Serving. Such a "churchy" word isn't it? Something you do maybe once or twice a year, most likely

because you feel like you have to. Or maybe it is required. Either way, when looked at it in this light, it carries a pretty negative connotation. It's not inviting, it's not exciting, nor does it carry love. It's more of a duty than a desire.

 "You have been called to live in freedom, but don't use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love." ~ Galations 5:13

The next verse is where the famous "Love your neighbor has yourself" comes from. Serve one another in LOVE. What a thought to chew on. When I serve, sure I probably could say that I love whatever IT is that i'm doing. For me it is serving with the kiddos in children's ministry. But when we serve are we serving IN love, or in obligation? Are we serving because its what naturally flows out of our hearts, or are we just checking another item off of our Sunday "To-Do" list?

This past weekend I traveled the 5 hour trip home to where I grew up. My parents still live in the same house and we still have the same neighbors. As I sat writing one morning, looking out the window, I experienced beauty. Utterly amazing, natural beauty. What I saw was a small neighborhood of people gather together to serve one another. I looked out the window and saw them mowing, raking, and cleaning up eachothers' yards. Some where on ladders up in the gutters, some were loading leaves up to be taken away, I even saw a little boy with rake in hand. Now this, I said to myself, is true serving. They didn't plan it, didn't need to make a Facebook event, didn't need to use any bribes to round up any willing souls; they simply saw a need and chose love. This is what serving looks like. It shouldn't be another mark in our schedules, it should flow out of us naturally. True serving is done in love, and love is an uncontrollable emotion that overflows out of us onto those around us. It doesn't take much effort, and doesn't put a damper in our schedules.

I read the book "Love Does" by Bob Goff and he pretty much took my perspective of living a christian lifestyle, crumpled it up and flushed it down the toilet. One of my favorite quotes is when he says something along the lines of- "Perhaps the reason our autocorrect so often changes the word "love" to "live" is to give us a gentle reminder to live love, not just type it". LIVE LOVE. I like that. I don't want to just talk about love, I don't just want to learn about Jesus and simply read His word, I want to live it out. I want to walk it. breathe it. have it overflow out of me uncontrollably. I want to look for ways to add love to my schedule instead of whitespace. (If you're anything like me and your schedule has everything but whitespace, you'll know exactly what I mean).

Now, I don't mean start saying "Yes" to every single need that places its ugly self in front of you. That will surely be enough to wear you out. It's ok to say "no" sometimes, we need rest for our souls too. But what I do mean is to stop "serving" out of duty and start serving out of desire. If you're not serving out of desire maybe it's time you step back and get on your knees and spend some time with your Papa. Because most likely, if you're serving out of duty, your prayer life has been suffering. Jesus doesn't want serving to be a burden. He came to take our burdens. Jesus served out of complete humbleness and compassion, and I don't know about you but my only real goal in life is to become more and more like Him. He wants to change your perspective of serving into something holy and beautiful. Serving that comes out of our heart in this way will never be a burden.

About the Author: Rebeccah Ahlrich is a 23-year-old college graduate from Minnesota where she is now a full time nanny and also involved in part time ministry in Africa during the summer. Rebeccah is growing a love for writing that she would like to share and encourages others with on her journey with Christ.

There was a time that I wasn't the person I am now...

There was a time when my smile masked internal tears...
...leaving room for those tears to flow on my pillow at night.

Now, I've overcome that hurt, nearly two years later after having a talk with God about guarding my heart. You're probably wondering guarding my heart against what? Well, obviously what most of you are going through at this very moment- being involved with a man that God had no intention of you being with. Someone that drags you through the mud day in and day out. Someone that takes full advantage of you. Someone that's undeserving of the husband benefits you're giving to them. Ladies I have one word for you, if you're in any of these situations.


                                                                     STOP!

