Showing posts with label prayer. Show all posts
Showing posts with label prayer. Show all posts

Monday, May 16, 2011

An explanation..


A while back ago, I posted a poem/song that I've now come to find out was rather depressing and frightening to some people close to me.

Know this: I am not suicidal nor depressed, and never have been.

But I am a girl. Who struggles with the way people view her, with loneliness, with feelings of unworthiness.

I often write championing the cause of waiting and letting God be the one to fill the void in our lives. But the thing is, I can write all I want, and still not believe it myself.

I struggle! I'm human! I'm not perfect.

And the devil knows this. He knows my weaknesses. Those feelings of unworthiness, the fear of being alone. And he knows exactly how to play them.

I purposely was vague in that post, not wanting to offend or cause guilt to some friends of mine. You see, I spoke of prom.

Prom.

Oh the feelings of dread and joy associated with that word. An American tradition gone horribly awry.

You see, no one had asked me to go to the prom.

Now, many people might say "Just go with your friends as a group!" And many people did say that. But to me, and perhaps I was seeing a little too deeply into this, prom wasn't about the party. It wasn't about the limos, the dresses, the music.

It was about being asked. Asked to dance. Considered worthy enough to be asked.

And I wasn't asked. I didn't go. And I didn't dance.

That night I sat at home listening to depressing music, watching pictures of prom go up on facebook, and all I could think was, "Why didn't they ask...? What kept them from asking me...? Am I so undesirable to have as a date?"

And I forgot what mattered the most. I forgot how I had encouraged so many young girls to wait through highschool to date. I forgot my own commitment to wait. I forgot about the one God has waiting for me. I forgot about the ONE above who was quietly whispering, "I already asked."

And instead, I wrote that song. I vented my grief and despair over never having another prom (for I graduate this week) to go to, never being asked to dance. I let Satan have his way with my weaknesses. I let him manipulate those feelings of loneliness and unworthiness and that seeped in through the pictures on facebook, my friends innocent comments, their unconscious actions.

How could they have known? But I blamed them. And wallowed that night.

Yet the song has two lines at the end that "go up". Maybe. But they weren't heartfelt. They were done out of obligation to keep up the profile, the image people had known me for.

So why do I write this?

I write this to show that even those who proclaim to be strong and untouchable, those who seem perfect and we put on a pedastool... we're not immune.

That night God brought several girls online to talk to me. Each one had been touched by what I wrote and I was able to be ministered by them! and to them. I saw, and they saw, that we are not alone. And by that, one lie was conquered. Loneliness.

I went to my writers forum, and in the midst of my tears, God brought out a batch of "thank yous". Fellow brothers in Christ thanked me for being an example of a heart for the Lord and for the love God had given me for them. And with that, another lie was conquered. Unworthiness.

What Satan meant for evil, God meant for His glory.

Amen and Amen.





Monday, April 4, 2011

An Apology

To the men in my life, and those who know me by name and sight:

I have an apology to make to you. I have not put you first.

I have deliberately ignored the fact that guys look at me daily, the fact that I have an impact on those around me, the fact that the way I dress can influence it all.

I'm sorry for not viewing you as a brother in Christ, and for causing you to stray or stumble.
I'm sorry for dressing in a way that is relieving, distracting, and immodest.

I have instead sought what was comfortable or looked popular in magazines. I gave no thought to how much skin was showing, what would happen if I bent over, if i was revealing something that should be saved for my husband.

And by doing so, I am at fault. I have seen you as an object to please, to receive attention from, and to show off to.

I am so, so sorry.

You are my brothers in Christ. Worthy of the respect and love that comes with consciously acting and dressing in a way that only furthers your respect for women, your sisters in Christ, and God himself. I should be doing my best to lead you on a higher path, on without shame or lust. One of purity and virtue.

So I ask you to forgive me. For any outfit, act, or word that has had negative consequences in your life.

It is my goal to only further your walk with your Maker and to enhance the spiritual beauty of other sisters in Christ, that respect might be the first thing in your mind, instead of physicality.

Today I have been convicted and I stand before you with sorrow for what I have done. But I look to the future with hope, and I pray you do too.




