The Beauty in Ashes

I love facial dimples, I so wish my cheeks were decorated with those dainty dents! My friend has these awesome dimples on both cheeks and anytime he smiles, oh my, he always looks super cute. The other day, I was looking at his picture and called him 'dimples' by way of offering a compliment. He smiled and told me something I had never heard, thought, or considered....

He said to me, "Do you know that dimple is a deformity?" I was like, "No way! What??? That's not possible! How could something that attractive be a deformity?" Well, curious me went straight in search of information and indeed, I found out that dimples are actually genetic defects (caused by shortened facial muscles). However, as genetically defective as they are, they are considered a mark of beauty and loveliness. For those who have 'em, dimples are DELIGHTFUL DEFECTS! How awesome is it, that something, which is supposed to be a defect, turns out to be a beauty mark?

There's a saying in my native language, "A white pap comes out of a black pot," and another one, "When a king's palace burns down, it produces a more beautiful palace (by the time it's renovated)." This is to say that glorious things can very well be born out of adversity. A remarkable story in the Bible tells of how God turned the adversity of two women into a timeless beautiful story. Ruth 1:1-5, 8-9, 16-19, 19-21; 4:13-17

1 In the days when the judges ruled in Israel, a severe famine came upon the land. So a man from Bethlehem in Judah left his home and went to live in the country of Moab, taking his wife and two sons with him. 2 The man’s name was Elimelech, and his wife was Naomi. Their two sons were Mahlon and Kilion. They were Ephrathites from Bethlehem in the land of Judah. And when they reached Moab, they settled there. 3 Then Elimelech died, and Naomi was left with her two sons. 4 The two sons married Moabite women. One married a woman named Orpah, and the other a woman named Ruth. But about ten years later, 5 both Mahlon and Kilion died. This left Naomi alone, without her two sons or her husband. 8 But on the way, Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, “Go back to your mothers’ homes. And may the LORD reward you for your kindness to your husbands and to me. 9 May the LORD bless you with the security of another marriage.” Then she kissed them good-bye, and they all broke down and wept. 16 But Ruth replied, “Don’t ask me to leave you and turn back. Wherever you go, I will go; wherever you live, I will live. Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God. 17 Wherever you die, I will die, and there I will be buried. May the LORD punish me severely if I allow anything but death to separate us!” 19 So the two of them continued on their journey. When they came to Bethlehem, the entire town was excited by their arrival. “Is it really Naomi?” the women asked. 20 “Don’t call me Naomi,” she responded. “Instead, call me Mara, for the Almighty has made life very bitter for me. 21 I went away full, but the LORD has brought me home empty. Why call me Naomi when the LORD has caused me to suffer and the Almighty has sent such tragedy upon me?”

13 So Boaz took Ruth into his home, and she became his wife. When he slept with her, the LORD enabled her to become pregnant, and she gave birth to a son. 14 Then the women of the town said to Naomi, “Praise the LORD, who has now provided a redeemer for your family! May this child be famous in Israel. 15 May he restore your youth and care for you in your old age. For he is the son of your daughter-in-law who loves you and has been better to you than seven sons! 16 Naomi took the baby and cuddled him to her breast. And she cared for him as if he were her own. 17 The neighbor women said, “Now at last Naomi has a son again!” And they named him Obed. He became the father of Jesse and the grandfather of David.

These two women were battered and broken in the face of adversity. They both lost everything but God turned that same ugly situation into a glorious one. In the midst of the ashes, God brought out beauty. There is no way we'd trace the genealogy of our Lord Jesus Christ that these two names won't be mentioned. What a beautiful story!

Do you know, that there's beauty in those ashes scattered around your life? Do you know that defect or deformity has massive potential of becoming the most beautiful thing that ever happened to you? Do you know there's a blessing in that raging storm? Do you know that:
He gives beauty for ashes
Strength for fear
Gladness for mourning
Peace for despair
If you didn't know, now you know! It don't matter what your situation looks like presently, after you've been tried in fire, you will come out as fine gold. Your situation is but a dimple - a delightful defect. You will find beauty in your ashes. 
-By Ayotunde

In His Pursuit

TEXT JOHN 8:12-31

Key verse: “Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life” (John 8:12).

Light is required to find our way. When a lamp is used, its usefulness will depend largely on how close we follow the bearer of the lamp. To follow from afar is as good as walking in darkness. And walking in darkness will make one go astray, stumble, fall and be destroyed.

To the Pharisees, Jesus declared “...I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life”. This was enough message to bring conviction and guilt upon their hearts. They tried to cover-up their guilt by accusing Jesus of boasting. The Lord however went on to justify His claims as He made them understand that the Father bears witness of Him. He appealed to their knowledge of the law in Deuteronomy 17:6. This generated further questions from the Pharisees who instead of being teachable, indulged in contentious questions in order to engender strife. Nevertheless, Christ’s purpose of giving detailed explanations of His deity and relationship with the Father was achieved as some simple-hearted Jews got saved.

