Singing Blessing and Honor October 22, 2011

My life has completely turned around, changed, and has a completely new meaning of crazy-busy. I have started school full-time while still working part-time…there are days when I feel like I just can’t handle it all! There are days when I just want to burst into tears but force myself not to, because I have so much to do. There are days when I want to throw my hands up and say, “Ya know what, God? I just can’t do this. I don’t care if this is where You want me…it’s too hard!”

But those are the days when I look up to a certain card pinned to my bulletin board above my desk…a certain beautiful card in the hand of my best friend reminding me of just how much she loves me, but also reminds me, “…read a passage of Song of Solomon, knowing that YOU are that beautiful Bride of Christ.” As a bride of Christ, I know I am  treasured by Him. Think of that! Treasured.  That’s how much He loves me. And on those horrible days, when I feel like telling God, “I give up.” I just have to say, “Blessing and Honor to You, Oh God.” Because no matter how hard life is, He has remained faithful. I am His treasured one.

 

Isaiah 12

¹You^[a] will say^(A) in that day:”I will give thanks to you, O LORD,
for though you were angry with me,
^(B) your anger turned away,
that you might comfort me.

²“Behold, God is my salvation;
I will trust, and will not be afraid;
for^(C) the LORD GOD^[b] is my strength and my song,
and he has become my salvation.”

^3(D) With joy you^[c] will draw water from the wells of salvation. ^4(E) And you will say in that day:

^(F) ”Give thanks to the LORD,
call upon his name,
^(G) make known his deeds among the peoples,
proclaim^(H) that his name is exalted.

^5(I) ”Sing praises to the LORD, for he has done gloriously;
let this be made known^[d] in all the earth.
⁶Shout, and sing for joy, O inhabitant of Zion,
for great^(J) in your^[e] midst is^(K) the Holy One of Israel.”

 

 

Blessing and Honor to YOU, oh, God!

Interview with… March 23, 2011

Shannon Ethridge!!

We had the great pleasure to interview author Shannon Ethridge for this blog! Thank you so much, Shannon Ethridge, for agreeing to be interviewed! And thank you for the blessing you have been, in the form of your books, to several of us!

SistertoSister: How did you get into writing? Did you take any writing classes?

Shannon Ethridge: I took journalism in high school, but I’ve never considered myself a “writer as much as a “missionary.” Writing and speaking have simply been an avenue through which I could accomplish my mission — to educate women about my 3 passions:  Sexual Integrity, Sexual Intimacy in Marriage, and Spiritual Intimacy with Christ.

———

SistertoSister: What led you to write books for women?  Are you currently working on any other books?

Shanon Ethridge: I wanted to share my story, and give others hope that God could help them overcome their sexual and emotional baggage the way He’s helped me overcome mine.  We’re currently working on a series of fiction books, bringing the sexual & emotional struggles women face to life.

——–

SistertoSister: Could you tell us a little bit about your ministry?  What exactly is it that your ministry does?

Shannon Ethridge: We create resources (books, CDS, DVDS, etc.) for women to use in their own lives, families, circle of friends, and women’s ministry groups to strengthen individuals, marriages & families in regards to sexual health & wholeness.  I’m a certified life coach as well, encouraging those who want a more personal approach than a book or DVD can provide.  I also mentor other aspiring writers and speakers through our online mentorship program, BLAST (Building Leaders, Authors, Speakers & Teachers — www.shannonethridge.com/blast.shtml)

——–

SistertoSister: What is one thing you want teen girls today to know, that you wish you had known when you were a teenager?

Shannon Ethridge: That sexuality isn’t just about what you do, but  more about who you are.  Since God didn’t create us with just a body, but with a mind, body, heart, and soul, it’s important that we guard ALL FOUR parts — guarding our mind, body, heart, and spirit against sexual and emotional compromise.

——–

SistertoSister: There is so much pressure on girls/women to become like the world…do you have any advice for us in how to stay strong in a world full of temptaion?

