following an unknown path

kindness

For the past two weeks, there has been only one thought stuck on repeat in my mind about the beauty of kindness:

It's your kindness that leads us to repentance, Oh Lord.
Knowing that you love us no matter what we do,
Makes us want to love you too.
(Part of a song circa 1989 sung by Maranatha! Praise Band, See Romans 2:4)

Please visit Cahleen for more in-depth reflections on the Beauty of Kindness.

endure the wait

Patience in Chinese is naixin (not to be confused with naixi, that's "milkshake").  If we take the two characters of naixin to create a definition of patience we get "a heart that is able to endure."

It is hard to endure waiting, especially when it feels like we are waiting and waiting and waiting.

When I was a child we had a song about patience on one of our tapes; it belongs to either Psalty or Down by the Creek Bank.  To this day, I sing it to those around me--young and old--who are having difficulty enduring a wait.

Have patience, have patience.
Don't be in such a hurry.
When you are in patient you only start to worry.
Remember, remember, that God is patient too.
And, think of all the times that others have to wait on you!

On my own I am not a patient person--my sin nature wants things done in my timing.  It is only through the work of the Holy Spirit that I am able to endure the wait.

Holy Spirit, cultivate in me a heart that is able to endure waiting . . . waiting for a husband, waiting for a time to go home, waiting for students who are late and trains that aren't on time, waiting for my turn to be the SHAM.  Help me to wait with hope for the things I cannot see (Romans 8:25).  Help me to be patient in all things big and small.  Help me to be more like the Father. 

But, do you wanna know what I think is most beautiful about patience?  It is that God is patient with us.  Oh how patient he is with me! 

And, daily I thank him for his patience with the Taiwanese.  I thank him that Christ hasn't returned yet, and ask that he continue to be longsuffering  . . . "The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance" (2 Peter 3:9).

I love this section of Scripture: "But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the [worst sinner of all], Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life.  To the King of ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever" (1 Timothy 1:16-17). 

Oh, praise His holy name!

This post was submitted to the Carnival of Beauty sponsored by following an unknown path.  This week the theme is The Beauty of Patience and is being hosted by Ellen at MzEllen & Co. Join us next week for The Beauty of Kindness over at Cahleen's In His Footsteps.

joy, joy, joy

This week's Carnival of Beauty is a must read!  It is just filled with . . . well . . . JOY!

In fact there are 14 joyful posts all reflecting on Christ's beauty in the world around us.  There are some awesome storytellers in this week's lineup that you want to be sure not to miss.

I couldn't help but smile and sing, and I even teared up a little with one post.  We serve an awesome God whose joy is our strength! 

What are you waiting for?  Go.  Read.  Rejoice with those who rejoice!

inexpressible joy

Sing for joy!  Shout for joy!  Rejoice!!

You complete my joy.
Inexpressible Joy.  Everlasting joy.  Fullness of joy. 

Mourning into dancing; sorrow into gladness. 
Joy comes in the morning!

Let the nations be glad and sing for joy!
Those who dwell at the ends of the earth are in awe at your signs.
You make the going out of the morning and
the evening to shout for joy.

You put this joy in my heart! You have made me glad!
At the works of Your hands I sing for joy.

You have been my help,
and in the shadow of Your wings I will sing for joy.

Fullness of joy can be found in Your presence alone. 
You make known to me the path of life.
I believe in You, and I rejoice with joy that is inexpressible.

Inexpressible Joy.  Everlasting joy.  Fullness of joy. 
You complete my joy.

Sing for joy!  Shout for joy!

Oh, my soul, REJOICE!

Right after Christ rescued me from a dark time of depression, I kept a "Joy Journal" and a "Hope List." My joy journal is a collection of Scriptures that talk about joy and gladness and is filled with prayers of thankfulness.   

The cry of my heart day after day was "restore unto me the joy of my salvation."  And, really I think there was no greater period of joy in my life then immediately after being lifted from that pit of depression. 

My heart aches for those who know not joy.  How I long for them to know personally, intimately the One who turns sorrow into gladness, mourning into dancing, and tears into joy because of who He is and the works He has done!

