Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Why Love?



Why love?
Is it because he is perfection in human form?
Because she is always courteous and thoughtful
or that he always chooses the right thing?
No, perfection often falters into failings, thoughtfulness into forgetfulness, and right choices into rebellion.
 So why?
Because He loved before we were formed in the womb; loving while we were in sin. He first loved me when love was the last thing I deserved.

 It is His love which makes ours possible.

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Excuse the Dust

Pardon my honest-to-goodness mess. I am acutely aware of the jumbled mess Authentic Virtue has found itself in; ah me, I guess if one wants to learn she must whole-heartedly dive into html codes, tutorials, and all manner of uncomfortable techy stuff. I suppose this is why the experts suggest getting an experiemental blog first . . .  Hopefully, if all goes well  (and I manage to keep all 10 fingers away from the elusive erase button) I should be properly assembled soon.

Lord bless you!

Frannie

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Choosing this Moment

            
“Wherever you are - be all there.” Jim Elliot’s simple observance holds great truth. “Be all there;” but where exactly  is that? For me it’s at home, at school, at church. What does it mean? I believe it means to live at home abundantly—to love my family without   reserve and with utmost  care. To work as unto the Lord on my math homework (eek!) and to seek God’s will for the lives of my fellow classmates; to be ready to say the word or give the smile that they need. To ceaselessly  pray for the church, to cheerfully  give of my resources (even going beyond financial), and to serve those within it. To live in Christ led abandon for the God who has all power and a vision for my life . . . including this current moment.

Praising Him for this good time!
Frannie

Friday, February 17, 2012

Choosing Joy


Trials. Loneliness. Fears. Difficulties.

My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into diverse temptations knowing that the trying of your faith worketh paitence. James 1:2

Life seems to throw inevitable difficulties into one's path. Whether it be a rough boss, a broken family, church problems, or loneliness, discouraging issues seem to rear their ugly head within all of human race's lives. I've been battling a few giants myself lately, although I do not dare place them on the same platform of not being able to pay one's electric bill or loosing a loved one. However, for a young twenty-two, my struggles are just as real.

And that's why I am so thankful to be going through Beth Moore's study, James: Mercy Triumphs. And that's why I am so thankful for today's lesson beginning at James 1:2.

We've been instructed to "count it [diverse temptations] all joy." Notice James’s wording here; he does not say feel the joy. Instead, the inspired writer simply says to count it, consider it all joy. Mrs. Moore had a wonderful exercise which really tidied the issue for me. First, identify one of your most personal struggles at this moment. Then, write "three different things you could do with what you're going through.  Consider making one obeying James 1:2."

Let me step out and show you what I discovered.

My struggle: Loneliness after leaving a mission training program where I had everything laid out for me, I was in a spiritual environment and therefore maintaining my walk with Christ was "easier," and I was surrounded by great friends and teachers.

My three options:

1. Obey James 1:2 and count this time as joy.

2. Wallow in self-pity.

3. Whine to or use others.

Now, "consider the fruit of each of the three. What do you believe the five-year ramifications would be for each of those courses of action?" (time to get personal).
A. I would grow in maturity, find peace in God, and fellowship with him. Reap the blessings of obedience.

B. I will get over my loneliness scarred by "the blues," use human effort, and not grow in my Christian life if not go backwards.

C. Discourage/destroy others and myself.

If you are anything like me you're feeling one word: wow. (Or if you were a Konkonba from Ghana you would reply with a hearty, Pum! :) Clearly, counting it all joy, obeying Christ is the only option; an option full of blessing and grace. Please do not pin me for one who evaluates all options before obedience. I honestly believe obedience even when it appears nonsensical is the right course of action. However, I do believe there are blessings in counting the cost and observing the consequences of disobedience.

I want more than anything to grow in Christ, rest in Him, and shine as a light . . . I'm at a cross-road of decision. I choose joy.
This lovely photo is found at lovelyclusters.tumblr.com

Thursday, February 16, 2012

Choosing the Important

Visit this link for more of Mrs. Lind's story.
"I am thinking of Jenny Lind. She was one of the greatest singers who charmed the world and adorned the profession of the Christian faith. She was known as the Swedish Nightingale. At the peak of her singing powers she suddenly quit opera to return to it nevermore.

Jenny Lind was once asked by a young lady, as she sat on the beach at Ostend, Belgium, with her Bible on her lap and her gaze fixed on the sun as it was setting in all its majestic glory over the gentle waves: '"What made you leave the opera, Madame"'?

She stepped down at the very time of her coronation as queen of the opera world. Laying her hand upon her Bible, Jenny Lind replied: "'Because, my dear, every day I was thinking less and less of this [pointing to her Bible], and [pointing to the glorious sunset] nothing of that, and so I gave it up without regret for a greater life.'" She was somewhat like Moses of old who exchanged a cross for a crown."

