If It's In A Book Then Tell Me Where Do I Find It?

Flirting is a topic that has been on my heart, maybe more so than my mind. After talking to my boyfriend I realized something...I had used perhaps too many emotions and not enough of my own logic and experience to write my last blog entry "Serial Flirtation....Destroys One's Heart." I should have been more passionate, since talking about it is something that I am indeed concerned about and lead to talk to you about.

I have read many 'how-to-be-the-best-Christian-young-women-and-men-books' in my lifetime. While the information was great, and well, very informative...I could see the author's hearts on the subject, but I couldn't see myself in their shoes. If finding out how to be the perfect Christian girl or guy is in a book...then tell me where to find it! I never found out how to become a 'perfect little Christian girl' in any book on modesty, boys, dating....and in one's about flirting etc. It was through the lives of countless women mentors in my life sharing about their trials with me, and walking alongside me. It was through my own life experiences, it was in talking to God daily...and it was in my many mistakes.

Your life should not be dictated by what is written in a Christian book just because it is written by a Christian....yes, that's right, I said NOT to live your life based on a 'how-to-live-life' Christian book. Christian 'help books' are great! They are there to guide us, to be informative, to spur us on towards spending time soaking up the Bible.

Now I bet you are wondering why Sarah went all scatter-brained from talking about flirting, to talking about not paying too much heed to what is written within self-help-Christian-life-guide-books!? I have a point....I promise. After thinking about my long preachy last blog entry, praying, and talking to my boyfriend Jared...I realized that I was doing and writing about exactly what I hated reading in all of those opinionated self help preachy books! I was preaching...now scripture has it's place and I am not throwing my last blog entry out at all. What I am saying is that I forgot momentarily, that I like you had struggles, read all of this stuff and had heard it all before growing up in a Christian Home.....but I didn't get it!

I didn't get why flirting was such a nasty pit and cycle to fall into from all of those books. I have Iearned just how damaging it was by living through it. I want you to know that flirting is like eating a big bowl of candy...it is seemingly sweet...then after a while it gets too sweet....yet you keep on eating anyway because even though it is empty and nothing nourishing whatsoever is to be found in it you continue to eat it on and on because it makes you feel good.....well, then you get sick my friend.

Back to self help books....they are great! I am not saying go burn all of your modesty/dating/friendship/tough-topics-to-deal-with-self-help books! I am merely saying that God is the one who can get you through understanding you and your life...the one He so desperately wants you to live!

Live and learn. Live and listen. Live and acquire. Live to glean from others and their life experiences. Live and love for Him! Live to love to seek Him, and not self help books!

Living, & Loving Seeking Him.
-Daughter of the King

Serial Flirtation...It Destroys One's Heart

Seeing and being in the company of so many young people as of late; I have glimpsed something that truly bothers me and makes my heart ache for them...to see their lost ways. To know my own experiences with such a thing...to think to myself "I wish these young people knew what God would have them do with their bodies, minds, and heart's...He would have them glorify HIM!"

What I am speaking of is: Serial Flirtation. Here is a question one should ask of themselves.......have I unintentionally intentionally broken someone's heart through flirtation? Flirting with them...for only my personal gain and selfish desire's? Did I think before I acted....what must God think of my lack of propriety and honoring His glory...when I really haven't? Flirting is not wrong...to a certain degree. I prefer not to use the term 'flirting' though seeing as it has negative connotation to be known as a "flirt." I mean you need to make your intention clear to a member of the opposite sex...somehow...to show that you have an interest in them. I honestly prefer the 'befriending' approach rather than being 'an unintentional intentional teasing flirt!'

So immediately there might be a few questions that come to your mind.......
Q- So what is flirting anyway? A- According to Merriam-Webster, flirting is "a) to behave amorously without serious intent, or b) to show superficial or casual interest or liking."
Q- Does the Bible speak on flirting? A- No, the Bible does not speak specifically on flirting, but there are MANY Scriptures that show us how we are to conduct ourselves and how HE commands and seeks for us to glorify HIM in all that we are (mind, heart, and body.)

*Relevant Scriptures: Matthew 5:28-29, 12:35, 18:7 & 1 Corinthians 10:31*

Serial flirtation does nothing more than boost you up emotionally and physically for one moment, a moment that will surely fade in the nearing future, and end in passivity of the situation (sweeping behavior we know to be unrighteous under the proverbial 'rug'), causing us to at times entertain lust filled thoughts...or it can even end in the breaking of one's heart. So is flirting worth it? Is it worth the momentary rush...is it worth breaking someone's heart? You decide...

