Giving Up Alyssa

“I Thought You Meant....?” My Paper on Cross-Cultural Communication

2011-10-21T22:47:00.000-04:00

The following essay was written for my communications class that I took in the spring of 2010. I thought it was worth sharing. Hope you gain some insight...or at least it gets you thinking.

“I Thought You Meant....?” My Paper on Cross-Cultural Communication
In the twenty-first century the world is becoming increasingly smaller. Only forty years ago it would take a North American three months of boat travel to visit the continent of Africa; now it can takes less then twenty-four hours by airplane. A trip to South America, by airplane, can take less then six hours. Even the obstacle of language differences between countries have change. The English language has become the universal language and its speakers can be found in many cities across the globe.

With the speed of travel and the diminishing of the language barrier, North Americans feel confident communicating oversees. However, first-language English speakers can often find themselves being misunderstood, with sometime great consequence, by their international English listeners. There is more to cross-communication then just a common language. Effective cross-cultural communication comes from understanding the elements of communication, how culture, worldview, and value orientation impact the way one communicates, and demonstrating characteristics of competent communicators.

Understanding the elements of communication will increase the effectiveness of cross-cultural communication. There are many elements involved with the communication process. The transactional view of communication, as discussed in Looking Out Looking In, describes communication as a transaction process where, at least, two participants exchange messages and there is understanding of meaning. The communication process begins with a sender (also known as an encoder) who puts the message into some kind of coded system. The message is sent through some type of media like verbally speaking or writing or non verbal means. The receiver then decodes interprets or gives meaning to the message. The receiver (decoder) also gives either verbal or non-verbal feedback to the sender. The nature of the communication process demonstrates that meaning is found in the decoder and not in the words or behavior of the sender (Adler, Proctor 15). It is important for the sender to increase the mutual understanding between he and the receiver. Therefore when North Americans communicate cross-culturally they must seek to communicate in a way that the listener will understand the intended message. Even more, communicators need another level of awareness in order to communicate cross-culturally.

Effective cross-cultural communicators understand that culture impacts communication. Michael Powell in the book, Express Yourself, states that “every society you encounter will have an unique and intricate repertoire of acceptable and unacceptable behaviors, facial and body gestures (or lack of them), and subtle ways of expressing or concealing thoughts and emotions” (7). These are called social codes, and they derive from the society’s historical legacy that spans for over thousands of years and that has formed each country’s culture and national character (Powell 7). In other words, the way one communicates is determined by the individuals social code and consequently their culture.

Culture is defined as a person’s “design for living” and the “acquired knowledge which one uses to interpret experience and generate behavior” (qtd. in Hesselgrave 102). D. Hesselgrave discusses that culture is composed of several layer, all of which determine the way the decoder will determine meaning of a message. The first level, at the core, is the ideology, cosmology, and worldview of the society. The second is value orientation and the third are institutions such as marriage, education, and law. These all lead to the surface, and final level, which is made up of the society’s observable behavior and material artifacts (102). Moreover, according to this explanation of culture, a persons worldview is the main reason for determining how that individual will send and receive messages.

To further this point, there is an understanding that all of mankind is born into and reared into culture. In the book Communicating Christ Cross-Culturally, D. Hesselgrave says, “[that] by this process [enculturation] culture is made to be uniquely their own-the cultural reality becomes their reality over a period of time” (195). This reality or the way a person perceives the world is called a worldview (Hesselgrave 197). As discussed earlier, the way an individual perceives the world shapes the way he will send or decode messages. “The greater the difference between our [the senders] culture and theirs [the receivers], the greater will be the opportunities for miscommunication.”(Hale 63) Therefore, to effectively communicate one must understand the worldview of his respondent(s).

Sonya Hamlin in her book, How to Talk So People Listen, argues that awareness of the decoder’s worldview will increase understanding of the message. She writes, “even if the person you’re speaking to has learned to speak English, we need to recognize that we’re all still not necessarily speaking the same language” (42). Hamlin suggest for senders to consider the following key issues:

• Work: what’s expected; how do you move up the ladder?

• Technology: its challenges and differing experiences

• Money; power, influence; how to get them

• Education; How important it is, who could get it, what it took to get it

• Success; what that means, who can achieve it and how

• Social and class structure

• Religious beliefs and the role those played

• Government; its systems, its regulations, and the law

• Acceptable behavior for groups and individuals

• Independence and human rights

• Individuality and the right to exercise it (45).

Dr. Timothy Clinton and Dr. George Ohlschlager would also agree with Hamlin. From a counselor’s prospective they stated that senders must “be aware of the differences in worldviews and in the underlying value assumptions between” the sender and the decoder (617). The above questions and Clinton and Ohlschlager’s statement leads to the observation on value orientation and its impact on communication.

Speakers must also recognize the differences in value orientations in order to communicate more effectively cross-culturally. Value orientation is the second layer of a culture. Thomas Hale, in the book On Being a Missionary, overviews general value differences between the West and East. The West orients around time, puts a high value on avoiding crises (crisis-oriented), and discipline and individual achievement are important (task-oriented). Where in the East, or Developing World, focuses on events rather than time (event-oriented), does not plan for future crises, and puts more value into relationships rather than performance (person-oriented) (62). Being that their are several differences and therefor opportunities for miscommunication, to communicate cross-culturally there must be a general understanding and consideration of the decoders’ value orientations. Even further, there must be an understanding of ones’ own culture.

In order to properly understand another culture, and communicate more effectively, one must study his own culture. James Henslin in his book, Down to Earth Sociology, says that once a person has learned a dialect (or have been enculturated) he “cannot choose to forget it, nor can he pretend to ignore messages he understood” (117). One cannot separate from his culture, therefore, one must be aware of how it effects his communication. This brings it back to the basic communication process and the idea of communication competence.