I am so glad the Holy Spirit is able to fill us with joy even when we are in the midst of trials and tribulations.  I am glad He enables us to delight in the pleasures that are in His right hand and to smile at the simple things He so often blesses our day-to-lives with.  He truly is the real joy-giver . . . in, oh, so many ways!

My prayer for you today if you are reading this is "may the God of hope fill you with all joy" for their truly is nothing sweeter.

The collection of Scripture comes from the following verses (in no particular order): Psalm 92:4, Psalm 67:4, Proverbs 10:28, Psalm 67:4, Psalm 63:7, Psalm 65:8, Psalm 4:7, Psalm 16:11, Psalm 20:5 and others, Psalm 5:11 and others, Psalm 21:6, Psalm 30:5, 1 Peter 1:8, Romans 15:13, and Psalm 51:12.

This post was submitted to the Carnival of Beauty sponsored by following an unknown path.  This week the theme is The Beauty of Joy and is being hosted by Vicki at Windows to my Soul. Join us next week for The Beauty of  Peace over at Sara's Stones of Remembrance.

The Beauty of Love

"We love because He first loved us" (1 John 4:19). 

"Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love" (1 John 4:7-8).

Please join us this week as we reflect on the Beauty of Love.

Sara @ Stones of Remembrance
The love of God is greater far than we can ever tell.

Blair @ Blair's Scribblings
Let's journey into Blair's Scribblings as she goes in search of The Word on Agape.

Debi @ Caught Between Worlds
Debi shares her Wedding Story in both words and scrapbook pages.

Join us next week for The Beauty of Joy over at Windows to my Soul.

Carnival of Beauty Hostesses

Here is the current Carnival of Beauty Line up to finish off 2007.  (Wow can't believe another year is coming to a close!!)

There are still two weeks open.  If you'd like to host either of those weeks please let me know. :) [UPDATED 10/16] All weeks are now full for this hosting round.  There will be more opportunities next time!

Also, if you volunteered to host and you are not here, it is an oversight on my part.  Please correct me ASAP.  Thanks!

Oct 5: The Beauty of Love by Amanda
Oct 12: The Beauty of Joy by Vicki
Oct 19: The Beauty of Peace by Sara
Oct 26: The Beauty of Patience by Ellen

Nov 2: The Beauty of Kindness by Cahleen
Nov 9: The Beauty of Goodness by Blair
Nov 16: The Beauty of Faithfulness by Sara
Nov 23: The Beauty of Gentleness by Susanna
Nov 30: The Beauty of Self-Control by Heather

Dec 7: The Beauty of Praise by Sara
Dec 14: The Beauty of Tradition by Ellen
Dec 21: CoB Takes a break
Dec 28: The Beauty of This Year by Susanna

carnival of beauty continues

I've decided to let the CoB continue a little while longer and see how she does.  I enjoy the CoB so much, but I also do not want to keep something going just because it is there.  Yet, at the same time, I don't want to stop something just because there are only a few participants at times. 

I did something a little different with the topics . . . I like the challenge of finding beauty in the everyday topics, but as I've been praying about the CoB this week, I think this two-month theme for October and November is the way to go for right now.

So, are there any volunteers for hosting the following topics?

Oct 5: The Beauty of Love (I will host this week)
Oct 12: The Beauty of Joy
Oct 19: The Beauty of Peace
Oct 26: The Beauty of Patience

Nov 2: The Beauty of Kindness
Nov 9: The Beauty of Goodness
Nov 16: The Beauty of Faithfulness
Nov 23: The Beauty of Gentleness
Nov 30: The Beauty of Self-Control

Dec 7: The Beauty of Praise
Dec 14: The Beauty of Tradition
Dec 21: CoB Takes a break
Dec 28: The Beauty of This Year

I personally invite you to join us as we reflect on the beauty of Christ in the world around us. For more info on how to participate as either a blogger or hostess, click here.

I will be out of town this weekend, and then have an out-of-country guest for the first part of next week.  So, expect a reply late next week in regards to the hosting requests.  Thanks for understanding!!  Requests can be made here in the comments or by email [[email protected]].