A 'serial flirtationist', as I will refer to them, do not uphold any honor for the Lord, themselves or the opposite sex with which they are 'unintentionally intentionally' flirting with. God's Word commands us to: "...love each other with genuine affection and take delight in honoring each other." (Romans 12:10) "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things." (Philippians 4:8)

Now you are probably wondering what the term, that I have coined, being an 'unintentional intentional flirt' is really all about....? What it is is when someone has no intention of seeking out a God glorifying committed relationship with the one whom they are serially flirting with, all the while purposefully not guarding or honoring that person's heart... and the person goes right on flirting, whether wounds be caused or not.

The Flirting List:

• Prolonged eye contact.
• Words that are impure and/or untruthful spoken toward someone to get a rise out of them (flirtatious conversation and aggravation to seek attention.)
• Casual touches/physical contact (i.e. petting.)
• Smiling suggestively.
• Online chatting/texting....be careful this one can get you into trouble quickly before you know it! *THIS IS KEY: Never say anything to anyone online or through a text message that you would not say to his/her face...always speaking in love and remember not to kill your witness for Christ!*
  

I have experienced this very topic myself firsthand...flirting with danger and being 'serially flirted' with. It was very destructive towards myself and my heart to have been 'unintentionally intentionally' flirted with. The wounds had run very deep for me...but luckily I am blessed so much by my mighty God that HE alone has brought redemption and peace to my heart. I have also been on the other end too.....being the flirt...which I am not proud of. I knew I was being flirted with unintentionally intentionally and so I followed suit and played right back at the guy...meaning no harm or foul...but flirting is never harmless! Yes, I myself have been an unintentional intentional flirt! I am not a hypocrite to be talking on this subject though...rather I feel that I am prepared to share my heart. After all I am experienced on this touchy topic. I pray that God can use me to shed some light here.

Q- So how are we as Christians supposed to avoid the pitfalls of serial flirtation?

A- The Bible tells us that we are to be a good example, showing others the love of Christ through our behavior.

Ephesians 5:1-5
Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children 2 and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. 3 But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. 4 Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. 5 For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a man is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.

Q- So what can I do to keep my eyes on God? How can I abstain from serial flirting?
A- First off, know that you are not alone in your flirtation struggles. We all deal with this at some point in life....we all desperately desire to be wanted, needed and loved. Know that you can find all of this in our Saviour Jesus Christ! To continue to live set apart for Christ and to turn our backs on serial flirting we must continuously surround and clothe ourselves in:

• God's Holy Word.
• Prayer!
• Seek the advice and counsel of an older male or female adult whom is living a life modeled after Christ. (i.e. a pastor, father, mother or gaurdian whom you can trust...etc.)
• Keep your mind, heart and body focused on serving Christ and HIS body of believers! (The right young lady or guy will come along when God has prepared your heart for them! Now I am sliding right on into Dating vs. Courtship....which perhaps I will touch on a later posting. Lemme know what topics you want to hear about...discuss together...keep it focused on HIM though!)
• Don't rush things....flirting to get attention...think about it this way: THAT PERSON THAT YOU ARE UNINTENTIONALLY INTENTIONALLY FLIRTING WITH RIGHT NOW MORE LIKELY THAN NOT WILL NOT BE YOUR FUTURE SPOUSE. THEY WILL BE SOMEONE ELSE'S HUSBAND OR WIFE...THINK ON THAT A MOMENT. DO YOU WANT ANOTHER GUY OR GIRL TO BE THE ONE STEALING BITS AND PIECES OF YOUR FUTURE SPOUSES HEART AWAY? NO? WELL GOOD THEN...BECAUSE NOW YOU SEE THAT THAT IS WHAT YOU ARE DOING WHEN YOU FLIRT WITH SOMEONE AND PLAY WITH THEIR HEART...WITH NO INTENTION OF HAVING A COMMITTED RELATIONSHIP WITH HIM/HER.

I sincerely hope that you hear me out on this tough topic. This has been so heavily laden on my heart...so much so that I was not able to sleep well last night....and what with my laptop being virus ridden at this point...I am sitting at my family's computer...unable to sleep...writing to anyone who will hopefully read, listen, hear my heart truly, and take what God has put on my mind and heart within your own. I love you very much, and God also loves you endlessly...there is redemption and there is freedom in living a life set apart for HIM! Please do not throw love, purity, and modesty away...don't give bits and pieces of your heart away...don't play with other peoples hearts...let God polish that tarnished heart of yours and make it new! Decide to not flirt...do it for you...and for your future spouse!