Finally, in order to effectively communicate cross-culturally one must demonstrate the characteristics of a competent communicator. Competence in cross-cultural communication not only will help during but also before the communication process. Adler and Proctor suggests that there are four characteristics for cross-cultural competence; motivation, tolerance for ambiguity, open-mindedness, and knowledge and skill. Because communicating cross-culturally can most often be difficult the speaker must have motivation to meet those challenges. As discussed earlier the speaker must be willing to study the culture and value orientations of his listeners. Tolerance for ambiguity and open-mindedness to new behaviors also can be doorways to understanding the other culture. “A tolerance for ambiguity make it possible to accept, and even embrace, the often equivocal and sometimes downright incomprehensible messages that characterize intercultural communication” (Adler, Proctor 33). The fourth characteristic of competence reiterates the main points of this paper. There must be a knowledge of the rules and customs of the audience and the sender must have skill in adapting their message accordingly. Practicing the characteristics of a competent cross-cultural communicator will help make the sender be more effective.

In summary, there are several aspects of communication that need to be understood in order to be effective at cross-cultural communication. First, that understanding the process of communication and that meaning is not found in words but in the interpretation of the words. Secondly, the communicator more realize that culture with its worldview and value orientation impact the way one perceives the world. Therefore, because of this impact, the speaker must study the intended audience’s culture. Finally, the sender must demonstrate characteristics of a competent communicator by being motivated and open-minded. In this way effective cross-cultural communication is more likely to take place.

Work Cited

Adler, Ronald, and Proctor, Russell. Looking Out/Looking In (13th Edition). Boston:

Wadsworth, 2007.

Clinton, Dr. Timothy and Ohlschlager, Dr. George. Competent Christian Counseling. Colorado

Springs: Waterbrook Press, 2002.

Hale, Thomas. On Being A Missionary. Pasadena: William Carey Library, 1995.

Hamlin, Sonya. How To Talk So People Listen: Connecting In Today’s Workplace. New York:

Harper-Collins Publishers, 2006.

Henslin, James M.. Down To Earth Sociology:Introductory Readings (5th Edition). New York:

The Free Press, 2003.

Hesselgrave, David J.. Communicating Christ Cross-Culturally (2nd Edition). Grand Rapids:

Zondervan Publishing House, 1991.

Powell, Michael. Express Yourself! The Essential Guide to International Understanding.

Guilford: The Globe Pequot Press, 2007.

Tarr, Del. Cross-Cultural Communications (2nd Edition). Springfield: Global University, 1996.

Total Reliance on the Grace of God

2011-10-17T19:12:00.000-04:00

Just a quick thought...I'll slowly get back into writing someday :-)

Remember that "we are wholly dependent on the sovereign grace of God. There is only one key to successful ministry, and it is in God's hands. In the light of sovereign grace, we work, we pray, and we do not lose heart." -Total Church by T. Chester

Psalm 127

Unless the LORD builds the house, those who build it labor in vain.

Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain.

It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil;

For he gives to his beloved sleep.

It can be frustrating at times in ministry, relationships, and personal growth when there is little or no results; but we are at the mercy of God and must trust in his will and sovereignty. It is by grace that anything is accomplished or changed. I'm clinging to this week and praying that God helps me to fully grasp this concept.

Neighborhood Barbeque

2011-05-22T16:40:00.002-04:00

After church today the families in church gathered for a barbeque on Blake Street in Lewiston. Now this isn't really the first place someone thinks to have a family oriented BBQ but that's exactly what God wanted us to do. Most of you know I am part of EABC's extended church in downtown Lewiston. We have named ourselves simply the Downtown Church. A few new families that have recently joined our church live in neighboring apartment buildings on Blake street. These families have such a heart to reach their neighbors and asked our church to help them host a BBQ in their park and that's exactly what we did today.

We had several neighborhood kids and a few parents come out to the BBQ. We had organized games and prizes for the kids and plenty of food. There was a lot of laughter but more importantly relationships were formed and acquaintances turned into friends. I am so excited to share these pictures with you. I think they can serve as a way to give you an idea of the area in which the Downtown church is serving and to put faces to the kids we are ministering to.
I appreciate your prayer for us as we serve as missionaries to this part of the world. Please pray that we would continue to connect with not only the children but with their families as well. My hope and mission is that God would be glorified through is church and that the people of Lewiston we find God to be their ultimate joy.

Playing Capture the Bunny

We had a mini pie eating contest with prizes for everyone

My pastor, Ramsey, his wife Kristen, & their youngest, Zuzu

Getting ready to play capture the bunny

Water Baptism-Diving Into God's Family

2011-05-14T16:07:00.001-04:00

My small group recently asked me to teach them about water baptism and why Christians are baptized. I thought I would share my thoughts with you and hopefully bring a deeper understanding to this church practice. I don’t claim this article to be an extensive or complete look at water baptism. This is simply the teaching I deemed appropriate for my small group that has developed over the past two years of my own personal study of the subject. I regret that this is only a listing of points but I suppose it makes for an easier read. I would like to discuss this with you further if you like. I believe water baptism is an important part of a person’s conversion to Christianity and I hope that you will take the time to search the scriptures yourself and come to a conclusion on the subject.

POINT #1: Water baptism is practiced in historical and modern day Judaism

- Baptism was a sacramental ceremony to symbolize purification and the removal of sins.

o Read Leviticus 16:23+24 The priests were required to bath themselves before entering the Holies of Holies

o Read Mark 1:4+5 John is calling people to repent and be baptized before the coming of the Kingdom

o God used a great flood to cleans the Earth

- Baptism was sometimes used as an initiation rite to consecrate a change and/or conversion

o Noah and his family went through a type of baptism when they passed through the flood and God assigned them to re-multiply the Earth

o Converts to Judaism today are baptized by immersion

What is your experience with Baptism?