If you'd like to be reminded of CoB news in your email inbox, please join our google group:

       

Subscribe to Carnival of Beauty

Email:

Visit this group

(Oh, and if you are not getting any messages from the group . . . check your spam.  Gmail was sending my google group mail to the spam folder!!  I finally caught it, marked it "not spam" and everything has been fine since.)

grace-based discipline

I long to live a disciplined life.  I have high goals and expectations for myself.  I so often fall so very short.

As a result, for much of my adult life, I've lived in frustration and with guilt and failure as my constant companions.

Two things helped lift me out of my depression.  First, simply, God was gracious.  He restored to me the joy of my salvation.  Second, about a year after coming back alive, I read The Discipline of Grace by Jerry Bridges; it is changing my life.

Bridges introduced me to the concept of "dependent discipline."  Like an airplane needs two wings to fly, we need to be both responsible and dependent as we pursue holiness.

Before 2005, I knew of all these things I should be doing--good spiritual disciplines that every Christian is told to do.  But, I was attempting to do them on my own power and in my own ability.  Doing them well, I thought, would cause God to be pleased with this "good and faithful servant."  Not doing or not doing them well would cause God to be disappointed and angry with me.  For salvation I was trusting in Christ, but for sanctification I was trusting in myself.

Reading The Discipline of Grace first taught me that as a believer I still need the Gospel everyday.  This makes me smile.  Good news.  I like good news . . . Truth sets me free--day after day.

Second, this book has shown me that the Holy Spirit works in me to enable me to live a life that is pleasing to God.  He doesn't do the work for me . . . instead, He enables me to to do the work.  Depending on God does not make my effort unnecessary--it makes it effective.

I love the "thesis" of Bridge's book: "Your worst days are never so bad that you are beyond the reach of God's grace.  And your best days are never so good that you are beyond the need of God's grace."

I still long to live a disciplined life, to be more like Christ, to pursue holiness.  Only now, I long for discipleship that is based on God's grace.

"We cannot perform our duty without the grace of God; nor does God give his grace for any other purpose than that we may perform our duty" (John Owen).

This post was submitted to the Carnival of Beauty sponsored by following an unknown path.  This week the theme is The Beauty of Discipline and is being hosted by Scribblings by Blair.  Join us next week for The Beauty of  Hope over at Sara's Stones of Remembrance.

The Carnival of Beauty

This week our theme is the Beauty of Prayer!! 

This week's CoB will be hosted by a dusty frame on Friday.

Please consider joining us. More info here.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

It's been a little slow this summer, but there are still some good posts our there, so don't forget to check out our recent Carnival's:

• The Beauty of Grace
• The Beauty of Play
• The Beauty of (free)
• The Beauty of The Lord's Day

The Carnival of Beauty

This week our theme is the Beauty of Grace!! 

This week's CoB will be hosted by Sara @ Stones of Remembrance on Friday.

Please consider joining us. More info here.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Also, don't forget to check out our recent Carnival's:

• The Beauty of Humility @ Blair's Scribblings
• The Beauty of  . . . @ Leslie's Lux Venit
• The Beauty of Summer @ Beth's Onward-n-Upward

Carnival of Beauty This Week

Being the week of 4th of July . . . I expect the CoB will be small this week.  But, I did want to remind everyone that you have till Thursday night to submit to the first ever "choose your own topic Carnival of Beauty." 

You can fill in the blank "The Beauty of  . . . " and write about whatever you want (as long as it still fulfills our mission or bringing glory to Christ of course). 

So, you can write about the Beauty of Peace, The Beauty of Freedom, The Beauty of Love, The Beauty of Holiness, The Beauty of Music, The Beauty of Smiles, The Beauty of Parenting, The Beauty of Ice Cream . . . yeah . . . just about anything would be ok!

So, go ahead, what are you waiting for?  Come join us as we reflect on the beauty that surrounds us!!

