Soap for Jesus

There's just something I want to close up today's mass of posts (particularly on Facebook, though also attempted on Google Plus and a few on Twitter) with, before I go to my corner chair with my fluffy blanket and Sherlock Holmes DVD. I truly hope that today has shown, not just from me, but from the others who have been (and on the other side of the pond, still are) participating in our Singles' Valentine, where our hearts and love truly lie. Being single is not something to be morose and sad about. It's a joy to be able to focus heart, life and mind in, around and on Christ. Even if we feel the sting of rejection, or not being wanted, we know there IS Someone Who wants us, Who made us, Who rejoices in us, and Who loves us completely. Today is our day to celebrate loving and living for Him. He has loved us unconditionally. His love drove Him to die for us, to bear all our sins, and to conquer death by rising from the grave. But that wasn't the end of it. No. Fo...

Kristin D and I have a unique friendship. It began at OYAN Summer Workshop, 2012, when I looked into her eyes and said the words she's never forgotten. "(God has given me the gift so) I can read eyes." One of the closest sisters and friends I have, we have a special relationship. She's one of those people, the ones that you can bring God smack dab into a conversation without feeling awkward - or where you don't even realise He's in it, but He is. She's been one of the greatest encouragements and lifesavers in my life. God is very much in our friendship. September 13th, several days after one of the greatest sins in my life. I was talking to Kristin. In her words: [3:35:47 PM] Kristin D: Okay I had read Psalm 3... and then musing over it... Something with you had blown up that day... and I was writing about you, and about me... "We're both weak, and both near the edge. I'm asking God for miracles at this point. We're both brok...

Blubbing seems to be my favourite pastime during services at the moment. God is so loving, so tenderly caring, so very gentle. When we expect condemnation, He tends to show more of His mercy and grace. When we're being arrogant and big-headed and hard-hearted, that's when He tends to break us. Although I admit, you can be broken by love. It's one of the most beautiful things in this world. Last week, Pastor Steve preached on hope. For a girl who'd been struggling a lot the past week and was wrapped in despair...it broke me with love. The main line that I took away from it was: Hope in God when there is none - and He will give you hope. Kristin Dodd, who I met at the Workshop 2012 and tried to reach out to help, has become MY help in so many ways. My little Hope Box, I call her. She drills into me, quite literally, not to despair and "Esperanza" - hope. God is so good... Then this week. There's been financial worry and other worries all week....

It is so hard to express what this week has meant to me, that I'm going to post up a blog post from a note on Facebook, written by my brother Miguel, and a link to another written by my twin sister, Kiehl. I know...cop-out. ;) Please, please read them. And for what is in my heart regarding OYAN? And when the Spirit of God is in so many of us in one heart, one mind and one goal...then let there be LIGHT. And there will be dynamite. #OYAN I had to laugh tonight when someone told me that OYAN's focus on "religion" was "a big flaw", and "undermined OYAN's value." Oh. My. Days. How can people be so blind...? How can they not see that we would never be so bonded if it weren't for the love of Christ? How can I express the frustration I feel as I remember that 1 hr 45 mins prayer meeting on the last night, and how God moved in and through and united and calmed us and gave us that vision for the future? From Heaven to Earth by Miguel Flor...

(As most of you know, I'm in Overland Park, Kansas, staying with the Noe family for the One Year Adventure Novel - OYAN - Workshop 2012. Today, June 23, is the day after the workshop ended.) Sarah Noe is wearing a very cool t-shirt. It has on the back "Live, Move, Be", and a Scripture reference in Acts. I likey. I'm struggling to find words to say what's in my heart, so for right now, I'm just going to type out the little speech thingie I gave last night just before the final session ended. I was shaking, writing this. I wrote it and struggled with words, and re-read to find out that it said a lot that struck the chords inside of me, but nothing that really seemed to say my deepest emotions. I debated backing out of reading it...and the only reason I wrote it was so I'd stand less chance of crying on stage. I prayed God would bless it and that it would be used to bless, but it felt totally inadequate and I wasn't expecting Him to. I know this...

