Just So You Know...

Hello Readers! 

I just wanted to write a short note to let you all know a few quick things. 

Firstly, that we recently updated our pages. (Which, seriously needed some updating! Thank you for your patience with these two very busy bloggers!) Instead of having posts chaotically displayed by copy and paste... in which case you would have to scroll through every post imaginable to find something, we now have them updated as LINKS. Simply clink on the link next to the display title to easily find posts on specific subjects. Of course, this does not change our home page. New posts will be displayed as always. But it certainly may help if there are posts you specifically are interested in finding again or maybe even reading for the first time. 

For example...

Spiritual Lessons ~  http://maidarise.blogspot.com/p/spiritual-lessons.html

Political/World Issues ~ http://maidarise.blogspot.com/p/political-issues.html

Health/Beauty ~ http://maidarise.blogspot.com/p/health-and-beauty.html


I also wanted to say THANK YOU for faithfully following and reading our blog! It is sincerely a blessing and an encouragement to Toni and I both. We wouldn't still be writing...if you weren't still reading. And after recently updating our blog, I took a second to notice that...

This is the start of our 3rd year blogging on Maid Arise! 

...and...

We have published well over 300 posts.

You have made this possible. So, with all our hearts, thank you. 

God bless each one as you continue faithfully on this journey to love Him with all your heart, mind, and soul; and endeavor to respond in obedience and faith to His glorious call... "Maid Arise"! 

       Sincerely, 

                Lynea 

Peacefully Drowning

Spiritual Lessons

Peacefully Drowning

 

6:15 Am. I reach over and dismiss the alarm. Jumping out of bed I grab my Bible and rush through devotions. Personal, throbbing hurts to tend to – but there isn't time to think or write.

7:45 Am. I multi-task by cooking breakfast, getting dressed, taking out my seventeen different supplements for the day, and start the car so the windshield ice might melt. That's when I remember my heater and defroster won't work in the cold. I scrape away at the ice with my gloves while standing with snow in my boots, picking away at the unyielding ice. The sun is just coming over the mountain. I'm caught away in a tempest of thoughts. I have 100 things to do today...or was it 101? I know there was something else to remember... Oh yeah! Breakfast inside is burning!

8:00 Am. I'm supposed to be driving out the Hutto Highland gates right now. Instead, I'm scraping the bottom of a burnt pot. The second pot I've burned – in the last two days. Mom's threatened to buy me my own pots and pans. Abbie comes down stairs and demands that we play dolly. Plus she needs me to pour her milk. Beth has a math question and Jeremy is frustrated with penmanship. I go to rinse the pot and remember we ran out of water last night....and we don't have gasoline for the generator.

8:10 Am. I'm in the car driving out the gate. That's when I remember I left my lunch at the house.

8:45 AM I'm off the snowy mountain, wrapped in blankets and beanie and gloves, and on my way to work. Ponderay Lake is dark and choppy, fringed in powdery snow. I sometimes play music or listen to preaching or a book on CD, but my own mind is an overwhelming companion. It never pauses long enough for me to listen to anything else. Family difficulties weigh down. I ponder how to make more time. I feel like I'm drowning. But sometime God will stay the waves from crashing in on me....right?

5:00 PM. I'm locking up. There's still so much to do. My boss is on family leave and needs me here more than ever. Talked on the phone today with mom. She's doing worse. I still have groceries to get.

6:30 PM I'm home. I still have to make my own dinner even though the family is sitting down to theirs. I kick off my boots, set my things down in a chair and rush into the kitchen to prepare food.

8:00 PM I'm dead tired but there's dishes to do.

9:30 PM I sit in bed with jammies on and my diary on my lap. I want to recount the events of my day but I'm so tired. I wonder why life seems so bleak and purposeless and chaotic. I wonder why I feel sick and why I look sick. My health is deteriorating along with my sanity. Mid-sentence I remember I have forgotten to remove my nail polish... I stare down at my toes. I'm just too tired.