Submit your posts to Leslie at carnival.of.beauty[at]gmail.com by Thursday night. 

humility

Scripture tells us that "knowledge puffs up" (1 Corinthians 8:1).  It is so easy to get puffed up.  We all know stuff and this stuff-knowing fuels our pride.  But we know that God opposes the proud, and commands us to "humble ourselves." 

We are told to "clothe [ourselves], all of [us], with humility toward one another, for 'God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble'" (1 Peter 5:5). 

So, what is humility?

Humility does not mean having a low self-esteem.  It is possible to have a low self-esteem and be prideful at the same time.  I know because I've been there.

Rather, humility means having a right understanding of who we are in light of who God is. 

Humility does not mean downplaying the gifts and talents he has given us.  Humility does not mean denying the abilities God has given us. 

Rather, humility leads us to serve others with the gifts, talents and skills God has graciously given us.  In Phillipians 2, Paul calls us to have the same mind as Christ, who humbled himself and took on the form of a servant.  We are able to honor others and serve others with the skills, talents, and gifts God has given us when we "in humility count others more significant than [ourselves]."

For an even better look at "What is Humility?" John Piper explains what God has told us about humility:

1. Humility begins with a sense of subordination to God in Christ.
2. Humility does not feel a right to better treatment than Jesus got.
3. Humility asserts truth not to bolster ego with control or with triumphs in debate, but as service to Christ and love to the adversary.
4. Humility knows it is dependent on grace for all knowing and believing.
5. Humility knows it is fallible, and so considers criticism and learns from it; but also knows that God has made provision for human conviction and that he calls us to persuade others.

Read his full article for the Scriptures he uses for each of these five points.

Oh, how I long to stay humble--but how very often I see pride rearing its ugly head into my thoughts and actions.  Help me to stay close to the cross--where I can more clearly see the holiness of You and the sinfulness in me.  Father, help me to actively be humbling myself, counting others as more significant.  Like the song says, make me to be a servant, humble and meek.

This post was submitted to the Carnival of Beauty sponsored by following an unknown path.  This week the theme is The Beauty of Humility and is being hosted by Scribbling by Blair.  Join us next week for The Beauty of  . . . (your choice) over at Leslie's Lux Venit.

The Beauty of Babies

This week's carnival surprised me a little.  I thought for sure we'd get lots of pictures of cute little babies.  There are lots of you out there with those kinds of pictures to share. 

Instead, we have a great assortment of different kinds of reflections all centered around the idea of babies. :)

Join me traveling around bloggyland to read about The Beauty of Babies.

First, and probably most exciting, Revka finally realized that she had been trusting in her profession of salvation rather than in the Person who saves.  Monday morning, she became a "new creature" in Christ. Read all about it, in her long, but great post: A Beautiful Birth.

Next, travel with me to the UK, where Susanna who is expecting, posts just about the changes that takes place in a baby and how each one has its' own beauty.

Next lets go back to the States--the deep south--and visit Bethany who is reflecting on her young son, how he's growing up too fast, and how he'll always be her baby.

Then, come on back here to my little corner of Asia, to read about how a single woman deals with mommy-longings in oh, baby.

Thanks for joining this week!  Next week will be over at Blair's Scribblings for The Beauty of Humility!  Come join us!!

oh, baby!

For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb.

I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.

Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.

My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth.

Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.

(Psalm 139:13-16)

Babies--they are so precious. 

I know not if I will ever be a mother.  I know not if I will ever experience what if feels like to have a human being intricately woven inside of me.  I long to . . . I desire to . . . but, I know not.

For now, I must be content with holding little bundles of blessings that belong to others (like the one pictured here who belongs to one of my students).  I can cradle them, snuggle with them, sing to them, rub my cheek against their fuzzy heads, kiss their chubby little cheeks, and then I must give them back to their moms and dads.  It is not easy to stay content when everything inside of screams with the desire to be a mother. 

Instead of children to raise, all I have for now is hope.  And, I don't even know if that hope will ever not be deferred.   All I know is that for now it is. 