Yes, I know it seems easier said than done. But trust me, it can be done and must be done! If not you're allowing yourself to be open to more wounds and a connection to ungodly soul ties that become more tangled than you can imagine. I only say this, because that girl was me. Being young and experiencing just a tad bit of freedom at 18, I fell for a guy that eventually treated me like the dirt under his shoe, after I'd been there for him through anything you could imagine. What did I end up with? Absolutely nothing! It was a lesson paid for not only with my heart but with stolen innocence, money, tears, and conviction from God, that allowed me to make up my mind that I didn't want anything to do with man not after God's own heart. I definitely had to take a step back and realize that giving my self away mentally and physically was NOT what God wanted from me. Needless to say the conviction was real and heavy on my shoulders.  After years of investing my heart into someone I thought would do the same and thinking I would mend my heart awhile later with yet another "boy" that was just another snake in the grass stringing me along, I finally said that's enough! You would think during the time I would have saw red flags in both of those situations and listened to God. But I didn't. I didn't learn my lesson, the first or second time of guarding my heart. Ladies the point of this post is, there has to be a time where you make up in your mind that you don't want to be hurt again. That you would rather save your body and heart for your future husband, not "randoms" as my favorite speaker, Heather Lindsey would say.

You're probably asking how do I overcome? How did you overcome years of hurt? Easy-Surrender everything to God. Stop running to your friends that you think have expert advice and start casting all your cares in the one that knows you best-God Almighty. Realize your worth in Christ. You're the daughter of the king. Believe it or not, I was called everything but a child of God at one point from a guy because I wouldn't do as told. Ladies you're special and random guys that aren't serious about you (but serious about ruining you) shouldn't be getting close to you. When you truly realize your worth, you'll begin to let go of some guy that wasn't worth your time. You'll know that God has something better for you.  Let me remind you God is Love and he's not a God of confusion. So the next time, you're tempted to answer calls or text messages from someone that doesn't have your best interest at heart, think about that. Trust and believe it will save you  plenty of headaches. God wants you to be at peace not lingering around in hurt. If you don't overcome, that wound will never heal leaving you scarred with bitterness, scaring off blessings. If you're someone reading this and doesn't truly realize what love is, I encourage you to read my post, "Love Is..." here. Furthermore, I pray you have the strength to move past your hurt. Brighter days are ahead for you. God already has your story written. You only need to let go...of the past.

"He said to her, "Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering."~Mark 5:34

I don’t know about you but I love 

personality tests. You know those things where you pick an option that best describes you or your feelings in particular situations and at the end of the test you get an idea of your temperament or personality? I love those things. When I first started doing them I truly was at a loss and wanted to know me. Like some online test could magically tell me about my past, present and future. Growing up seemed like a lot of work. Could I just learn, grow and be an adult without all the drama? Haha! These days I just do it for the fun of it. In those tests I would get questions like:

You have been asked to make an impromptu speech in front of many people.
Which situation best describes your reaction?

                                      A. You would beg someone else to do it for you
                                      B. You will get very nervous but do it anyway
                                      C. You would jump out of your seat eager to start talking

Now these questions were difficult for me at first because I normally would gravitate towards the reaction I would want to have, not the one I would certainly have. I wanted to be the happy-go-lucky girl who would start talking even before she jumped out of her seat. Unfortunately, I was NOT. It took me years to accept the person that looked back at me when I stared in the mirror. But I finally did. And boy was it a freeing experience.

The business of understanding and accepting our real selves is one that cannot be left to chance. You are the way you are for a reason. You have a specific purpose that can only be achieved by you, just the way you are.

Society tells us ever so subtly that certain traits of characteristics are better than others. Certain skills are more important than others. This is not a new concept. To tell you to accept who you are without societal prejudices will make me sound like a broken record. Unfortunately, even though we hear it often it is somehow a hard concept to grasp and fully adsorb. Why?

Ever wished you could trade your gift of organizing and leading for someone else’s singing talent? After all there are hardly any reality shows that celebrate the organized woman but the girl with the sultry voice? She’s a star!
Ever wish you were the girl in the office who could organize office parties with the efficiency of a drill sergeant so all the dudes could talk about what a wife material you were? But you’re stuck with your working knowledge of Excel and accounting packages as if that was enough to secure you a second look from that tall fine brother who just joined the management team.