Thursday, July 8, 2010

Monday, Monday, Monday.....(said with a deep voice that rumbles)

Miscellany Monday @ lowercase letters


So yes, I have a long post comin' your way today, cause it's Monday. :D Which happens to include pics. Huzzah!

1. KA trip.

Which was awesome. Here's some stuff from it.

Me, trying to get some last minute editing done! I like this pic. It's funny and cute. And my hair looks awesome. :P In case you were wondering, yes I cut it. Again. I can't help it! I love it short!

Lunch on Saturday, I have the grey hat on. Oh, how I miss you guys!

Some of us goofing of as Pirates vs. Ninjas. XD I was a Pirate!

Samii, StoryGirl and me! *Sorry SG! I forgot your name! Eyi!

2. A new book.

Yup. And you have to buy it. It's just too amazing. Here's a vid on what it's all about.



This book has changed my life, and I'm only in the third chapter. Here's a tid bit for ya.

It's easy for American Christians to forget how jesus said his followers would actually live, what thier new lifestyle would actually look like. They would, he said, leave behind security, money, convenience, even family for him. They would abandon everything for the sake of the gospel. They would take up their crosses daily....

But who do you know that lives like that? Do you?

3. Discussion

Last night Mom, Dad, Janessa and I had some powerful discussion on what we (as a family) believe as Baptists. It was challenging, encouraging, and heartening to be fed the truth. Time after time, we pulled out our copies of God's Word and checked what we believe to what we know the Bible says. How amazing is it to know that God has an answer to everything? Whether or not he decides to make it known to us...
Here's a bit that was especially powerful for me.
God knew what he was doing from the very beginning. He decided from the outset to shape the lives of those who love him along the same lines as the life of his Son. The Son stands first in the line of humanity he restored. We see the original and intended shape of our lives there in him. After God made that decision of what his children should be like, he followed it up by calling people by name. After he called them by name, he set them on a solid basis with himself. And then, after getting them established, he stayed with them to the end, gloriously completing what he had begun.
Romans 8:28-30
I don't know how to keep going on miscellaneous things today. Today is just too thoughtful to fill with random musings. Last night's talk left too big an imprint on me to be spouting off about Sharpies and shopping sprees....and after that video..I don't know if I want to. God has a bigger calling on our lives than the best deals at the grocery store. Are we responding to it? And I leave you with this. A video that did more than change my life...it's changed my future.





Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Changes, changes...

Some of you may have noticed the changes on my blog. Well, a lot is happening to do so.

  1. If you want to keep up with my re-enactments, go to it's own specialized page, newly made for your convenience!
  2. I am a writer, so my blog might be a little more literary minded this school year. Including my study of Shakespeare's works for my Brit Lit cred. :D
  3. The new name. Don't worry, the url is still the same. But I've come to a realization this summer. God has equipped me with a talent for words, and I intend to use it to tell stories of grace, hope, forgiveness, and sacrifice. Some times that means I have to dip into the real world for examples of sin, despair, cruelty, and deprivation. Understand that this is real writing. Not some fairy tale. Not a lovey-dovey story that makes you feel good and your innards warm. As a friend of mine once said, "I want to be God's frying pan and go around whacking heads. People have got to wake up." Wake up indeed.
  4. Pictures.....ah yes. Those lovely things. Weeel, the laptop crashed, so posting pictures is difficult now and editing them is near impossible. I'm working on that. ;) Re-enactments are hard to come by in the summer (when it's 99 degrees for a week straight). But trips aren't! :D And I have plenty of those coming.
  5. Sewing Projects!!!! I have yet to update that page (or develop it for that matter. ;) ) I have several projects done, and finished, that I would love to post and talk about! Check out that page soon for some awesome stitching!
To keep you all up to date, here's a look at what this year is bringing:

  • NC trip (#3 of this year) and trip to Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, NC.
  • Several re-enactments. Including the Fall Encampment, Red River, Yule Fest, Daniel Smith Days, and possibly Fort Loudon, which I am especially excited about.
  • The usual Thanksgiving Trip to NC.
  • A "talked of" Christmas trip to....Texas? O_o
And in addition to:

  • School!
  • Novel deadline (August 15th at midnight)
  • New novel!
  • Graduation! O_O There's a shocker for ya. ;)
Some updates on my life:

