Thursday, March 27, 2014

"Veil of Tears" Film Release

Gospel For Asia is opening a film this week in theaters across the U.S., Veil of Tears. Please check for information regarding theater locations, remaining simulcast options, or more information about "Veil of Tears."

Yes, this film does talk about a wieghty subject. It is uncomfortable to hear of a real life tradgedy being lived out along side you in this world. It is easier to ignore, or forget. And though this film is about Asia's most mistreated, it's still described by the Dove Foundation as a film "that will cement your belief in the possibility of hope."

This film will be showing for only one week, starting tomorrow. I hope you are all able to go see it. But if you are not, please pray that God would use this film to bless and move those who do go see it to serve as the Body of Christ should.

What Others Are Saying About "Veil of Tears"
Joni
"When I saw it, I knew I would never—could never—be the same. 'Veil of Tears' has taught me how to pray, to give, and to make a difference for Christ."
- Joni Eareckson Tada

Francis
"'Veil of Tears' was so moving and informative. I want everyone to watch it and join us in making a difference in the lives of these women."
- Francis Chan

Ray
"A well-produced, powerful and shocking exposé. 'Veil of Tears' will have you in tears."
- Ray Comfort, Living Waters

AFA
"A powerful, riveting film . . . that grabs at the heart and won't let go!"
- American Family Association

John
"'Veil of Tears' asks the question, 'Do we care?' Now it's up to us to answer."
- John Schlitt, PETRA (Lead Vocalist)

Robert
"This factual account of the oppression of millions of women in Asia must be told. Though the story begins with tears, the Good News is that help is on the way through the ministry of compassion seen here."
- Robert Coleman

Tuesday, March 25, 2014

“Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you” (James 4:8)
 
 
"The man who would know God must spend time with Him.” - Tozer 

Sunday, March 16, 2014

Awards!



The Rules:
1.  link the blog that nominated you for the award.
2.  choose eleven bloggers to nominate that have less than 200 followers.
3.  answer the questions given to you.
4.  let the people who you've nominated know when you've done so.
5.  you can't nominate the person that has nominated you.
6.  create eleven questions for the bloggers you've nominated to answer.
7.  you must follow the blog that nominated you. (yeah, I crossed that out.)

Sarah's Questions:
 
1.  Where were you born? In the desert, a Catholic hospital named after a saint. Funny thing: All of my five siblings were born at a different hospital!
 
2.  If you could meet any ONE fictional character, whether from a book or movie, who would it be?  When I was a little girl, I would have ridden on a magic carpet with Aladdin/Abu! Now, I might just have lunch with Captain America, I feel like he'd have something worthwhile to talk about. Plus he's, like, a superhero!
 
3.  Do you prefer coffee or hot tea? Yes! I crave coffee more often, but I drink twice as much tea because it doesn't have the bad effects of coffee. *sigh*
 
4.  If you had (or do have) an abundance of money, what is your ideal dream vacation? Some place in South America would be my first choice. But I wouldn't care as much where I went as I would with whom I went with. With my family, I would be happy anywhere.
 
 5.  If you could travel to any time period (Medieval era, western 1800s, 1950's, etc), where would you go? I'd love to go back in time to right around 30 A.D. and hear Jesus talk, and see what the culture was really like, and feel what his follower's felt.
 
6.  Medieval or Futuristic? Meh.
 
7.  Would you rather travel cross country in a plane or car? I've never flown in a plane, so for now, I'd have to say car. =)
 
8.  If you could be either an Elf, Dwarf, or Hobbit, which would you be? An elf. (Keebler, please) =P
 
9.  Do you prefer to play a musical instrument or simply listen? I prefer to play only when it sounds good - thus I always prefer to listen. lol
 
10.  Who is your best friend?  (This isn't a test, it could be (me!) a sister, Pippin, or a pet--which, if this is the case, you seriously need to get out in the world more.) I don't have just one. If you want to know who my best friends are, refer to question 4.
 
11.  What is your favorite TV show? This is a tough one. . . I like The Amazing Race, Barefoot Contessa, and The Dick Vandyke Show lots! So I like a variety . . .

My 11 Questions:
Who is one movie/book character you've always related to?
Which of your pets has been your favorite pet?
What is one song you've really been enjoying lately?
If you could change something about yourself what would it be?
Who was the first Christian to really affect you, and leave an impact?
When is your birthday?
What is your favorite snack food?
Would you rather go to the doctor or the dentist?
What is the most difficult thing you've ever done?
How many siblings do you have, and where do you fall?
How many children do you imagine yourself having?
 

----------------------------------
And now for the Sunflower Award!

Rules:
1.  Share 11 facts about yourself
2.  Answer the 11 questions set by your nomination blogger- Nominate 11 bloggers

3.  Set questions for the nominated bloggers.


11 Facts (or fiction) About Me:
 
1. I would love to write children's books someday.
2. Lord willing, my two big sisters and I will be on our first airplane trip, headed to China this June!
3. I'm an extrovert and a social butterfly who feels shy often.
4. I've been trying to learn Spanish my entire life. (Does that say something about my poor work effort or my great dedication??) :/
5. I have very little strength in the area of discernment. When I don't ask for fact-checking/advice in my life, I get duped.
6. I love to watch musicals! Gene Kelly, Doris Day, Fred Astaire. . . I've seen vast collection of musicals, over 30.
7. Along those lines, I'm a fan of 40's fashion.
8. I hated chocolate until I was a teenager. Now I love dark chocolate; 80% -85%!
9. I'm a good cook, but not a great baker.
10. I'm into health. I like to research, exercise, etc..
11. I like to dance. A lot.