There’s nothing wrong with wanting to be better than you are but wanting to be someone else, so you could have someone else results, life, popularity? Now that is nothing but a wild goose chase. Give it up. It’s hard? I understand.

The truth is this, even if your real self wasn’t all that and you wanted to be better in one way or another, you’re never going to get there by denying what you are. All you’ll get is that constant feeing of inadequacy, trying so hard to be better in the eyes of others so they will accept you or see you as fitting into their world. Complete waste of time!

Ok. So you’ve tried it all -A lot of advice has been given about how to get over these issues and accept yourself the way you are. I believe the main problem with people with a less than stellar self-esteem is this. They are too self-conscious. Believe me I’ve been there.

It’s not all about you. Everyone isn’t looking at you when you walk into the room. Everyone isn’t wondering why you’re not married with seven children already. And, listen to this, even if they were, it doesn’t matter! To buy the lie that you have to live according to people’s thoughts and opinions of you is to remain forever in a cage of limitation. It’s like staying home all day every day because you’re afraid of breathing contaminated air. Or deciding not to ever walk again because someone else broke their leg... well, you get the point. Yes, it is totally pointless. I think when we realize that spending every waking moment wondering and bothering is a complete waste of our precious life and time, that is when we really begin to live.

Like I said, I’ve been there. The thoughts of what people would think of me made me not do things I thought so strongly that I could do. I was always afraid of criticism and judgment. I discovered my love for writing sometime after I finished up my Bachelor’s degree in Microbiology. Funny, huh? Well not to me. I had finally found something I really loved to do. Something that made me feel like a creator. Like I could create something for other people to enjoy. Well, the ‘other people’ part came much, much later. I couldn’t bear to have anyone read what I wrote, mainly because I wondered if it was good enough. There was my wondering-bothering-self, getting the better of me. Maybe if I had a great self-esteem and I hadn’t picked up tiny little mean messages as I grew up that I wasn’t good enough and smart enough and hard-working enough, just maybe I would have been willing to push my articles and stories in people’s faces as soon as they were done. But no. I hid them, because I didn’t want any critics telling me what I already knew. I wasn’t good enough.

Somehow I found a website online that encouraged people to write, share their work and get encouragement to become better writers. I thought to myself, it’s an online thing, I can hide behind that. No one knows me anyway, so even if they say something mean, it won’t bother me. Boy was I wrong. The first writing competition I entered was a blow to the face! The judge, a lady whom I have truly forgiven, cross my heart, said something about my trying hard to string words together, but they made no sense.
Now I can’t tell you how bad a blow that was. I was ready to give up for good. It was almost like a sign; a bad omen to let me know how bad I could screw up if I kept trying to work up the nerve to call myself a writer. Those were hard days I tell you. Being young and trying to discover and validate oneself is a tough job but the gains only come to those who hang in there. Somehow that’s what I did.
I kept on trying, hard as it was. A few months later I wrote a story on that same platform that earned me the title of Featured writer of the month. Now that was a small feat in hindsight, really, but at the time I felt like I had won the Grammy for writers or something. I thought, phew! There’s something going on between me and this writing thing after all.

So I share this story because I realize that apart from the general knowledge that we are loved by God and indeed the apple of his eyes our hearts yearn for relevance and significance. We want to feel needed and useful in some way or the other, and this comes in no other way than doing something with ourselves. Something tangible that can set us apart, make us able to help and reach others. Now, while we do not look to our achievements and intellectual attributes to determine our self-esteem and value we sure should be doing something significant in this world. Give yourself the opportunity to be versatile at something. Learn, study, go back to school take a course, start a business. Cast off those limitations and do something new. You’ll be better for it.