No More Flirtation.....Heart Is Made Anew By HIM!
-Daughter of the King

PS- If you have any comments, questions, or anything to add to this topical blog discussion please feel free to leave a COMMENT. I would love to hear from you all....to hear your hearts on this topic as well! E-mail me at: EvenstarHeart@gmail.com or feel free to send me a message on Facebook.

Resources used: Wikipedia.com & http://www.gotquestions.org/flirting.html

Wives & Daughter's.....& Bouquets?

This past Tuesday and Wednesday I watched 'Wives & Daughters' (based on the novel by: Elizabeth Gaskell...same authoress who wrote North & South.) It was a very well laid out story. A nice ebb and flow to it's interactions betwixt characters...I was rather deeply involved with the characters while sitting there watching very intently.

There were many character qualities found within the main character, Molly Gibson, that were very amiable. For instance, even to the point where Molly herself was caused pain by keeping another persons confidence, she still did so, baring through it and remaining true to her word (think 'Elinore Dashwood' in Sense & Sensibility.) She took care of her father with the utmost love and care. She found acceptance for her new stepmother and stepsister...can't say that I would be so eager and willing to get along if that should ever happen to myself...new family...not so much...um...no.


{Molly Gibson}
I noticed something rather interesting...well I had an epiphany really! When Molly and her stepsister Cynthia were getting ready to go to the ball....doing their hair and adding flowers in and such...someone arrived at their home with two bouquets of flowers sent for the sisters...the young women proceeded to carry them around at the ball. I found this bouquet carrying rather odd....until I thought about it for a few more moments, and then my epiphany struck! Young women back in the olden days must have received bouquets from their Gentleman callers, escorts. The bouquets must have been a symbol that the young ladies were ready to be presented out into society...and that the young men were now able to vie and compete against one another for the affections of the young ladies present at the various balls.

Now think about this...what do you do with your bouquet at a wedding? You throw it over your shoulder of course...because you as a married woman are off of the so called "market" and are passing it on to another lucky young lady at your wedding. Okay, maybe you all have thought about this before...but I never have understood why in the world you would want to throw a bouquet of flowers at a group of young women! Now I believe I get it!

'Wives & Daughters' was an excellent series to watch. I suggest you watch it as well....and enjoy watching a virtuous young woman make new friends, go out into society, seek to believe she is truly beautiful, gain a new mother and sister, and long for the man she truly loves...wouldn't you like to know who "he" is!? I shall not tell....you must watch and find out for yourself.

P.S.-
If you have not yet watched North & South I suggest you do so. North & South was based off of Elizabeth Gaskell's novel, same author who had written Wives & Daughters. I have not written a review on North & South.



Here is a very short synopsis of North & South:
The story is about a young woman, Margaret Hale, who moves from the South to the North of England with her minister father and her mother. The story is set during the Industrial Revolution in England. You get to glimpse life through the vantage point of Margaret as she befriends the workers and owners' and starts to glimpse both sides of the industry. Margaret begins to change her view of people, life and love as she comes to blossom where she has been planted. Margaret changes much...and of course there is a love interest!


{Margaret Hale}
Happy watching!
-Daughter of the King

CHILLIPEPPER 2010

CHILLIPEPPER: THE COOLEST WAY TO GET FIRED UP!

I'm back from Chillipepper 2010. It was an amazing time...everyone including myself enjoyed our time spent at Chillipepper so much! I couldn't possibly tell you everything about my going to, and chaperoning for EHBC while at Chillipepper. I will however lay out this past weekends happenings as best I can...without being too wordy and detailed. :)

{Friday:}
We left EHBC (Jared's church) Friday afternoon and made our way towards Tennessee. We arrived at the hotel, got our luggage out and up to our rooms in the hotel, settled in and spent time talking to (for me getting acquainted with them) our roomies. I roomed with Anna (EHBC's Youth Pastor's Wife), Kelsey and Yasmin (two lovely young girls from EHBC.)

Anna & Sarah
Friday night was the kickoff for Chillipepper 2010. Bean & Bailey (a Christian Comedian Duo Act) started the evening off and boy were they FUNNY! The band 'Rush of Fools' lead us in worship that night playing some of their songs such as "Undo." Rush of Fools was a wonderful band! Derwin Gray was our speaker that night.