The parade marshall, Mr. B., and I were good friends. I gave him a Christmas card, and he gave me one in return and also a Christmas present which I still treasure and wear when I'm struggling to remember there are kind people in the world. The Christmas card read something to the point of, "Hoping that this coming year will be as good as 2010 was for you." I remember three months into 2011, half laughing, half crying, I turned to Mom and said, "If anyone sends me a card like that for 2012, I'm going to rip it up, burn it and send the ashes back!" 2010 and 2011 have been two of the most blessed years of my life. I fell into the deepest sins and backsliding; as a result I have seen God's greatest grace extended. I've seen Him reach out and touch a heart of stone into one that's broken and eager for His fulfillment. I've seen the world, I've seen the emptiness, I've been with the lowest of the low, and I've seen the incredi...

I'm really excited over this project idea God has given me. Not just because of the potential it has to encourage and bless others, if done and used rightly, but because of the lessons to be had! The last main thing in my life God taught me a hard lesson through was through being in love. He's still teaching me that. Now He's brought this in! I'm so excited! Here are a few of the lessons I can see coming ahead. Humility, Submission, Obedience, Accepting Instruction, Closer Prayer: I must not be proud and act like I own this project or the ideas or inspiration but keep it humble, give God the glory, act only on His leading and not my own ideas, and give it back to God daily. I also must learn to listen to the advice and guidance of others, in accordance with what God is leading. Faithfulness, Self Control, God-reliance: I need to stop looking at my blog posts about this for readers and comments to see if many people are excited, and instead act in faith that God will bri...

My sister Kiehl and I have been learning something about patience recently, as we watched first distant acquaintances, then family friends, then family start courting, get engaged, get married. We're 19, Kiehl and I. She's one day older than me, and my closest girl friend, in a way. And we both struggle with the same problems. And we fall out and make up again. To my mind, we're as good as real sisters with an ocean between us. I love her to bits, even if I can't always find the words to tell her so. Recently, one of our most common struggles has been our single status. And I watch it in a lot of my friends. I'm not quite sure exactly why we want to hit that mark of "marriage material". Maybe because it is recognised by everyone in the Christian circle as a symbol of being "grown up" and "responsible". Which is about the same level as being recognised by the world as old enough to sleep around. I know singleness is hard. I've lived,...

Recently, as the Lord has been getting my own Bible reading under control (with much thanks and blessings to my friends - Mrs Beals, Kyle, Braden and Kiehl), I've heard of more and more of my friends struggling with Bible reading and/or prayer time, if not in the morning, then at all through the day. Our strongest Relationship needs to be with our Heavenly Lover throughout our lives, above any earthly attachment. God has been showing me this; and at some point soon I will share it with you. I love this little poem that so aptly describes what happens in our lives as we start to neglect the most important Relationship in this life and the next. I got up early one morning, And rushed right into the day; I had so much to accomplish, I didn’t have time to pray. Troubles just tumbled about me, And heavier came each task. "Why doesn’t God help me?" I wondered. He answered, "You didn’t ask." I tried to come into God’s presence; I used all my keys at the lock. God gentl...

Today I have: Got dressed Prayed Read my Bible: Matthew 26 - Mark 1 Today I intend to: Walk the dog Eat dinner Email ten people; nine from Hotmail, one from Gmail Do "Debugger" for Jay Blog two more posts Make ten bracelets/paint a plate Stop at 5 pm and polish my parade shoes and iron my uniform Go to cadets Come home and go online Manage about twenty chats and hopefully go on OYAN There are 10 goals to complete, and it is 11:45 am. I'm just getting makeup on and will be off to walk the dog. I also have to figure out tea somewhere in there. I will let you know how I fare! Please keep pushing me - I need some kind of schedule back in my life. Love in the Lord and In Christ, ~Jane

Two of my closest girl friends have to be Kiehl G. and Lindi/Anjel C. God has blessed me so richly with and through their friendships. Both encourage when times are hard, speaking truth even when they know it hurts them and me. And the support they've given through the last several years has been incredible. I pray God will bless them both richly and shine their candles out in a blaze to the world. Yesterday, Lindi (as those of you from OYAN will remember her) sent me this song. I heard it once before - it's used in the film "Fireproof". I liked it then, but forgot it. Lindi, it has blessed me so much. It's been on repeat all morning. You blessing! While I'm waiting. I will worship and serve You while I'm waiting. Well, for starters, I'm going to go back to my emails and pick up contact with eight of my female friends. I'll decide whether to with my guy friends later on. Mrs. S Lydia DeW. Angelique Alena Lindi Hannah M Hannah-le Sandy And two of my...