But that is ok, because like I mentioned yesterday, the Most High God is both all-good and all-powerful all the time.  He saw me while I was still an unformed substance. He cannot not keep His promises.  He is a great gift-giver, a Father who likes to give gifts to his children.  He is trustworthy.  It is far more than worthwhile for me to trust Him alone--even with deferred hopes and strong desires.

Father, I thank you for so graciously helping me not to covet, not to envy.  I could not on my own.  Please continue to keep bitterness at bay and hope, even though deferred, burning bright.  I place my trust in You alone.

This post was submitted to the Carnival of Beauty sponsored by following an unknown path.  This week the theme is The Beauty of Babies and is being hosted here. Join us next week for The Beauty of Humility over at Scribbling by Blair.

Carnival of Beauty Announcement

First, please stop by Bethany's blog to both thank her for hosting last week and then go check out all the neat posts on The Beauty of Truth that she was able to host.

Second, this week the CoB is here on my blog!!  Our topic this week is the Beauty of Babies!  And, we are changing things up a little this week.  Instead of emailing to the hostess, you can email our new [email protected] address with your post info.

Please submit your post by midnight Thursday--Texas time.

Next, here are the upcoming topics and their hostess:

June 20: The Beauty of Babies
     (Amanda @ following an unknown path)
June 27: The Beauty of Humility
     (Blair @ Scribblings by Blair)
July 6: The Beauty of (free)
      (Leslie @ Lux Venit)
July 13: The Beauty of Summer
      (No Hostess yet, would you like to host?)
July 20: The Beauty of Grace
     (Sara @ Stones of Remembrance)
July 27: The Beauty of Play
     (Susanna @ Through a Glass)
August 3: The Beauty of (free)
     (Bethany @ A Picturesque Life)
August 10: The Beauty of The Lord's Day
     (Susanna @ Through a Glass)
August 17: The Beauty of Prayer
     (No Hostess yet, would you like to host?)
August 24: The Beauty of Change
     (Ashley @ twentysixcats.com)
August 31:The Beauty of Learning
     (Bethany @ A Picturesque Life)
September 7: The Beauty of (free)
     (No Hostess yet, would you like to host?)
September 14: The Beauty of Autumn
     (Ashley @ twentysixcats.com)
September 21: The Beauty of Discipline
     (Blair @ Scribblings by Blair)
September 28:  The Beauty of Hope
     (Sara @ Stones of Remembrance)

There are still three weeks with no hostess, so if'd you like to host one of those weeks and haven't signed up yet please let me know.  If no one takes them, we are ok, because I've not yet signed up to host, and I know a few of you have volunteered to help out if needed, which I truly appreciate!!

One last note, I've updated the main CoB page.  But, for some reason the Google Group pages are blank when I go to edit them.  I will try from my office computer on Wednesday--because today and tomorrow are holidays for me!!  But, the email address still works fine for the google group, so if you'd like to get updates and notices via email about the carnival, please sign up:

       

Subscribe to Carnival of Beauty

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Visit this group

The Beauty of Truth

The beauty of truth is that it sets us free.

"You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." (John 8:32).

I know . . . I've experienced this truth--that the truth sets us free--several times.

As a kid, lying was probably the sin I struggled with most.  I didn't lie straight out, I stretched the truth or made up my own "stretched facts."   I blurred the lines between reality and my imagination.  But, still it was lying.  I distinctly remember one day--maybe in third or fourth grade--sitting in the cafeteria and telling one of my stretched stories.  I remember being so convicted.  I realized that I couldn't keep all the details of all my stretched stories straight.  It was liberating to discover that if I told the truth and only the truth, I didn't have to worry about keeping anything straight.

In college, I sinned and then was convicted by the Holy Spirit; I struggled for an entire summer with the guilt of not confessing it.  The moment I went to the person I had sinned against and confessed, the moment I told her the truth, I was able to breathe freely again. 

A few years ago, I suffered from depression.  Part of it was hormonal, and while hormonally imbalanced, it was easy for me to believe "warpy thoughts."   So, part of getting out of the deep dark pit of depression was washing away the lies I had been believing with Scripture.  I remember one of my friends telling me: "no wonder your depressed, anyone who believes that would be depressed."   Her speaking truth to me and encouraging me to feed on Scripture again, helped set me free from the chains of depression.

