The Love Of God

Could we with ink the ocean fill,

And were the skies of parchment made,

Were every stalk on earth a quill,

And every man a scribe by trade,

To write the love of God above,

Would drain the ocean dry.

Nor could the scroll contain the whole,

Though stretched from sky to sky.

O love of God, how rich and pure!
How measureless and strong!
It shall forevermore endure
The saints’ and angels’ song.

A word about Friends by Elizabeth George

For lack of time for a blog post I am simply going to copy a bit out of a devotional book entitled, A Young Woman After God's Own Heart by Elizabeth George. I think it will be challenging and helpful to all those who read it :)

Friends ~

The bible is very clear and specific when it tells us what kind of person to look for in a friend...and what kind to reject as friends. As you read through these verses, make a mental note about speech, character and conduct of those who are most definitely not to be your friends. You can pray for them, but they are not to be your friends. What are the warning signals to beware of?(P.S., God's warnings apply to friends of the opposite sex as well!) (And another P.S. -- in the Hebrew language, the language the book of Proverbs is written in, the word "friend" and "neighbor" are the same.)

Blessed is the person who does not walk in the fcounsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers (Psalm 1:1)

He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm (Proverbs 16:29)

Do not make friends with a hot-tempered man, do not associate with one easily angered, or you may learn his ways and get yourself ensnared (Proverbs 22:24-25)

Do not be misled: "Bad company corrupts good character" (1 Corinthians 15:33)

He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm (Proverbs 13:20)

Yes, But How?

1. Follow God's rules--God's  rules will save you from a lot of heartache, mistakes, and regrets. Steer clear of people who fall on God's lists of "Do Not's" and actively seek out those who enhance your life as a Christian. And her's a hint--you'll usually fin these people at church or in a Christian youth group.

I like what one man said about friendships formed on the basis of mutual love for God. He wrote these words to describe the qualities at the heart of the friendship between David and Jonathan: They...
...assented to the same authority,
...knew the same God,
...were going the same way,
...longed for the same things,
...dreamed mutual dreams, and
...yearned for the same experiences of holiness and worship

2. Remember it's better to have no friends than to have the wrong friends-- There's nothing wrong with being a late bloomer in the friend department. Hold on to your innocence and character and hold out for friendships with those who make you a better Christian and a better person rather that grasping onto someone--anyone!--just to have a friend. And if you get lonely, God has provided friendships for you. 

First, you have a friend in Jesus! Second, you have friends in your parents! And third, you have friends in your brothers and sisters! 

So, dear sister, do your part. Of course you'll want to spend time with Jesus(after all, that's what a woman after God's own heart does!) But also spend time with your parents and with your brothers and sisters. Be friends with them. Support them. Love them. You'll be building friendships that will last a lifetime! 

Pictures by Kathryn
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Elizabeth George's book is very good and I recommend it to any girl who would like a guide to Friends, Faith, Family, and the Future.

Let go . . . and let God?

I took a burden to the Lord
To cast and leave it there.
I knelt and told Him of my plight,
An wrestled deep in prayer.

But rising up to go my way
I felt a deep despair,
For as I tried to trudge along,
My burden was still there!

Why didn’t you take my burden, Lord?
Oh, won’t you take it, please.
Again I asked the Lord for help,
His answering words were these:

My child, I want to help you out
I long to take your load,
I want to bear your burdens too
As you walk along life’s road.

But this you must remember,
This one thing you must know …
I cannot take your burden
Until you let it go.

Betty Curti


 I've been thinking a lot about prayer lately and how I need to do much more of it! Honestly I never really valued prayer that much until recently. Prayer is a beautiful thing! Through it we can talk to the very God who made us and loves us! Some of the blessings of a prayer life are a deeper relationship with God, a place to unload burdens and cares, and a way to praise God with all our hearts.

 Even though the bible tells us not to worry, I think we all do! Whether it be about something silly or something that is very important and serious, we all need to cast our cares upon Him. Easier said than done, right?

 "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God . And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:11-13

 Casting our cares upon Him allows us to rid ourselves of those burdens that are weighing us down, and enables us to rise up and thank and praise Him instead. The peace of God will overwhelm you when you let go of your burdens and let God take them.

 "I lift up mine eyes to the hills - where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord the Maker of heaven and earth." Psalm 121:1-2

 Will you let God take your burdens and cares so he can give you rest and peace?

Sarah :)