  1. The Kansas trip went great and I had a blast! Learned so much from the people there and can't wait to go back next year.
  2. Contacts?
  3. A new impersonation for re-enacting. Drumroll please!!! : It's a young widow. Hoohoo! There's gonna be some fun with that. :D
  4. This is a little more serious. I have felt God leading me into the mission field after (and during) college. For quite a while he has placed the people of Europe on my heart, where religion there is a culture, not a relationship with God Almighty. Please pray for me as I find out what God has planned for my life and prepare for His calling.
So, anyways. Lotsa going on. And more to come. ;) (Don't worry, patience isn't a virtue I possess either. XD )




Monday, May 18, 2009

Soooo Sorry!

Wow! It's been a while and I apologize. Things have been really crazy and will continue to get worse this summer. (Worse in a good way. I like being busy!) My friend Allison mentioned on her blog that I was starting a new phase in the calling God has placed on my life. While this is true, and I want to post about it, I can't get a video that explains everything up on here, so you will have to wait on that until I can get one of my tech savy friends to upload it. But first I have some announcements:

  1. I will not be doing the next WIFD. Things are a little too hectic as is without having to take pics of myself every morning and post them. Sorry! You can still enjoy what the other girls post if you follow the link on your right.
  2. I will be gone starting May 30th for my cousin's graduation until June 8th.

Now for things to look for in the near future:

  1. Allison and I are now going down to Manskers by ourselves, so look for pictures of that.
  2. According to the countdown clock on the right, my next re-enactment is coming up. I will also have pics of that.
  3. As soon as I can load that video, there will be information regarding The Least of These, my mission group I am starting.
  4. School is out! Summer pics will be flooding this blog!

Lastly, I have a few things I would like you to petition the Lord about on my behalf.

  1. The Least of These. While on to a good start, I am encontering some spiritual war fare regarding this. Please pray for strength and courage. While I may be headstrong, I am not bold; I am a people pleaser and this isn't helping.
  2. Two of my cousins are getting married! Yay!!!

Thank you all for being so patient. I will try to post more reguarly as soon as all this clears up a bit.

Au Revior,

Janae Janna

Thursday, March 19, 2009

To do...

Enjoy the new Spring layout and song. Several things are going to be happening over the next few weeks so look for updates.

Most importantly, next weekend is the Spring Encampment at Mansker's Station and I hope to be able to get pictures. I will be redoing my polonaise (the orange one) instead of making a whole new one (time constraints). Look for pictures.

Next, Spring break is just around the corner and I have nothing to do. Please, send suggestions. :) Also, with Spring Break comes Easter!!!! I'll have info with that.

I hope to post more about the Prayer Day, maybe even a video if I can find time to let it load on here.

Next week I am doing another WIFD. So look for some more cute outfits from a bargain shopper. This time, It is not required to wear dresses and skirts, just feminine modest outfits. Meaning, I may wear some shorts and pants, but they will be modest and feminine. Which is what really counts afterall.

Since Spring Encampment falls on the same weekend of WIFD, some of my outfits will be in petticoats and short gowns and polonaise. Get over it. It's modest and would have been very nice clothing for 1783! :)

Anyways, enjoy the new layout and song and look forward to what is to come!

Tuesday, March 10, 2009

.......

Hey guys,
Sorry about the lack of posts. Things have been really crazy this past week and a half. I have to run the house (dishes, laundry, cooking), try to get my school work done, take care of Janessa (who has become sick), and try and keep Daddy happy. It's been nuts. I hope to be able to post more about the prayer day after all of this (next week hopefully), and would like to be able to post more about my sewing projects and upcoming re-enactments. Thank you for all your prayers and support over the last few days. The food especially has been appreciated. You all are such a blessing to me and my family. Thank God for you all.
Until a moment when I have more time,
Janae

Sunday, March 8, 2009

Update 2

Okay, sorry I haven't posted any info for a while, but I am now. Here we go.