Satan is the father of lies, and shoots flaming darts at us.  "He was a murderer from the beginning, and has nothing to do with the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies" (John 8:44).  He loves to keep us bound and imprisoned.

Oh, but our Heavenly Father delights in truth in his inward being (Psalm 51:6).  And it is Him who sets us free.  His truth sets us free.   What a glorious thing to delight in! 

Truth . . what a very beautiful thing indeed!

This post was submitted to the Carnival of Beauty sponsored by following an unknown path.  This week the theme is The Beauty of Truth and is hosted by Bethany at Picturesque Life. Join us next week for The Beauty of Babies--right here on my blog. 

Upcoming Carnival Topics . . . Hostess Needed

Here are the upcoming Carnival of Beauty Topics . . .

 

July 6             The Beauty of (free)

July 13            The Beauty of Summer

July 20            The Beauty of Grace

July 27           The Beauty of Play

August 3         The Beauty of (free)

August 10       The Beauty of The Lord's Day

August 17       The Beauty of Prayer

August 24       The Beauty of Change

August 31       The Beauty of Learning

September 7    The Beauty of (free)

September 14  The Beauty of Autumn

September 21  The Beauty of Discipline

September 28  The Beauty of Hope

Did you notice another change?  The first CoB of each month will be free choice.  You can choose to write about the beauty of whatever you want as long as you keep to our purpose of glorying God and reflecting Christ in our writing.  You can choose something mundane and ordinary or something grand and amazing--the choice is yours!

I am now accepting requests for hosting.  Anyone who has had a post included in a previous CoB may host.  If you would like to host, please email me let me know which day(s) would be best for you.  When you email your request, please also include your blog's URL.

Thank you for all the encouragement and support so many of you have offered this week.

(Changes to the google group page and main CoB page won't get done this week, like I originally thought they would . . . maybe Monday??)

ladies, can i have your attention, please!

Announcing some immediate and some upcoming changes to the Carnival of Beauty!!

First . . . let me invite you once again to participate in this week's CoB!  We have a really cool topic this week that I am really excited about!  It is the Beauty of Strong Men!  Susanna at Through a Glass is hosting this week, and I assume she would be delighted to have a whole slew of posts submitted.  So, please think about it, pray about it, and write about it!!  Please see below for some great news about a change that will start with this week's CoB!!!!!

We have a new day of the week for our carnival!  From now on, the CoB will be on Fridays.  Submissions to the CoB will be due on the Thursday before--time still to be set by the hostess.  This will give us a few more days to compose our posts each week--something I know I need!

We have a new way to keep in touch.  I have decided to use google groups as a way to help contact ladies interested in the CoB.  Please join if you would like to get info and reminders about the CoB right in your own inbox.  I expect no more than 2 messages sent per week.

       

Subscribe to Carnival of Beauty

Email:

Visit this group

We have a new way to submit posts to the CoB.  Instead of each week changing the submission address to match the different hostess, you can submit to the same email address each week starting with me in three weeks with the Beauty of Babies.  What I can do is each Monday forward the address to that week's hostess.  Then all submissions will go straight to her inbox without her having to post her email address to world if she doesn't want to.  I thought I'd be the one to test drive the new email address in case there were any problems.  So, starting the week of June 20, posts can be submitted to [email protected].

(NB) We have a new "testing period."  I believe the CoB doesn't have to be big to fulfill its purpose.  And, I don't wanna play the numbers game; however, part of the purpose of the CoB is to meet new women online that we wouldn't have met otherwise--and if we only have 1 or 2 posts each week, are we really meeting this objective? 

So, later this week I am going to make the new line up for topics for July, August and September and ask for hostesses for these weeks.  If by the end of September, we are still having an average of less than 5 posts each week, I am going to put the CoB to rest.  She's had a good run and has blessed many women--myself included.  I would love to see her continue to bless others and be used as a way to encourage us to reflect Christ in our writings and on our blogs.  Yet, I can't see expending my time and energy into something that is barely meeting its purpose.

