Glory Writers Retreat 2018

Last week, I stood on an arching stone that protruded near the tops of the mountains.  Towering trees looked like clips of broccoli below me, and the horizon stretched as far as the eye could see.  Stony crests, towering cliffs, and yet there I stood at their height.

Down in the valleys, creeks danced on the fingers of waterfalls.  Smooth sand brushed my feet, and the water clasped cold around them.  I wandered through forests where flowers bloomed in delicate pink and ferns adorned the pathways.  Sunlight struggled to sift through the lush canopy.

But that wasn't the most beautiful moment.  I think back on the memories and smile at the grandeur that I discovered in the Daniel Boone National Forest.  And yet there were other moments even more precious.

Eleven young women sat in a circle.  The log cabin around them arched high overhead, and green leaves sparkled through the window.  But they didn't notice that.  The air filled with soft singing - songs of praise.  Hands clasped tight, shoulders rocked in rhythm.

The voices grew silent, and one by one they took turns speaking.  Testimonies, hopes, futures, all was shared amidst tears.  And that was the most beautiful moment.  Not the glory or the highest peaks.  It was simple beauty in open hearts that let themselves be vulnerable to one another.  It was the love that permeated between the sisters in Christ as they circled and prayed.  It was the oneness they had with each other, without the make-up, the perfect lives, or the masks.

That's why I was so blessed by the Glory Writers Retreat last week.  Eleven truly amazing and beautiful women came together to share fellowship and love because of Christ.  We cried, we laughed, we sang.  And it was perfect.

It was a step of faith for me to travel away from my family for a week, but God used that vulnerability.  Every lady I met was a source of joy.  Together, we were sisters in a little cabin in Kentucky.

Now as I look back, I miss the special moments we treasured together.  I miss all the girls - Allison Tebo, Isabella, Ivy Rose, Karis, Katherine, Melani, Mrs. G, Olivia Jarmusch, Sarah Grace, and Victoria Lynn.  (this vlog Livy made gives an inside glimpse into the retreat)

I'm also reminded of the value of open hearts, and my prayer for us all is this:

The eyes of your understanding (or heart) being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints.

 - Ephesians 1:18

The writing retreat was an amazing, uplifting experience.  More importantly, it drew us closer to God and each other.  I'm so thankful.

And today, I hope that we will continue to allow our hearts to be enlightened - that we may know what is the hope of His calling.  We are loved and treasured and bought with a price.  Therefore, we must glorify God in our body and spirit (1 Corinthians 6:20).

If even the mountains and trees live to bring Him glory, how much more should we give ourselves to the One who loves us.

Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 

- 1 Corinthians 10:31

~♥~

Story516 | When New Life Begins

In the beginning, God created a beautiful, perfect world.  But sadly, it didn't stay that way.

In Genesis we read about how an evil serpent tempted man to destroy the luscious haven by introducing sin into the world.  From the first decision to live selfishly, lives broke.  Hearts shattered.  Blood spilled.  But there was hope - hope of new life beginning.

It started with a lost life.  God sacrificed an animal to make coverings for man, and the first drops of red blood stained the earth.  In the pain, somehow hope began.

It began as God promised a Savior to be the perfect sacrifice for sin.  The lies of the snake couldn't last forever, because a Man would come to earth to bruise the head of the serpent.  In that victory, we could hope to return to the unity man once had with his Creator.

Although that Savior came and let His own blood spill on our behalf, the serpent is still active.  He wants to continue what he began - shattering lives.  But there's always hope.  There's always God.

And that's why I wrote the short story When New Life Begins.  A new website opened up for readers this month to encourage Christians to use their arts for Christ - from writing, photography, music, and more.  I was blessed with the chance to share the story through Story516.

If you're an artist wanting to encourage others with the talents God gave you, I encourage you to contribute to this budding community!  Or if you're someone hurting, wondering why, or struggling with the lies of the serpent, I hope somehow my words are able to remind you that there's hope.  Sometimes, we want to give up, but new life begins.

