A Lesson I Am Learning...

Do not love the world or the things of the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the father is not in him. For all that is in the world-the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life-is not of the father but is of the world. ~ 1 John 2:15-16

God has been showing me lately how many things in life can easily distract us from Him. Although those things might not be considered "evil", it is also important to consider whether it brings us closer to God or not. Does it glorify Him? Are we keeping our eyes fixed on the One who truly matters, or are our minds constantly reflecting on the things of this world? The truth is, many of us become so incredibly desensitized by the world that we fail to see the worldly things that consume us from day to day. Trust in God and never be afraid to give up anything for His sake. Remember that whoever trusts in Him will never be put to shame. :)

~Zoe

She's In Love

What a beautiful smile

A radiant girl
Fell in love first time I saw her
She stays on my mind
I’d give anything
To know everything about her

There’s light in her eyes
And I know it’s all for Him
She carries on and on
Like He was her best friend

She’s in love
It’s not hard to see
But I would like to believe it was with me
Someone got a hold of her heart
And He won’t let go
And I know
She’s in love

She looks to the sky
When she talks about Him
She believes He hung the moon
Said He had to go away
She waits for His return
Says He’s coming for her soon

How can this be fair?
This guy can walk on water
Don’t guess I’ve got a prayer
He’s written love letters to reach her

She worships the ground He walks on
She just smiles when she says His name
It’s a match made in heaven
I can’t compete with the King of Kings

~According to John

Isaiah 43:1-2

Fear not, for I have redeemed you;

I have summoned you by name; you are mine.

When you pass through the waters,

I will be with you;

and when you pass through the rivers,

they will not sweep over you.

When you walk through the fire,

you will not be burned;

the flames will not set you ablaze.

~Isaiah 43:1-2

You Have Captivated My Heart

You have captivated my heart, my sister, my bride;

you have captivated my heart with one glance of your eyes,

with one jewel of your necklace. ~ Song of Solomon 4:9

Isn't it amazing to think that this is how God feels about us? You are His bride and He absolutely adores you and loves you more than you can ever fathom... and He always has! Everytime you worship Him and love Him back imagine how great His delight is! He desires, more than anything else, for you to draw near to Him and give Him all your love.

~Zoe

"More Beautiful You"

These are lyrics to the song "More Beautiful You" by Johnny Diaz. I just recently heard it and loved it. The meaning is something most every girl needs to hear and take to heart.

Little girl fourteen flipping through a magazine
Says she wants to look that way
But her hair isn't straight her body isn't fake
And she's always felt overweight

Well little girl fourteen I wish that you could see
That beauty is within your heart
And you were made with such care your skin your body and your hair
Are perfect just the way they are

There could never be a more beautiful you
Don't buy the lies disguises and hoops they make you jump through
You were made to fill a purpose that only you could do
So there could never be a more beautiful you

Little girl twenty-one the things that you've already done
Anything to get ahead
And you say you've got a man but he's got another plan
Only wants what you will do instead

Well little girl twenty-one you never thought that this would come
You starve yourself to play the part
But I can promise you there's a man whose love is true
And he'll treat you like the jewel you are

So turn around you're not too far
To back away be who you are
To change your path go another way
It's not too late you can be saved
If you feel depressed with past regrets
The shameful nights hope to forget
Can disappear they can all be washed away
By the one who's strong can right your wrongs
Can rid your fears dry all your tears
And change the way you look at this big world
He will take your dark distorted view
And with His light He will show you truth
And again you'll see through the eyes of a little girl

The parts in bold are my favorites.

-Ellie

Surprise them!

Several times I've seen this question (or its variants) pop up on surveys or quizzes my friends have taken, but I never seem to get it myself.

Are you dating someone?
How long have you been dating your boy/girlfriend?
Dated someone longer than a year?

Of course, the normal answer would be "No" or "0" for me and the majority of my close friends.

And I like that. What's the point of it if you're too young to get married?

Well, I was thinking, and this answer popped into my head.

YES.

What? Let me explain.

I'm a Christian, and I'm not ashamed of it. I love it. So, naturally, I love my Lord and Savior. I adore Him.

So the sensible answer to "Have you dated anyone longer than a year?" would be Yes.

I don't know about you, but I'm dating Jesus. I have been for about 3 years now, ever since I gave my life to Him. I've fallen in love with God.

Next time someone asks you that, you could surprise them and say yes. ;)

-Ellie

Revelation

Just a few minutes ago, I was reading "Enoch's Ghost," the 2nd book in Bryan Davis's "Oracles of Fire" series. I'm almost done with it, and it is so sad, but so...wonderful at the same time. Don't worry, I'm not going to give away the ending or anything. But I had a revelation--everyone in the story is making incredible sacrifices, which for the longest time I couldn't understand. Why would someone want to give up their greatest gifts, or their life, or their speech or hearing or anything? Why would someone want to endure such pain and torture, only to die? It made no sense to me. Until I realized.

God created us. Our sole purpose is to live for HIM, not for our own pleasure, not for someone's else's pleasure, not for riches or food or animals or anything else. Everything we do should be a reflection of God's glory, and ONLY His glory. When I finally grasped that, I realized why so many of the martyrs, if not all, in "Foxe's Book of Martyrs" were willing, sometimes HAPPY to die for Christ's cause. It doesn't matter what kinda of pain or suffering we have to endure. If we're doing it for God's glory, and only God's glory, it really doesn't matter. Our lives will be a witness for other believers, as well as unbelievers, and it will bring glory to our Maker. What better way to show our love and devotion, our gratitude, to Jesus for His incredible sacrifice than to die for His cause?

What I'm trying to say is, no matter what suffering, what torture, what pain, what outcome happens, we're doing it for God. Our SOLE purpose in life is to bring glory to God. So if we die for God, we're bringing Him glory.

