J.R.Miller

The Religion of Christ has something to say to every man, woman, and child, in every relation, on every day, in every experience of life. It is not something for Sundays, and for prayer-meetings, and for sick-rooms, death-beds, and funerals; it is just as much for the school-room,  the play-ground, the  store, the kitchen, the street. Wherever you may chance to be, if you listen you will hear a voice behind you, whispering, "This is the way; walk ye in it." The Bible is the Word of God, our Father's will concerning his children; and it has something to say each day, at every point of experience, to every one of us.
                                              - J.R.Miller

My Garden

   My Garden
Robin Jones Gunn


Within my heart a garden grows
Wild with violets and fragrant rose.
Bright daffodils line the narrow path
My footsteps silent as I pass.
Sweet tulips nod their head in rest,
I kneel in prayer to seek God's best.
For round my garden a fence stands firm
To guard my heart so I can learn
Who should enter and who should wait
On the other side of my locked gate.
I clasp the key around my neck
And wonder if the time is yet
If I unlocked the gate today
Would he come in or run away?
I do not want to hold this key
Lord, will you keep it safe for me?
If he's the one
You'll unlock the gate
Until then, I'll wait.

His Mercy; Our Gratefulness

 4.)For You are not a God who takes pleasure in wickedness,Nor shall evil dwell with You.
 5.)But as for me, I will come into Your house in the multitude of Your mercy;In fear of You I will worship toward Your holy temple.
                                        - Psalm 5: 4,7


   I read these verses in my quiet time this morning, intending to use this chapter only as a prayer. But, as I prayed these words, God used them for something else. At first I thought it was really random, that in the middle of this chapter that deals primarily with seeking God's guidance, there would be this big thing about how God hates wickedness. Then after reading verse 5, I realized that the point is not just how God hates wickedness, but it is really telling about His mercy! 
   How often do you think about His mercy? Now, you all are probably better than me at this, but I hardly ever think about it. Having lived my whole life in a Christian family, I have this sort of entitlement mindset, and I never really think about mercy. I never really take time to properly praise and worship Him for the things He has done, because it never really seems like that big of a deal to me. I'm kind of like the debtor that owed the least, in one of the parables that Jesus told: I'm not as grateful as I should be, because I don't have this horrible life of sin that He saved me from. Except this is an excuse, He deserves every bit of my praise as much as He deserves the former drug dealers, or the prostitutes, or the murder's. We are told to bring God sacrifices of praise, all of us. He doesn't tell the adulterers to bring more, or the good little church girls that they only need to bring so much. We are all told to bring Him praise, because no matter who we are, or what we have or have not done, we have all been saved from the same fate, by the same man, and the same means. And God calls it Mercy.

Cultivating Biblical Friendships

I found this great acrostic for the word friend the other day that talks about how to cultivate biblical friendships, and since thats kinda what I talked about in my last post, I wanted to share it with everyone!

F- find a common interest and pursue it

R- remember to be open and honest with each other

I- intercede together

E- encourage each other

N- nurture your friendship

D- discover God together

The Blessings of Biblical Friendship

Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him.
  And a threefold cord is not quickly broken.   -Ecclesiastes 4:12