POINT #2: Water Baptism does not bring salvation

- Read Matthew 23:25 Jesus told that Pharisees that water will clean the outside but it does not clean the heart (it is our hearts that needs saving)

- Read Hebrews 5:9 Jesus is the source of eternal salvation

- Read Romans 10:9-13 Paul tells us that if you believe in your heart that God raised Jesus from the dead and confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord then you will be saved

o The resurrection was a sign that God the Father excepted Jesus as a sufficient sacrifice/punishment for all of human kind’s sins

o Proclaiming Jesus is Lord is saying that you submit to him and make Jesus ruler in your life

Do you believe that God raised Jesus from the dead?

Will you submit to Jesus and let him rule in your life?

If, “yes,” then continue.

POINT #3: All Christians should desire to be baptized

- Read Matthew 28:18-20 Jesus commands us to be baptized and to baptize others

o “In the name of the Father, Son & Holy Spirit” is a way of identifying that God is the one baptizing and not a human. God is the only one who can forgive sins and deem someone righteous. This also denotes that God is the one you are to follow since you were baptized in his name (see 1 Corinthians 1:12-15)

o See Acts 8:26-39 This is a story of a Ethiopian asking to be baptized after his conversion through Philips teaching

- Read Matthew 3:13-15 Jesus was baptized at the age of 30(ish) then began his ministry

o Refer back to point #1: God the Father consecrated Jesus as his “beloved Son”. Immediately following Jesus’ baptism (see Mark 1:12) he was tempted and then began is ministry of proclaiming the gospel; this denotes a change from private ministry to public ministry. Perhaps we can anticipate temptation and a movement into (or greater power in) ministry following our baptism.

o Refer back to point #2: Jesus did not need to be cleansed/repent of sin

- Read Romans 6:3- 7 Baptism is a symbol of identifying with Christ in his death, burial, and resurrection. Our “old self” is crucified with Jesus so we are no longer enslaved to sin. If united with his death, then we are also united in his resurrection and sin will have no dominion over us for we are under the grace of God. We are now slaves of God who are sanctified (and being sanctified) and we will receive eternal life (see Romans 6:20-23)

POINT #4: Baptism bonds you to a community; the church of God

- Read Romans 5:9-11 Not only are we saved from the wrath of God but we are also brought into right relationship with (we are reconciled to) God to where we are no longer called enemies of God but children of God; we are adopted into his family (see Romans 8:14+15)

o Through Christ’s work on the cross and his resurrection, believers (of all ethnicities, background, and nationality) are unified into one family, also known as the body of Christ

o Read 1 Corinthians 12:13 We were all baptized into one body and thus should be unified, recognize our function, exercise that function without desiring another, and value functions that are different from your own

- Read 2 Corinthians 5:17-21 When sin entered the world, relationship between mankind and God was broken and relationship between Adam and Eve (and subsequently all of mankind) was broken (see Genesis 3:16 & 4:8). Since we have now been reconciled to God we now have the power (and motivation/duty) to be reconciled with others. God has extended a huge amount of grace towards us therefore we are expected to show grace towards others.

o Read Matthew 6:9-14 Jesus warns us to forgive others just as we have been forgiven by God

o Read Romans 12:10-13:7 and Colossians 3:12-15 Paul instructs us to be unified, strive to live in harmony, and to serve other Christian. He also instructs us to care for anyone who has a need and to be a respectful earthly citizen

o Read Mark 12:29-31 Jesus says that it is most important that we love God and love our neighbor (which he tells us is everyone)

Final Thought/Summary: Baptism is a symbolic ceremony, which all believers are commanded to partake in after conversion. Baptism symbolizes the believer’s unity with Christ in his death, burial, and resurrection and their new life in him through grace. It is a public declaration of faith in the Gospel of Christ and the induction into the family of God.

If I was baptized as an infant, should I be baptized again? Refer to point #2: as an infant you were not a believer therefore at some point you had to convert, then we can refer to point #1, 3, and 4 where it states that baptism is a proclamation of conversion and union with the family of God. Baby baptism is really more like a ceremony to dedicate the baby to be brought up in the ways of God but it doesn’t secure or bring salvation. Jesus was also dedicated to God when he was a baby (see Luke 2:21-24) and Jesus also received water baptism as an adult, therefore setting an example to us.

Part 3 - The Point of the Story (Time to Preach)

2011-05-03T20:39:00.002-04:00

Part 2 - The Story of Jacob and Esau (Just a little silly)

2011-05-03T20:38:00.000-04:00

Pornography Addiction in America | Josh Cousineau

2011-04-16T16:07:00.001-04:00

Check out this blog...

Pornography Addiction in America | Josh Cousineau

Fight the Good Fight

2011-04-16T14:07:00.000-04:00

I am totally embarrassing myself for the sake that you will hear the gospel in a new way. Enjoy :-)

Part 1 - Introduction (Hope to see you tonight)

Don't Be Fooled! (AGAIN)

2011-04-15T21:18:00.000-04:00

Do you know what God really says about purity and sexual immorality? I am not talking about what your parents or Sunday school teacher told you? Or what you heard from a friend? Have you actually read with your own eyes what God has written in the Bible about purity?

I have been a Christian all my life and I thought I knew what God wanted but it wasn’t until I read the Bible for myself that I discovered many of the assumptions where misconstrued and wrong. Before you rejected or accept teachings about purity, research it for yourself! Read the Bible…not just one verse. Read the Bible verses below but I encourage you to read several verses before and after to get an idea of the context in which the verse is taken from. The more you read the Bible the more you will get to know the Author and understand what he is communicating through his book. This is similar to literature class, each book of the Bible was written to a specific audience for a specific reason and when you know this you can better interpret an individual verse.

