Titus 2 Tuesday ~ Jennifer

"You must teach what is in accord with sound doctrine. Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love and in endurance. Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God." Titus 2:1 - 5, NIV

For today’s Titus 2 Tuesday, I’m recycling a post from a few months ago and honoring a dear, life-long friend, Jennifer. I'll admit, I'm reposting this one because I ran out of time and just haven't been able to get a new post together.  But, it's pretty timely. . .

I met Jennifer on the first day of first grade. I don’t remember this exactly, but my mom has always said I came home from school and told her there was a new girl in my class, her name was Jennifer, and I did NOT like her. In fact, I called her a witch!?! Mother told me we don’t say mean things about people, reminded me that I’d just met Jennifer, and scolded me for being so harsh.


Days, even weeks passed.

One evening at supper, I announced that my new friend Jennifer had invited me to spend the night with her. My parents asked me if this was the same friend who I’d earlier told them was a witch.

Yep. That’s the one. She also wears big bows in her hair, and they always match her dresses. She always wears dresses.

Well, my parents let me spend the night with Jennifer, thus beginning a true blue friendship that’s lasted through band-nerds-to-cool-girls, first loves, proms, high school graduations, colleges (at different schools), weddings, and careers. I remember when she called me to tell me her granddaddy had passed away; I think we were in fourth grade, maybe?. . . It was the first funeral I attended, and I remember her catching my eye during the song, "In His Time". Both of our eyes were filled to the brim with tears. But somehow, I felt better just knowing my friend knew I was there. The Good Lord knew then that we'd comfort each other many times over in our lives. And each time, I'm reminded that He does make all things beautiful . . . in His time.

Today, Jen is that friend who’s always checking in to see how we are doing, she’s busier than I can imagine with a job that’s competitive, challenging, and flat out HARD WORK, and she’s the most compassionate person I know!

Anyone who knows Jen knows that a voicemail from her is almost like a song, “Hey, B, it’s Jen, hope you’re doing well. I’m just working along the coast today and thought I’d check in to see how you are while I’m on the road. We’re good, just staying busy.” This is only the beginning of her voicemail. We laugh at how you aren’t sure there’s a need to call her back because Jen tells you everything in her message! It’s priceless!

This past weekend, Jen's aunts and I threw a baby shower for her.  Thomas Price is due on Christmas Day! We had a fabulous time enjoying each other's company, laughing and reminiscing, smiling and looking forward to the future.  Jennifer will be an amazing mother. This is know for sure. After all, she’s been an amazing friend to me for years and years.

Heavenly Father, I thank you so much for putting Jennifer in my life almost 24 years ago. Thank you for the lady she is, for the mother she will be, and for her precious husband who cherishes her as she should be cherished. And, thank you for choosing her to carry a precious baby for your glory.

Please link up and celebrate the women in your life who are teaching you Godly principles.

Book Review ~ Redefining Beautiful

I just finished reading Redefining Beautiful by Jenna Lucado. Jenna’s dad, Max Lucado, is one of my favorite authors, hands down. I have always loved Max’s eloquent way with words, and how he applies Biblical principles to everyday life so easily.

Jenna is following in her daddy’s footsteps, no doubt. This book is targeted towards preteen to teenage girls, and it provides real, down-to-earth discussions and examples to bring girls back to the cross. Even though the back of the book refers to “a foundational beauty secret: a father’s love” I was still not prepared for the fact that the entire book really is based on our Heavenly Father. I found it absolutely beautiful. Written by a girl who has a Christian father who’s devoted to her, her family, and her future, this book is definitely applicable to girls who also have no father figure, to girls whose fathers are absent.

I remember all too well the issues and heartaches that young girls face daily. Jenna speaks candidly of these and relates well to girls and their boyfriend troubles, friend issues, and parent problems. From beauty tips to Bible Verses, Jenna incorporates true life experiencese and Biblical truths that can no doubt help the beautiful teenage girls of our world.

I can’t wait to give my book to a friend whose daughter might really benefit from Redefining her beauty in a Biblical way.  Have a daughter or know a friend who has a daughter who could really use some truths about her incredible beauty in Christ?  Get a copy of Redefining Beautiful today!

Titus 2 Tuesday ~ Esther

"You must teach what is in accord with sound doctrine. Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love and in endurance. Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God." Titus 2:1 - 5, NIV

Welcome to another edition of Titus 2 Tuesday where we recognize and celebrate the women in our lives who have taught or are teaching us Godly principles, sound wisdom, and truth.

As I've mentioned before, I'm in the middle of an incredible Bible Study.  God has challenged me in so many ways during this study, and I'm so thankful for that.  We've been studying Esther, and as we are getting close to the end of Esther's story, I am realizing how much I've learned from her.