So hop on over!  Read the short story and then check out the other posts on the website.

Read the story here.

I promise I'll come back and do more of my typical posts soon.  This week, I'm at my first writer's retreat, meeting some amazing sisters-in-Christ who also happen to be authors and/or bloggers!  We are savoring this time of fellowship with like-minded believers, and I hope you're also able to rest, be still, and know that He is God.

You're never alone.

Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. 

- Romans 6:4

~♥~

the Rebelution | Don't Hide Behind "Introvert"

We're called to do hard things for Jesus, but we can't do them on our own.

Thankfully, He hasn't called us to change the world in our strength.  When we are weak, He is strong, and we are told to be faithful in what is least.  Then we can also be faithful in much (Luke 16:10).

But what if that little step of faith involves us walking across a room and welcoming a stranger?  What if we have to push aside our comfort zone, ignore the label of "introvert", and speak words of love and truth?

We can't hide behind "introvert" if it keeps us from accomplishing what God is calling us to do.  We must step out.  We must love others.  Even when it's hard.

I had the opportunity to guest post on the Rebelution on the topic of pushing aside "introvert" to embrace living radically for Jesus.  I encourage you to slip on over now and read why I decided to step outside my comfort zone and how you can do the same in His loving strength.

Read the post here.

In the next few weeks, I'll be sharing some other guest posts I was able to be a part of.  But until then, I challenge you to step out.  Love radically.  And don't let a label define who God made you to be.

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.

- Joshua 1:9

~♥~

Windswept Silence | a poem

Windswept Silence 

Twirling eddies, rustling colors spin together

tornado in cool breeze

pushing, throbbing, grabbing at my hair

i am spun in the dance.

invisible fingers close around mine

the wind’s song, and my feet

never touch the ground.

soft drops of rain, a crystal chandelier

breathless melody of thunder

lightning far off – distant star.

my wet feet and the hair around my shoulders

silent gasp with windblown leaves

like the rainbow before a storm.

all stills in the drop of an acorn

glistening drops cling to every bud

watching

for the voice of the storm

to call us into the dance again.

but until then

we wait.

frozen dance floor against my toes

the beckoning that the breeze

longs to hear.

Dear Friend,

Two days ago, I stood in the sharp gusts of air that billowed before the full storm arrived. Leaves twirled like a tornado, and my little siblings screamed and ran to gather armfuls - but they all slipped by in a moment. And then it stilled. Little bits of hail began to fall from the heavens like diamonds, and we watched, transfixed.

Even in the power and glory of a storm, the heavens still bid to God's still, small voice. And every trial you face can also grow silent when we fix our eyes upon Jesus. He's not only the author of our stories but also of today.

Never give up.  ♥

For behold,

He who forms mountains,

And creates the wind,

Who declares to man what his thought is,

And makes the morning darkness,

Who treads the high places of the earth—

The Lord God of hosts is His name.

- Amos 4:13

~♥~

How to Live as a Princess

I grew up imagining that I was a princess.

I wasn't the kind of princess you would find at Disney.  In fact, I never cared for Disney at all.  Those princesses were fine in their own way, but I didn't want their silky dresses and perfect hair.

No, I wanted to be a beautiful princess because I knew God was my Daddy in heaven.  And if my Father is a King, doesn't that make me royalty?

So I grew up reading all the books about God's little princesses.  I painted my toes, slipped in earrings, and tried to discover what a real princess should be like.  One day I would get to Heaven and finally be with my King, and I dreamed about the beautiful moment.

Some things have changed since then.  My princess books collect dust on a shelf, and I don't often sweep down the stairs in a royal gown.  But I still indulge in fanciful thoughts at random when I think of my tiara, shut in the darkness of a desk drawer.

And yet I wonder if a princess is who I was made to be.