   This last week has been spent at teen camp, worshiping God and fellowshipping with other believers. The theme this year was 'Thirsty', which is what I was originally going to do a post on, but a late night conversation with a close friend changed my mind. I have heard, over and over, how we need to be friends with other Christians, because they will pull you up, while worldly friends will pull you down. But, I never understood just how that worked, since people often didn't go into detail about how to develop those friendships, and how much of a blessing they could be. Until last week, I had never experienced the incredible encouragement, that you can receive from others. So I decided that I wanted to do a post (or two) on the blessings of Biblical friendship, and for those that don't have a friendship like that how to at least begin one. (Since I'm in the beginning stages myself)
    One of the most outstanding blessings, is one that I think is key in a biblical friendship. In the course the conversation with my friend, I mentioned something she was doing that really inspired me, and after a moments pause, she said that she had done it because of me, and something that I was doing. I have thought about that part of our conversation alot since, and I have realized that a biblical friend grows with you and holds you up. When I took karate, one of the things we learned was how to get out of different situations, and one was if you and a friend were bound together on the floor you could use each other to get up. So when we would practice, another girl and I would sit back to back and link arms, then pushing against each other for support, we would gradually rise from the floor to a standing position, from which escape was made easier. Just as without her weight against my back, I wouldn't have made it off the ground, so in friendships, if I don't have someone leaning on and supporting me, it will be much harder to get off the ground spiritually. Also, as we were talking, I shared with her some things I was struggling with and some concerns that were on my heart. After she listened, she shared with me her perspective, and I was blown away by the wisdom in her replies. In fact, I'm still pondering some of the incredible things that she said. And lastly, I think the best blessing is knowing that your not alone, knowing that there is someone else to lean on when you don't know what to do, someone else that is on your side, someone else that knows you. And I believe that this is exactly what God had planned when He gave us friends.

The Beautiful Side

Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. -Philippians 4:8


   There is so much wrong with the world today; so much sickness, so much death, so much hatred. In fact, with the way the media publicizes it all, it makes it extremely difficult to keep a positive attitude about things. There is so much coming at us that we need to spend much time in thought about how to combat the rising gas prices, and the corruption of our government leaders. Or do we? Is it really necessary to dwell on the corruption in D.C.? Is it really necessary to dig up articles that rant about our senators and congressmen? We, should be informed of course, but should we be obsessed? Are we obsessed?
   There is so much wrong with this world, but, there is also so much right. There are spiders of course, but God has also created butterflies. There are thorns, but  guess what? The thorns have roses. James 4:14 says: whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. 
   If this verse is true (and it is) then we don't have time to fret about the spiders and cry about the thorns; we need to be painting the butterflies and praising God for the roses! Now is the fact that gas prices are rising true? Yes. Is it noble? Not really. Is it just? Probably not. What about pure or lovely? Can we sing praises about it? Umm... I don't think so. Then why do we dwell on that stuff?
      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. -Isaiah 40:28
 God has created so much beauty, and not only that, but He has commanded us to enjoy it, to meditate on it! He says that He will take care of everything else. We just need to trust Him and spend some time on the beautiful side of things.

To the Guys

A couple weeks ago, I wrote a post that was primarily directed at young women, and today I want to write one for young men. This is a letter I found on another blog, written by a young woman who is frustrated by the way christian men seemed to treat christian women. I have shortened it some, in hopes that the general idea will not be missed, but there may still be some things that seem off topic. So please, if you find something that doesn't seem to 'go' dismiss it, and listen closely to this young woman's heart, as it is also on the hearts of many others.

   An Open Letter to Conservative Christian Guys
From a Conservative Christian Young Woman
Struggling to Remain Modest, Pure, and Content

...I don’t have a problem with girls wearing pants. I don’t have a problem with girls wearing only skirts. I don’t have a problem with stylish clothes, jewelry, makeup, or fashion—I wear these things. What I do have a problem with is girls who purposefully flaunt themselves in front of young men, especially since one of them could very well be my future husband - and I have a huge problem with the guys who fall them.

I don’t plan on compromising my standards... By God’s grace, I am committed to controlling my physical desires, rather than walking “in passion of lust, like the Gentiles who do not know God…" (1 Thessalonians 4:3-5)

So why do I dress and behave as I do? Why do I avoid defrauding you by flirting with you and tempting you to sin? Why don’t I enjoy your attention by lowering myself…by flaunting my body? God’s Word tells me that I was created for better things than this—and so were you. I have a husband out there somewhere who will appreciate my faithfulness.

"Who can find a virtuous wife? For her worth is far above rubies." (Proverbs 31:10)

“Women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with propriety and moderation, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or costly clothing…” (1 Timothy 2:9-10)

"To be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed." (Titus 2:5)

"That our daughters may be as pillars, sculptured in palace style…" (Psalm 144:12)

I pray he’s being just as faithful.