Does that make sense? Sometimes these revelation things only work if you're the one experiencing them. And I'm not saying that we should all die for Christ this week. But if any of us are called to that extreme, I hope we can all realize why and be willing. After all, Jesus was. This doesn't just apply to dying, either. Whatever we do should be for God. I know that's hard for me, we all struggle with it one time or another. But I'm going to make a conscious effort to glorify God in whatever I do.

What about you?

Five Year Old SInger...

This is amazing and so adorable!





~Zoe

Revised

As Elliot/Camden so kindly pointed out, the Easter story I posted several weeks ago had issues. So, I rewrote a portion of it...to better fit its meaning. If you like, you can read it.

All You Ever Need To Know

Dreams are strange things. They often involve persons or things you hold dear. Some involve a certain person you admire, and through that dream you feel an almost irresistible endearment towards that person. Others are beyond reckoning, laughable, or out-of-this-world. Still others are enlightening; explaining things you never thought you knew, or making an event said to have happened more real than you ever could have imagined. Mine was like that.
Not too many nights past, I was asleep, dreaming, when suddenly a Voice whispered gently into my ear, telling me to follow It. Naturally, I did. We seemed to float through a see of darkness. Every now and then I caught glimpses of a tear-stained face, unheard words stumbling past swollen and cracked lips. After a while I turned my head, unable to bear the sight of these troubling glances.
Eventually, we broke out of the darkness, and the Voice, which had now formed into a soft orb of warm, white light, faded into nothingness. I peered around me, bewildered. My eyes rested on a cloaked figure to my right. Hoping for an explanation, I started towards the figure. A few steps away from it, I realized it was a woman, with soft gray eyes and dark hair that contrasted her pale skin. She started into my questioning eyes for an interminable moment. Finally she spoke.
“You are wondering why you are here.” It was more a statement than a question.
I nodded my head, unable to speak.
“Come, follow me.” The young woman turned, gliding on an unseen surface. I followed, also gliding. At the time it seemed completely natural.
When she stopped, the woman seemed to be gazing through a window. I looked with her, and saw a mob of angry people, obviously yelling and screaming hysterically, though we could not hear it.
“Look.” The woman commanded, pointing to the hill the crowd encircled.
I looked, and saw three crosses erected on a hill, each one burdened with a man. The middle one, though, was the one that drew my attention. It was higher by a foot, and a small sign was posted above the man’s head. It was too distant to read. A crown of thorns was pressed cruelly onto the man’s head, and he looked in far worse shape than the other two.
“See that man up on that cross?” The woman said, pointing to the middle one.
I nodded.
“That’s Jesus.” She stated. “He’s on there because of me.”
I looked at the woman, like she was crazy.
“Remember when you lied about stealing that candy? Or when you cheated on that test?”
I started, astonished that she of all people, a stranger, would know that. “Yeah.” I admitted.
“And remember when you called your brother stupid? And when you dumped a plate of lima beans in the trash and then said you ate them?”
Again, I nodded.
“And remember that boy on the news who killed all those people, and then killed himself?”
Yes.
“Remember the guilt you felt? The same guilt that made that boy kill himself?”
Again, yes.
“Well, Jesus is feeling that right now. That’s His guilt now. Why? Because God hates our sin. God can’t stand sin. He is perfect, and sin in Evil. But He loves us. Our sin separates us from God, but He sent Jesus to heal the rift. Why? Because He loves us. He loves us beyond words, beyond comprehension, beyond proper feeling. He’s so crazy about us that He would send His only Son to die. Jesus. You see Him, don’t you; you see Jesus. Well, God is so loving that He let people accuse His Son of things He never did and never will do. He is so full of agape that He let those soldiers,” here the woman pointed to a raucous group of soldiers milling about the crosses, “beat His Son Jesus up. He let them tear His Son’s flesh from His back. He let everyone spit on Him and mock Him for things He never did. He loves us so much that He let them make Jesus carry His cross up that hill. And nail His gentle hands and feet to that same cross with railroad spikes. He let them strip Jesus of His clothes and his dignity. He loves us enough to have ignored His Son when He cried out in agony. He turned His face from Jesus—His all-glorious face. Can you imagine watching your child—the child you fathered, or the child you gave birth to—dying such a painful and undeserving death, and turning away from it?” The woman was yelling now, tears running freely down her beautiful face. “That’s how unconditional God is. He watched and then ignored His Son as He was flogged so much that you could hardly tell one lash from the next. He ignored the certain tearing of His heart at the sight of those cruel thorns raking across Jesus’ brow. He let His Son become sin!”
Now I was crying too, unable to stop the flood. “Why, why, why?” I screamed.
“That’s how unconditional God is!” The woman repeated. She was silent for a moment, watching as I shook with sobs. “But that’s not the end of the story.” She murmured softly, wiping the tears from my cheeks. “No, that’s not the end.”
“What do you mean?”
The woman drew me back to the window. I looked away, not wanting to see Jesus on the cross again. But she turned my head so I was looking into it, and instead of seeing the crosses and the hill and the mob, I saw a huge, rock tomb, the entrance of which was blocked off by a massive round stone. Two guards in fancy armor stood guard, looking bored at the moment. Then the picture seemed to rush up to us. I screamed, expecting to be crushed. But when I opened my eyes I saw darkness. And then I saw a table-like shape, with a long, white form lying on it.
“Oh, please, don’t make me look!” I cried. Still, the woman pried my eyes open and made me look. At first the form was still and dark, but then something started to happen. A soft, almost warm, glow seeped through the cloth wrapped around Jesus’ body. We seemed to drift closer to His body, so close that I could see the cloth vibrate with…yes, it was His heartbeat! I stared, mouth agape, as the glow brightened and spread, and then as the ground seemed to shake. Suddenly the soft glow exploded into a blinding, furiously encompassing burst of light, love, and joy. My heart swelled in my chest, which constricted, making it seem as if my whole body would explode into a million tiny bits. When I could next see, we were back outside the tomb. The huge stone was rolled away, lying on its side, and the soldiers were nowhere in sight. No doubt they had fled. Jesus was gone.
The woman turned to me, her face aglow and her eyes moistened with fresh tears, though these were tears of joy. “It’s still not over, dear.” She whispered before she disappeared in a bright flash of light. Suddenly I was alone in the darkness again. Then the Voice came back, its whisper caressing my cheek like a breath of fresh air.
“And that, my child, is the most important thing you ever need know.”