Bean & Bailey
{Saturday:}

We got up, ate breakfast all together at the hotel, and then we headed off to the Miracle Theater for our 2nd day of Chillipepper. That morning Bean & Bailey hit the stage again, as well as Derwin Gray...and then 'Stellar Kart' lead us in worship...they also did a really funny punk-rock-rendition of "I Can Show You The World" from Disney's ' movie 'Aladdin.'

Stellar Kart
Saturday afternoon we all headed out to the outlet malls together as a group, although some of us split up and went to go to the go kart place instead of shopping. Some of us stuck together for a while, and then Jared (my boyfriend), Patrick (my dear 'twisted' friend) and I went window shopping.....and to play around and be goofy in all of the different stores. We went into the sunglasses store...trying on numerous pairs of sunglasses...Pat started dancing and beat-boxing...it was GREAT! Jared, Patrick and myself wanted some fudge...so...the crazy silly trio in need of something sweet headed towards the' Fudgery.' Pat and I started singing out loud "We want the fudge...gotta have that fudge" loud and proud for all to hear. THAT WAS SOME YUMMIFUL FUDGE...LEMME TELL YA!!! We also did the sideways crab walk...okay well, Jared and Pat did the sideways crab walk...through the store, and right outside of the Payless shoe store.

Jared, Patrick & Sarah
A.K.A. J-Rad, Saint-Pat & Sadie
Saturday evening... Bean & Bailey...funny as usual. Jeffrey Dean was the speaker that night, and he was REALLY GREAT!!! He spoke on beauty, living our lives for God alone because we are not our own, and surrender. Then the worship/rock band FEE hit the stage to lead us into the presence of the Lord, and indeed they did! FEE WAS AMAZING!!! Pat, Jared, Me, Fabian and LaTravis all got our picture taken together with FEE!
Some of the EHBC members with Fee

{Sunday:}
Sunday...was our last day at Chillipepper. Bean & Bailey...a given at this point...and as entertaining as ever! :) Jeffrey Dean spoke again...wonderful message. Then Stellar Kart closed the show out in our 'wondyful concert series of Christian Bands!!!'
The ride back home was LONG...we got turned around and that cost us an hour...there were tornado warnings in the area that we were driving through...it was pouring monsoon like rain...and yet God blessed us with a wonderful weekend...all of us together glorifying HIM...and a safe return back home! GOD IS AMAZING! AMEN!!! AMEN!!!

-Daughter of the King

Walking With The Wildlife

Well, today was quite interesting. I went for a walk with my grandma this morning...and it only got better from there on out! As Grandma and I were walking and talking as we moved along, glancing all around and taking in the beauty of the blue mountains standing in the distance; we had two little puppies follow us and stake claim on grandma and I both as part of their walking posse. They were very sweet little puppies.

I almost tripped over the little black and white girl pup, as she decided to station herself to my right flank, moving over from my left side under my feet...and then I noticed that she had quite a few large burs stuck in her hair on her face, and behind her ears. (Of course I know if you talk to a dog that is following you, or show kindness with gestures or words the dog will usually follow you around "like a lost pup.") I could not leave that animal there, burs stuck all in her face and ears...just couldn't do it. So, I knelt down on the side of the road, next to the cow pasture, and began to pluck the spiky little brown spheres out of her fur. "Dixie" as I affectionately like to think of her being named...yes I know that you are NOT supposed to name critters, because then you become attached to them...well anyway, she thanked me after I had removed all of the burs from her head by kissing me on the palm.

Cow Pasture seen on our walk together..."Dixie," a border collie/mix, ran under the barbed wire fence to chase the cows around...and she succeeded in doing so, she had those poor cows running all over that field!

I think that this old house is so beautiful...I often wonder about the family that once inhabited the old broken down home...every time we pass this house it makes me want to think up a story...

Well, we just couldn't seem to get rid of "Dixie" and "Cody." I even went up to someone's house, who I assumed to be the owner of the puppies...well it wasn't...luckily the woman was very gracious with me for bothering her.

My feet started hurting right about the time we made it to our road...so yes I am wearing shorts in January, and yes, I also took my shoes off...looks like I need a pedicure! :P

"Cody" & "Dixie"

Chillipepper, and Random Rantings

More likely than not, I will not have much of a chance to post on my blog between now and next week sometime. I will be heading out to see my boyfriend, Jared, on Thursday afternoon (please pray for safe travels on the way there!) Friday-Sunday I will be going to 'Chillipepper,' which is an event held yearly for church groups. I will be in Tennessee, at the BIG EVENT chaperoning alongside Jared, for his church, Eastern Hills Baptist Church.