When we become Christians, we take on Christ's identity and become His daughters (2 Corinthians 6:18).  We are loved, treasured, and forgiven.  Christ calls us friends (John 15:15), and we are joint heirs under His name (Galatians 3:29).  Those who are saved are adopted into a united family, serving our King and seeking to bring His name glory.

I don't see any fallacy in calling ourselves princesses as long as we understand what that term really means.

A princess knows she is the daughter of a great and glorious King, but she doesn't use that position wrongfully.  True royalty serves, lives in humility, and seeks two wondrous callings:

First, to honor the King.

And second, to love others.

Which can be summarized by Jesus' commandments,

"'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.'  This is the first and great commandment.  And the second is like it: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'"

- Matthew 22:37-39

Dear friend, let's examine some areas of life and see if we're living like His princesses.

Our Outer Garments

Typically, you can identify royalty because of their dress.  A diamond crown graces their head, a cape sweeps against marble tile, or their clothes are made of the richest silk.  But in reality, that's not how we live (although wouldn't it be fun?).

We represent the King, and that should be evident by our clothes.  When we dress in clothes that are just a bit too tight or shirts that come a tad too low, what pictures are we sending to the world?  We dress modestly not only to keep others from stumbling but also to honor the One who gave everything for us.

Maybe you wear only dresses and skirts.  Your head could be covered or uncovered (tiara or otherwise).  Braids, jewelry, or other adornments might be embraced or thrust aside.  But either way, dress in the way that the Lord has convicted you to be right for yourself.

In like manner also, that the women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with propriety and moderation...

- 1 Timothy 2:9

(If you're interested, click on the link and read the rest of the verse.  I'm curious what other believers think of the next topic addressed in that passage.)

But being a princess is about so much more than garments.

Our Words

All throughout the Bible, there are commandments advising us how to speak.  Perhaps that's because our words represent who we are.  They show the hidden person inside us and where our heart is.  If we speak constantly in negative or complaining voices, our hearts are probably not aligned with His (ouch).

I could write so much about the power of words, but to keep this from stretching on, you can read more in this blog post or this article.

Our words are meant to build others up (1 Thessalonians 5:11), and if we truly love others, that's what we will do.  We'll bring comfort, guidance, love, honesty.  We'll help others rejoice and support them when they have fallen.

Also, as representatives of Christ, our words will be pure.  We won't swear (Matthew 5:34) or take the Lord's Name in vain (Exodus 20:7).  However, I wonder if it goes deeper.

I choose not to use crude language because I don't see it as fitting for daughters of a King.  Words like "gosh" can stand for other words that are not honoring to God, in my opinion  (this article has some interesting thoughts in that area).  Although this is a matter of conviction for me personally, I challenge you to examine your words.

Are they honoring?  Are they loving?  Are they uplifting?

Should you be speaking them?

Our Posessions

When I imagine a princess, the first image I see is a beautiful individual kneeling before the poor and offering a hand of help.  Not the clothes nor the jewels but something much deeper.

Do not let your adornment be merely outward—arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel—rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God.

- 1 Peter 3:3-4

A princess is someone who gives her possessions willingly.  She shares, knowing that a life is more important than an object.

But it's not just a tithe.  She shares everything she has because of love.  How could she know of someone in need and not help?  That what love does - it gives radically.

Dear Friend, maybe you're a princess or maybe you're not.  Perhaps that term makes you uncomfortable, and you'd rather be known as a simple child of God.  But either way, let us live in such a way as to bring the King glory.

Let's dress, speak, and give to honor Him.

I always imagined myself as a princess, but now I am older.  I see how life isn't always rainbows and butterflies - storms come in, flowers fall, and tears burn.  But sometimes, when the stars are brightest in a midnight sky, it's easy to go back and remember.

You are loved as His child if you have committed yourself to Him.  Let's live like it.

And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.

- Colossians 3:17

~♥~