Also, don’t research alone; ask your parents, a aunt, your youth pastor or a spiritual leader to help you during this process. Show them the verses you have and ask them to help you apply the teachings to your own life. Older adults have a lot of life experience, take the time to listen to them but also challenge them to open a Bible and show you where their advice comes from. Using the Bible for a guide is sure to bring purity into your life. Pray and ask God to give you discernment and a obedient heart.

God Says.... Part 5 of 5

2011-04-15T21:16:00.002-04:00

FORGIVENESS

· Psalm 103:8-14

Þ The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love

Þ As far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us

Þ As a father show compassion to his children, so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him

Þ For he knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust

· 2 Corinthians 5:17-6:12

Þ Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

Þ In Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them

Þ For our sake he (Father God) made him to be sin who knew no sin (Jesus), so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

Þ Behold now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation

Þ You are not restricted by us, but you are restricted in your own affections.

· Isaiah 52:11-53:12

Þ Depart, depart, go out from there; touch no unclean thing; go out form the midst of her; purify yourselves, you who bear the vessels of the Lord.

Þ Surely he (Jesus) borne our griefs and carried our sorrows….he was wounded for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities (sins).

Þ He bore the sin of many, and makes intercession for the transgressors.

· Hebrews 9:1-28

Þ But when Christ appeared as a high priest…he entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption.

Þ Indeed, under the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins

Þ As it is, he (Jesus) has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.

Þ So Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him

· Hebrews 10:19-25

Þ Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.

· 1 John 4:7-21

Þ Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides I him, and he is God.

Þ So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us.

Þ God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him

Þ We may have confidence for the day of judgment

· Psalm 32:1-11

Þ Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.

Þ I acknowledged my sin to you and I did not cover my iniquity; I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,” and you forgave the iniquity of my sin

Þ Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, O righteous, and shout for you, all you upright in heart!

· Romans 5:1-11

Þ But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us

· Ephesians 2:1-10

Þ But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ

Þ By grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast

· Romans 8:1-11

Þ There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus

Þ You are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you

God Says.... Part 4 of 5

2011-04-14T17:17:00.000-04:00

FIGHTING TEMPTATION

· 1 Timothy 6:11-16

Þ But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, and gentleness

Þ Fight the good fight of the faith

Þ Keep the commandment unstained and free from reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ

· 2 Timothy 3:1-9

Þ For people will be lovers of self…without self-control…lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God

Þ Avoid such people

Þ For among them are those who creep into households and capture weak women, burdened with sins and led astray by various passions

· Hebrews 12:1-17

Þ Lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus

Þ Consider him who endured…so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted

Þ It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline?

Þ For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

· James 1:2-18

Þ Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.

Þ Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God”

· Each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.

· James 4:6-10

Þ Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

Þ Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you

· 1 Peter 2:9-12

Þ Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul.

· Philippians 4:4-9

Þ Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things

Þ Practice these things and the God of peace will be with you

· Galatians 5:16-25

Þ But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.

· Matthew 5:27-30

Þ You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

Þ And if your eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. It is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body go into hell.

· 2 Thessalonians 2:13-17

Þ So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by spoken word or by our letter

Þ Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace, comfort your hearts and establish them in every good work and word

God Says.... Part 3 of 5

2011-04-13T18:54:00.001-04:00

PURITY

· Titus 2:1-8

Þ Older women…train the young women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled

· 1 Corinthians 7:25-40

Þ And the unmarried or betrothed woman is anxious about the things of the Lord, how to be holy in body and spirit. But the married woman is anxious about worldly things, how to please her husband.

Þ I say this for your own benefit, not to lay any restraint upon you, but to promote good order and to secure your undivided devotion to the Lord

· Romans 12:1-2

Þ Present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.

Þ Do not be conformed to this world

· Hebrews 12:12-17

Þ See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no “root of bitterness” springs up and causes trouble and by it man become defiled

Þ (See to it) that no one is sexually immoral or unholy like Esau, who sold his birthright for a single meal.

· 1 Peter 1:13-25

Þ As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct.

Þ Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart, since you have been born again.

· 1 Peter 2:9-12

Þ Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul.

Þ Keep your conduct among the Gentiles (non-Christians) honorable…that they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.

· 1 Peter 3:1-7

Þ Wives be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives, when they see your respectful and pure conduct

Þ Do not let your adorning be external….but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious.

· Philippians 4:4-9

Þ Practice these things and the God of peace will be with you

· Matthew 5:27-30

Þ You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

Þ And if your eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. It is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body go into hell.

· Psalm 19:14

Þ Let the words of my heart and the mediation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my strength and my Redeemer.

· Matthew 5:8

Þ Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.

· 1 Samuel 16:7

Þ The Lord sees not as man sees; man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart

God Says.... Part 2 of 5

2011-04-12T20:45:00.001-04:00

MARRIAGE UNION AND SEX IN MARRRIAGE

· Hebrews 13:1-8

Þ Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous.

· Ephesians 5:22-33

Þ Wives, submit to (respect) your own husbands, as to the Lord.

Þ Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her…in the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies.

Þ Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church.

· Genesis 1:1-31

Þ So God created man in his own image…male and female he created them

Þ And God blessed them (Adam and Eve)

Þ And God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth…”

Þ And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good.

· Proverbs 5:15-21

Þ Rejoice in the wife of your youth

Þ Let her breasts fill you at all times with delight; be intoxicated always in her love

· 1 Peter 3:1-7

Þ Wives be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey the word (in other words: he is not a Christian), they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives, when they see your respectful and pure conduct

· 1 Corinthians 7:1-17

Þ Because of sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife and each woman her own husband.