I am very excited to be going to Chillipepper; this will be my first year attending the *so I hear it is...well a very awesome time I am gonna have* event. If you are interested, in learning more about the event I will be attending this coming weekend (in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee,) please visit the following website: http://www.concoxions.com/Site/Chillipepper.html

Tomorrow is going to be great...I've made my mind up that it will be already! God has my day in His plans already, and that is good enough for me!

Tmrw goes like this...although God always does re-writes!!! :

• Reading my Bible, meditating and praying.
  
• Going for a long walk/hike with my Grandma! Perhaps I will remember to take my camera with me this time, so as to snap a few pics of our beautiful mountain scenery in the distance! Who knows I might even post a pic. diary of our walk on here on Wednesday...
  
• MAYBE get around to doing some Yoga and Rhythym Boxing.
• I am going to be babysitting for the Naskov Family, in the evening.
• YEAH! More reading after I put the children to bed!!!
• Then there is the driving foot towards Home...after work of course.
  
• I had better get some sleep... so I will be prepared to run errands, and pack on Wednesday for my busy-hectic-long awaited weekend (which starts early, on Thursday!)
  

I know I have been rambling blog readers...sorry about that! I have nothing much more to say today, and so I will leave you all with this:

"Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart." Psalm 37:4

I hope you all have an abundantly blessed week!
-Daughter of the King

She'll Be Wearing White

{Me trying on Momma's Wedding Dress}

My heart feels very burdened talking to so many young women, who have a misconstrued understanding of what love is, and of what 'Biblical Femininity' is. I have had many young women open up to me on the topic of 'love and boys.' They have even shared with me how many failed relationships they have had...and they are still young girls in my eyes! Far too young in my opinion to be having so many "flings"...and yet I listen wholeheartedly...I hear them out and listen intently to them...knowing that the Lord will give me a comforting word of wisdom and love for me to share with them.

I know first hand what kind of struggles young women are faced with! Young women want to be desired, loved, and noticed by young men. We want so badly to be desired and noticed that we will nit-pick at how we look to the point of stressing ourselves out, and in some cases starving ourselves, so as to look as pretty as we possibly can...trying so desperately to grasp the attention of any and every young male. We want to be loved so badly that we will sell ourselves short! *I am not completely reminiscing about my younger years as a little lady myself...I am also speaking from/and about my conversations that I have had with many numerous young women over the years.*

Where the foundation for understanding and receiving a man's love for these young women should be seen and illustrated is first and foremost from their Heavenly Father, and secondly by their own Father. Our Heavenly Father sending His Son Jesus Christ to die on the cross for us...Jesus' atonement...this is how we know what true love is. Love is unconditional and sacrificial like the 'lamb of God!' My daddy has always shown me how a wife is to be treated, by displaying how he treats my mother: with respect, unconditional love, integrity and by providing for her and our family. God and my daddy have always held my heart!

I know I have posted quite a long blog entry once before on 'Purity' (or at least on my lifestyle choice of purity) but I felt it wouldn't hurt to revisit the theme on the lifestyle and choice for a moment. Purity is not only to be obtained by sexual abstinence, but also by modesty, and keeping your heart and thoughts on God.

The young *women/woman* I have spoken to have truly broken my heart by saying things like: "I give up on love...I will just be alone forever...my life is not going so good...I have no friends or anyone!"

HERE IS WHAT I HAVE TO SAY TO ALL OF YOU DEAREST YOUNG WOMEN OUT THERE:

• You are never alone...God the matchless King is always there for you even when you cannot see. He alone, will love you endlessly and unfathomably!
  
• Purity is a choice and it is a daily struggle, but if you pledge your mind, body and soul to Him things get much easier! Your body is not your own! (Find older women, whom you can trust and can talk to and surround yourselves with...they have been there and done that...shared the same struggles as you have!)
  