****

“For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve. After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born.” ~ 1 Corinthians 15:3-8

-Ellie

Verses from Mark and Proverbs

Probably about a year ago, I wrote down three verses on three peices of paper, and my mom found them not too long ago, and hung them up on the computer desk. A couple days ago, I read over them, and their really good verses! So I wanted to share them with you:

"Charm can fool you, and beauty can trick you,

but a woman who respects the Lord

should be praised."

Proverbs 31:30

I think that one is really good for all you girls reading this.

"After Jesus called the crowd to him again, He said,

'Every person should listen to me and

understand what I am saying. There is nothing people

put into their bodies that makes them unclean.

People are made unclean by the things

that come out of them. Let those with ears use them, and listen.'"

Mark 7:14-15

This next one is pretty much the same, but more detailed

"And Jesus said, 'The things that come out of people are the things that make them unclean. All these evil things begin inside people, in the mind: evil thoughts, sexual sins, stealing, murder, adultry, greed, evil actions, lying, doing sinful things, jealousy, speaking evil of others, pride, and foolish living. All these evil things come from inside and make people unclean.'"

Mark 7:20-23

Take the time to read over these verses several times, to really understand them. Usually, you (not you literally, but people) read it the first time, and only get half of what it's saying. Read it several times so you can really understand what Jesus was saying.

~Sarah

Easter Story--All You Need Ever To Know

All You Ever Need To Know

Dreams are strange things. They often involve persons or things you hold dear. Some involve a certain person you admire, and through that dream you feel an almost irresistible endearment towards that person. Others are beyond reckoning, laughable, or out-of-this-world. Still others are enlightening; explaining things you never thought you knew, or making an event said to have happened more real than you ever could have imagined. Mine was like that.

Not too many nights past, I was asleep, dreaming, when suddenly a Voice whispered gently into my ear, telling me to follow It. Naturally, I did. We seemed to float through a sea of darkness. Every now and then I caught glimpses of a tear-stained face, unheard words stumbling past swollen and cracked lips. After a while I turned my head, unable to bear the sight of these troubling glances.

Eventually, we broke out of the darkness, and the Voice, which had now formed into a soft orb of warm, white light, faded into nothingness. I peered around me, bewildered. My eyes rested on a cloaked figure to my right. Hoping for an explanation, I started towards the figure. A few steps away from it, I realized it was a woman, with soft gray eyes and dark hair that contrasted her pale skin. She stared into my questioning eyes for an interminable moment. Finally she spoke.

“You are wondering why you are here.” It was more a statement than a question.

I nodded my head, unable to speak.

“Come, follow me.” The young woman turned, gliding on an unseen surface. I followed, also gliding. At the time it seemed completely natural.

When she stopped, the woman seemed to be gazing through a window. I looked with her, and saw a mob of angry people, obviously yelling and screaming hysterically, though we could not hear it.

“Look.” The woman commanded, pointing to the hill the crowd encircled.

I looked, and saw three crosses erected on a hill, each one burdened with a man. The middle one, though, was the one that drew my attention. It was higher by a foot, and a small sign was posted above the man’s head. It was too distant to read. A crown of thorns was pressed cruelly onto the man’s head, and he looked in far worse shape than the other two.

“See that man up on that cross?” The woman said, pointing to the middle one.

I nodded.

“That’s Jesus.” She stated. “He’s on there because of me.”

I looked at the woman, like she was crazy.

“Remember when you lied about stealing that candy? Or when you cheated on that test?”

I started, astonished that she of all people, a stranger, would know that. “Yeah.” I admitted.

“And remember when you called your brother stupid? And when you dumped a plate of lima beans in the trash and then said you ate them?”

Again, I nodded.

“And remember that boy on the news who killed all those people, and then killed himself?”

Yes.

“Remember the guilt you felt? The same guilt that made that boy kill himself?”

Again, yes.

“Well, Jesus is feeling that right now. That’s His guilt now. Why? Because God’s mad at us. He’s furious. About what? About all our stupid sins. So mad that He would send His only Son to die. Jesus. You see Him, don’t you; you see Jesus. Well, God was so mad that He let people accuse His Son of things He never did and never will do. He was so mad that He let those soldiers,” here the woman pointed to a raucous group of soldiers milling about the crosses, “beat His Son Jesus up. He let them tear His Son’s flesh from His back. He let everyone spit on Him and mock Him for things He never did. He was so mad that He let them make Jesus carry His cross up that hill. And nail His gentle hands and feet to that same cross with railroad spikes. He let them strip Jesus of His clothes and his dignity. He was so mad that He ignored His Son when He cried out in agony. He turned His face from Jesus—His all-glorious face. Can you imagine watching your child—the child you fathered, or the child you gave birth to—dying such a painful and undeserving death, and turning away from it?” The woman was yelling now, tears running freely down her beautiful face. “That’s how mad God was. He watched and the ignored His Son as He was flogged so much that you could hardly tell one lash from the next. He ignored the certain tearing of His heart at the sight of those cruel thorns raking across Jesus’ brow.”

Now I was crying too, unable to stop the flood. “Why, why, why?” I screamed.

“That’s how mad God was!” The woman repeated. She was silent for a moment, watching as I shook with sobs. “But that’s not the end of the story.” She murmured softly, wiping the tears from my cheeks. “No, that’s not the end.”

“What do you mean?”