Þ Do not deprive one another (of sex)…so that Satan may not tempt you because of your lack of self-control

Þ It is better to marry than to burn with passion

· Genesis 2:18-25

Þ Then the Lord God said, ‘It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.” And the rib the Lord God had taken from the man he made into a woman and brought her to the man.

Þ Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh. And the man and his wife were both naked and were not ashamed

God Says.... Part 1 of 5

2011-04-11T23:28:00.000-04:00

SEXUAL IMMORALITY

· Ephesians 5:1-21

Þ 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.

Þ Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving.

Þ Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them.

Þ Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.

· Colossians 3:1-17

Þ If then you have been raised with Christ (become a Christian), seek the things that are above, where Christ is...

Þ Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.

Þ Put on the new self which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator

· Hebrews 13:1-8

Þ Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous.

· 1 Peter 4:1-11

Þ Live for the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human passions but for the will of God

Þ For the Gentiles…living in sensuality, passions, drunkenness, orgies, drinking parties, and lawless idolatry. With respect to this they are surprised when you do not join them in the same flood of debauchery (depravity/corruption) and they malign (criticize) you.

Þ The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober minded for the sake of your prayers.

· 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8

Þ We ask and urge you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God, just as you are doing, that you do so more and more.

Þ For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality: that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God.

· 1 Corinthians 5:1-13

Þ It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you

Þ I am writing to you to not associate with anyone who bears the name brother (a fellow Christian) if he is guilty of sexual immorality or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or swindler—not even to eat with such a son.

Þ Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge? God judges those outside.

· 1 Corinthians 6:9-20

Þ Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God

Þ And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God

Þ The body is not meant for sexual immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body.

Þ Shall I then take the members of Christ (the church/Christians) and make them members of a prostitute? Never! Flee from sexual immorality.

Þ Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body

Þ Your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God. You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in you body.

· Galatians 5:16-25

Þ But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.

Þ Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry….envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you…that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

Þ But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

· Proverbs 6:25-27

Þ Do not lust in your heart after her beauty or let her captivate you with her eyes, for the prostitute reduces you to a loaf of bread, and the adulteress preys upon your very life. Can a ma scoop fire into his lap without his clothes being burned?

· Matthew 15:10-20

Þ But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person.

Þ For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander

· Romans 1:22-27

Þ Claiming to be wise, they became fools

Þ God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies amoung themselves

Þ They exchanged the truth about God for a lie

Þ For their women exchangeg natural relations for those that are contrary to nature (homosexuality) and the men likewise…(they) were consumed with passion for one another

BarlowGirl - Sing Me a Love Song (Official Music Video HD) New 2010! Lyr...

2011-04-11T22:33:00.000-04:00

Don't Be Fooled!

2011-04-11T19:46:00.000-04:00

I have been a Christian all my life and I thought I knew what God wanted but it wasn’t until I read the Bible for myself that I discovered many of the assumptions where misconstrued and wrong. Before you rejected or accept teachings about purity, research it for yourself! Read the Bible…not just one verse. I am going to give you verses to read but I encourage you to read several verses before and after to get an idea of the context in which the verse is taken from. The more you read the Bible the more you will get to know the Author and understand what he is communicating through his book. This is similar to literature class, each book of the Bible was written to a specific audience for a specific reason and when you know this you can better interpret an individual verse.

Intro to "what-I-want-in-a-man" list

2011-04-09T10:31:00.001-04:00

Do You Know What I'm Saying?

2011-04-09T08:53:00.000-04:00

I want to quickly define two words you will be hearing a lot during the next two weeks. I hope that it helps you better understand where I am coming.

-PURITY: This word is defined by my MacBook dictionary as “freedom from contamination; freedom from immorality, especially of a sexual nature. Similar words that can be uses are clarity, freshness, healthiness, safety, virtue, goodness, honor, and integrity." I like this definition! It totally gets where I am coming from. Read it again and soak it in. NOTE: When you look at your heart can you say that it is truly pure? What about your interactions with others, would your friends or boyfriend say that you are a person who acts with purity? Most importantly, ask God what he thinks. We may all be surprised by his answer.

-SEXUAL IMMORALITY: An immoral person is one who commits acts that violate society’s moral norms. In context of what I will be discussing, I would define sexual immorality as the act of violating (or rebelling against) the standards that God established, through the Bible, for things of a sexual orientation. For example, in Exodus 20:14, God says “you shall not commit adultery” if a person has sexual relations with or sexual thoughts (aka lust) towards another person (Matt 5:27) besides their spouse this person would be considered to have engaged in a sexually immoral act. In the Bible, God has given us several direct instructions/standards to up hold as Christians that I will share in a future email. NOTE: Adhering to God’s standards for sex does not bring you salvation, Jesus brought you salvation through his work on the cross (more to come on that) there is nothing we can do or not do to earn God’s favor. With that said, we should strive to meet God’s standards out of our love for him. Just like we may give a gift to a friend or go out of our way to help them; in the same way, because of our love for God we want to go out of our way to remain pure and respect the body he has given us.

ONE LAST IMPORTANT NOTE: Sex within marriage (between one man and one woman) is totally NOT immoral. In fact, it was God who created sex and if you look on the second page in your Bible you will read that God actually tells humans to have sex and lots of it ;-) How else could we have filled the whole earth?!?

PURE Series Introduction - Video Blog # 1

2011-04-06T20:47:00.000-04:00

Just Saying....

2011-04-04T22:09:00.000-04:00

>Love is a grave mental disease. -Plato

>I've been looking for a girl like you-not you, but a girl like you. -Groucho Marx

>Life was so much easier when your clothes didn't match and boys had cooties! -Unknown

>Girls are like cell phones. They like to be talked to, but push the wrong button, and you'll be disconnected. -Unknown

>Affection is responsible for nine-tenths of whatever solid and durable happiness there is in our lives. -C. S. Lewis

>At the touch of love everyone becomes a poet. -Plato

>Forget love - I'd rather fall in chocolate! -Sandra J. Dykes

Starting Again!

