my own that I'd like to level at a grotesque monster that has lingered far too long in the corridors of the Church..."

Head on over to read the rest and find out what the author is talking about!

{We apologize for our abrupt absence from the blog!  Various things kept us busy - like moving back to college for two of us and serving with a Christian organization for myself...We're hoping to get back to normalcy soon.  And now, without further ado, here is something to cheer your day and refresh your spirit!}

Out of the Desert

by Marie Lemelin

Thirsty—throat aching for water,

Faint—I stumble through a barren land

Hot—I tremble from a burning sun

Is there no one to lend me a helping hand?

Mocking—mirages rise to taunt

Water—blue lake lies cool

Oasis—the tall trees bend slender

I blink and know that I’m a fool.

Falling—I give in to weakness

Despair—etched in hollowness of soul

Crying—tears track down my cheeks

All of my heart yearns to be made whole.

Caught—I feel a tender grasp

Carried—strong arms lifting me

Behold—an Old Rugged Cross stands

Releasing my shame I am free.

Refreshed—I look for the Wellspring

Found—in the blood of the Lamb

Cleansed—I rise up forgiven,

My sins gone; whole I stand.

Captured—by Love so abundant

Amazed—by the grace shown to me

Redeemed—I follow His pathway

Jesus is still setting souls free!