The woman drew me back to the window. I looked away, not wanting to see Jesus on the cross again. But she turned my head so I was looking into it, and instead of seeing the crosses and the hill and the mob, I saw a huge, rock tomb, the entrance of which was blocked off by a massive round stone. Two guards in fancy armor stood guard, looking bored at the moment. Then the picture seemed to rush up to us. I screamed, expecting to be crushed. But when I opened my eyes I saw darkness. And then I saw a table-like shape, with a long, white form lying on it.

“Oh, please, don’t make me look!” I cried. Still, the woman pried my eyes open and made me look. At first the form was still and dark, but then something started to happen. A soft, almost warm, glow seeped through the cloth wrapped around Jesus’ body. We seemed to drift closer to His body, so close that I could see the cloth vibrate with…yes, it was His heartbeat! I stared, mouth agape, as the glow brightened and spread, and then as the ground seemed to shake. Suddenly the soft glow exploded into a blinding, furiously encompassing burst of light, love, and joy. My heart swelled in my chest, which constricted, making it seem as if my whole body would explode into a million tiny bits. When I could next see, we were back outside the tomb. The huge stone was rolled away, lying on its side, and the soldiers were nowhere in sight. No doubt they had fled. Jesus was gone.

The woman turned to me, her face aglow and her eyes moistened with fresh tears, though these were tears of joy. “It’s still not over, dear.” She whispered before she disappeared in a bright flash of light. Suddenly I was alone in the darkness again. Then the Voice came back, its whisper caressing my cheek like a breath of fresh air.

“And that, my child, is the most important thing you ever need know.”

****

“For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve. After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born.” ~ 1 Corinthians 15:3-8

-Ellie

Story

Mae Govannen,

Some of you have already read this before, but I felt that God wanted me to post it on this blog for those of you who haven't.

All She Could Do
Inspired by God

“Tirzah!”
The 19-year-old’s head shot up at the sound of the voice she had never hoped to hear again. There, running towards her, was her estranged and disowned sister, Rizpah. She hadn’t seen her since…since she was twelve.
“Tirzah!” her sister called again, still running with arms spread wide apart. “Tirzah, I’ve come home!”
“Go away!”
“But Tirzah, I—”
“I said go away. Leave. You have no place here,” Tirzah called bitterly, though the words stung her conscience. She should be welcoming her sister, not rebuking her. But she couldn’t. Because of what Rizpah had done.
“No, you don’t understand. I’ve seen Him! Tirzah, you should have been there! They caught me—it was a trap—and brought me before Him, but He forgave me. He forgave me, Tirzah!” Rizpah had tears coursing down her dusty cheeks. The black and green paint highlighting her eyes was smeared and messy; evidence of the battering Rizpah had certainly received at the hands of the authorities.
“What do you mean?” Tirzah cried harshly, recoiling from Rizpah’s embrace. “Don’t touch me!”
“Tirzah, please,” Rizpah begged brokenly. “You have to listen.”
Tirzah stopped her retreat, but still held a frown in place. From Rizpah’s hurt look, Tirzah could tell her eyes were brimming with hostility. “All right, but hurry. I don’t have time for this. Asa is waiting for his meal.
“Asa? Then you did marry him?” Rizpah questioned.
“Yes, and I have stayed by his side all these years, unlike what you did to Ahijah so long ago.”
“Tirzah, just listen. Please.” Rizpah paused only a moment. “As I said, they caught me—it was a trap, I’m sure, because he got away.” She ignored Tirzah’s repulsed grimace. “They dragged me to the square, and stopped a rabbi there. They asked Him what they should do to me, expecting Him to answer as they all do—‘stone her.’ But He just looked at them, and then stooped and started writing something in the dirt.”
At this, Tirzah’s eyes widened. Stooping in front of the teachers of the law was an act of disrespect. Who was this rabbi? A bold one, for sure.
“They kept asking Him what they should do, and then He stood back up and looked at them again. Finally, He said ‘If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.’ ”
Tirzah was astonished to see a look of deep love and wonder in her sister’s eyes. Never, not since before the Act had Rizpah carried this look in her midnight eyes. Always they had been cold and vacant, like an empty well.
“Then He bent back down and started writing in the dirt again. I knelt there, covered in dust and muck, and watched as, one by one, with the older ones first, they all left. When they were all gone, He straightened and looked at me. Oh, Tirzah—His eyes, they…they were so full of love and compassion, and yet a deep shadow, too. But He said, ‘Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?’
“ ‘No one, sir,’ I said.
“ ‘ Then neither do I condemn you. Go now and leave your life of sin.’ ”
Tirzah stared, wide-eyed. “Who is this man?”
“Not just a man, Tirzah! The Messiah! I am sure of it. His eyes told me. I could tell!”
“But, but—”
“Tirzah! What are you doing? You’re needed in the house.”
Tirzah started at her husband’s call. Turning on her heel, she shouted back to her sister, “That’s blasphemy, and you know it. If this man is the Messiah, then why hasn’t he delivered us from the Romans’ iron fist? Why didn’t he erase those seven years from your life and let you start over? If he’s the Messiah, why didn’t he save my daughter from the fire?”
“The…fire?” Rizpah looked taken aback. “What fire? You had a…daughter?”
“Yes, Rizpah, I had a daughter.” Tirzah stopped mid-stride. “Two daughters, in fact, but only one escaped from the fire the Romans started—the fire that almost killed our—my entire family.” The fact that her sister was still in disgrace did not escape Tirzah’s notice, hence the hasty exclusion from the family.
“Tirzah, I don’t know why the Lord allowed those things to happen. But don’t you see? He has erased those years from my life. Or has given me the next best thing. I know those years will always haunt me, will always dog my footsteps with irking persistency. But He’s given me a new beginning. I wasn’t condemned, don’t you see? I’ve resolved to leave my life of sin. Even if my entire family continues to disown me—I have something better.”
“Something better?” Tirzah shot back. “What could be better than a loving family and faithful spouse? Or, what could be better than the luxurious life you were leading?” She stopped short, seeing how her words had stung.
“It wasn’t luxurious, Tirzah,” Rizpah choked out. “I felt empty, and betrayed.”
“Betrayed? Oh—”
“I know what you’re going to say, Tirzah, and I know that I was the one who betrayed Ahijah. But you wouldn’t understand. Please. Will you forgive me?”
“Forgive you? After all you’ve done—all the hurt you’ve put us through, all the disgrace you’ve thrown wantonly on our family, you want me to forgive you? It was easy enough for that rabbi not to condemn you. He wasn’t put through all that pain and disgust that we were. But I—no. No, Rizpah. I can’t.”
Rizpah looked hurt, but only for a moment. However, instead of the black blaze of fury Tirzah was sure she would see, Rizpah’s midnight eyes held a depth of emotion that Tirzah couldn’t grasp. Neither could she understand it.
Whom was this woman standing before her? It looked like Rizpah—had the same honey skin and curling black tresses—the same high cheekbones and black eyes—but, no. Her eyes—they were different. No blazing fury or vacant apathy filled the ebony orbs. No bitter defiance or condescending hate pooled there, spilling onto her face in the form of lavish paints and eye make-up. Instead, there resided an inner peace and unfathomable understanding. This tender passion caressed her beautiful skin in unthought-of ways. Dusty tear-tracks, smeared kohl, and bruise-marks all testified to the sudden change that had occurred in her sister, somehow.
“What happened to you, Rizpah? What happened?” Tirzah whispered in wonder, and then marched abruptly inside.
Tears of compassion collected in Rizpah’s eyes as she watched her younger sister walk away. “I ran from God, Tirzah. I ran from God, and he pulled me back and whispered words of love in my undeserving ear. And I turned from my life of sin. That’s what happened, sister.”