About the Author: Remi Roy is a writer, author and media content professional. Her book, "Ms. Unlikely," is the story of a young woman’s search for meaning, fulfillment and love. Her second book, "From the Sidelines" is a collection of historical fiction. She can be reached at http://thelightedgirl.com

Jacob left His father Isaac's house to run from His brother Esau  who wanted to kill him, as a result of taking His blessings,

and also to find His wife in His mothers hometown. But on His way there he had nowhere to sleep and found a certain place and laid there with His head on a stone. God spoke to Jacob and told Him about the promises and inheritance he would bless Him with.

The place where Jacob laid his head was a certain place(an unknown place to Him). Jacob did not have a house there, it was just a stone he laid His head on and slept. In the unknown place, all alone that's where God spoke to Him.

The fact that where you are right now is an unstable place, abusive home, doesn't mean God is not there.You may be at an unknown place, a certain place where everything does not add up. But God is right there. God is with you. Its not the place where everything looks intact, its the place that is not in order. Understand that God is there to put it in order. Because there is nothing there to be seen with your eyes, doesn't mean God is not there.

Through the deserted place in the deserted looking situation, that's where God is releasing His promise and blessings. So you will remember where you were before the blessing. So Glory will belong to God. God is close to the broken hearted. He is right there where you are. God is releasing His blessing in the confused situation. But are our eyes on the situation or on God? Because if we focus on the situation we miss God.

Its not when Jacob was in His father's house surrounded with his family and friends that God spoke. He spoke when Jacob was all alone in an unknown place without even a roof over his head. Without a pillow to lay his head on. God is speaking please lets make time and listen. You may feel you are alone, but believe and understand and know that Almighty God has His eyes on you.

There have been times in my life where I felt like no one was around. Then I went down on my knees and prayed and thats the time  I started to hear God and He revealed to me and assured me that everything is gonna be ok.And everything happened as He revealed to me.  So when you feel like you are alone, know that you are not. Spend time seeking His face. God is always by your side, you are never alone.

About the Author: Amanda Ofori is a 23-year-old young lady from London, England. She graduated college with a degree in Diagnostic Radiography a year and a half ago. Amanda currently works in Ashford and St Peter's Hospital as a Diagnostc Radiographer. She says she's only come this far because of God's favour. She loves singing and enjoys being part of her church's youth choir. Amanda also enjoys writing, speaking and  encouraging others and spreading the word of God.

She's clothed in warmth, drawing everything to her.

Her word is like a sword sharp enough to sting you with the Gospel of salvation.
Bold but her presence is silent.

Hidden under the delicate hand of a sovereign God, she carry's strength and wisdom.
Like Esther, she holds her tongue obedient to her Father's kingdom .

Beautiful from the inside-out
Holding the pure spirit of a gentle soul .
Her kindness lay on others like a quilt giving coverage to those who live in guilt .
She is a breath of life and a woman of grace .

The virtuous woman...

She's made in the strength of the Lord....


About the Author: The author of this article is Micaela Adams. Read more from Micaela on her blog at Micaelathelioness.wordpress.com. To connect, follow her on Instagram at Micaela_thelioness_

The only explanation I've concluded

about women who give their bodies to undeserving men time after time, is a lack in knowing the value of their virtue. In my opinion it is that, and the possible neglect of being properly admonished as a child.

It's human nature to waste things we have no appreciation of. Hence the reason why we teach our children from toddlers responsibility. Pick up after yourself. Don't destroy your property or somebody else's. Say please and thank you. But what about the area of self respect? Do we stress to our little girls and boys the importance of their purity? Do we emphasize its importance and rehearse often to them why? Do they understand why they shouldn't waste water, more than they understand why they shouldn't waste themselves?

I know for me growing up in my household, the extent of a chastity conversation was, "Don't do it because YOU WILL get pregnant, and I'm not taking care of no mo' babies!" This was well understood. However, there was no value placed anywhere before, after or in between those warnings. Only the consequences. I think it should also be stated here that our parents and guardians did the best they could for us. A lot, if not all of what was taught to my generation, was passed down from the previous ones before. However, we were robbed of some vital jewels and pearls of wisdom. I think this had everything to do with the fact that certain conversations were off limits!