• Modesty: do not cause your brother's in Christ to stumble and fall! Attention is nice. I know, we all want to be found beautiful in the eyes of a man, but our beauty should come from within...plus as young Christian women we already have the best guy of all: Jesus Christ!
• God uses all things to His eternal glory! "If He brings you to it, He'll get you through it!"
• The Word of God speaks aloud to me more than anything else! Try staying in the Word!
• Prayer...is such a beautiful gift that we have! God hears everything, even if He does not *seem* to answer you right away, know that He is listening...and that sometimes unanswered prayers are the best kind!
• Strengthen the bond with your family and friends....boys can come later! The world says you have to be perfect, and that to be 'somebody' you have to have a boyfriend...starting in Middle School. I say NO YOU DO NOT! God will bring the right guy along when you are ready...when you are ready to be in a committed relationship...seeking to find out if 'he' is the 'one' God has prepared for you or not.
  
• When you do meet the right guy... Making your mind up to pray about the young man of which you find oh so amiable always helps!!! Let God speak and tell you whether a young man is for you or not...go to God first...family second..then everything else will fall into place. God should be at the forefront of any and every relationship!
• Courting...you should start a relationship based on the premise that you want to have God at the head of the relationship. Being in a committed relationship, marriage should be the ultimate goal...seeing if that man is who God has prepared you for.
• One day...at your wedding, before God and all of your family and friends, you will be united in love and in Christ, with the man you have waited for...and it will all be worth it when you walk towards him wearing white!

With Love-Daughter of the King

The Calling

{Photography By: Sarah Elizabeth}

"When it pleased God...to reveal His Son in me..." Galatians 1:15-16

• He dwells within us, even when we cannot see Him move.
• He walks alongside us, even though we cannot hear him take a sounding step.
• He intercedes on our behalf, though we hear no spoken word or prayer aloud.
• He picks us up, and gently brushes all our shame and tears away.
• He uses us, the broken, to make others whole in Him.
• He speaks aloud to you and I, preach and go to the nations.
• The calling...He is beckoning...come and follow me.

When they were alone. When He was alone.

Over the past few days I have revisited my devotional times spent with God...which was well needed...always needed. I hadn't realized just how thirsty I was...an unquenchable thirst within me finally filled after the drought of 'devotional neglect.'

Solitude, is something I think that everyone struggles with, making way for time to spend in such a manner just listening and being still. I know that I struggle with sitting still, concentrating, and even sometimes seeking the Lord out on things, or waiting on Him...to hear what He has to say.

I have been told by someone, whom I love very much, that 'Because I see you struggle I know you seek strongly after the heart of God...I love your gilded heart.' Maybe that person didn't use those *exact* words, but that is irrelevant, what is relevant is that they were right...because I do "fight the tide" and struggle to seek Him...to and fro...I know that my faith is growing on and on ever stronger and deeper!

Our solitude with Him...

"When they were alone, He explained all things to His disciples." (Mark 4:34) 

God doesn't take us to the side to explain every minuscule detail...we may not always hear Him clearly and outright. He explains things to us in the way we each, individually will be able to hear and receive the 'Holy 2x4' to the head. He does this so that we might better understand Him and the plan that He has for us daily. God is always speaking to us! Sometimes it isn't a thunderous eruptive sonic booming commanding voice though...sometimes it is in the still silence that He will prick our heart's on a certain situation, or a prayer that needs to be said and vocalized to Him on the behalf of someone we feel called to pray for. God also requires us to examine our own souls...it will take all of eternity to do this task set before us I am sure. To know that we are not alone in doing this, in learning who we are, and in developing our gilded heart's for His people we begin to see Him working in our lives, and to hear his loving voice resting on our spirit and heart. The only one who truly sees us is Him! There are many things He has to say to us, if we would but only listen. He speaks in the seemingly mundane, in the silence, in a smile, in a night sky, in a kind word spoken from a fellow servant's gilded heart...He speaks through us His body. He is always there...always speaking, always listening and always loving...endlessly.

His solitude with us...

"When He was alone...the twelve asked Him about the parable." (Mark 4:10)

God will find us when we are still, when we sit still in solitude, when we 'just are.' I have learned this last year more than any other year: God uses all things to His eternal glory! God speaks to us, gives us His eyes, through even some hard things: heartbreak, temptation, disappointment, sickness, through unanswered prayers, and broken friendships. 

"Notice Jesus Christ's training of the twelve. It was the disciples, not the crowd outside, who were confused. His disciples constantly asked Him questions, and He constantly explained things to them, but they didn't understand until after they received the Holy Spirit...Are we alone with Him now? Or are we more concerned with our own ideas, friendships, and cares for our bodies? Jesus cannot teach us anything until we quiet all our intellectual questions and get alone with Him." (see John 14:26) [excerpt taken from: Oswald Chambers' My Utmost For His Highest.]