The next hymn reminds that no matter what happens at the end of the waiting period, Jesus doeth ALL things well. All the Way My Saviour Leads Me; written by Frances Jane Crosby van Alstyne. The music is written by Robert Lowry (probably most famous for "Low in the Grave He Lay"). All the way my Savior leads me; What have I to ask beside? Can I doubt His tender mercy, Who through life has been my Guide? Heav’nly peace, divinest comfort, Here by faith in Him to dwell! For I know, whate’er befall me, Jesus doeth all things well; For I know, whate’er befall me, Jesus doeth all things well. All the way my Savior leads me, Cheers each winding path I tread; Gives me grace for every trial, Feeds me with the living Bread. Though my weary steps may falter, And my soul athirst may be, Gushing from the Rock before me, Lo! A spring of joy I see; Gushing from the Rock before me, Lo! A spring of joy I see. All the way my Savior leads me O the fullness of His love! Perfect rest to me is prom...

A few moments ago, I typed out the lyrics to this wonderful hymn on Google Buzz. Travelling over the internet to the site of Cyber Hymnal , I picked up the other two verses. At a time of waiting and seeking to know the will of God, this hymn and one other keep powerfully coming back to my heart. Be Still, My Soul; written by Katharina von Schlegel and translated by Jane Borthwick. The tune is Finlandia - national anthem of Finland - written by Jean Sibelius. The Scripture running across the screen of the Cyber Hymnal page reads this. Be still, and know that I am God. Psalm 46:10 Be still, my soul: the Lord is on thy side. Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain. Leave to thy God to order and provide; In every change, He faithful will remain. Be still, my soul: thy best, thy heavenly Friend Through thorny ways leads to a joyful end. Be still, my soul: thy God doth undertake To guide the future, as He has the past. Thy hope, thy confidence let nothing shake; All now mysterious shall be...

Sitting in the car on the way to church yesterday, mulling over what was going on between my best friend and I, I was scrolling up and down through my MP3 player list. I listened to Judy Rogers' "Angel Face" - Angel face, you cannot serve two masters. Angel face, the world will leave you cold and alone! Angel face, you're headin' for disaster; Can't you hear your Father callin'? "Angel face, come back home." I unwillingly, yet with longing, played Michael Card's "I Have Decided" - There's a wealth of things that I professed Or said that I believed. But deep inside I never changed - I guess I've been deceived. And a voice inside kept telling me That I'd change by and by. But the Spirit made it clear to me - That kind of life's a lie! I have decided I'm gonna live like a believer, Turn my back on the deceiver, Gonna live what I believe. I have decided Being good is just a fable; I just can't cause I'm not a...

Women I admire. This has long been a subject I wanted to cover, but I haven’t done it ‘cause I’m scared of missing one. :P There are women who I admire simply for their singing talent. Like Julie Andrews, Charlotte Church, Susan Boyle, Celtic Woman (music group), Barbra Streisand. And there are women I admire for their dedicated single purpose of mind and devotion to God and/or a cause, even to the sacrifice of the opinions and regard of family and friends, and that of their heart’s dearest wish. My list so far comprises not only of dead women, but one fictional. I will blog more on her later. Florence Nightingale: A high society girl, Florence did not use her influence in society to become an empty-headed doll looking for an advantageous marriage, but went totally against the accepted rules of her class after her heart turned towards God, forsaking the comforts of her well-to-do life, training herself and other women as nurses and serving British troops in the Crimea. She never marrie...

What exactly IS fellowship? Last night I stood in church next to my dad, who was sadly saying that my sister was lacking fellowship. I turned away and walked over to the window, to think that I would like to blog that comment. My sister is not deliberately not coming to church; she holds down two jobs to her husband's irregular one, is heavily pregnant, and has to deal with his verbal abuse when drunk, too. She still reads the Scriptures and listens to sermons, and there is still a marked change in her life. My mother is also heavily depressed over the fact that she feels she has failed my twin brother at the minute. She is sick and tired of people and their condemning judgements and well-meant, bad-timed advice. She is not coming to church, but also still reads her Bible, seeks after God, prays... My dad makes a marked effort to attend church on Sundays...to the point of condemning me if I do church parades with the Air Cadets or even if I don't go. The whole idea of going to ...