◊†◊

Weeks later, Tirzah sat shelling lentils in preparation for dinner. Her mind was not on her task, though. Ever since Rizpah had come seeking forgiveness, a nagging feeling of regret had filled Tirzah’s mind, casting a cloud over her life.
Had she done the right thing?
Of course.
Or had she? Who was she to condemn and forgive?
But she wasn’t condemning, and the Lord had said to forgive…
He had also said to stone people of Rizpah’s kind.
She was her sister!
This was silly. Tirzah gathered her lentils and stepped inside her home, intending to finish supper preparations. A quick glance in the water bucket presented the need for water, and sighing, she set off to the well.
Once there, she lowered the bucket into the dark, abyss-like hole, hoping to finish quickly. Women and girls of all ages milled about, some waiting for their turn to draw water, and others gossiping about the latest happenings in Bethany. Gradually, Tirzah picked up the conversation of the nearest group of women.
“…He’s returning to Bethany today, they say.” Said one woman.
“Yes, and He’s staying at the home of Simon the Leper, though I can’t imagine why.” A second informed.
“They say He’s the Messiah, but I have my doubts.” The first woman enunciated loudly.
“Well, I for one believe the rumors. Did you hear about the miracles He’s performed?” A third woman asked.
Curious, Tirzah started in the women’s direction. A suspicion glimmered on the edges of her mind, but she withheld it. She had to be sure.
“Who is this Messiah you talk about?” She inquired when she was standing among them.
“Why, Jesus,” the first woman said.
A strange sensation raced up and down Tirzah’s body at the name. Jesus. “What is so great about him, and how do you know he’s truly the Messiah?”
“We don’t, but it is hard not to believe it. I envy the ones who travel with Him. He’s said to be a great teacher, and perhaps even the Christ, though I have never seen Him.” Said the second.
“Well, no matter. I must get back to my husband.” The first woman left, and the others soon followed, leaving Tirzah standing with her thoughts.
Could it be the rabbi who let Rizpah go?
Silly. It couldn’t be. Never.
But what if he was? Should she go see?
Nonsense. She didn’t even know what he looked like. How would she know?
Jesus. His eyes. His eyes, Rizpah had said.
But she couldn’t go before him dressed like this, even if he was the Messiah. She was only a commoner. If he were the Messiah, which surely he wasn’t, she would have to come bearing gifts.
Come as you are. Bring only what you have to offer. It is enough.
Stupid, silly girl. Who could possibly—
Tirzah silenced the dark voice and started on her way home, heedless of her empty bucket. She had to do something. Anything. Everything.

◊†◊

Once she was home, Tirzah dumped her bucket in the corner and ran through the tiny house, searching. There had to be something she could bring. Running from corner to corner, she combed the rooms. Then, in her wooden chest, she found it: the alabaster jar of nard—one of the most expensive perfumes in all the land. Tirzah had received it from her mother, whose mother had entrusted it to her. It had been in the family for three generations, and she had been keeping it for a special occasion, or for when they needed money. It had to be enough. It just had to.
Clasping the jar to her chest, Tirzah ran from the house, ignoring her husband’s calls. She knew what to do.