So, if you are one of the ones that emailed me and told me how meaningful the CoB has been to you and would hate to see it close. . . I strongly encourage you to either consider submitting or at least commenting to thank the hostess and those whose posts were encouraging to you.  I also would like to ask you to please encourage your readers to check out the CoB and invite them to join us.

I will be updating the google groups page as well as the main carnival page on my blog later this week to reflect these new changes. 

Also, there are about two days left to submit any ideas for future topics . . . so, if you have any tucked away in the back corners of your noggin, now is the time to dust them off and send them in! 

I am very open to suggestions and welcome feedback--either in the comments or by email.

Carnival of Beauty This Week

This week the Carnival of Beauty will be hosted by Susanna over at Through a Glass (whose computer is up and running again).

This week our theme is The Beauty of Esther.

We welcome you to join us! 

Please consider writing a post on Esther and then sending it to Susanna.  (And be sure to thank her for helping out in a pinch!)

For more info on the carnival, check here.

P.S. I am still taking ideas for future CoB themes . . . please keep sending them my way!  Thanks!

making sacrifices

When I first started brainstorming "the beauty of sacrifices" for this Carnival of Beauty, I instantly pictured my grandparents, both paternal and maternal. 

I imagine my PawPaw as a young boy taking care of his baby sister--combing her hair and dressing her.  I picture him doing without so many times thoughout the years so that others may have.

I can see with my mind's eye my NeeNee as a young newlywed living alone as her new husband served our country overseas.  I see her crocheting blankets, using her time and talents so that others can be warm.

I see my Grandpa as a boy during the Depression.  I see him and my PawPaw both as young men dressed in their uniforms, ready to serve our country and lay down their lives.

I envision my Grandmother as a young girl picking cotton, giving up her dream of going to college, so that her family's needs are met.  I think of her working late at night at her sewing machine so that her five children will all have clothes to wear. 

I can see all of them giving of their time, talents, and money to the things they care about and to their churches.  I see them volunteering . . . teaching Sunday School in the preschool department, teaching English to new immigrants, working in the soup kitchen, delivering food to shut-ins.

I see four people I want to be just like.  I see four people I admire so much words fail to convey my true admiration.

What my generation and those that follow mine lack as a whole is an understanding of the beauty of sacrifice.  However, it is something our grandparents fully understand and embraced.  For that I am grateful.

Wasn't it Jim Elliot who said, "he is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose"? 

Father, please help me to not be a fool.  Help me to freely give what I can't keep anyway so that I may fully gain that which I can't lose.  Thank you ever so much for giving me godly grandparents who seek you and were willing to make and still do make sacrifices for their country and for their families.  Help me to truly understand the beauty of sacrifice.

This post was submitted to the Carnival of Beauty sponsored by following an unknown path.  This week the theme is The Beauty of Sacrifice and is hosted by Ann at Holy Experience.   Join us next week for The Beauty of Esther. 

In September of last year, we also visited this same topic.  At that time, I wrote about being a living sacrifice.  If you'd like to see what others wrote about please visit Renee.

Hola! Ni Hao! Guten Tag!

I'm back!!  It will take me awhile to get back into the blogging grove.  I really did abandon it for the last two weeks.  I only visited a few select special interest blogs--my google reader is overflowing.  But, I'm just going to have to "mark all as read" and move on.  Hope yall don't mind. :)

The Carnival of Beauty is going on this week with a WONDERFUL topic!  This week is the Beauty of Sacrifice!  It is to be hosted over at Holy Experience, by Ann.  She has given us till Tuesday 9:00 PM EST . . . which is 9 AM on Wednesday here in Taiwan--just in case you were
interested in that little random fact.

Thank you to both Sara and Patricia who hosted while I was breaking--I'll be over to check out yall's CoB's soon!!

I have decided to make a few changes to the CoB and will be announcing those soon.  For now, I would like suggestions for future topics.  Our current line-up will only last one more month.  So, if you have any ideas, please send me an email!

Hope you all have a fantastic Tuesday--mine was pretty good! :)