"She is now seeking solitude..."
-Daughter of the King

The Servant's Mind Undone

So deep in thought and prayer...
I've once again come before you to seek your face.
This mind and heart of mine desires to keep in perfect peace.
...where only you dwell.
I need to seek You out, in the stillness I sit.
Hold my every thought captive O God, before my mind becomes unsettled...unfocused and yearning to become apparent I breathe You in and wait.
This mind has not been stayed, but starved by neglect.
Bring my mind back to You!
Slipping away at times is the crime in this servant's life.
Bring every thought, in this mind of mine, to the obedience of Christ.
Bleed into my thoughts every day...no longer will I be at the every impulse of my wild tangent thinking.
There's no excuse to say you aren't talking to me, for indeed You speak.
When I seek out Your voice and face, the letters fall onto the page, my mind is awake...linked to You.
Help me to turn from the face of idols...turn my face to You.
Take my mind...let the worldly thoughts within unravel and become undone.
Hold captive, this mind of mine, to win the fight.
...become undone.

(Isaiah 26:3 & 45:22)
(2 Corinthians 10:5)

Still Still Still...

{In this picture: Lynette S.}

Sitting still has never been easy for me. I am not 100% sure.......but I could have ADD. 'I don't have AD- PURPLE!!!!!!!!!!!!' :) My attention span is short, unless however, I am learning about something of which I am heavily impassioned about, or curious about...then you have my full attention and might stand a chance at intriguing me. I am a wild tangent thinker....the proverbial rabbit hole/trail runner!

This morning I had to purpose myself to sit still, to pray, and to commune with my Heavenly Father in devotion. It was not easy for me to simply sit, letting all of my scattered thoughts, and my fears go...easing my mind so as to spend time with God alone, and not let anything of this world turn my thoughts and heart away from Him. Distractions always hit when you purpose yourself to sit still and just BE WITH GOD...voices, odd sounds, seeing my messy disorganized room which needs to be in order for me to think straight out of the corner of my wandering eye, thinking about what will happen next in my life (seen in cartoon/scenarios) within my cloudy headed mind.

The moment I decided to sit still and spend some quality devotion time with Him this morning, opening my devotional book, I was going to read January 11th...well I read the page and the 'power verse' for the day was: "You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You" (Isaiah 26:3.) Only after prayer, thinking on the verse(s) I had read I realized that I had read February 11th instead of January 11th's daily devotion! God had a plan...and He knew that I would be so scatter-brained like I typically am, so as to not pay attention enough to notice that I had read out of February instead of January....and within that devotion held the exact message I needed to hear, and hold close in my heart today.

God is mysterious, wonderful, unfathomable, timely, leading, moving.......on and on.....endlessly seeking after my heart daily! This daughter loves her King mightily and endlessly!!!

In the stillness...
-Daughter of the King

Northanger Abbey

I just recently watched 'Northanger Abbey.' I happened to receive the Masterpiece Theater version of the film (which was released in 2007) from Netflix. Netflix is so very wonderful for having all of these period piece dvd's! It was such a lovely sweet film. I suggest, if you haven't done so already...watching this movie. Other than a few immodest bodices it is very much so scatheless. Catherine Moreland, the story's heroine, and I have quite a lot in common. We are dreamers who love to read, spend time with our family...and going for long walks...especially when in the company of our dearly beloved. Henry...well he is just rather dashing isn't he? Please watch it...curl up with a knitting project in hand, a quilt to hand sew, a sister to laugh and cry with or even better yet watch with your momma and breathe it all in at once together basking in all the propriety, dresses, speech and dancing. I will warn you: prepare to be charmed entirely! Now I am off to watch a very similar movie...at least in it's literary styling and theme, 'North & South' which a friend of mine, Jennifer C., has so kindly lent me to borrow and watch...off I go to watch...good night my blog readers!

Until we meet again!
-Daughter of the King
P.S. - You young men should watch this movie too...with a girlfriend, sister or your mother...

The Wine Press (Revisited)

You've gently carried me and set me down, into the wine press. Now the wine can begin to flow.

I am still not through being pressed, but I no longer feel in duress when You push and press me harder.

You have a plan that is greater than I. The sword of one's self is called to be tempered in the fire. The tempering will come, though I will not be alone...always alongside me you will be. Oh Lord...the wine of life is You! Temper and press me on...harder and harder.

The wine grows darker, but then becomes somehow sweeter...it is You pouring through into the wine. Your sweet spirit and saving grace are bleeding through.