◊†◊

Tirzah knew exactly where Simon the Leper’s house was. Everyone did, so they could make a wide berth of it. Tirzah, however, was about to perform the unthinkable.
Running through the narrow, crowded streets, often stumbling in her haste, Tirzah hardly gave a thought to what she was about to do. All that crossed her mind was ‘hurry!’ Gradually, though, dark thoughts crept into her mind. Always there was a gentle whisper to counter them.
What if He isn’t there?
I will always be here, beloved. Come and drink of my love.
Stupid girl. What would He want with you?
I will gather My people to Me as a shepherd gathers his flock about him.
Don’t listen to Him!
Be still, My child, and listen to My voice. Always will I guide you in the paths of the righteous, if you but call My name and repent.
The dark thoughts left her at the third answer from the Voice. As Tirzah wove in and out of the throng of travelers, merchants, and locals, she pled repeatedly that He would be there, at Simon the Leper’s house.
Finally, after many twists, turns, and stumbles, Tirzah came upon Simon’s home, set slightly apart from the surrounding buildings. Slowing her reckless pace, the woman calmed her breath and racing heart. As she stood before the low-roofed house, Tirzah rethought her actions. Should she really do it? Yes, of course. The quiet Voice inside her head had made that clear enough. Glancing down at the alabaster jar clenched in her tense fingers, she thought, I don’t have to pour all of it out. I’ll just spill a little onto His head, and then I’ll leave soon after. That way He won’t ask questions, and Asa and Jochebed won’t miss me.
With steeled nerve and trembling heart, Tirzah set one foot in front of the other, advancing into the house she never thought she’d enter. The cool shadows washed over her, and she pushed back her shawl. Eyes growing accustomed to the darkness, Tirzah padded softly towards the sound of voices.
Abruptly, the narrow corridor ended, and she emerged into a long, low room. Reclining about a table were many men—perhaps fifteen to twenty. Swallowing hard, Tirzah advanced. She searched the faces of the men present, hoping, always hoping. Would He be there? Suddenly, she saw Him. He had been watching her ever since she had set foot in the room. As she looked into His eyes, Tirzah finally understood the measure of peace and understanding that had pooled in Rizpah’s eyes those weeks ago. For she beheld the same emotions in the depths of Jesus’ eyes as He gazed at her. And looking into those eyes, Tirzah did the only thing she could do. Breaking the bottle, she poured the perfume on His beautiful, holy head.

◊†◊

“Foolish girl!” One of the men cried out, his voice hot with indignation. “Why waste this perfume? It is worth a year’s wages. Why, you could have sold this and given the money to the poor.”
Tirzah stopped, her hands trembling. Had she done the wrong thing after all?
“Yes! How could you? You wasteful, ungrateful wretch! Look, you have just poured out food, drink, and money! Stupid!” Another man spoke up, voicing his anger.
One by one, the men hurled insults at her, rebuking her harshly. Tirzah shrank back, tears trembling on her lashes. Oh, God, how could I have done such a thing?
“Leave her alone.”
The quiet, commanding voice silenced the flying reproofs and established an air of calm in the dim room.
“Why are you bothering her? She has done a beautiful thing to me. The poor you will always have with you, and you can help them any time you want. But you will not always have me. She did what she could. She poured perfume on my body beforehand to prepare for my burial. I tell you the truth, wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.”
Tirzah’s heart lodged in her throat. What was He saying? She had done a beautiful thing to Him? But she had just wasted a year’s wages! How could He not rebuke her?
He turned to look at her once more, holding her eyes with His piercing gaze. “Go, My child. You have done all you could do. You have brought all to me. Go in peace, and go in forgiveness.”
And then she remembered Rizpah. Forgiveness. Rizpah. Go. All.

◊†◊

Running from the room, Tirzah went in search of Rizpah. She had a message to deliver, a message from her heart. From the depths of sisterly love, she had a message.
Rizpah, I forgive you. I love you and forgive you.
That’s all I can do.

"When Rose Allison had left the schoolroom, Elsie got up from her desk and knelt down with her Bible before her. In her own simple words, she poured out her story to the dear Savior she loved so well, confessing that when she had done right and suffered for it, she had not endured the injustice. Earnestly, she prayed to be made like the meek and lowly Jesus, and as she prayed, her tears fell on the pages of her Bible. But when she stood again, Elsie's load of sorrow was gone, and as always, her heart was light with a sweet sense of peace and pardon."

~excerpt from Elsie's Endless Wait

One of the things I always find amazing and inspiring about Elsie in the A Life of Faith series is her ability to take any insult or injustice with incredible humility, patience, and peace.

However, she could not do it alone. As you saw in the excerpt above, she leaned on the Lord for all of her strength and peace.

"You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in You." (Isaiah 26:3)

It seems like no matter what happened in Elsie's life, she always desired and tried her best to be like Christ, who was mocked and treated horribly... and yet He did not say a word.

He was oppressed and afflicted,
yet he did not open his mouth;
he was led like a lamb to the slaughter,
and as a sheep before her shearers is silent,
so he did not open his mouth. (Isaiah 53:7)

This is something I have to work on every day. Sometimes, honestly, it is so difficult not to open my mouth and say something I know I shouldn't whenever someone says something about me that isn't true or teases me. It isn't always easy to lay down our pride and have a gentle, quiet spirit and be meek and lowly like Jesus; but, if we are willing, He will mold us into His image and make us who He wants us to be.


~Zoe

P.S. If you have never heard of or Read the A Life of Faith series by Martha Finley, I highly recommend them. They are definitely some of the best books I have ever read!

What Do I Know of Holy?

Lyrics to an Addison Road song called What Do I Know of Holy?

I made You promises a thousand times
I tried to hear from Heaven
But I talked the whole time
I think I made You too small
I never feared You at all No
If You touched my face would I know You?
Looked into my eyes could I behold You?

(CHORUS)
What do I know of You
Who spoke me into motion?
Where have I even stood
But the shore along Your ocean?
Are You fire?
Are You fury?
Are You sacred?
Are You beautiful?
What do I know?
What do I know of Holy?

I guess I thought that I had figured You out
I knew all the stories and I learned to talk about
How You were mighty to save
Those were only empty words on a page
Then I caught a glimpse of who You might be
The slightest hint of You brought me down to my knees

(CHORUS)
What do I know of You
Who spoke me into motion?
Where have I even stood
But the shore along Your ocean?
Are You fire?
Are You fury?
Are You sacred?
Are You beautiful?
What do I know?
What do I know of Holy?

(CHORUS 2)
What do I know of Holy?
What do I know of wounds that will heal my shame?
And a God who gave life "its" name?
What do I know of Holy?
Of the One who the angels praise?
All creation knows Your name
On earth and heaven above
What do I know of this love?