Shannon Ethridge: Know your weaknesses, and don’t go sticking your head in the lion’s mouth and praying, “Lord, save me from the lions!”  Avoid the lion’s den altogether.  DOn’t be alone with someone of the opposite sex with no plan and no accountability.  That’s a recipe for relational disaster.

——–

SistertoSister: What is a verse or a song that comes to mind that you take comfort in when you are feeling low?

Shannon Ethridge: Jennifer Knapp’s CD “Kansas” is full of great songs like “Lord, Undo Me!” and “Martyrs & Thieves.”  It’s such a vivid reminder of where I once was back in 1998 (some painful places due to my own compromise), and how God has brought me since then.  It inspires my true worship of My Redeemer.

——–

SistertoSister: What are some of God’s “love letters” to you, moments when you just see Him orchestrating amazing things in your life?

Shannon Ethridge: Any time I see a cardinal fly by, it’s like Jesus reminding me that the blood He shed for me is more than sufficient to meet my every need.  Also, my first book was called “Women at the Well” and every time I pass by a house that has a wishing well in the front yard, it’s like God telling me all over again, “Women at the Well is my gift to you.”  We are currently int he process of turning this book into a 12-part group counseling video series — a powerful tool in women’s tool belts!

——–

SistertoSister: What would you recommend to young women who want to study the Bible more in depth, for instance, wanting to learn more historical backgrounds of passages?

Shannon Ethridge: I’d encourage them to pick up my “Loving Jesus Without Limits” series, which consists of a lead book, “Completely His” followed by (4) 30-day devotionals, “Completely Loved,” “Completely Forgiven,” “Completely Blessed,” and “Completely Irresistible.”  It will walk you through God’s love letter one bit at a time and inspire you to embrace your role as the beloved “bride of Christ.”

——–

SistertoSister: What is God teaching you right now?

Shannon Ethridge: Patience.  It’s a painful lesson.  Our house has been for sale off and on for almost 3 years, and I’m so ready to move on with our lives and worry about something more important than where we live.  There are so many in the world who don’t have a place to live due to earthquakes, tsunamis, etc. and I just feel so trivial worrying about when our house is going to sell.  I’m just having to trust in God’s timing and take it one day at a time.

——–

SistertoSister: What are some things that you do to ensure that you spend time with the Lord in the midst of an extremely busy day?

Shannon Ethridge: My favorite times are walking & talking with the Lord, away from television, telephone, computer, kids, etc.  It recharges my batteries both physically and spiritually.  I also  make it a habit to end my day with devotional readings.  It helps me relax, wind down, put

my faith in God, and rest easy through the night.

Thanks again, Shannon Ethridge, for taking the time out of your busy schedule to answer our questions!  God bless!

Live Like You’re Dying March 15, 2011

Live like you’re dying and never stop trying

It’s all up to you, use what’s been given to you

- “Live Like You’re Dying” ~ Lenka

 

If I live tomorrow
Would anybody care
Stuck in this sorrow
Going nowhere

All the chances that have passed me by
Would it matter if I gave it one more try
Would it matter at all

- “Would It Matter” ~ Skillet

 

Man is like a breath;
his days are like a passing shadow.

- Psalm 144:4

 

What are you planning to do tomorrow? Do you have a list long of things to accomplish? Are you working a full day? Are you doing homework? Are you going to school? Are you shopping? Are you starting spring cleaning? Are you going to a movie?

 

What if you died tonight? What if this was your last moment? What was the last thing you said? What was the last thing you did? What was your last thought? Who will your family, friends, co-workers, classmates, etc. remember you as? Will they remember you at all?

 

What if it wasn’t you who died tonight, but someone you loved. What is the last thing you said to this person? What is the last thing you did with them?

 

I don’t think we realize just how much of an impact we can make…I don’t think we realize just how much difference we can be to someone, until it’s too late.