Many today argue and contend God’s power to save through Jesus the only Light of the world. Many who claim they are saved dispute sound doctrine on Christian conduct and living. We cannot by wishes and personal desires, change the truth of the word of God. As we hear and read the word of God, we must receive and believe it wholeheartedly like a little child. We must choose to follow Christ and walk in the Light. True discipleship is in believing and continuing in the word of God. Are you born again? Then you must follow Christ and walk in the light.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: To follow Christ is to walk in the Light.

Popular Christian Singer: Darlene Zschech Finishes First Round of Chemo to Treat Breast Cancer

Darlene Zschech, the former Hillsong worship leader who is battling breast cancer, posted an update Friday, saying she has finished her first round of chemo and has five to go.

“I am coming to the end of round one of chemo (I have 5 to go) and all I can say is, ‘Grace, grace and more grace,’ ”

Zschech announced she had cancer at the end of December. She wrote on her blog at that time that she has experienced two miracles in her body before and has confidence there will be more to come.

Zschech served as the worship pastor at Hillsong Church in Sydney, Australia, for more than 10 years before co-pastoring another church with her husband, Mark. The couple has led Hope Unlimited Church on the central coast of New South Wales since 2011.

Zschech has been writing about her journey since her announcement at the end of last year. She reported last week that she lost hair, which she says has been “very confronting.”

“It definitely makes me look sicker than I feel. In saying that, I am finding great freedom through this,” she wrote, adding that her husband and daughters have been a comfort to her.

Though it has been “quite a ride on an emotional roller,” she wrote, “I can say that through it all, I am assured of God’s love for me. Truly this has been one of the sweetest parts of the journey. My beautiful Emmanuel is never far away."

“Our Friends, family and our beloved church family are amazing every day,” she continued. “I’m ever convinced that life was always designed to be done in true community. Good days and bad days yet always better together.”

Zschech says she has been spending time writing songs and thoughts, which she will share when she is “on the other side of the mountain.”

“In fact, we are already planning a Thanksgiving service at our church in November," she wrote in her blog post, "where we will record songs birthed during this season. We simply want to fill the place with praise for all that God has done.”

The singer-songwriter says she has also been enjoying redesigning her home.

Congregation worships nud*, (Like Seriously)

SOUTHAMPTON, VA (WWBT) -

About an hour's drive south of Richmond, there's a small congregation that doesn't care about "material" things. They worship the same way we were all brought into this world, naked.

Even in February, when temperatures can average in the 20s, members show up in various forms: some fully clothed, others topless, many still completely nude.

Pastor Allen Parker says it's not about the clothes, or lack thereof. He says it's about baring his soul to Christ and leading his flock down that path of righteousness, no matter what they're wearing.

Every Sunday in the front few rows of White Tail Chapel, you'll find Katie and Robert Church. Katie wasn't a nudist when they first met, but quickly fell in love with both Robert and the resort. They married at White Tail Chapel and say the church has given them a sense of Christian community with none of the pretense of a traditional church.

"Once we were married, and we were here, this whole place became our family," said Katie Church. "I feel like I can turn to anyone in this church, or even in this park, and they will be there to help me."

"People are more open as far as hearing the word of God, and speaking the word of God," agreed Robert Church.

If you think anyone here finds church attendance titillating, you'd be wrong. They're here to find inner peace and Pastor Parker believes that starts with accepting themselves.

"There's not a feeling that you have to be better than one another, physically," Pastor Parker said. "We're humans, we have scars, and we have what we have…it's learning to love and accept that."  More wnem.com

6 Most Questions Teenager Ask About Being a Christian

Recently I began a Bible study with my oldest daughter and a few of her friends. At our first meeting, all I had were Bibles and notebooks for the girls but no Bible study book or even a topic.

My prayer going into this study was that God would reveal what these girls most need to build their faith, to understand that they are daughters of the King and what it means to have God as their heavenly Father.

After our breakfast of pancakes, we took our PJ-clad selves to the sofa. I began by saying, “I’d like this study to be more than just about the length of your skirts and dealing with boys. I’d like to really grapple with Scripture together. I’d like to grow in our faith together. So what do y’all want to study?”

Their answers blessed me. They said they wanted to understand:

• Trust because they struggle with it

• What it means to be a quiet and gentle spirit

• Modesty—not clothing, but how it relates to their heart

• Respect for themselves and others

• Words and how we handle our mouths being a reflection of what is in our hearts

• Value—how to measure it, because weren’t they worth something?

Yes! Aren’t we all trying to determine our worth?

As I begin to ponder our value in God’s eyes, I’m astounded how loved we are. I know I shouldn’t be, really, because I know the God I serve and love, but I am nonetheless taken aback by His tremendous love for me.

Today I kept thinking about the fact that God knows my name. The Creator of the universe, the Maker of all things, knows my name by heart. It is written on the palm of His hand.