(CHORUS)
What do I know of You
Who spoke me into motion?
Where have I even stood
But the shore along Your ocean?
Are You fire?
Are You fury?
Are You sacred?
Are You beautiful?
What do I know?
What do I know of Holy
What do I know of Holy?
What do I know of Holy?

Bible Verses

Here are some of the Bible verses that I have on my boards in my room. These verses have helped me through hard times. The first one in my signature on the Rebelution and my text messages.

Numbers 6:24-26 (English Standard Version)
The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.

Deuteronomy 6:4-5 (English Standard Version)
"Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.

Deuteronomy 31:6 (English Standard Version)
Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the LORD your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you."

Jeremiah 1:7-9 (English Standard Version)
But the LORD said to me, "Do not say, 'I am only a youth’; for to all to whom I send you, you shall go, and whatever I command you, you shall speak. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you, declares the LORD." Then the LORD put out his hand and touched my mouth. And the LORD said to me, "Behold, I have put my words in your mouth.

Colossians 1:15-17 (English Standard Version)
The Preeminence of Christ
He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.

Philippians 2:1-11 (New King James Version)
Unity Through Humility
Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.
The Humbled and Exalted Christ
Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

1 Timothy 4:12 (New King James Version)
Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.

May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.~Psalms 19:14

Isaiah 40:27-31(NKJV)
27 Why do you say, O Jacob, And speak, O Israel: “ My way is hidden from the LORD, And my just claim is passed over by my God”? 28 Have you not known? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the LORD, The Creator of the ends of the earth, Neither faints nor is weary. His understanding is unsearchable. 29 He gives power to the weak, And to those who have no might He increases strength. 30 Even the youths shall faint and be weary, And the young men shall utterly fall, 31 But those who wait on the LORD Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.

Jeremiah 29:11 (New King James Version)
11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.

"For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father's family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?" ~Esther 4:14

Philippians 4:8 (New American Standard Bible)
Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.

Lamentations 3:22-24 (English Standard Version)
The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end;they are new every morning;great is your faithfulness."The LORD is my portion," says my soul,"therefore I will hope in him."

Micah 6:8 (English Standard Version)
He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 (English Standard Version)
A Time for Everything For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; a time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; a time to tear, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; a time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace.

Proverbs 18:1 (English Standard Version)
Whoever isolates himself seeks his own desire; he breaks out against all sound judgment.

Colossians 3:22 (New American Standard Bible)
Slaves, in all things obey those who are your masters on earth, not with external service, as those who merely please men, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord.

Isaiah 52:7 (New King James Version)
7 How beautiful upon the mountains Are the feet of him who brings good news, Who proclaims peace, Who brings glad tidings of good things, Who proclaims salvation, Who says to Zion, “ Your God reigns!”

Hebrews 11:6 (New King James Version)
6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

Jeremiah 32:17 (New King James Version)
‘Ah, Lord GOD! Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and outstretched arm. There is nothing too hard for You.

Calsie Rael (Numbers 6:24-26)

Beautiful Feet

Romans 10:15
As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!"

Isaiah 52:7
How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news,who publishes peace, who brings good news of happiness, who publishes salvation, who says to Zion, "Your God reigns."

I love this song by Lecrae. It's a really good song just going to warn you it's rap but it's clean and not only that it glorifies God.

Beautiful Feet ft. Dawntoya
© Reach Records
Carlos was born in killa cali/
was walking down an alley/
he caught a bullet in his head that left him bleeding badly. He lost everything at that moment except his life/
he lost his hearing, lost his movement and he lost his sight/
he laid there in a coma/
but man nobody cared/
the Gospel preached in his neighborhood? Nobody dared/
But los got up out the coma got and was able to hear/
a missionary shared the gospel to his open ears/
He got saved got trained got discipled/
back to the hood/
you could find em preaching the bible/
He led a homie to Christ from his same hood/
part of Church plant/
come on now aint his name good/
This is blessing but I'm stressing that this is not the norm/
we need leaders and believers to help carry it on/
but who would minister in a sinister part of town/
I pray if Jesus is calling you that you would be found/

Eric used to go to bible study as a kid/
he got older and started doing what the hood did/
a rival gang caught him slippin tried to take his life/
but then the gun jammed up so them beat him nice/
he woke up in the hospital singing Bible songs/
praise God he had a place to learn the Bible from/
but then he gets saved and wanna preach Christ they make him change his whole culture and whole way of life/
he gotta get him a bachelors wear a suit and tie/
go to seminary/
by then all of his boys will die/
Jesus came to invade culture outta Nazareth and used a couple fisherman who people saw as hazardous/
the feet are beautiful if only they'd go/
if ain't nobody in hood preaching how will they know?/
Eric is better used taught trues in his context/
somebody please plant a church in his projects.

In Luke 4:16 on down to 21 Jesus says he's messiah says he's the chosen one But more than that he quotes Isaiah/
that shows our savior targets oppressed captive blind and the broke I'm saying/
He had a heart for the poor had a heart for the low/
and 1st John 2:6 is way we should go/
In Deuteronomy even tho they under the law/
the tithes every third year the poor got em all/
I ain't sayin you wrong if you live in burbs/
Im sayin turn your attention to the hood cause we hurting/
man if you ain't burdened please pick up your word an/
tho this world is going down while we here we can serve him/
we bring this to the streets because we knew the streets/
I pray that more would be burdened to have beautiful feet/
you never knew the streets but truth is what you preach/ I pray to God you'd be burdened for beautiful feet.

Go, go, go (run with those beautiful feet)Go, go, goYou hold the truth that saves so run and shout it to the worldThey can't believe in something they ain't never heardGo, go, go and run with those beautiful feet

What to do? (LOTR, Part I)

Hey all, I know this isn't necessarily a Bible study, but I posted this on my blog and thought I should share it.  here goes...