~ Esther was careful in what she said and to whom she said it.  Oh my, my, my, is this one for me.  I'm pretty sure God has fully intended on me "getting it" with this trait.  From her keeping the fact that she was a Jew quiet to the careful, calculated way she went before the King on behalf of her people, Esther was very particular about her words.  And her demeanor. 

~ Even when Esther was Queen, she still sought the advice of Mordecai.  I'm learning more and more the importance of seeking true Godly wisdom and advice.  It's more than asking my friends what they think; I mean, if they know what I want to hear, are they more likely to answer accordingly?  It's so important that we listen to advice and accept instruction.  (Proverbs 19:20).

Sure, these are just two things, but they're big.  B-I-G to me.  Oh how I long to be much more careful in the words I say and how I carry myself with others. 

What has God taught you this week through a Titus 2 Woman?  Link up and tell us about it!

Incredible Video

A friend just posted this video on her facebook page.  It's Awesome. 




 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_e4zgJXPpI4

Wow!

The Beauty of Waiting

Do you ever read someone else's post and think, "when in the world did she crawl up in my brain and get those thoughts outta there?"  I mean, it's just like they said exactly what you think?  BigMama's post this morning is exactly that. 

It's not that I've really been thinking a lot about this lately, but when I read her post, I was agreeing and shaking my head and saying, "me, too!" to so many things!  Like when she talks about her early twenties and how she was a "hot mess".  .  . me too.  And when she talks of finding those guys who look so good on paper but it's just not "there", it's okay to let them go.  Yes. It. Is.

How do I know?

After messy relationships and emotional break ups, I was turning 25 single. Totally single.  But it was also that birthday that began a relationship that on paper seemed really good.  He had a great job.  He was friends with lots of my friends.  He was handsome. He was fun.

But he was also mean.  He could be a big ole' jerk.  And he never went to church with me, much less prayed with me.

So, almost a year later, I got ballsy enough to walk away.  To be alone again.  And to wait on God.  While just about all of my friends were head over heels in love with their hubbies or fiances, I was again alone.  And waiting.

And would you believe what God had in store for me?  Yeah, you know the end of this story. . . .  a few months later, I met Tim in a Bible Study group that I'd avoided going to for months.  I kept saying I didn't want to go to a singles' Bible Study because it would surely be a meat market.  Not for me.

God's definitely got a sense of humor!  Because it was that first night at Bible Study that I met Tim.  And it began a beautiful friendship based on God.  And God's best for me continues to amaze me day after day.

BooMama says it best when she says, "all I can do is keep my eyes on the One who knows everything in my heart and trust that He knows what's ultimately the best for me.  He hasn't let me down yet."

And, just as BooMama does, I'm closing with this verse.  You single ladies out there, CLAIM IT!!!!

"No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love Him."  ~ 1 Corinthians 2:9

What are you waiting on?  Go over and read her amazing post NOW!!!

Titus 2 Tuesday: Ashlie

Welcome to another edition of Titus 2 Tuesday, where we celebrate the women in our lives and what they’ve taught us. Join in; we’d love to have you!

I’m recycling a Titus 2 Post from a while back. And I apologize, but that’s just as good as it gets these days with me. Too much shaking in my neck of the woods. Besides that, I find it worth repeating what a great encourager Ashlie is to me. I first posted this back in April. Today, Ashlie’s encouraging me in many new and different ways and for that I’ll forever be grateful!

I am one of few - in the world, perhaps – who can say that I lived with the same girl my entire college career. And that we never, not one time, had any sort of argument or disagreement. Never. She was the most amazing roomie for 4 solid years. During those years and since then, Ashlie has taught me so much about life.

From the wild days of our Freshmen Fall quarter ~ Ash, remember Opossum and his friends, our first night in Athens, and the freezing cold Auburn game where we sat on the concrete because of the fraudulent tickets and waaaaay too many people in the stadium ~ to the Bible Studies we attended, the friends we made, and the lessons we learned, it’s safe to say that 301 Church Hall and St. Andrews Apt 205 housed not only ourselves but our friendship, many laughs, our share of tears, and many memories of our college lives.

Ashlie has been one of the most influential friends I have in the area of my spiritual growth. It was Ashlie’s hand that held mine while we were seniors in high school sitting in church when a man in the audience began having a heart attack or stroke or something. The preacher stopped preaching and began praying for this little old man. Ashlie was also there when I fell apart one night during a Bible Study session our freshman year, over a very painful experience. And of course, Ash was right there with me, standing as a bridesmaid when I married Tim!

Ashlie taught me how to pray, how to rest in God, how to trust Him always, and how to seek His will for my life in everything I do. I love her dearly, and I truly thank my God for her!

Aunt B & Ellie

I'm posting this picture because it just makes me laugh! I was trying my best to get Ellie to kiss me. . . . Can you tell she wasn't havin' it? She's looking at me like I have lost my mind!!!!!

Happy Weekend, Y'all!!