modeling inner beauty

So I came across this jewel of an interview with a successful runway and print model that has made a stand for Christ through her lifestyle. I was inspired and I'm sure you will be too!

Shine on!

"all that glitters...

...is not gold."

It's an old saying that holds a timeless truth, and it's one that recently shook me. Hearing it a couple of weeks ago, one might have thought I had heard it for the first time considering the thought-provoking impact it made.

Back in the gold rush, many times miners thought they had made a fortune only to find out that what they thought was valuable, genuine gold was actually its counterfeit, iron pyrites (what we know as "fool's gold"), which is worth virtually nothing. How disappointing this must have been! The miners were probably devastated and felt cheated.

Have you ever fell in love with a movie star, particularly because of a certain movie character played, only to find out after you researched him that in real life he's not anything like that character? In fact he might have some real serious character flaws. What a disappointment!

On a personal note, upon hearing this thought, I determined that I did not want to be fool's gold; merely glittering like the real thing. Speaking of which, how do you tell if what seems to be gold is actually gold? Well it is said that it has to go through a testing process. The Bible says that just as fire tests and purifies gold, so trials test and perfect our faith (1 Peter 1:7). Trying shows what the substance being tried is actually made of. If it's false, it will likely be consumed by the fire, and if it's genuine it will purified and strengthened.

The Bible gives other ways to tell whether a glittering personality or appearance of ourselves and others is a true reflection of what our character really is. Consider Matthew 12:33 & 35, "Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or else make the tree bad and its fruits bad; for a tree is known by its fruit... A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things."

I don't know about you, but I would be crushed to find that after going through trials that whatever glitter I might have is proved to be only surface deep. The only way to assure that we are genuine gold, is to have first established a relationship with Christ, recognizing Him as our Lord and Savior, and then continually seeking Him through His Word, prayer, and active faith. Through all of these comes the strengthening of our character, so that when the fiery trials come we are not consumed and shown to be merely fool's gold, but only pure, authentic gold!

I am glad for the reality check, and I pray that when I am tested I will come forth as gold- and the same goes for you too! So shine on in all authenticity!

Nobody's fool's gold,

mother... is there a sweeter name on this earth?

happy mother's day to these unsung heroes; our mothers!

a more beautiful you

prince charming

It's him! ::dreamy sigh:: The one we've been waiting for. He's the brave and mighty hero. We swoon at the thought of him. He will whisk us away and fulfill all of our dreams. He is our happily ever after. We dream about him, fantasize about how he will look (will he be tall, dark, and oh-so-handsome?), and just how he will sweep us off our feet. "Yes, some day my prince will come!" our hearts sing.

Yes it's true, we do have a prince who is coming for us, and when he comes he will be coming in on the clouds with great glory to gather his own. It's going to be an awesome event, so get ready. ;-)

Shame on us for putting this sort of hope in our brothers, who with this hope of being our everything set on them will always fall short. Only Christ can be that Prince that we've been longing for our whole lives, the One who can make us whole. The One who cherishes us and calls us to be His special bride. Hope placed on him is rightly done so, because it's a sure hope.

"A husband is a brother you choose."

The significant other. We will love them greatly, and they will love us, but they will not fulfill the deepest longing in your or my heart. There is only One who can do that, He's the One that paid the ultimate price for you and I. The lover of our souls. His name is Jesus Christ. No, no one can love us like Him or give us what we're looking for (that is, what our hearts are seeking). Do you know Him? Doing you really know Him? Seek and you shall find Him, your True Prince.

21st century femininity

Photo of Madeleine Carrol

My goodness, it's been too long!

I had to share this wonderful old romantic comedy I watched just tonight called, My Love for Yours.

So, I wonder, what is it about old movies that I love so much? I think it's a combination of things, but there is one thing I observed tonight in particular. For instance, in this movie, though the leading lady was supposed to be somewhat of a feminist in her thinking (this comes to change), she possessed such a lovely and feminine countenance. There wasn't a thing rude or crude about her behavior. She was strong but not pushy or overbearing. Such a contrast to the trend today, which, I'm afraid to admit, creeps it's way into my countenance sometimes.

If only we had the courage and confidence to be soft and vulnerable- and it does take courage, too! Sometimes it can feel like a casting of pearls to be trampled upon, but we mustn't give up... right? What do you think?

authbeau online course has begun!

The first day's course of study has been sent out. Please let me know if you have registered but haven't received an e-mail as of yet.

:)

PS

It's not too late to join in: Abby1211@gmail.com