10:00 PM I run downstairs, heat my water bottle for my nightly castor oil pack. My parents are talking about life's hardships. Car broke down. Money can't be stretched any farther. Health issues. Complex relationships. I go to bed thinking of the full day of work I will have tomorrow. Dad needs help at work. How to put my life on hold? I have started going to bed later and later ... I fall asleep with the thought that I have no other choice than to get up early the next morning.

Somewhere along life I stopped.

Was God judging me? Had I done something wrong? Or maybe He was teaching me....something? That's when I decided I didn't need to know. And I was just going to trust Him. Even if He never made the continual crashing waves stop. Even if He didn't come to my rescue and call “Peace be Still”. I was drowning, but from now on, I decided I was going to peacefully drown. And it happened.

6:15 Am. I reach over and dismiss the alarm. Jumping out of bed I grab my Bible. I only have a little time for devotions. I simply tell God what hurts. I don't have time to write it out. I simply tell Him.

7:45 Am I multi-task by cooking breakfast, getting dressed, taking out my seventeen different supplements for the day, and start the car. I remember my heater and defrost doesn't work in the cold. I scrape away at the ice. The sun is just coming over the mountain. My storm of thoughts comes to take over, but I take the time to breathe in the cold air and look at the sunrise. God is good. He gave me today. And somewhere He mentions that His mercies are new every morning. Thank God for mornings. Oh yeah! Breakfast inside is burning!

8:00 Am. I'm supposed to be driving out the Hutto Highland gates right now. Instead, I'm scraping the bottom of a burnt pot. The third pot I've burned this week. Maybe Mom will buy me my own pots and pans. Abbie comes down stairs and demands that we play dolly. As I pour her milk for her cereal I tell her how much I would love to play with her. Maybe after work we will play dollies in bed. Beth has a math question. I show her her mistake. Jeremy is frustrated with penmanship. I let him know he has beautiful penmanship, and sometime this evening I will help him. I go to rinse the pot and I am thankful we have water.

8:10 Am. I'm in the car driving out the gate. That's when I remember I left my lunch at the house.

8:45 AM I'm off the snowy mountain, wrapped in blankets and beanie and gloves, and on my way to work. Ponderay Lake is dark and choppy ...and beautiful. The sun casts pink highlights and the border of trees stand like ancient white towers. I live in a picture-perfect place. My mind is an overwhelming companion, reminding me of my “to do list”. I decide to sing. I sing to God, quietly and sincerely and without talent. It really doesn't matter: it's just us. I sing about my family difficulties. And my lack of time. And how I feel like I'm drowning. I tell Him I'm going to drown peacefully, even if it doesn't feel peaceful. I realize it's not just me and my mind today...I have a better companion.

5:00 PM. I'm locking up. There's still so much to do. Talked on the phone today with mom. She's doing worse. I still have groceries to get.

6:30 PM I'm home. I still have to make my own dinner even though the family is sitting down to theirs. I kick off my boots, set my things down in a chair and rush into the kitchen to prepare food.

8:00 PM I'm dead tired but there's dishes to do. I find time to play a ten minute round of dollies and to talk to Beth and Jeremy.

9:30 PM I sit in bed with jammies on and my diary on my lap. I'm so tired. I know why I feel sick and why I look sick. My health is deteriorating because I was so desperately fighting the waves. Mid-sentence I stare down at my toes. I'm still just too tired. But it's okay.

10:00 PM I run downstairs, heat my water bottle for my nightly castor oil pack. My parents are talking about life's hardships. Car can't be fixed. Money can't be stretched any father. Health issues. Complex relationships. I go to bed thinking of the full day of work I will have tomorrow. Dad needs help at work. Life can't be put on hold. This IS life. I crawl into bed and turn off my lamp. So this is what it feels like to drown peacefully. My circumstances haven't changed, but instead of fighting I'm at peace with it all. Morning will come, all too quickly, but now I didn't dread it so much.

Pray for a young man threatened for sharing His faith

We need to remember to pray for other Christians facing hard persecution, like this young man 'Musa'. For most Christians in other countries, to become a Christian could mean immediate death, if not rejection from family and friends. Sharing Christ is dangerous. We should be faithful to pray and stand with them.

