We're Back...

Sorry about not posting for almost a month. We've been busy. However, Bethany intends to post a lot the rest of the summer (I'll be busy).

I wrote this "definition" for a contest. There are 15 winners, and the prize is an autographed CD by Jonny Diaz (who wrote the song "More Beautiful You") and a one year subscription to Susie magazine. Ten of the winners would have their definitions in the magazine, and one grand prize winner (chosen randomly) would be given an iPod Nano. All you have to do is send in your definition of beauty.

I had written and edited my definition several times, and sent it to my friend to see what she thought. I had already pasted it into the submission form and was just waiting for Bethany to reply to the e-mail. Well, when she finally did, she broke the news to me. Floridians can't enter! Oh, well. At least I have a blog post now. Here's what I wrote:

What makes a person beautiful? I myself had to think quite a bit before I could answer. My conclusion is, someone who’s filled with the fruit of the spirit.

Someone who loves as Jesus loved. Is filled with spiritual joy. Makes peace. Waits patiently. Always looks for opportunities to show kindness. Does good in other’s lives. Is firmly grounded in their faith. Is of a gentile spirit. And finally, someone who uses self control in their actions.

In my opinion, that’s what makes a person beautiful. And if you’re that lovely inside, who cares what you look like on the outside?

(Copyright © Tori Tj)

The contest ends on the 30th of June. If you want to enter, just go to the magazine website.

Tori

What If?

I was thinking the other day, and I started wondering... What if?What would happen if the church were to arise and take her rightful place? What if we lifted the name of the Lord as a banner over our city? If we said “no more.”? What if we actually tried to make a difference? If we firmly took hold of every promise that God has given us? If we found our confidence in Him? If we stopped looking to the ways of the world? If we took a stand for truth?



What if enough of us took a stand that we could turn our nation back to God? What if loving God and turning souls to Him was all that really mattered to us? What if we were to turn from our sins and confess Jesus as Lord? What then?


Would it make a difference? Could you be the one to make the change? Are you willing to hunger after God for all that you’re worth? Would you devote your life to something this big, focusing on a heavenly reward? Make the change. Stand for Jesus.



Romans 12:2 ~Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. (NIV)



1 Peter 1:14 ~As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. (NIV)



Bethany:)

Where We've Been on the 'Net

I decided to copy a favorite blog of mine, and show you "A trace of where we’ve been on the web this week:"


Please Pass the Tie-Dye If we are all fearfully and wonderfully made, why dress up? Why wear makeup? Why wear matching socks? Read on as Beauty From the Heart's Hannah Farver shares her thoughts on the subject.


Covered While reading one of our favorite blog/webzines, Crosseyed, we found this article about how big Jesus' sacrifice for our sins really is. We know you already know everything there is to know about it already, but this article puts a new light on the subject, and is worth a few minutes of your time.

There Will Be a Day A blog post inspired by Jeremy Camp's song of the same name. It discusses Heaven and having an eternal perspective. We found this on Bloom!, the blog we got this posting idea from (though we don't plan on doing it weekly).

Others May, You Cannot We read a post on the blog "Whatever Is," which really inspired us. It was an excerpt from what we thought was another's blog. But when we looked for the blog so we could just link you to it, we found that it was an excerpt from Buell H. Kazee's book Faith is the Victory. So, now we're just linking you to "Whatever Is."

Hope these posts are encouraging and inspiring,

Tori and Bethany:)

Reminder

This is just a reminder- The Dove Awards air tomorrow, Thursday, starting at 8 PM ET. However, if you miss them, they air again twice after that. They are approximately two hours, but just approximately. They are shown on the Gospel Music Channel. Be sure to tune in!

The Prayer of Saint Francis

I take a pointe class from our local Christian dance studio here in Orlando. Our big recital is coming up in a couple of months, and we just completed the choreography for the dance. It's to "The Prayer of Saint Francis" by Sarah McLachlan. She uses her voice well in the song, and the lyrics are, obviously, the Saint Francis' prayer put to music. Here are the words, for you to ponder:

Lord make me an instrument of your peace,
Where there is hatred let me sow love.
Where there is injury, pardon.
Where there is doubt, faith.
Where there is despair, hope.
Where there is darkness, light.
And where there is sadness, joy.

O divine master grant that I may
Not so much seek to be consoled as to console;
To be understood as to understand;
To be loved as to love
For it is in giving that we receive-
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned.
And it's in dying that we are born to eternal life.
Amen.

Tori
P.S. please note that this is only one of several versions of The Prayer of Saint Francis. Also, as I have not heard any of Sarah McLachlan's music besides this one song, I'm not sure whether it is recommendable it or not.