"Can a woman forget her nursing child, that she should have no compassion on the son of her womb? Even these may forget, yet I will not forget you. Behold, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands" (Is. 49:15-16, ESV).

Not only does He know my name, but He also knows the number of hairs on my head—even as they collect on my shower floor.

"Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows" (Matt. 10:29-31).

He knows everything, absolutely everything, about me and loves me still.

The amazing fact that Jesus was willing to die for me while I was still a lost sinner is enough to confirm to me I’m valuable. Worth enough to die for.

"You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (Rom. 5:6-8).

The conversations I’ve had with these precious girls has revealed a deep need in their hearts for real answers—for the ability to ask deep questions and seek difficult but honest answers. Each girl comes from a different life experience and situation. Each girl is different in her personality, her approach and her needs. I’m ready for that. God has softened my heart through adversity. I understand more what it means to suffer, what it means to doubt and what it means to struggle. I also understand the beauty of peace in the midst of challenges, joy in the midst of suffering, and hope in the midst of heartbreak.

My prayer is that God will speak through me, that He will open their hearts to the healing and hope that only Christ can offer. I’m so flawed—my poor daughter knows that intimately—and such a mess. Yesterday was our third meeting, and my youngest daughters were just plain awful. I ended up dealing with them upstairs while the teenage girls waited downstairs. I was in tears, mostly frustrated and sad that my hopes for the morning were quickly deteriorating into a mess. But as is always the case, God redeemed the time.

They were gracious as I tried to pull things together.

Again, I was reminded that, no matter what, God has the situation under His control. It might look terribly chaotic and hopeless to me, but some way or another He always makes delicious lemonade out of my lemons. Maybe that will be what I offer for drinks next time—lemonade, to remind me to share that God does indeed always make good out of the difficult.

I’m honored to be able to go on this journey with these girls. How blessed to know that the waters run deep in their hearts. That they desire deeper knowledge and deeper faith. I’m excited to dive deep into the Word and into their worlds. I pray God will speak through me. That these girls will understand that they are worth far more than any costly jewel, that they are precious and the apple of their Father’s eye.

"Wondrously show your steadfast love, O Savior of those who seek refuge from their adversaries at your right hand. Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings" (Ps. 17:7-8).

And I’m thankful that as I seek out answers to their questions, God will be revealing Himself to me as my Husband and Father as well.

"For your Maker is your husband, the Lord of hosts is his name; and the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer, the God of the whole earth he is called" (Is. 54:5).
-By Sue Birdseye

Peace Ahead

TEXT: ISAIAH 2:1-9

Key verse: “And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem” (Isaiah 2:3).

A Roman poet once said: “Sweet peace has transformed me. I was once the property of the soldier and am now the property of the husbandman.”

Wherever the latter times are mentioned in Scripture, the days of the Messiah are always meant; especially the days yet to come, to which all prophecy hastens, when “the house of the God of Jacob” namely, Jerusalem, shall be the center to which the converted nations shall flock together. The prophecy in the second, third, and fourth chapters makes one continued discourse. The first five verses foretell the kingdom of the Messiah, the conversion of the Gentiles, and their admission into it.

Of the second chapter, is foretold the punishment of the unbelieving Jews for their idolatrous practices, their confidence in their own strength, and distrust of God’s protection; and moreover the destruction of idolatry, in consequence of the establishment of Messiah’s kingdom at Jerusalem, and, like an object set on the highest hill, made so conspicuous that all nations are attracted to it.

Christ promotes peace, as well as holiness. At the establishment of His kingdom at the Millennium, great peace shall flourish through the reign of The Prince of peace on the earth. So then, like the Roman poet, great peace shall overshadow the earth as she becomes “the property of the husbandman”.

Whatever others do, let us, as believers therefore, walk in the light of this peace and daily act, talk and live our life as ‘agents’ of His peace. Let us remember that when true religion flourishes in the atmosphere of peace, men delight in going up to the house of the Lord, and in urging others to accompany them.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: O Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.

Worth Reading!!!

 A Psychologist walked around a room while teaching Stress Management to an audience.

As she raised a glass of water, everyone expected they'd be asked the "Half empty or Half full" question.

Instead, with a smile on her face, she inquired:
"How heavy is this glass of water?"

Answers called out ranged from 8 oz. to 20 oz.

She replied, "The absolute weight doesn't matter.
It depends on how long I hold it.

If I hold it for a minute,
it's not a problem.

If I hold it for an hour,
I'll have an ache in my arm.

If I hold it for a day,
my arm will feel numb and paralyzed.

In each case,
the weight of the glass doesn't change,

But

The longer I hold it,
the heavier it becomes.

She continued,
"The Stresses and Worries in Life , are like that Glass of Water...

Think about them for a while and nothing happens.

Think about them a bit longer and they begin to hurt.

And

If you think about them all day long,
you will feel paralyzed –
incapable of doing anything....!!!"

Remember to put the Glass Down, Don't worry be Happy.