2011-04-04T21:52:00.000-04:00

Ok so apparently, I haven't blogged in 2 years. That's not to say I haven't thought about it.....I just haven't taken the time. Well, this coming week the women leaders at Atmosphere will be sharing there stories and insights about dating, purity, and being a christian women. The topic is SO large and I have SO many experiences, opinions, advice, and scriptures to share I could not tell it all in 15 minute sermon, SO I will be sharing these things on my blog.

SO stay tune and make sure you request to follow my blog.

MORE TO COME!

Monday's Story from Ecuador

2009-03-18T13:08:00.000-04:00

I have been so humbled by the things I have seen here in Puyo. Over and over again I realize how ungrateful I am and how bless I am to be an American. The poor that I have seen in the US cannot compare to that which I have seen here. On Monday, we visited a mother and her three young children. The house was no more than the size of a one car garage. There were three boards of wood on the bottom half of the door to act as a child-safety gate. The house only had two rooms separated by a shabby wooden-panel wall and a tattered sheet. The corner where the sink and cabinet were held only a dozen eggs and three coffee cups. The dishes stored under the sink looked unwashed and used beyond their years. There was an unfinished table and three old plastic lawn-chairs which Danielle, Bre and I sat on. The mother told with us that she and the children share a mattress on the floor in the other room. The two oldest children were no more than four and five and the youngest was two. The mother looked tiered and the sadness that she expressed to us showed on her face. There was no glass in the large window behind her; only a sheet was used to keep the elements out. With tears in her eyes, the young mother was not bitter about her situation but adamant in sharing with us that she still had hope in God. I was humbled by her response to the difficulties in her life; I know that I would not be able to react in the same way. My heart went out to her and the many others single mothers that have been abandoned or left widowed by their husbands.

2009-03-05T22:55:00.000-05:00

Food 4 Puyo Project

2009-02-25T15:39:00.000-05:00

Here is an informational video about my upcoming missions trip to Ecuador. I leave March 6th and return the 17th. Please be in prayer for me. Check out the teams blog at food4puyo.blogspot.com

If you would like to donate, send a check to:

East Auburn Baptist Church
560 Park Avenue
Auburn, ME 04210
Just write in the memo line: March Puyo, Ecuador trip.

Thank you for partnering with us to bring Hope to the Hopeless!!!

His Compassion, Our Commission

2009-01-21T19:11:00.000-05:00

In the past I never thought God would or was calling me to South America, yet here am I only 6 weeks away from taking my second trip to Ecuador with in a year's time. It's remarkable of how God as taken me to this point. I was nine when I first gave my life to the Lord. I remember praying, "here I am, Lord. Send me." I didn't know what He would do with my prayer at the time but with child-like faith I trusted Him. Today, I see God's hand leading me to surrender even more and to allow Him to work in my life. I still don't know how God will continue to use me but I say, "here I am." The prayer of my heart can be expressed in a song written by a staff member, Dick Grout, of Elim Bible Institute where I attended college. I will leave you with that :-)
His compassion, our commission.Reveal to me Your heart for the nations.His compassion, our commission. As I follow You, send me. I don't know where this yes will lead me,but I am saying yes to You, I want to obey.Yes, I love You. Yes, I trust You. Yes, I'll follow You all the way.His compassion, our commission.Reveal to me Your heart for the nations.His compassion, our commission. As I follow You, send me.

The Power of Your Name

2009-01-14T17:04:00.000-05:00

A Threefold Cord

2009-01-08T13:18:00.000-05:00

Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor.
For if they fall, one will lift up his companion.
But woe to him who is alone when he falls, for he has no one to help him up.
Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him.
And a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
--Ecclesiastes 4:10

I have realized over the years that I easily take on traits of those around me. Once, when I lived with a few Canadians I began saying "A?" at the end of every sentence and I continued to do this for the next 4 months. In high school I sat next to a guy that tapped his foot throughout the whole class period and by the end of the semester I was tapping along with him. It's kinda scary to me how easily I do this. In light of this realization I am more careful/aware of who I am around and for how long I am around them. It also begs the question, "Who do I want to become like?"

My first answer to the above question is "Christ." As a Christian, I desire to be Christ-like, to be His hands and feet in a dying and lost world. The more time I spend with God, in His Word and in prayer, the more I will take on His traits. Galatians 5:22 tells us that the fruit of the Spirit is, love, joy, peace….the outcome of spending time with God is godliness. However, while I am on this earth, God is not the only person influencing my life.

My family, friends, and community (church, school, & media) also influence the kind of fruit or personality traits I may produce. Now I should clarify that I am not saying I have no personality at all or that I lack character and integrity but I am simply examining this one thought. Those who are close to me should be men and women of God who demonstrate godly traits that will influence and encourage me in my personal walk with the Lord. Now to get to why I put the verses from Ecc. at the top of this blog…

God lead and guided Efra and Danielle to be my co-leaders on the NYC missions trip and for that I am thankful. I have known each of them for a couple of years and we were part of the team to Ecuador this past June. We have the same circle of friends and common interests and now they are beginning to influence me too. Lately I have been finding myself saying "common man" in my texts and conversations…which is something Efra says a lot. I also find myself noticing purses and the color pick much more…which are two things Danielle likes. But my hope is that they will influence me on even a deeper level.

