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You would think that going into a Christian bookstore would be a great experience. Books of encouragement and conviction would surround you just waiting to be bought and read. Unfortunately, when I visit my Christian bookstore, it is usually the books that do not fit the above description that are displayed prominently for all to see. Deciphering between the good and the bad is sometimes like trying to take a walk in the jungle with only a butter knife to help you.

Two books read by many people my age are "Wild at Heart" and "Captivating" by John and Stasi Eldredge. Having never read either book, I did a little research to find out if they were as good as I'd heard. "Wild at Heart" was disturbing in its twisted theology, but it was its portrayal of a godly woman that really set off my alarm. Eldredge's description was more like the Proverbs non-31 woman than her Titus 2 counterpart! On the other hand, "Captivating" elevates woman to someone who's love God is craving. He is seen as almost incomplete, crying out for us to love and choose Him. Another trend in both books is something I have noticed from many pastors in recent years. They feel that the Bible does not cover a topic as much as they'd like so they constantly feel the need to bring in movie quotes to fill in the gap. Many times the movie quotes are used more than Scripture!

After reading many different reviews, I'm sorry to say that both books look like they would be more harmful than beneficial to read. As substitutes, I highly recommend "The Birkenhead Drill" and "The Heroism of the Fathers is the Legacy of the Sons" by Doug Phillips and "So Much More" by Anna Sofia and Elizabeth Botkin. Just because a book is labeled "Christian" does not make it "great" or even "good." As Agent Tim pointed out recently, attacks on Christianity can come in many different forms. For our own sakes, everything we take in must be measured up against God's Word--the ultimate authority.

Labels: Books

Women in the church are to be different from the world. We should be stand-outs—not because of our revealing clothing, but because of our distinctly modest heart and dress. -Nicole Whitacre

The sun is finally shining down on California, so I thought I'd let y'all in on a great series of posts by Girl Talk. With the weather heating up, you'll see people use this as an excuse to bare almost anything and everything. As Christian young women (don't worry guys, I'll get to sports "Soon"), we're to radiate a humble, godly spirit. How are our clothes to reflect this attitude? To learn, go read "Fashion and Following the Savior"!

Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
Part 5
Part 6
Part 7

My all time favorite Modesty Heart Check!

Labels: Living for God

Excerpt from PE paper:

Today, just as in the past, people are lost. They have given themselves to different religions searching to find the truth. Their inner urgings will not let them rest until they find it, but they are often so blinded by Islam, Hinduism, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Mormonism, and others. It is not until the light of God’s word reaches these peoples’ hearts that the Holy Spirit breaks through the darkness and destroys the lies that have kept them captive.

Born into a wealthy, Hindu family in South Africa, Sue Moonsamy knows the struggles that the Hindus face. Their religion is a part of who they are. They see themselves as serving the oldest and greatest religion in the world. Those who turn away from Hinduism are viewed as sellouts, traitors to their parents and to their people. As babies, boys and girls are dedicated to a god of the parents’ choice. Serving the gods is a part of their daily life and thus becomes a part of who they are as a person.

If you want to read the rest, let me know, and I'll e-mail it to you.

Click here to read past posts on Sue's story.

Labels: Missions, School

Last year's post

Labels: Holidays, Photography

Over at The Rebelution, they ended an excellent series called "A Teenager's Resolutions" with a post titled "Reflections on a Teenage Edwards." If you want to get into the mind of someone sold out for Christ, this is the way to do it! Jonathan Edwards' devotion to Christ at such a young age is amazing! He saw the value of applying the Word to his daily living, and his life reveals the results. Praise the Lord for such a godly example to follow!

And for those of us who read the posts on Edwards as they came out, are we living up to the resolution we made? It's part of the daily grind--living out our faith!

Labels: Godliness, Living for God

We received Emily's EEG results and it showed epileptic spikes on both sides of her brain. Because of these results, she will be admitted to the hospital on April 18 for a four-day treatment of IVIG (intravenous immunoglobulin). We covet your prayers in hopes that this treatment will work. We will keep you updated as we learn more.

Please pray that the IVIG works! The doctors are hoping that this is what stopped the seizures before, but it could have been the surguries or a medication just starting to work. Thank you my friends!