Nov. 13, 2015 | Israel
Pray for "Musa," Threatened for Sharing His Faith

"After “Musa” told his sister about Jesus, his father threatened to kill him and kicked him out of their home. Musa, who grew up Muslim, came to faith in Christ several years ago without his family’s knowledge. Since then, he has often talked to his sister about Christ’s love, and his parents recently found out. “If you do not leave this home, I will slaughter you,” his father told him. “And if you do not take all your things, I will burn them.” Musa hopes to continue his evangelistic efforts in his home area. A VOM partner has found an apartment where he can live, and VOM is helping cover the cost. Our partner asks for prayers for his safety. “This man faced a lot of attacks from Satan recently, and he is still steady in his faith,” the partner said."

Quote of the Day

“If sinners be damned, at least let them leap to hell over our dead bodies. And if they perish, let them perish with our arms wrapped about their knees, imploring them to stay. If hell must be filled, let it be filled in the teeth of our exertions, and let not one go unwarned and unprayed for.”

-Spurgeon

Courtship -- when does he pursue?

Spiritual Lessons

Does a young man have to have a sign from God before pursuing a woman for marriage?

Recently I was asked this question. I was surprised that I had to give it some thought before answering. Is it imperative to have this answered? As women, not necessarily. But I am honestly intolerant with not having a conviction or an opinion on any given issue. :) If this isn't important to you, you can just skip this and wait for the next post by Nay. :)

I believe there are three stages involved in courtship. One: friendship. Two: courtship. Three: engagement.

But if God would tell a man “This is it! Marry her!” then why even have a courtship stage? Why not engagement? The real hang-up is the idea that God would tell a young man to pursue a specific young woman. Marriage is a serious issue and if God has a will concerning who we marry, wouldn't He let the guy know? If God told a young man to marry a certain girl, than why go through a stage “to get to know” someone if you already know you're meant for one another? It really wouldn't matter if you thought you were compatible or not because it's God's will.

But here's the thing – in most cases, for most people, God doesn't tell a young man to go and marry a certain girl. Not like that anyway. As in many real-life scenarios, God doesn't come down from heaven and audibly reveal anything – not what flavor of ice-cream we should get, not what job opportunity we should pursue, and not which “one” we should marry. Obviously there are exceptions. There are times He makes His will clear in the tiniest of details. There have been times where He has pointed in a very specific direction for me to take. At other times He didn't tell me to move forward or to wait. To take Path A or Path B. It seemed totally optional to do either one. Sometimes He parts the Red sea, and sometimes He wants us to actually step out into the Jordan before He makes things clear. In something as life changing as marriage I know He has a will. And I know He WILL make it clear eventually. In some relationship situations He made it super clear to both families and both young people right away. In other situations it took an 8 month courtship. God moves differently for different people. That's the novelty of courtship. There's no fixed formula. It adapts to each circumstance.

What we do know about courtship is this:

Friendship comes first. More than likely, you really cannot entirely know whether or not you'd marry someone just by being friends. Depending on the person and how long you've known them, friendship might reveal more or less of a person. I know I couple who didn't know each other well until they had courted a while. One couple grew up together and felt they knew each other through and through even before courtship. Another couple felt like entire strangers even up until engagement. Becoming friends is a really good way to know who you wouldn't marry, without any attachments or hurt feelings or broken relationships.

Courtship is second. No-one in their right mind would start courting unless they planned on marrying the person. It is like dating in the fact that you are in a relationship bigger than mere friendship, and you are getting to know the other person better. Some people choose to think of courtship as a “safe way to date”. It is a relationship where you're more than friends. And you are a “couple”.

But here's the two main differences in my definition of courtship –

1. It's a family-oriented relationship. The father's permission is normally required. Chaperons are involved. Rules are initiated by the families...etc.