Since it was a combination of two awards, Sarah only asked five more questions:

1.  What color are your eyes?
Hazel / Brown.
2.  Would you rather read a book or watch a movie?
Watch a movie -I'm not good at reading.
3.  Who is your favorite Disney princess? (Elsa and Anna count!)
Tiana, from The Princess and the Frog, or Mulan, from. . . ya know, Mulan.
4.  If given the choice, would you rather write a letter or talk on the phone? One or the other, texting is not a choice in this question.  :]
Probably talk on the phone.... although receiving a letter is so sweet!
5.  If you could do something drastically awesome, and wouldn't have to worry about being judged by others, what would it be?  (i.e. get a haircut you normally wouldn't choose, buy an expensive something you've wanted all your life, etc.)
I would learn a song on my guitar. Then I'd go out to a busy street and play and sing for everyone passing to hear.
 
My 11 Questions:
What is your favorite word/phrase?
What are you most thankful for right now?
What is your greatest strength?
What is a pet peeve of yours?
Do you have any funny quirks?
You tend to say ______ a lot?
You have a lot of . . . .?
You need more of . . . ?
Someday, you hope to be . . . ?
You believe strongly in . . . ?
One person who always seems to make you smile is . . . ?
 
And finally, I award:
 
 
 Thank you very much, Sarah!
I hope everyone has a lovely day!
 

Friday, March 14, 2014

The Activity of Faith - Devotional

" We also err in thinking that waiting on God ceases when we receive what we’ve been waiting for. It cannot be likened to waiting for your Starbucks “Grande non-fat Vanilla Latte”, or your German Chocolate cake to cool before you can frost it. That kind of waiting is temporal; it has an end. The Christian never stops waiting on God. Waiting on God is not so much an action, as it is a posture of your soul. "

Read the rest here.
 
Lamentations 3:25 KJV The LORD [is] good unto them that wait for him, to the soul [that] seeketh him.


Look for a blogger award post coming next. It's taking a little longer than I thought it would, but it shouldn't be too long of a wait.

Thursday, February 13, 2014

On My Heart

Lately, I have been thinking. Just sitting and thinking, working and thinking - spending a lot of time in thought... about a few things. Things that God, my Father, has been teaching me (again).

So, here are some things I have been learning (relearning).

1. I took this spiritual gifts test: www.sdrock.com/giftstest and I was wondering... if the Spirit of God has given me gifts in certain areas, how am I using them? What are my strengths, what are my weaknesses? I wonder what God is preparing me for, and how He wants to use me in the future. But then again, it may not be the future - it may be today. Is there some place I could be a vessel of God's grace today, but I am too focused on other things to see it? Father, I pray that I would have open eyes, that your Spirit would lead me. And that I would follow.
  
So what am I to do with this? The more I study the Word, the more I see, it is not that complicated.
"Trust in the Lord, and do good . . . delight yourself also in the Lord. . .  commit your way to the Lord; trust also in Him; and He shall bring it to pass. . . Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him." Ps. 37:3-7

To trust Him,
Delight in Him,
Commit my way to Him,
And Rest
in the Lord.
 
I guess I have floated accidentally seamlessly in to my second thought...
2. Ashlin, Study His Word!
"Behold, Thou desirest truth in the inward parts; and in the hidden part Thou shalt make me to know wisdom." Ps. 51:6

There is no truth apart from God's word, and there is no wisdom except from the Lord. There is no life or growth unless the branches abide in the Vine. John 15:5. I have heard it said many times, you cannot be stagnant in your Christian walk; you are either moving forward or you are slipping back. It is foolishness to think otherwise.
"There is a generation that are pure in their own eyes, and yet is not washed from their filthiness." Proverbs 30:12

The Bible is like a mirror. If we do not look in it, we will not see our filthiness. Father, do not allow me to have blind eyes. Let me see my sin so that I won't stay where I am, but be cleansed by Your grace!
Go has given us such beautiful promises in His word for those who will seek Him.
"He shall cover thee with His feathers, and under His wings shalt thou trust; His truth shall be thy shield and buckler." Psalm 91:4

3. Prayer. God works in mysterious ways. For whatever reason, He has chosen to work through prayer. He has commanded us to pray. And He has shown us many examples of the power released through the prayers of His saints. Mtt. 14:23, 21:22, Lk. 18:1, Rom. 8:26, Acts 6:4, Prov. 15:8, James 5:13-16, Eph. 6:18, and Rev. 8:3-6 are just a few.
In my own life, He has shown Himself mighty through prayer and I give thanks for the recent reminders He hast sent me to pray.

I am so thankful for the family I have and the people God has placed in my life that encourage me and help me to relearn these simple truths.

"O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt His name together, I sought the Lord and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears. They looked to Him and were lightened, and their faces were not ashamed." Psalm 34:3-5

Sunday, January 12, 2014

C. S. Lewis

“The Weight of Glory.”
It is a serious thing to live in a society of possible gods and goddesses, to remember that the dullest and most uninteresting person you can talk to may one day be a creature which, if you saw it now, you would be strongly tempted to worship, or else a horror and a corruption such as you now meet, if at all, only in a nightmare.
All day long we are, in some degree, helping each other to one or other of these destinations. It is in the light of these overwhelming possibilities, it is with the awe and the circumspection proper to them, that we should conduct all our dealings with one another, all friendships, all loves, all play, all politics.
There are no ordinary people. You have never talked to a mere mortal. Nations, cultures, arts, civilisations — these are mortal, and their life is to ours as the life of a gnat. But it is immortals whom we joke with, work with, marry, snub, and exploit — immortal horrors or everlasting splendours.
This does not mean that we are to be perpetually solemn. We must play. But our merriment must be of that kind (and it is, in fact, the merriest kind) which exists between people who have, from the outset, taken each other seriously.
- C.S. Lewis