What if, my last words were spoken in anger to my baby sister? What if I refused to speak to a friend out of anger, and the next day she was gone?

We take time for granted…we take for granted that we will be alive tomorrow. That we will live until we’re old and have lived a long time. God has said that we are like a mere breath! A mere breath. Do you know how many breaths you’ve taken since you started reading this? So many times you’ve inhaled and exhaled in just the time it’s taken for you to read this short post. I don’t know how much longer I’m going to live. I may live til I’m 100. I may die in two minutes.

When I die, what am I leaving behind? Will people remember me as merely a daughter, a sister, a friend, an author of this blog…maybe many people won’t even remember me.

It’s my choice, though, what I leave behind. Do I want to be remembered as the big sister who yelled at you  for messing up our room? Or the big sister, who made you laugh and read to you about the Pigeon over and over.

Do I want to be remembered as the girl who went to church every weekend, smiled, praised God, but who lived her own life separate from God during the week? Or do I want to be remembered as the girl who was so in love with her Savior, that you couldn’t shut her up about Him?

Do I want to be remembered as the girl who refused to do anything extra for you? Or as the girl who always went the extra mile?

Do I want to be remembered as the girl who tore people down, gossiped about you behind your back, and was always negative about everything? Or as the girl who always had something good and encouraging to say?

 

Time is so short. I blink right now, and there goes another moment. I take a breath, and already am taking another. There’s a chance before me to help someone…there’s a choice before me to love God with all my heart. It’s what I do, it’s what I decide that defines me. That makes me who I am. What I do, the person who I am RIGHT now, is what and who I will be remembered for. What kind of person will people remember you as? What kind of impact will you make? If someone close to you dies tomorrow, will you regret all that you said and did to that person?

 

Cuz guess what? It’s up to you. Use the time you’ve been given. Don’t take it for granted.  What is the use of life if you waste it? Who will remember you? What difference will you have made? Don’t go through life thinking you don’t matter…that you can’t make a difference. It is UP TO YOU to MATTER, to make a DIFFERENCE. CHOOSE to make a difference! CHOOSE to live like you’re dying.

A best friend… March 8, 2011

 

A friend just recently asked me, “Say your house was on fire, and your family was already safe. What is the first thing you’d grab. And don’t say your camera. Let’s say your camera’s safe. Or past saving. Anything else. What would you grab?”

She was beyond surprised to hear me say, “My journals.”

“Really? Not your photo albums? Not your laptop?”

Photo albums are all well and good…they hold so many memories…and my laptop…it may contain all my stories and photos, but my journal is part of me.

I know it may be hard for some people to write journals, but this post is meant to be an encouragement to those of you, who want to journal. Who really want to get into it. You may have read my former post on journaling: http://sistertosister.wordpress.com/2010/03/23/journaling/

This isn’t to replace that post…merely add to it.

 

It is exciting to get your hands on a beautiful journal…you’re excited to sit down, pen in hand, ready to write. But sometimes, the sight of a blank page can be intimidating. Don’t let it. There is nothing scary about a blank page.

Do you know of that quote from “Inkheart” by Cornelia Funke? I’m sure I over-quote it…

If you take a book with you on a journey,” Mo had said when he put the first one in her box, “an odd thing happens: The book begins collecting your memories. And forever after you have only to open that book to be back where you first read it. It will all come into your mind with the very first words: the sights you saw in that place, what it smelled like, the ice cream you ate while you were reading it. . . yes, books are like flypaper–memories cling to the printed page better than anything else.”

But it’s not just the printed page…it’s the pages BEING filled by YOU that collect memories.

In my last journaling post, I said to go all out, decorate, make the journal your own.

This time, I want to encourage you to allow the pages to become like fly-paper. Don’t be afraid to let it collect the memories.

My own, current journal is a simple, black one with unlined pages. There are a few pictures, cards, quotes, and song lyrics pasted on some of the pages. But this journal has been more about collecting memories in the form of words than in anything else. Photos and mementos are great ways to capture memories! I’m not saying to not fill your journal with them. Just don’t let your journal become completely about the photos, the decorating, the mementos. Let some of the pages capture your memories in words. Even if it only be a few scribbled down sentences.