In certain cultures, sex is not discussed in detail. It is simply skimmed over and abbreviated. It's usually attached to threats of pregnancy, disease and homelessness. Ok well that takes care of the fear part, but what about the beauty of waiting? It has also been proven that it takes more than the fear of God to lead someone in the right direction. It takes love. Teach me to love myself and I will do whatever you ask of me. Why? Because now I trust you. You have my best interest at heart, and I can believe in whatever you tell me.

One definition of virtue is--- the good result that comes from something. Are we teaching our children the good results that comes from staying pure and chaste in their body, soul and mind? Or are we calling down fire and brimstone from heaven, hoping this will keep them away from normal human curiosity? If we as adults, Christian or not, know the consequences of not waiting to partake in sexual activity before marriage, we should work hard to rescue our kids from those same consequences. But not through the doom and gloom of fear. But by emphasizing the worth of a chaste woman and man. Yeah so what, nobody did it for us, we had to fend for ourselves! But if you could go back wouldn't you have wanted someone who cared enough to say something? I know I would've. I wish I'd had the perfect balance of admonition and why I should wait. Unfortunately like so many, I didn't get that until many mistakes later. But thanks be to God, the cycle can stop with me! If one day I'm blessed to become a mother, my children WILL get, "the talk", and they will know and understand early on, the value of them holding onto their purity.

This is all to say, don't be so quick to judge them who waste their virtue. It's obvious they weren't taught its value and therefore they're wasting themselves without any care of  the consequences. There's many deficiencies there, but with the help of Jesus it can be cured if desired. Teach them the value of self. Start with self-worth and end by telling them God has a purpose for their bodies that's greater than sex.

About the Author: Virtue is written by Shan Mahogany. She is also the author of "Emphasis on Love: A Compilation of Poems."

Dear gracious, intelligent, and beautiful sisters,

Maybe you're 21, 25, 18 or even the same as I, 27.You could even be older but the most important thing is, you're humble, hardworking, focused on Christ but there are a couple of things you wish would filter out of the minds of those that are close to you: Your future. More specifically, your future in dating or marriage.

Its the holiday season and I know once returning home from school or work family members and old friends place the spotlight on you at the dinner table asking-Are you dating? When are marrying? What happened to so & so? You two were so cute? If you're like me, you'll push all of these questions to the side and simply say you're waiting on God's timing. Afterall, you're leaning not on your understanding of the season of singleness you're in, but his. His timing is perfect!

I hope this letter isn't dragging but I simply want to remind you that the season you're in is a setup for a greater season ahead. To some of you it may seem like a season of loneliness but how can it be lonely when you have your heavenly father to to hold on to. I'm always reading quotes and I came across one of which that said, "Dance with God and he'll let the right man cut in." Very true in the sense that God won't send anyone worthy your way, until you're ready. My sisters just as you're preparing yourself for a deserving man, he's preparing himself for you. Both of you are praying, preparing, and running closer to God and I can assure you, only good will come from your faithfulness in Christ. Now, if you're a young lady that's reading this and wondering what should you be doing in this season, I would advise you to refocus all your attention on Christ.Focusing on being the right woman. There are many women that that constantly say, "Men are no good!" "The good ones are taken." when they should be asking themselves "Am I a good woman?" "Am I worthy?"

In your season of singleness, while growing in faith be a blessing to other women: volunteer, serve, mentor. Share the wisdom you've gained. As I mentioned before in my blog, the Proverbs 31 women of today are the Titus 2 women of tomorrow. Live it. Teach it. to instill better qualities in the generations to come. For a closer look at the Titus 2 woman, read the post "The Forgotten Woman of Titus 2."

Flee temptation. Yes, we've all sinned and come short but its not too late to continue your journey on the narrow path. I would encourage you during this time to remain in celibacy or purity. No matter what you've been told, God's word always prevails and sex is safer and better in marriage.

Also, one of the things that I encourage all single young women in Christ to do is write a letter to your future husband. I've done this myself last year. This letter is kept in my bible in the pages of Proverbs. It entails my hopes, dreams, and thoughts of him. One day you'll be able to let the man God has for you read those letters you wrote to him, long before you even knew he existed.