                                          --L.E. Maxwell of World Missions Total War

Monday, February 13, 2012

Not a One

               Little Chad was a shy, quiet young man. One day he came home and told his mother that he'd like to make a valentine for everyone in his class. Her heart sank. She thought, "I wish he wouldn't do that!" because she had watched the children when they walked home from school. Her Chad was always behind them. They laughed and hung on to each other and talked to each other. But Chad was never included. Nevertheless, she decided she would go along with her son. So she purchased the paper and glue and crayons. For three weeks, night after night, Chad painstakingly made 35 valentines. 
Valentine's Day dawned, and Chad was beside himself with excitement. He carefully stacked them up, put them in a bag, and bolted out the door. His mother decided to bake him his favorite cookies and serve them nice and warm with a cool glass of milk when he came home from school. She just knew he would be disappointed and maybe that would ease the pain a little. It hurt her to think that he wouldn't get many valentines - maybe none at all. 
That afternoon she had the cookies and milk on the table. When she heard the children outside, she looked out the window. Sure enough, there they came, laughing and having the best time. And, as always, there was Chad in the rear. He walked a little faster than usual. She fully expected him to burst into tears as soon as he got inside. His arms were empty, she noticed, and when the door opened she choked back the tears. 
"Mommy has some cookies and milk for you," she said. But he hardly heard her words. He just marched right on by, his face aglow, and all he could say was: "Not a one. Not a one." 
Her heart sank. And then he added, "I didn't forget a one, not a single one!"
                                                           --Author unknown
♥♥♥
Love. That word commonly used to describe raging hormones, warm-fuzzy emotions, and attraction. It is often spoken during moments of joy, adoration, and happiness; rarely used during moments of bitter hurt, unmet expectations, and rejection. Love . . . the world makes it seem so fickle; Harriet Smith falls in and out of it, characters in movies frequently abuse it, and sadly real life Christians often withhold it. 
Certainly I hope to experience love in all its romantic forms but there is so much more to love than my girlish ideas often hold. Love is what Christ did for me when I despised Him and His ways; it’s how He gave His life a ransom for me while forgiving me of my rebellion. It is my mom’s gentle care when I’m sick, my siblings enduring friendship when I’ve spoken harshly, my daddy’s patience with my indiscipline. It's giving with no expectation of recieving . . . like sweet little Chad. Love is dying to self so others may live. How glad I am to have been shown the greatest examples of charity.
“For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son that whosoever believeth on him should not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16
“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.

 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.”

John 15:13-16


Endeavouring to love like Christ,
Frannie

Saturday, February 11, 2012

A Fearful Night



It’s 1:30 a.m. and I strain my heavy eyes to peer across the dark room; I’ve been awake for hours with nothing but fearful imaginations keeping me from my natural sleeping pattern. I uneasily shut my eyes but every sound from the basement door and scrape against the widow alerts my strained, tense senses.

I’m house-sitting.

Only two weeks ago I wished for the pleasantry of being asked to care for some traveler’s home—such a responsible and exciting step toward adulthood when those surrounding you view you as capable and trustworthy. So imagine my joy when I was asked; imagine the happiness and aptitude I found in fastening the spare key to my chain, in opening the locked door, in walking about an empty home. (Not to mention the fun of feeding my farm-girl sentiments and caring for horses J).

However, as night habitually does, it quickly fell and I began to feel my unaccompanied, lonely state. Settling into the blankets around me my mind seemed to find a storage bin of frightful thoughts; you know the kind that alerts you to every unfortunate (and dubious) possibility? Sinister neighbors, basement boogie-men, and the ever-possible pack of ravenous, house entering wolves—don’t laugh too hard. Simply put, I haven’t slept well the last two nights.

Why is it that, at twenty-two, I still can be consumed with raw fear? Why is it that I allow my mind, the mind bought and redeemed by Christ, to run freely with whatever tickles its fancy? Why do I not remember Second Timothy  1:7?

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”

If there is one thing which I have learned in my life (and frequently forgotten) it is this: my mind is able to be controlled and need not to be taken captive by every thought. Our minds are tremendous things; they have the ability to reason, induce fear, and produce great beauty. But an undisciplined mind is of no use. Anxiety, fear, impurities, lust, anger, envy . . . all of these can be produced and fed within the mind—but with Christ’s power we are able to cast  “down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;”

So, if I ever am asked to watch a house again I hope to learn from my two frightful nights; I hope to remember my Heavenly Father’s promise:

“For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him.”

2 Chronicles 16:9

Joy to you!

Frannie

P.. The cute house picture above can be found at graphicsfairy.blogspot.com

Monday, February 6, 2012

How very kind . . .

lovelyclusters.blogspot.com
There is no effect more disproportionate to its cause than the happiness bestowed by a small compliment.

  -Robert Brault

Dear Sarah from Through the Lilac Bushes has given me a sweet award--thank you so much! By the way, if you have never visited Sarah's blog you should skip right on over there. I especially like her "Characters on the Ranch" page . . . so cute!


The goal is to list 7 random things about myself and then to tag 10 fellow bloggers. I'll do my best!

1. I just made my first (successful) batch of home-made bread a month ago.
2. I was born in Alaska and lived most of my life in a town called North Pole.
3. I love history--my class is currently studying the effects of the Civil War. Did you know that Lincoln said, "I have been driven many times to my knees by the overwhelming conviction that I had nowhere else to go. My own wisdom, and that of all about me seemed insufficient for the day."
4. I am currently reading L.E. Maxwell's World Missions Total War.
5. My favorite flower is the hydrangea.
6. I have an endearment to Norman Rockwell's artwork. Pieces like the following put a smile on my lips and a warmness in my heart. Trot over here for more of Rockwell's work.

Rockwell's "Spring Flowers"

"Saying Grace"
And now for the final answer number

7. "She hath done what she could." It's the words Jesus spoke after the woman broke her alabaster box o'er His feet. While others criticized and ridiculed her Jesus gave the simple statement, "She hath done what she could." At the end of her life Fanny Crosby had a simple stone set up with the same quote on her epitaph. It seems so bland, so short of the mark and yet it is these words which Christ stated to a woman who we admire and use as an example.

"She hath done what she could."

My number 7, to endeavour to be worthy of such a quote.

I always struggle with choosing so, if you all don't mind, I would like to award my newest ten followers. If you would like, and if you're one of the ten, come on up and receive your prize and give us an insight into who you are. I look forward to your answers!



Many blessings to you!

Frannie
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