As those of you who faithfully read my sometimes weird and crazy posts know, I have been rereading Tolkien's Lord of the Rings trilogy.  And, if any of you have looked at my "quotations" page, you know that I have found a good-sixed bit of beautiful language, unsightful truths, and just plain funniness (I don't care if that isn't a word) in the first 150 pages of the novel.  Several in particular stuck out to me...serious ones, that is.

I thought I'd share this one with you.  To give you some background (for non-Tolkien people), in this particular section, Gandalf (the wizard, not a sorcerer, but more like a...I don't know) and Frodo (a hobbit) are sitting in Bag End (Frodo's home) and discussing many serious things, such as the Dark Lord Sauron, his One Ring, and ancient Middle-Earth-ian lore.  There, if that wasn't confusing enough...

'Always after a defeat and a respite, the Shadow takes another shape and grows again.'

'I wish it need not have happened in my time,' said Frodo.

'So do I,' said Gandalf, 'and so do all who live to see such times.  But that is not for them to decide.  All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.'

Don't we all, at some point in our lives, utter Frodo's very words?  "I wish it need not have happened in my time..."  We feel hopelessly lost, or just plain discouraged.  We don't know what to do.  Or if she should even do anything at all.  Luckily for us, though, we have Gandalf to answer us.

"All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us."

So what do we do?  We can sit on our bums and sulk and feel sorry for life, or we can do something.  But what?  What can we possibly do?  I mean, we're not talking some superstar, or some famous athlete here!  We're just little old Ellie, or Tiny Tim, or etc.  We're not even Frodo Baggins, hobbit ordinaire (yes, ordinaire).  We don't have a One Ring to destroy, a Balrog to fence with, or a Nazgul to chop up.  So what can we do?

Have you ever heard Michael Card's song "A Fragile Stone"?  I won't list the entirety of the lyrics, but these four lines stuck out to me.  (Hang with me, here, I'll get back to Frodo and Mr. Wizard in a sec.)

A stone that is dropped in the water

Will vanish and soon disappear

But the waves that move out from the center

In time they will reach everywhere

I don't know about you, but those are pretty "duh" words.  Everyone knows that when you drop a stone in a pond, there are gonna be ripples spreading soon enough.  But do you know that you could be that stone?  No, I don't mean that someone could dump you in a pool and...no, I don't mean that.  I mean that you don't have to be a hobbit with a magic Ring to make a difference iin the world.  A little smile could be your way of changing it, or a wave or a kind note of thanks.

So this all circles back to "what to do?"  When you see someone sitting alone at school, at church, at youth group, at something else, are you going to laugh and point at that person? turn away? or are you going to "WWJD?" yourself and go sit with them?  If you do the latter, you're being a stone falling into a placid pool (the world's the pool, Ok?)  You're saying "Hey, I'm tired of sitting around moping because life sucks.  I'm going to go against the grain and stand out.  I'm going to be in the world and not of it.  I'm going to show God that I care about His children, whoever they may be, and I'm going to sit with that kid, no matter what he/she has been dubbed."

So, even though Satan, after a defeat and a respite, is coming back in bigger force, you're going to be like Frodo and do something about it.  (And no, please don't go looking for Orcs and Mount Dooms, Ok?  :P )

I don't know about you, but I've decided that I'm going to let God do what He wants to do with me.  That's what I'm going to do.  How about you?

-Ellie

PS See how many people we can get to comment on this...and take action afterward!  (YCF buddies, here's your chance!) 

Rom-12-2 Update

We have come up with some ideas to use this blog in a different way. It is great but there is one idea to help improve it and trying to get more people reading it and active on it. We are thinking about starting a Bible study. We will do this by a few writers will write the lessons and other people can put their thoughts and responses and a comment. But don’t be worried the members of this blog will still be able to post as always. I love the verses and song lyrics that you put on here and wouldn’t want to change that. We will get more information and post more about it as soon as possible. Please tell your friends too can we can get a lot of people reading this blog and involved in the study. We are very excited about this and hope you are too. For information and how to get involved email us at initnotof@gmail.com

Thank you,
Calsie Rael

Abort 73

I recently found a website called Abort 73. It is a pro-life organization that shares the (brutal) facts about abortions. It is very graphic but it's a really good website. I don't have much the say about it. But if you want to you can visit the website. I'm just going to warn you that it is very graphic and heartbreaking.

A Verse

Hi!  This is Ellie--I haven't posted in forever here, but I felt that I should post this verse.  I found it a while back, in November I guess, and it really encouraged me, because I always have trouble determining "the proper time and procedure" to carry things out.  Hope it encourages you!

"Whoever obeys his command will come to no harm,

and the wise heart will know the proper time and procedure.

For there is a proper time and procedure for every matter,

though a man's misery weighs heavily upon him."

-Ecclesiastes 8:4-6

Bado go Eru (go with God)

Namarie, 

-Ellie

At The Foot Of The Cross

I'm always posting music on here, but I'm going to do it again anyway! lol =)

I was at guitar practice/lessons yesterday, and my friend/teacher started teaching me this song and I just thought it was so beautiful! So here it is:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bsRA68-DRa0
At The Foot Of The Cross

At the foot of the cross
Where grace and suffering meet
You have shown me Your love
Through the judgment You received

And You've won my heart
Yes You've won my heart
Now I can

Trade these ashes in for beauty
And wear forgiveness like a crown
Coming to kiss the feet of mercy
I lay every burden down
At the foot of the cross

At the foot of the cross
Where I am made complete
You have given me life
Through the death You bore for me

I'm laying every burden down
I'm laying every burden down

~Brooke~

1 Corinthians 13:1-7

If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels,
but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.
And if I have prophetic powers,
and understand all mysteries and all knowledge,
and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains,
but have not love, I am nothing.
If I give away all I have,
and if I deliver up my body to be burned,
but have not love, I gain nothing.
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 13:1-7


~Zoe Faith