Open up Your floodgates and pour down Your wine upon me. Please prevent evil from attacking my vineyard and vine...be with me for all of time. Keep pressing down on me Lord.

Fill my cup and set my sword ablaze. Let the wine of life flow out from within me...and let the sword of myself sing in the sun eternally.

~Malachi 3:10-11~

Visiting With The Fisher Family In Asheville

I had so much fun this past week visiting with Jared's family in Asheville. Jared's family is really great! They made me feel so welcomed, at home and loved! Pastor Robin and Jared picked me up last Sunday afternoon and then we made our way to the Fisher Grandparents' house in Asheville. When I got there I was able to meet Jared's Pappaw, Mammaw, one of his aunts, Susan, two of his uncles, Keith and Tony, and some of his cousins, Lori, Eric, Kylie and Lacie.

Monday we all woke up and were greeted with a good old fashioned country mountain breakfast which Mammaw had prepared. Then Jared, Seth, his Grandmother and I headed out to the Grove Park Inn to see the National Gingerbread House Gallery. It was SO COLD when we arrived at the Grove Park Inn....a frigid 23 degrees with the wind blowing too...luckily I had a boyfriend to walk alongside me and to hold my hand while blocking the wind from me. Creativity at it's finest....fondant...shredded wheat cereal for a 'hay look' on top of the gingerbread house roofs...it was all so finely crafted...and looked well.....yummy! After we finished looking at the delectable gingerbread houses, and walking around the lovely GPI we headed out for lunch. After lunch at Wendy's, Seth, Jared and I were dropped off at the Asheville Mall for a few hours...were we proceeded to go to the Game Stop, Barnes & Noble, the F.Y.E. store where we goofed off for a really long time...and many various shoe stores. Seth has a thing for cute baby shoes...oh wait...did I say that on here? Sorry Seth...I love ya! haha Strangely enough this young lady, yes, me of course....bought NOTHING at the mall! Jared and Seth were the only ones who bought something. We got picked up from the Asheville Mall just in time for dinner...so we headed to Jared's Aunt (Rosalind/Rosalyn not sure which name it is exactly?) and Uncle Keith's house to have dinner with them...and of course Jared's cousins Kylie and Lacie too! During dinner Jared pretended to be asleep...head on the table...and I had to use 'crank keys' to try to wake him up...and then I resorted to putting ketchup and mustard on a fork and then I smeared it all over Jared's nose to wake him up...and then Kylie and Lacie said a kiss on his cheek was the only thing that would wake him up! Oh Jared... 'my sir sleeping handsome!' haha :) I got to see Jared's lil cousin's room...Lacie was more than happy to show me her pretty purple room. And Kylie had a really cute UNC blue colored room. Then Lacie and I went and played kitchen, and I read to her aloud upstairs while Jared and Seth played on the Wii. I believe I have a new little friend: Lacie!

Well the rest of the time was awesome...I had nothing to be nervous about...really! I also got to meet Jared's other set of grandparent's, the Bradley's...and miss Tricia's sister and her daughter Emily. I had such a wonderful time in Asheville with my boyfriend...honestly I cannot wait to go back!

L-R Seth, Jared, Lori & Sarah

Seth, Jared, Sarah, Lori & Lacie

Jared opening his gift from my momma, daddy and sister

Jared opening his gift from me: HIS QUILT!



I just finished opening my gifts from Jared, Pastor Robin, Miss Tricia and Seth

These are from my love...
It's a 'Jack Skellington' pillow and I got a Needtobreathe CD!!!

This is what I got from The Fisher Family: a willow tree figurine 'remember', some bath and body works stuff, and a beautiful pink scarf! All of the things I love...wow am I the luckiest girl alive EVER! I have Jared...and everything else I could ever want! :)

Here starts the Gingerbread houses at the Grove Park Inn...

Seth, Mammaw and Jared

Pretty Stained Glass Church

The Nutcracker Ballet

Seth n Jared again...

I love this one!

A bird cage...with birds inside



Jared's mosque! hehe

Old record player...

I was having Farmville withdrawals...so I had to get a pic of this one...haha!

Another version of the nutcracker

Cool Castle...with the beanstalk...



Picture Spot...'nough said

The coolest one ever: THE GRINCH



Sonic the Hedgehog? My dear you are in fact a dorkasaurus! (goofing in the Mall at F.Y.E.)

Seth in his Ballin' Elmo Hat!

Seth 'n' Sarah...ballin' gangsta's in da makin'!