I work with Efra at the church and every week I see him serve with such patience and loyalty. I want to be like that. When I see his good attitude and hard work, it put my bad attitude into check. The time I spend with Danielle, I see how nurturing she is and how she sees the good in people. I seem to think the worse of people and I am so task oriented that I forget to be nurturing. When I am around Danielle I am reminded that I need to work on those aspects of my life. Not only do I hope that Efra and Danielle's good behavior rubs off on me but I also know that their behavior has and will continue to bring me to the feet of Jesus. (It was God who gave Efra and Danielle those character traits to begin with, so I might as well go to the Source.) While I wait on God to develop these good characteristics in myself, it is good for me to be around Efra and Danielle especially when I lead a team.

I think of the old cartoon, Captain Plant, and what they use to say, "With our powers combined…" As I lead the NYC team I saw areas where I was weak but those were the areas that Danielle and Efra were strong. It was the combining of our strengths and the leading of the Holy Spirit (the giver of our strengths) that help us during the week in NYC. It was God who put the team together in order that we may bring Him glory together...that is the Body of Christ (the Church). I look forward to this new year with great expectations, as God continues to strengthen my friendship with Danielle, Efra, and the whole Atmosphere leader's team. Together we will be stronger and more apt to defeat our enemy, produce good fruit, and bring glory to God.

A Day of Giving Thanks To God

2008-11-28T00:05:00.000-05:00

~Happy Thanksgiving~

from my family to yours!

For You I Wait All The Day Long

2008-11-18T23:18:00.000-05:00

This verse has recently brought me comfort. In stanza six I feel like the author is stealing the words right out of my mouth! This passage is so rich with depth; I would like to meditate on it more to find its full meaning and application to my life/situation....but for now I simply want to share it with you.

Psalm 25

To You, O LORD, I lift up my soul. O my God, in You I trust;
let me not be put to shame;
let not my enemies exult over me.
Indeed, non who wait for You shall be put to shame;
they shall be ashamed who are treacherous.

Make me to know Your ways, O LORD;
teach me Your paths.
Lead me in Your truth and teach me,
for You are the God of my salvation;
for You I wait all the day long.

Remember Your mercy, O LORD, and Your steadfast love,
for they have been from of old.
Remember not the sins of my youth or my transgressions;
according to Your steadfast love remember me,
for the sake of Your goodness, O LORD!

Good and upright is the LORD;
therefore He instructs sinners in the way.
He leads the humble in what is right,
and teaches the humble His way.
All the paths of the LORD are steadfast love and faithfulness,
for those who keep His covenant and His testimonies.

For Your name’s sake, O LORD,
pardon my guilt, for it is great.
Who is the man who fears the LORD?
Him will He instruct in the way that He should choose.
His soul shall abide in well-being,
and his offspring shall inherit the land.
The friendship of the LORD is for those who fear Him,
and He makes known to them His covenant.
My eyes are ever toward the LORD,
for He will pluck my feet out of the net.

Turn to me and be gracious to me,
for I am lonely and afflicted.
The troubles of my heart are enlarged;
bring me out of my distresses.
Consider my affliction and my trouble,
and forgive all my sins.

Consider how many are my foes,
and with what violent hatred they hate me.
Oh, guard my soul, and deliver me!
Let me not be put to shame, for I take refuge in You.
May integrity and uprightness preserve me,
for I wait for You.

Redeem Israel, O God,
out of all his troubles.

Weighed Down By Revelation

2008-11-10T15:32:00.000-05:00

This week I was asked to lead my small groups Bible study. We had just finished a series on the Book of Jonah and I was put in charge of picking another book of the Bible to study. Someone suggested Revelation, "yeah right" I thought to myself. But then the results of our presidential election was given...Barak Obama won. I have heard many comments from Christians that Obama is the "anti-Christ" or the one world leader that many say Revelation predicts. Regardless of these theories I stick with what Jesus said....we will not know the hour or the time of His return.
This got me thinking...if this truly is the last days and perhaps my generation will be raptured then, what should I do with the days I have remaining?

I opened the book of Revelation and read through chapters 1 to 3. I came face to face with the glorified Jesus and His last words to the Church. As I read I noticed over and over familiar phrases and symbols found in other books of the Bible. I took out my reference Bible and looked up each cross-reference for the verses in chapter 1.

I am amazed at how packed that first chapter is with evidence, hope, and instruction. I didn't get to move on to chapters 2+3 but I suppose that will be for next week. I realize that God does not say anything in vain; each verse is full of meaning and significants. The description of Jesus is incredible! His mighty look of white hair and robe. The powerful voice and piercing eyes. Jesus is might and He holds the keys to Hades and death. No wonder John fell like dead at the feet of Jesus. If I were only to remember who Jesus is perhaps I would sin less and worship more.

He First Loved Me

2008-10-24T21:07:00.000-04:00

I have been thinking the last two days about where my life could have been if God wouldn't have had His hand on my life. I have done some sinful things but God choose to love me and forgive me. He not only saved me from Hell and a live of destruction but God also saved me from myself. Funny, its nothing I have done but what He did while I was cursing Him. I love Him because He first loved me. I have been adopted into God's family. But my adoption story should end there....

At LEAD08, speaker Josh Otte talked about this very thing. His story brought me to tears. You can listen to the whole thing at atmospherechurch.com/media

Josh shared a story about his adoptive brother, Matthew. At only a few months old, Matthew was left abandoned in a train station in China. He was brought to an orphanage where he spent the first seven years of his life. Matthew is deaf and has a deformed arm (or something similar). Because of his age and disability I am sure the adults at the orphanage thought that Matthew would never have a home. But God....I love those words! But God had a home for Matthew! Josh Otte's mother, a single women of 5o, who already had a few adult children, was lead by God to adopt Matthew. Mrs. Otte communicates with Matthew through sign language and has showered her son with love. Matthew felt so loved that on day he said this to his mother, "Mom, can you go back to China and adopt my friends at the orphanage?" WOW, Matthew wanted his friends to experience the same love he felt as being an adoptive child.
Do I think this way?
God has adopted me and I have known and experienced His love. Why do I not ask Him, "Can you adopt my friends?" I know so many who don't know Him. Instead of sharing my gift I talk about petty things. How will they know if they do not hear? I am not scared to share my faith, I suppose I am plagued by apathy. I just don't think about sharing. My, what a terrible thing! I am sure too that I do not want to offend people...offend...is it offensive to throw someone a life jacket if they are drowning? I definitely need to start a new habit...sharing about God 's love everyday and intercede on that persons behalf.