 

My journal is filled with my lousy handwriting that bounces up and down. Some pages have exclamation points and underlinings galore. You can tell which entries were written when I was angry, due to the way how deep the pen dug into the page. You can tell just by looking which entries were the ones filled with hard and heart-breaking memories, because there are tear-stains.

There’s the wax stain from my candle dripping on the page. The crossed out words when I was frustrated and couldn’t get the words to come out right.

 

The point of this post is to show you how much a friend a journal can be. My journal is not just a book to me. Like a best friend, I can tell my journal my most heart-felt thoughts, all my secrets…I can cry on my journal, I can rant to my journal, I can laugh and share a joke. I can tell a journal anything I want.

 

I’m not saying that a journal should take the place of a best, human friend. Not at all! Im only trying to share with you why journaling is so important to me. And maybe, just maybe, by sharing this, you’ll feel encouraged to journal. Personally, I tend to withdraw when something’s bothering me…I have a tendency to push others away, and for me, journaling is the way I get things out. Don’t keep things buttoned up…if you feel you can’t tell anyone, just tell your journal. It doesn’t solve the problems, but it helps.

A journal is a best friend.

Something Better March 1, 2011

I signed onto Facebook, and saw my friend Sara’s status, which read:

When God takes something from your grasp. He’s not punishing you, but merely opening your hands to receive something better.

It was only yesterday morning that I had woken up feeling depressed. So much has happened in my life lately…a lot of it not at all pleasant.  I lost my best friend, plans I had made and thought were settled are suddenly all up in the air! I feel like I can’t be sure of anything in my life right now except what I do each day. And even that can be changed at the last minute! My plans are taken out of my hands, just when I think they’re secure there.

Lying in bed, I said, “God, I know You aren’t up there plotting ways to make me hurt. It’s not Your goal to hurt me by taking things away from me. But God, why? What did I do wrong?”

Through my friend’s status, I saw God’s reply.

I’m not punishing you, Sam. My ways are SO much better. I want to give you the VERY best. That is how MUCH I love you. This is ME LOVING YOU. My thoughts aren’t YOUR thoughts. And YOUR ways aren’t MY ways. Just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so MY ways are HIGHER (BETTER!) than YOUR ways, and MY thoughts than YOUR thoughts. (Isaiah 55:8&9)

He’s got the best for me. That much is obvious if His thoughts, ways, and plans are higher than my own! Maybe instead of causing so much pain by keeping an iron grip on my thoughts, my ways, and my plans, I could release my fingers and hold them all up to Him.

Cuz guess what. I could get something better than what I already have/what I want!

Held February 24, 2011

Isaiah 41:10 & 13

Fear not, for I am with you;
be not dismayed, for I am your God;
I will strengthen you, I will help you,
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

For I, the LORD your God,
hold your right hand;
it is I who say to you, “Fear not,
I am the one who helps you.”

 

 

This is what it means to be Held.

He Knows February 16, 2011

“We have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed…” – 2 Corinthians 4:7-9

 

It’s easy to think that when we are hurt…so incredibly hurt…that God has forsaken us. That all He does is throw this pain at us and then stand back to watch us as we sink down. It’s easy to think when afflicted that we are being crushed. It’s easy to think when we’re perplexed that we are in “the depths of despair”. It’s easy to think when we’re being persecuted that we are completely forsaken, totally alone. And it’s easy to think when we’ve been struck down that we are nothing…that we are destroyed.

That is  not how God works.  I cannot express just how INCREDIBLY loving and caring and sympathetic and kind and merciful God is.

“Sure,” you think, “God’s soo merciful. That’s why I’m hurting so much.”