2. There's a purpose beyond thrill, fun and excitement. The intention is honorable and looks beyond the present moment. Marriage is the ideal outcome. There's also commitment. You court one person, not one on Monday and someone else on Saturday. Courtship Defended Part 1

I used to assume a young man wouldn't pursue a young woman unless God told him to. Obviously I would hope a young man wouldn't nonchalantly just start a courtship without giving it much thought and prayer. I would personally want my man to actually like me for who I am, and believe that I would make a good spouse, and desire that I be his specific helpmeet, before ever pursuing to court me!

So courtship is simply a safe-gaurd to (depending on the couple) more or less investigate compatibility, but also to take precautionary measures to make sure the parents approve and that this is indeed God's will.

I think it is safe to conclude that in most circumstances God is not going to one day stop men in their tracks and say “Here she is.” God might not actually drop the decision in their lap. They actually might have to pursue His will.

Related Post:

I Love Him, I Love Him Not

Bleeding Hearts

Spiritual Lessons 

Bleeding Hearts 

I'm sitting alone on the shore. I'm holding my heart in my hand and no-one notices. Or worse: they do, they just don't care. A family member walks by and accidentally stomps on my raw and vulnerable emotions. I look around to find some way of numbing, but can't find it. I'm bleeding inside out. Someone I look up to, passes by. I hang my heart on a clothes line – stark and obvious. Who wants to force people into acknowledging your heart? Who wants to demand that your needs must be met? They don't even notice. I used to starve for someone to understand. I yearned to be wanted outside of my capabilities. But even that has become stale. I get up and walk away from the shoreline towards the rocks. I want to be left alone. I want people to stop hurting me. I want to cover up those exposed nerve endings. I want to stop caring and feeling. Someone close to me, walks by. I don't even stop. To be ignored with your heart in your hand is insulting. I cry aloud and no one cares. But at least there's dignity in silence.

A friend runs up to me and extends their hand. How unexpected! I suddenly feel self conscious – they want me to hand over my heart so they can peek into that deeper private place. Isn't this what I've been waiting for? Why do I want to hide? Here's my chance! I timidly open the door to my heart to let them in. Do they expect a cheerful welcome after such long abandonment? They don't even look inside. They reach in and pull with one intrusive yank. “Look friend, see my heart? Listen to my hurts!”

I stare back. I used to sit, like a puppy on the other side of the glass door, expectantly watching; wagging my tail every time someone seemed to be approaching. It almost makes me angry that I was so foolish. With my back to the glass, somehow I will find healing.

I sit on the shore. Jesus walks by. He calls and I pat the sand next to me. Jesus sits down and I hand Him my heart. Gently He holds it. I open the door to it and He smiles. We talk a long time. I tell Him how hurt I am and He nods and understands.

“Why are you so hurt?” He finally asks.

Isn't it obvious? I expect to be treated at least like a human being. And instead they treat me like dirt. “How do you plan on healing?”

I shrug. I guess I will just expect their unjust treatment.

“What if you chose not to expect anything?”

I look up into His kind but mysterious face. “You mean, not to expect them to treat me kindly?”

He nods.

“And not to expect them to treat me painfully?”

He nods again. “You're expectations are molds you've made to cast people in...maybe try expecting nothing.”

I walk to the beach. I am quiet but not in despair. I cannot recast others. I have decided to hold no expectations of them. Not to expect them to reach out , and not to expect them to trompel me. I will not depend on others, but neither will I throw them away to embrace independence.

A friend waves to me from a distant path. My thoughts don't travel down to what “should be”. I still face fear, but with no resentment. They quickly pass me by, without so much as a casual glance at my bleeding heart. I am effected but not undone. I have not given up on anyone.

Someone dear comes to me with extended arms. At first I wince...and then I remember – no expectations. She is smiling. I want to turn away -- she doesn't care about the bloody heart I hold. But that's when I notice. In her hand she holds a bleeding heart. I ache for her. I ask. She sits down and I sit next to her and we cry over her bleeding heart. Somehow it washes a little of her blood away and we talk way into the night.

I finally get up to leave. I look around for my heart. Smiling, my friend hands it to me. I hadn't even noticed that she had taken it. I hug her and start down the path for home. And there in the moonlight I suddenly realize my heart isn't bleeding. I turn it over to make sure it's mine. Yes, there are the old scars. But somehow, while I was caring about my friends heart, my own had stopped bleeding. 