When Love Takes You In

2008-10-23T15:09:00.000-04:00

When Love Takes You In by Steven Curtis Chapman

I know you've heard the stories
But they all sound too good to be true
You've heard about a place called home
But there doesn't seem to be one for you
So one more night you cry yourself to sleep
And drift off to a distant dream

Where love takes you in and everything changes
A miracle starts with the beat of a heart
When love takes you home and says you belong here
The loneliness ends and a new life begins
When love takes you in

And somewhere while you're sleeping
Someone else is dreaming too
Counting down the days until
They hold you close and say I love you
And like the rain that falls into the sea
In a moment what has been is lost in what will be
When Love Takes You In by Steven Curtis Chapman
When love takes you in everything changes
A miracle starts with the beat of a heart

And this love will never let you go
There is nothing that could ever
Cause this love to lose its hold

When love takes you in everything changes
A miracle starts with the beat of a heart
When love takes you home and says you belong here
The loneliness ends and a new life begins
When love takes you in it takes you in for good
When love takes you in

I don't know the full background of this song, but I do know it was written by Steven Curtis Chapman. I am guessing it was written before the adoption of his first adoptive daughter. All I know is that I am reminded of this song often and I tear up when I hear it. One day God will give me the privilege of holding a little boy or little girl in my arms and I will tell them, "You belong here. I love you and Jesus loves you." I long to recapture a lost and broken child and give them a loving home where they can find healing in Christ's love. God knows my heart and I trust His timing. I am dreaming of a day when I can hold my child/ren close. Please pray with me as I pray for them.

2008-10-22T22:12:00.001-04:00

Waiting for [St]eve

2008-10-19T12:28:00.000-04:00

Last weekend I attended a conference and had an opportunity to talk with another single women like myself. She is a few years older than me so it was good to share about our struggles and triumphs that have come by being single in our twenties. This week as I reflected on our conversation I was thinking about "waiting". I am waiting on the Lord to provide the husband that He has created for me. I was consider the following story:

The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it....Then the Lord God said, "It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him." Now out of the ground the Lord God had formed every beast of the field and every bird of the heavens and brought them to the man to see what he would call them...But for Adam there was not found a helper fit for him....And the rib that the Lord God had taken from the man He made into a woman and brought her to the man. Then the man said, "This at last is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh..."

God created Adam and gave him a calling to work and live in Eden. Yet, God said it was NOT good for Adam to be alone. So then God sends all the creatures to Adam for him to name. Can you imagine..here is Adam with the God-given desire to be with someone and ever creature God brings to him just doesn't fit. He had to wait, I imagine for a long time, while every animal passed by him. I can imagine the disappointment that Adam must have felt when he named the last creature. But God had something special for Adam. He created woman...tailored especially for Adam, to fit him perfectly so much so that the two could become one. When God gave Adam this gift, he was amazed. "This at last," he said, as he laid eyes on her for the first time.

Wow, what a great thing to look forward (as a person not made to be alone)! After all the waiting and watching all those who have passed by, at last God will send that one person who has been created especially for me (and I for him). And I am ok with waiting because how would Adam have known how special Eve was if he didn't know how unfitting the other creatures were. Waiting will help me appreciate my gift even more than if God were to give it to me now. Even more, as I wait upon the Lord, He is drawing me closer to Himself and He means more to me than any man could. I love God and I am thankful that He knows what is GOOD for me. So I wait for my "[St]eve" with hope and great expectation.

Brokenness

2008-10-18T17:05:00.000-04:00

As I come back to my blog, once again, I am reminded of why I named it "Giving Up Alyssa" The last three years have been a journey of surrender. Giving myself up to God, His will, purpose and plan. I have come to find that surrendering to God is so sweet and freeing. I have nothing to try to hold on to any more; I am becoming free. Yet in this surrender I am finding much brokenness. I suppose the feelings I held back for year are now coming to the surface. There is a blessing in my tears; a release and a comfort that God is working in my heart. I remember a time when I could not cry. I was almost emotionless; I could only express anger. My anger pushed my further away from friends, family, and God. Yes, my tears remind me of what God freed me from. I am reminded of how much He loved me even when I turned away from Him. He protected me, He wouldn't let me go, His power healed my soul. I am thankful to God for His faithfulness. When I think of this I can only surrender myself even more. What else can I give to you, God?

2008-08-19T17:21:00.000-04:00

Lets Try It Again

2008-08-05T15:05:00.000-04:00

In an effort to share my story I have picked up my blog to give it another try.
In the past 6 weeks I have appreciated the stories share on several blogs that I am now subscribed to. I hope that my rambelling can also serve some good for others as well with myself.

A Constant Daydream

2007-10-14T23:38:00.000-04:00

WOW !

It is hard to believe that it has been more than a year since I traveled to Africa. So many things have changed, but one thing has not...Africa has never left my mind. Everyday, I am reminded of the people, the smells, the sights, and the lessons learned. I yearn to go back in hopes that I may relieve myself of this constant daydream. Yes, why don't I just go? What holds me back? Will the "dark" continent satify my soul and heal my inner being? Perhaps. Or maybe I will still remain lost in the long battle of survival vs. surrender? When will I give up?

Introductuion

2007-07-23T12:25:00.000-04:00

Welcome to Giving Up Alyssa, my first blogspot.