 

I am going through a really rough time right now. I am experiencing more pain than I’ve ever felt before in my life. And it is only THROUGH God’s immense love and comfort that I haven’t given up hope, that I haven’t felt crushed, forsaken, or destroyed.  Yes, I will admit, it IS hard. It is SO hard to bear this pain…it’s the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do.  But lately for my own private devotions, I have been searching out verses that talk about comfort.  And everything I’ve found describes God as the DEFINITION of comfort and understanding.

 

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of ALL COMFORT, who comforts us in ALL our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For as we share abundantly in Christ’s sufferings, so through Christ we share ABUNDANTLY in comfort too.” – 2 Corinthians 1:3-5

 

“…for we were so utterly burdened beyond OUR strength that we despaired of life itself. Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but ON God who raises the dead. He delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On Him we have set our hope that He will deliver us again.” – 2 Corinthians 1:8-10

 

“I, I am He who comforts you…” – Isaiah 51:12

 

“Cast your burden on the Lord, and He will sustain you…” – Psalm 55:22

 

“Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me, for in You my soul takes refuge; in the shadow of Your wings I will take refuge, til the storms of destruction pass by.  I cry out to God Most High, to God who fulfills His purpose for me. He will send from heaven and save me; He will put to shame him who tramples on me. God will send out His STEADFAST love and His faithfulness.” – Paslm 57:1-3

 

“Behold, God is my helper, the Lord is the upholder of my life.” - Psalm 54:4

 

“I will rejoice and be glad in Your steadfast love, because You HAVE SEEN my affliction; You HAVE KNOWN the distress of my soul…” - Psalm 31:7

 

God understands. God cares. God loves. He knows EXACTLY what I am feeling right now. He knows exactly what YOU are feeling when you are afflicted, perplexed, persecuted, and struck down.

 

I know of no other way to describe how much God really cares and understands than as C.S. Lewis did in the form of Aslan, the Lion:

“Up till then he had been looking at the Lion’s great feet and the huge claws on them; now, in his despair, he looked up at its face. What he saw surprised him as much as anything in his whole life. For the tawny face was bent down near his own and (wonder of wonders) great shining tears stood in the Lion’s eyes. They were such big, bright tears compared with Digory’s own that for a moment he felt as if the Lion must really be sorrier about his Mother than he was himself.

“My son, my son,” said Aslan. “I know. Grief is great. Only you and I in this land know that yet…”

He KNOWS. God knows. He understands. You will find no greater love, no greater comfort, no greater peace, no greater sympathy anywhere else in the world…because He knows. Remember that when you are hurting and don’t push Him away! He longs to hold you in His arms and help you with the hurt. He truly knows how it feels and He longs to comfort us.

All the Single Ladies: A Guest Post by Valerie February 9, 2011

All the Single Ladies

by Valerie

A few years ago, on Valentine’s Day,  I posted a picture of  a young woman laying across her bed in a pouting posture, entitled “Single Women’s National Day of Sulking”.  Witty, I thought. I know of lot of girls who DO pout on this holiday;   I’ve also seen the day labeled “Singles Awareness Day” or S.A.D., but honestly, that one always has bugged me.

 

Recently I began a book study with a group from my church. Instruments in the Redeemer’s Hands by Paul David Tripp. One anecdote in particular has stuck out to me. I paraphrase, but here is it:

As small boy at a birthday party. He sits alone, arms crossed, watching the birthday girl opening presents, getting hugs and being fussed over in general. “Humph.” says the boy, and lowered his eyebrows. Then louder, “HUMPH.” As the party progresses, he gets louder and louder, obviously looking for attention, until the parents are all looking worried and everyone at the party begin to pay attention to him. At this point, many adults would try to make him happy by giving him a gift (I’ve actually seen this done…) and an extra large piece of cake and asking him what game HE would like to play, etc.  But that’s not what happened at this party. One of the adults in charge knelt by his chair and looking him in the eye said, “This is not your party.”