One more thing ladies, never neglect the wisdom of those older than you. Yes, those older ladies in the church that you think you nothing in common with. You have plenty in common with them. I, myself, love talking to older women. Maybe that's why I don't completely act my age. But seriously, listen to them, They've lived what you're living and want nothing but the best for you.

As, I close this letter, I want you to remember there's a purpose in your season. Be thankful for that purpose and be wise in your season, making sound decisions based on God's word only. Remember patience is a virtue. Never settle for situationships, only a godly relationship. Yes, I know there may be some around you that are in a different chapter than you. But you can't base your chapter off their chapter. Stop comparing. Stop dating randoms and start living for God. I know this may be hard for some of you but God is always there to guide you with his unchanging hand of love. He's your true first love. The man, he has for you is only borrowing you for a moment on this earth. Continue to be blessed in your season, preparing for the season that's greater than what you could imagine.


Blessings,
     Danielle

How many times have you heard a woman mention she's a Proverbs 31 woman? Whether on social

media or from your closest friends? But, how many of these women really understand the portrait of the Proverbs 31 woman? Better yet, how many of these women, know that her journey doesn't stop there, instead its just beginning and should flourish into the portrait of the Titus 2 woman. It amazes me how I see so many quotes about being a virtuous woman, yet no actual knowledge of the concept if you ask a young lady.


I began thinking about this post when I entered one of the classrooms at Girls Inc. to teach my creative writing workshop. For the most part, the experience teaching these girls has been great. I'm definitely using a gift I've been blessed with for the right purpose.

Before entering the classroom, I noticed several scriptures arranged creatively and bright on the door. Of course, that made me smile. Because obviously, its not everyday you see scriptures in the same vicinity as students. I already admired this organization for what it stands for, as a place outside of school, where girls can continue learning educationally and referring to our Lord and Savior makes it all the better! While teaching the class, I noticed a scripture on the board from 1 Peter 1:25, but the word of the Lord endures forever. And this is the word that has been preached to you." While helping one of the girls with their activities, I referred back to this scripture to show her the meaning of the word endure. You're probably wondering what does this have to do with Titus 2. Well for me, these classes are more than just a creative writing class, teaching the elements of poetry and storytelling. Its teaching with a PURPOSE. A purpose of leading these girls into women of far beyond confidence, but of faith.

Honestly, before beginning my lessons, I was thinking how can I ease my faith into my lessons. After all, my Lord goes with me everywhere, how could I not include him into an opportunity he's blessed me with? (Matt 10:33) It wasn't hard, because my faith was already welcomed at the door.

And the purpose of this post is to inform those that may not know, that being a Titus 2 woman is training younger women unto biblical standards. As we get older, we learn and its only right to lead by example and teach the path for our younger generations.  You may say, "Oh you're still young. How can you teach in the manner of Titus 2?" Well, the answer to that is, I may not be old but with anything you're striving for, you conduct yourself as if you already are in "that" position. For example, when attending a job interview of course you want to walk and talk the part as if you have the part. The same applies to Titus 2-Walk It. Live It. Teach It. The journey within the pages of Proverbs 31 are leading you there. Start your transformation now. There are many young girls and women out there that need your wisdom. Open up and mentor the teenager that may mimic Proverbs 7, whose trying to forget her past and live up to the expectations of the virtuous woman of Proverbs 31. Mentor the young believer, that has just accepted Christ. Encourage the young lady in high school or college, in the midst of many trials and tests of life.  There are many older women that have done the same for us and its only right to set our selves aside and get on our knees to pray for our youth and reach out into our families and communities to help a young lady, facing the same things we've faced.  The Titus 2 woman deserves a pedestal alongside the Proverbs 31 woman, showing just how great generations of women can be, if we continue to teach by being. And by teach, I mean teach from a biblical perspective.

Stay encouraged and remember the Proverbs 31 women of today are the Titus 2 women of tomorrow.