I don’t want to be like the woman in Proverbs 7 who selfishly flatters and entices men. I want to cause only one man to desire me- and that is my future husband.

Maybe it’s just me, but I find it really discouraging when I see a girl in tight jeans, a skin-tight shirt, and a flirtatious attitude walk into the room and my brothers in Christ, those “conservative, Christian ... young men flock to her side. They tease, flirt, and boost her ego (which encourages her to keep it up) by giving this girl every ounce of their attention.

"To keep you from the evil woman, From the flattering tongue of a seductress. Do not lust after her beauty in your heart, Nor let her allure you with her eyelids." (Proverbs 6:24-25)

Meanwhile, girls like me who dress modestly sit in the background, wondering if it’s all worth it (by the way, I'm not talking denim sacks and tennis shoes - I dress attractively). I’ve been faithful to my family, I’ve worked hard to develop my homemaking skills, I’ve studied hard, I’ve remained pure, and I’ve prepared myself for motherhood.

Yet, sometimes I find myself tempted to wonder how I’ll ever get married if I don’t throw out a little “bait.” I don’t plan to do this, but I’m being frank about some of the struggles we Christian girls face.

I’ve read the Modesty Survey by the Harris boys and I’ve listened to young men beg young women to dress modestly. Well, I heard you, guys, and I loved you enough to comply. So, why can’t you take your eyes off the girl in the tight jeans? Get a grip.

What do you think these sorts of actions communicate to us? What does it say to Christian girls who are striving to honor the Lord?... I’ll tell you. It shows us what you truly value: How a girl looks; how much of her body she flaunts; that you don’t value modesty; and that what we’ve been striving to do (help you guard your eyes) is totally unappreciated.

I’m also wondering why so many of you are going outside of your own churches to pursue girls who are weak and worldly in their walk with the Lord... I’ve heard some of you excuse your attachments to these girls—girls who reject all that your parents hold dear, by insisting you will “change her” or you will “teach her.” 

I always thought this was something that only girls dealt with (wanting to “change” the “bad boy”) – but no! It’s happening to guys too! It’s happening all around me every day – Christian young men who seem to want a girl who is “cool” and who shows off her body.

But I have to ask you a question. Do you really believe that the girl who flirts and flaunts herself while she’s single, will suddenly become the virtuous woman of Proverbs 31 if she marries you? I’m afraid too many men have learned the hard way that this isn’t how it works.

Just because a girl is a Christian doesn’t mean she will be faithful after marriage – perhaps she won’t be unfaithful physically, but what about emotionally? Don’t you see how dangerous this is? The fact that so many beautiful, faithful, Christian girls are being ignored and passed up is shameful—and for such fleshly reasons!

I'm weary of it. Stop loving what is "cool" and start loving what is "holy." (1 Peter 1:13-16) If you’re having trouble discerning who would and who would not make a good wife, why don't you ask your father for help? Listen to his council and don't stop your ears to his words. "My son, pay attention to my wisdom; lend your ear to my understanding," (Proverbs 5:1) "Who can find a virtuous wife? For her worth is far above rubies." (Proverbs 31:10)

Please, young men, look past the flirty girls. Look for a young woman who will be faithful to you all the days of her life. Look for a young woman who will honor you, love and nurture your children, and make your house a haven—a woman who you can safely trust in.

"The heart of her husband safely trusts her; so he will have no lack of gain. She does him good and not evil all the days of her life." (Proverbs 31:11-12)

Look at her heart. I know that’s so cliché, but it’s true. Look at who she is. Look at how she honors her father, how she treats her siblings, how she communicates with other young men, the way she carries herself.

Please, for the sake of the girls out there who are striving to honor the Lord—the girls who have worked hard to remain faithful... don’t forget about us—for the sake of your family, your future, and your children; but, most of all, for the sake of your God.