Meet My Friend

I would like to introduce you to a friend of mine.
She's actually quite close to my family and me.
She lives a little drive away, but comes over often because she is my brother's bestest friend.

She loves to cook and be goofy.
She loves to swim and play her piano.
She loves to take pictures and wear feathers in her hair.

But most of all she loves Jesus.
She loves Jesus with her whole heart.

Her name is Emily Joy.
And her name is quite appropriate.

Here is her blog.
Read it.
I can't explain everything that's going on in her life, because it's a ton.
Just imagine horrible pain throughout your body and hundreds of medical tests resulting in a prescription of a radically changed lifestyle and habits.
The LORD has called her worthy to go through this and I am honored to know such a woman so willing to obey His command.

Emily's Blog: Because You Shine

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Dear Emmi,

I thank God whom I serve as I remember you in my prayers night and day. As I remember your tears, I long to see you, that I may be filled with joy. I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother and your mother and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well. For this reason I remind you to fan into flame...the gift of God, which is in you, for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. You count it all joy, my sister, when you fall into various trials, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let that steadfastness have its full effect, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. Blessed is the daughter of Christ who remains steadfast under trial, for when she has stood the test, she will receive that crown of life which God has promised to those who love Him.

Gospel Through Poetical Acronym

Tornadoes and the Peace of the Lord!!

It's tornado season here in Arkansas. I'm starting to get used to the sound of the sirens going off. These last two weeks have been horrible! Well, Monday was the worst of it. There were several tornado producing storms ( 10 tornadoes officially confirmed in central AR) Well, there was one headed right for us. I don't mind thunder storms unless they're headed for me. The clouds were so huge and dark! I started getting really nervous as the weather guy said that it was a huge powerful storm that contained a large tornado.

(photo credit: WTVY news)

So the prayers began. We lost power and gathered near the bathroom, (our tornado shelter.) Then I remembered the verse I got earlier that day via text from the American Bible Society.

"Do not be afraid- I am with you! I am YOUR God.... I will make you strong and help you; I will protect you and save you." Isaiah 41:10

I looked at it earlier in the day and thought it was a good verse but it didn't really apply (or so I thought) to what I was dealing with at the time. Boy, was I wrong!! It was perfect timing! And brought much peace during some scary moments!

Thankfully and only by God's grace the stormed moved north of us and didn't go over us!! Praise Jesus! :)

There was much damage in a small town of Vilonia, AR (about 40 minutes away.)Where four people were killed.

Please pray for the families who lost loved ones and their homes in the tornadoes.

When has the Lord brought peace in the midst of a scary or difficult situation??

The Gospel

Looking For Love....

God's love has really been on my mind alot lately. I've realized how much I take it for granted. Or how many times I go throughout my day without grasping God's goodness and love for me.
We sing,"He love us, oh how He loves us, oh how He loves..."

But do really realize the truth and power in those words? His love is truly all we need. It's enough. I forget that truth alot.

Instead we go after the approval and love of our friends, peers and guys. I see so many girls who go into one relationship after the next... looking for approval and acceptance and love in guys. We think that their love will be enough, that it will make us complete, that we'll be worth something when we have finally met "the one." But that's a lie.

Jesus' love is enough.

We believe that God spoke and life came to be. We believe that Jesus had the power to heal the sick, blind, lame,the lepers and to rise from the dead three days after his death. We believe that He is living and reigning. We believe He has knows everything about us, He knows the number of hairs on our heads. We believe He knows every thought and every moment of our lives. But somehow we think He's not enough. He can't be all we need. What we are really saying to God when we look for love in everyone and everything except God is this: "God, You really can't love me like I need to be loved. You can't romance and cherish me like I want to be. God, You're not enough."

I need to clarify, earthly romance is not wrong obviously. But it becomes an issue when it becomes our obcession, our identity, and sense of worth.

I am realizing that I already have a love story. It's with my King Jesus.

He rescued me from my state of shame and sin- without hope of escape. He came to my side and laid His own life down to redeem my soul. He took me and purified my heart and soul. Exchanging my filthy rags for a pure white gown. And an eternity with Him is my joy.

So for those of us who are believers- this is our love story. It's every girls dream to be rescued and romanced by a prince. Our prince is Jesus Christ- we are His bride. That's all I need. God's love is perfect, unfailing, unending, everlasting, true, faithful, pure, merciful and constant and so such more than I can fathom.

Tenth Avenue North's song,"By Your Side" sums this thought up.