Labels: Prayer Requests

While in San Diego, my dad was able to get us a tour on an aircraft carrier, the USS Nimitz! The guy who took us around worked in the V-2 unit, the group that actually prepares for the planes to take off and land. We went all around, up and down, in and out, over and around the ship. (Let me say here that skirts have their place and it is not on aircraft carriers. :P) Our tour lasted almost 2 hours! There are soooo many tiny details and people necessary in order to keep the ship working properly. There were only 3,500 (!) people on board during the tour, but on a mission, the ship will have around 5,000! The USS Nimitz's record for the most planes off in the least amount of time is 13 planes in 9 minutes. Amazing. Especially when you see what it takes for it to happen! My family is sending tracts to the young man who gave us the tour. (It just so happens they're about the sinking of the Titanic, lol) Please pray for his salvation!

Disclaimer: While the Navy is cool, this is not an endorsement 'cause we all know the AF is the bestest! ;-)

Labels: Patriotic, Photography, Vacations

For the friends that care...



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Thinking about cutting off a little for the heat to come? If you have at least 10 extra inches, consider donating to Locks of Love. Locks of Love provides hair pieces to children suffering from medical hair loss. Growing up is hard enough without being and looking sick. :-(

Labels: Life

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Kristin over at Spunky Jr. has a great idea for the days heading up until Resurrection Sunday. Isaiah 53 is a passage that often comes to mind when contemplating Christ's death on the cross. The description there gives us a glimpse of what He suffered for us. What a great passage to meditate on during the upcoming week. It brings our focus back to the gospel, our reason for living and breathing!


*Leonardo Da Vinci's The Last Supper dramatized

Labels: Holidays, Living for God

Can you picture 5 siblings all on Steinway grand pianos playing amazing music together? If so, you've got The 5 Browns: Desirae-27, Deondra-25, Gregory-23, Melody-21, and Ryan-20. I'm not totally sure, but I've heard rumors that they were all homeschooled. Practicing 3 hours a day until they were 11 paid off when each was accepted into Juilliard, setting a new record for the most siblings there at once.

Working to make classical music cool, these brothers and sisters just released their newest cd called No Boundaries. Once I find a store that carries classical music, I'm going to be adding it to my collection. Until then, click here to join me in listening to the clips. I can almost guarantee they're going to make you want to practice more!

Labels: Music, Newsflash

Posting on forethought, J shared these words of wisdom:

[P]eople are significantly influenced by other people. When you rub shoulders with fools, your spiritual visage will undergo a transformation. You become like the fool. Proverbs 13:20 states, “He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.” I'm not sure how these companions of fools are destroyed, but they are, nevertheless. It is interesting to note that this “companion” does not have to be a fool as well. At least, not initially. I slap myself on the head for the times I engaged with fools, thus allowing them to influence my thinking and behavior. They have a remarkable ability for dragging me into their slough. Thankfully, if I wasn't slapping myself, there was always someone else to slap me upside the head and inform me of my idiocy. You see, the “companion” of fools—although perhaps not a fool---will be characterized by foolishness simply by associating with them. And the destruction may relate to our reputation. As Ecclesiastes states, “A good name is better than precious ointment.” This is nothing, however, that conscious, premeditated forethought of whom I will choose to be my companions will not prevent. Or, if we're already there, amend.

Labels: Living for God

From my last Child Evangelism Fellowship newsletter:

June 11, 2001 in the Good News Club v. Milford case the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that public elementary schools must give religious groups "equal access" to meeting space that is provided to secular groups. This has opened the door for CEF to hold the after-school clubs in the public schools. Before the case reached the Supreme Court, it went to the Third District Court of Appeals. The judge presiding was so impressed with the case, which was quite lopsided in CEF's favor, that he wrote out the decision himself instead of delegating the writing to his clerks. Apparently, it is unusual for a judge at that level to write out a decision personally.

That judge was Samuel Alito!

Labels: Missions, Politics

What do you all think about murder mysteries? Do they in any way glorify sin? And are we ever to entertain ourselves with that for which Christ died?

Labels: Living for God

When babysitting, one should always set the camera out in plain view and easy reach. Otherwise frantic dashing around the house to find said object may occur. ;-)