My grandfather came out of his first surgery fine. The found out the the artery(90% one) was actually 95% blocked. He was in ICU, and his blood pressure was jumpng around, but theysaid that is normal for this type of surgery. However, yesturday we found out that he had a dormant MERSA (really bad staff infection) in his nose. The surgery kinda "awakened" it. Luckily, they were able to keep it confined to his nose, and he went home last night. If everything goes okay, they will do the next surgery either tomorrow or Tuesday. Hopefully Momma will come home on Saturday. Thank you all so much for your prayers, food, and transportation of Janessa and I. We really appreciate you letting us invade your homes and cars! :) You all are such a blessing to us.

Wednesday, March 4, 2009

Update on grandfather

Well, new info has come. My mom is flew down to Florida this morning at six, and will be staying there until next Saturday or later depending on how things go. Here is a medical view on what has happened:
Two arties in his neck are clogged with a build up of some sort. When this build up starts to chip off, and get into his bloodstream, it can cause massive strokes and death. Well, some of it chipped off, but it was a minor stroke. One arterie, though, is 90% blocked. You can imagine the potential of this. The other one is 70% blocked. Each arterie goes to a different side of the brain. The doctors need to open up his arterie and clean out the build up. They can only do one arterie at a time, because if you cut off both arteries, you basically become brain dead. The doctors hope to clean out the first arterie (90% one) on Thursday and the other one (70%) next Tuesday. Hopefully, no more build up will chip off before or during surgery. This is the important worry.
Please send your prayers.

Tuesday, March 3, 2009

Need Urgent Prayer

I have just found out my Grandad just had a stroke. He is in the hospital in Florida and is not looking good. He will need sugery. My mom is planning to fly out down there at six tomorrow morning. The doctors have to open up his main artery in his neck. This morning he was nauseous (sp.?) and threw up. He is also on blood thinners to reduce the chance of clots. Momma doesn't know how long she will be down there. He is turning eighty this May and has normally lived a very healthy life. He has diabeties, but manages it w/out insuline. Please pray for him and my family as we cope w/out mom. Janessa and I will have to take on new responsiblities in addition to trying to fufill a heavy school load. Please pray that God will guide the surgeons' hands and the doctors as they care for him. Out of my nine grandparents, he is one of two left. Others have died of strokes, and I hope he won't be added to that list. He has remarried about eight/nine years ago and his sweet wife is taking this very hard (both of their previous spouses have already died.). We will need the Father's everlasting peace during this hectic and chaotic time.

Monday, March 2, 2009

Prayer Day Part 1

Okay, You are going to have to bear with me. Because of the amount of photos, I will be dividing this up into parts, so stay tuned for sequels.

Two Saturdays ago, Allison and I spent a day in prayer and reflection. We sought after God's will for our lives, prayed for our parents, friends, country, president, future husbands, schools, siblings, each other, a camp I am thinking about going on, other countries around the world with Christians under persecution, and that our blogs would be effective tools of the Lord's to reach His people. In so saying, we payed for everything.

We started out praying silently standing up, holding each other's hands. During this time, I prayed for Allison. As for Allison, well, you'll have to ask her. :) Then, taking turns we prayed out loud about the aforementioned stuff. So many times when Allison was taking her turn, I would become impatient; I wanted it to be my turn again. This may sound funny, but anyone who knows me personally can testify that I don't exactly like praying outloud. But as we began praying, I had this wondrous feeling that I can't describe, but all I wanted to do was pray more and more and more! The words just started flowing from my lips as I told my Creator about the trials and diffulculties in my life. I stopped "praying" and, for the first time in my life, started having a real and meaningful conversation with my Abba.


Before we set out, Allison's mom snapped this picture of us. We were loaded down with balnkets and cocoa. It's was supposed to rain and ws very windy, but more on that in the next installment. Me making a list of things to pray for, so I don't forget.

This is where we were at. It is on a hill at Allison's house way out in the country. We chose this spot because you couldn't really see any houses or other distractions from there.

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Prayer

Please pray for me and my friend Allison on Saturday. This link will give you the info.
http://bail-o-dhia.blogspot.com/2009/02/please-pray.html

Thursday, January 1, 2009

The End in Sight

Well, I guess this wasn't what I expected to blog about this morning, but circumstances seem to have preordained it. One of my closest friend's father died this morning to go and be with his Savior. He had fought a long and arduous fight against cancer. This was either the third or fourth time it had come back. This time, it took every bit of him. Please pray for my friend and her family as they go through this very hard time.