Why are you looking for love
Why are you still searching as if I'm not enough
To where will you go child
Tell me where will you run
To where will you run

And I'll be by your side
Wherever you fall
In the dead of night
Whenever you call
And please don't fight
These hands that are holding you
My hands are holding you

Look at these hands and my side
They swallowed the grave on that night
When I drank the world's sin
So I could carry you in
And give you life
I want to give you life

Meet Sarah!

Easier~

It is easier to stand in the cold protesting than to stand in the warmth with someone whose life is falling apart.

It is easier to stand an hour shouting, than to spend an hour listening to a breaking heart.

It is easier to know what you are supposed to do, than to actually do it.

It is easier to take a stand when you have people who support you than when you are all alone.

It is easier to judge someone when you yourself have never been in their place.

It is easier to say someone should do something than do it yourself.

It is easier to walk to the other side of the road and ignore the out casts.

It is easier to tell someone what they are about to do is wrong while we stand on this side of the fence.

It is far easier to be a hypocrite, than any of us would like it to be.

It is hard to love those who standers are so low, but that is what Christ did.

It is hard to be kind to a person who is making bad decisions, yet Jesus did it every day.

It is hard to believe that many would waste the precious gift of grace that God hold out to them, but isn’t that what we are doing?

Have we forgotten that God loved us at our worst?  That he took hold of us while we were in our sin?  That we didn’t have to wait until our morals were high to receive our salvation? Have we forgotten that God loved us before we ever loved him?  Have we not learned that we are supposed to extend that love with those who are dying in their sins?

It is easy to believe that we are too holy to reach down and touch a shattered life.

It is hard for us to except that sometimes, we try to live a life holier than Jesus did.

It is easy to thank Christ for saving us from our sin and gave us his love.

It is hard to live that love.

Hello!  My name is Sarah Holman, and I am 20 years old.  I live in central Texas with my wonderful mom and dad, my four younger sisters and one younger brother.  My parents homeschooled me through high school, and I loved every minute of it.
Some of the things I love to do are writing, reading and playing piano.  I have graduated, and I am hoping to become a published author and ultimately a wife and mother.
I welcome comments at thedestinyofone@yahoo.com  I also welcome you to check out my blog at http://destinyofone.blogspot.com/

Praying for this Generation of Men...

I don't know about you but when I see godly womanhood and manhood in practice it excites me. When I see a guy who is pursuing godliness and Christ-likeness it encourages me. I am so blessed to have the two closest guys in my life- my dad and older brother-Aaron, be excellent examples of godly manhood.

When we look at our current generation of men (and the generation to come) it doesn't look that great. The lost art of chivalry and manliness is fleeting and what is left is a mamby-pamby guy. Ok, I know I'm being a bit harsh.... I know not all men are like this but that's where it's headed.

I know as a girl, I sometimes ask myself, 'Are there any good guys out there?':)

I'm not alone am I???

Instead of thinking about how bad guys are or what we want to change about them.... how about we go to the Source- Jesus. What if we committed to lift up this generation of men to Him? What if we started praying for change? What if we prayed that the Lord would raise up generation of chivalrous,brave-hearted men who will fight for what is right,pure and godly? What would be the results?

As single girls, this can be our role.... praying for our brothers in Christ.

Here are some areas that we can be praying for our brothers....

1.) Pray that our brothers would be in love with Jesus. That their delight would be in the Lord.

2.) Pray that they would be living and walking by the power of the Holy Spirit. That they would continually yield themselves to the Lord Jesus.

3.) Pray that they would be the godly, strong and courageous leaders they are called to be. That they would be the men that God desires.

4.) Pray that they would be filled with wisdom, discernment and understanding. That they would be pursuing Christ-likeness and be filled with His attributes.

5.) Pray that the Lord would guard their hearts, eyes and minds from anything immoral and impure. That Jesus would give them the strength to fight victoriously over the temptations and lures that this would constantly throws at them.

6.) Pray for for an generation of men that will speak truth and do what is right in a generation of social and political correctness.

7.) Pray that the Lord would raise up men who will who carry out the Great Commission. Rescuing the hopeless,fatherless, poor and needy.

I know I have missed several areas but this will get you started.

Maybe devote this next week to spend an extra amount of time in prayer for our brothers in Christ around the world.
Just think about the impact we can have on this generation and the generations to come if we start praying for men- as leaders, pastors, husbands, fathers, singles, missionaries etc.... I think the impact could be incredible!!