Related Posts:

Starless

 

Haunted 

 

Quote of the Day

“If sinners be damned, at least let them leap to hell over our dead bodies. And if they perish, let them perish with our arms wrapped about their knees, imploring them to stay. If hell must be filled, let it be filled in the teeth of our exertions, and let not one go unwarned and unprayed for.” -Spurgeon

A Divine Appointment

Maybe this will encourage someone.

Sometimes it is a Divine appointment. Sometimes it is just being willing to listen to someone...to ask questions...to think for yourself...to put yourself out there...or just to care enough to be someone's friend.

I don't like Walmart. In fact, I hate that store and typically never shop there. But I found myself there after work the other night running errands with my sister. I went up to the photo counter. Just a few quick prints while I was killing time waiting. It was after hours, and so usually the photo department would have a sign that said something like "see electronics for assistance". Well, sure enough there was that sign. But there was a young woman still working behind the counter. Her hair was pulled back in a tight bun and she was wearing a long black skirt. I smiled at her and she came over to assist me. We exchanged the usual "Hello, how are yous". Usually only "Christians" of some flavor wear skirts anymore. There was a pause in conversation...so I asked her. "Are you a Christian?" She looked up surprised. "No. I'm agnostic. I don't believe anything." "Oh." I said. She continued...."my husband and I hold a bible study once a week at our house though." "Oh, okay." I was surprised. "So... if you don't believe anything, what is it that you do at your bible study?" I asked. She looked even more surprised. "Good question". She said smiling. "We just ask questions. We try to figure things out by discussing questions with each other." "So... have you found any answers?" She smiled again and said, "Good question!" (She had a thing for questions. :)) She nodded her head and said how that they had all decided that there would be enough room on earth to hold all the people who have ever been born when the Resurrection takes place. (Wow. That was the first time I'd heard that one.) "Oh, really? Well, why would you need space on earth if we are being resurrected?" I asked. She looked dumbfounded for a second and then said again, more emphatically... "That's a good question! I don't know." She was smiling at me. She seemed both happy and surprised that some random person in Walmart would care to talk to her about her religious views...or lack thereof. "Well, I'm a Christian. Can I give you a book to read?" I said...searching my bag for the copy of the book "DONE" I had ready for such occasions. (For those who don't know what that book is... it is basically a short read, giving the gospel of Jesus Christ and explaining how there are only really two religions in the world. Those who believe you DO something to earn God's favor and those who trust what Jesus has already DONE on the cross. It's an awesome tool for evangelism.) "Yes!" She said. I was so excited she would take it and that I wasn't hauled out by a Walmart manager for "distributing christian literature"! Haha"I hope this helps you find some answers", I said and then asked if I could give her my phone number. We exchanged names. I don't normally give my phone number to strangers...but I've taken to doing it quite often lately when the appropriate occasion presents itself. "Do you text?" She asked. "Yes. And I'd love to talk to you more if you have any questions." She was so appreciative...and I really believe sincerely seeking. I paused before leaving. "You know, I really believe that God wanted me to talk to you today...and to give you that book." She just smiled at me. She knew I cared. She knew I was sincerely concerned for her soul. And she thanked me.

Sometimes God just throws someone in our path. Sometimes not. Jesus went to SEEK the lost...He didn't just wait around for some special feeling of "this is my one supernatural opportunity for the week". He went looking for sinners. In fact, He was a FRIEND to sinners. We should be careful not to be more concerned about "spiritual separation" than the souls of men. We are not to be OF the world...but we are to be IN it. But it is so exciting when you get to see a Divine Appointment play out. God gives us a free will. He gave us a choice to obey. Or to disobey. To be silent. Or to speak out. One thing I have learned with all my heart...is that God loves to use people who are willing! Any time I've ever asked Him to use me...He does. Any time I've really honestly been open...He takes me up on it. Why? Because He cares about lost souls. He loves them. Unlike us. He doesn't waste an opportunity to reach someone with the gospel of Jesus Christ...no matter where it is or what it is or who it is....and neither should we.