 

Ahh. Excellent. Discipline. Spoiled brat needed to hear that, I say as I read it with satisfaction.  This anecdote was in the book to illustrate how we get in the way of God’s purpose for out lives, wanting to run the show when life is not even about us. An excellent point made.

 

As Valentine’s Day keeps getting closer, I keep going over that story and that picture I put up a number of years ago. Those sulking young women and that little boy have much in common.  We resent this day that is dedicated to celebrating those in a different stage of life. It excludes us from the lime light. No one is giving ME candy, or sending ME flowers. I don’t have any love letters and no one to call me and tell me how much they think about me. I am single! I am SAD!!! Be aware of my sadness, pay attention to me!  Slowly the arms fold across the chest and we single women scowl and let out a very audible “HUMPH!!!”.

 

Well ladies… this is not our party.  This party is for love birds, like it or not.  It’s okay for one day out of the entire year to be used to celebrate love between men and women, even if it does not include us. The love of a man is something we desire, yes, just as that little boy wanted those birthday presents.  But we are not the main show.  Let’s quit hogging the day, giving it our own names and meanings because the attention is not on us for 24 hours.  This life is not about us anyway, one measly day should be the least of our concerns. As single women our live are to be dedicated to serving God, to His glory.  We should strive to show those near us that we are women who are confidently loved of God and being used by Him, out of His way, happy for those who have found love; no sulking allowed.

 

Romans 11:36 “From Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever! Amen.”

 

Disclaimer: In no way am I suggesting that the command to live for Christ automatically makes it easy for us to ignore the longing for love, or that the longing itself is wrong. This article was written in hopes of being an encouragement, not to point fingers or mock anyone in any way.

 

He heals February 8, 2011

Psalm 147:3 & 5
God heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds…

Great is our Lord and abundant in strength;
His understanding is infinite.

Two handles to two doors February 2, 2011

Every tomorrow has two handles. We can take hold of it by the handle of anxiety, or by the handle of faith. ~Author Unknown

It is amazing how my mind is set…how it works. I am so weak in my faith, that when troubled times come, my first response is to think of a way I can fix things. And when I fail to fix anything, then I look for help and sympathy in others. And if that fails, then I seek comfort in…writing, music, movies, sleep. And yet, even all that does nothing to comfort me. I grasp at anything and everything. Except God. Am I really so scared to approach Him? Is my faith really so little? God isn’t this scary person who is going to hurt me or take away my hopes and dreams and comfort just because He can! No!

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort,” – II Corinthians 1:3

Does that paint a picture of a God who is cross and longing to hurt us? No! This verse is so full of love…a heart-felt love. God is a God of MERCY and COMFORT. To me, it paints a picture of a God who is holding His arms wide open and a look of great love and mecy on His face. He is LONGING for you to seek Him!

For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.

‘Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you.

‘You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.

‘I will be found by you,’ declares the LORD,” – Jeremiah 29:11-14

Every tomorrow has two handles…the question is, which handle will I take? Which door will I step through? The handle that leads the way to worrying and depression and the attitude of “I can do this on my own?? Forget God…I know better.”

Or the handle that leads me to my knees in front of God?

It really should be so simple…a handle that leads to misery, or a handle that leads to comfort!

In reality, it’s not so easy, because fear feeds upon our minds and we CHOOSE to allow that fear to remain.

Even when a storm hits, step out

Even when you’re broken, step out

Even when you heart is telling you to give up, step out

When your hope is stolen

You can’t see where you’re going

You don’t have to be afraid

So what are you waiting for?

What do you have to lose?

Your insecurities try to hold you

You know you’re made for more

So don’t be afraid to move

Your faith is all it takes

And you can walk on the water too…

- Walk on the Water by Britt Nicole

Just step out. Grasp that handle and walk through the door leading to God. Just give it a shot! Don’t let your fears prey upon your mind. Shut them out, don’t think, just DO it.

Those are the words running through my mind today. Over and over I repeat them to myself.

Which handle will I choose today?