Stuck Between Friendship and Matrimony

Spiritual Lessons

Stuck Between Friendship and Matrimony 

So he is a friend. At least, he started out as a friend. But now it's deeper than that. Or at least it feels that way. You really think he is the most amazing guy in the world, and you're ready to say “I do”.

But there's a slight problem: He hasn't asked. You're sure he enjoys you and you're not like other girl friends of his. There's something different about him and you, but nothing has been said. No pursuing has been initiated. Now what?

I know several young women in this situation. In one circumstance the couple have nothing standing in there way other than the guy simply hasn't asked. In another situation the young man has made an attempt to “get to know” the young woman, but they are just “friends” because marriage isn't really an option for her yet. How awkward is it to be stuck between friendship and marriage? Really awkward.

I just wanted to take the time to write a short post of encouragement to you if this speaks of your circumstance.

Firstly, you have no reason to feel ashamed of how you feel. Ignoring and denying your emotions won't help; neither does feeling guilty about them. They are genuine emotions – accept that.

But with no commitment established you have no ties, no obligations and no entitlements to this man. He isn't yours and you aren't his. He is God's child. You're job is to allow God to guard your heart and to simply treat him as a friend and sister in Christ, just like you have been. You have no idea where this young man is at. Perhaps God has asked him to wait? Maybe his parents have asked him to wait? Maybe he is securing the means to get married? Your impatience will help no-one. You are expected to remain faithful in what God has set before you. And as long as He hasn't asked you to pursue a mate, you can rest assured He is working in your behalf. If it's any consolation, God moves far more quickly with patient surrendered children, than rash self-willed ones.

I've met several young women who have based their self-worth on how many young men have asked to start a relationship with them. For some women they have a lot to boost their ego. For others this is disastrous blow to their perceived worth. I want to encourage you that God has a plan (Jeremiah 29:11). He is a master at the art of orchestrating your life. You are worth the shedding of His only begotten son. That means you're priceless.

If the guy of your dreams isn't moving forward, that may be a good sign that you aren't meant to be married yet. It has no bearing on your worth and it has no indication of your capability to be a wife.

Diligently set your heart before your Creator. He knows. He understands. He is able to keep your heart and He will guide you. Moving beyond friendship with a young man is a serious thing. It can either be beautiful because it's in His time, or it can be the worse mistake you'll ever make in your life. Trust the godly authorities He has placed in your life. Run to the One who knows you best.

Marriage is a gift, not a goal. You haven't failed just because you're in your mid twenties (or older) and you haven't “achieved” marriage status. Has it ever occurred to you that your singleness is a gift? That He expects you to use your singleness to give Him glory and to serve Him and His kingdom with? Have you been faithful in your singleness?

Life is a shining adventure. There's no better way to squelch your joy and miss opportunities, than to wait for life to begin at marriage. Obviously if He has set before you marriage as an open door, take it courageously and confidently. But if you're stuck between friendship and matrimony, be encouraged that your part is to simply obey God and charitably treat this young man as a sister in Christ. If you really love him, you will not seek and pursue in impatience. You will not vaunt yourself and make yourself obviously available. You will not hold your breath with little longsuffering. You aren't waiting on him – you're waiting on Him. In fact, love would wish the best for who it loves, even if this means, in the end, your desires aren't granted.

You're not stuck. You're just in an amazing journey. Embrace it! He will guide you.

Quote of the Day

“Nobody, on either side, can really stake out a moderate position on abortion for very long. Either abortion is condemned with the fury of 1,000 suns, or it is celebrated and glorified with religious fervor. Everyone who tries to hang out somewhere between these two extremes will inevitably land on one end of the spectrum or the other. That’s because abortion is an extreme thing. It is the slaughter of the innocent. History proves that there are really, when it comes down to it, only two types of people: those radically opposed to the dehumanization and murder of entire groups of people, and those radically in favor of it.”  Matt Walsh