All the Time You Need

I'm sure that if I asked any one of you, "Have you ever been short on time?", you would look at me like that was a really obvious question. Everyone is short on time! We all have jobs, chores, schoolwork, and other responsibilities, and we only have a matter of hours to do them before we have to begin all over again the next day.

But have you used that as an excuse not to read your Bible or pray? Have you been shoving God aside so that you can get everything else accomplished? I am speaking from personal experience as I tell you girls (and guys!) this. It's hard to admit for me, but it's a convicting truth: I, as well as a lot of other people, don't have the Lord as our highest priority.

Is it true that we simply don't have enough time to fit earthly responsibilities and God into one day?

"I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me"
John 10:14

"for the Lord is a God who knows, and by him deeds are weighed."
1 Samuel 2:3b

The Lord knows us, His children, and he has given us all the time we need to accomplish what he wants...but not a second more. If you don't have time to do the most important thing--worship your Creator and Savior--then you are either not doing what he wants, or not being efficient with the time you have.

But what if everything you do is a necessity, and there's no way you can eliminate things to make way for God? First of all, the Lord is the number one necessity. Everything is a waste if you don't do it for Him.

Secondly, are you sure all you are doing is so important? It may be high on the priority list in your mind, but is it in the mind of God? After I realized I was having a time problem, I examined my actions and found that most of my time I squandered away in non-important things. Here are a few major trouble-shooting questions I asked my self.

1. Am I spending too much time on the computer? There's a really cute website that has hilarious captioned pictures of cats that I've found. Although a lot of the pictures are really funny, I find that whenever I'm on the computer, I automatically check that site to see if there's anything new to laugh at. It wastes a surprising amount of time.

2. Am I avoiding or sloppily rushing through my tasks? Getting it done poorly but quickly only means that you'll have to do it again. It's a short cut that is really longer.

3. Is what I'm doing the most important thing? Am I missing out on something even more crucial?

4. Is everything that I'm doing absolutely important and pleasing to the Lord, but I feel really rushed?

And here is how I fixed them:

1. Take an internet break for a couple days. I took one just recently, and I was amazed at how I got used to not spending time on the computer.

2. In everything you do, do it for the Lord. Try memorizing Bible verses about a thankful heart/good attitude when doing an unpleasant, menial chore like folding laundry. Always be cheerful and willing to help others. Also, don't procrastinate!

3. Carefully evaluate all that you're doing. Could you be doing something else that really needs to be done?

4. Consider a schedule change. This is a lot easier if you're home schooled, but even people who go to school can still mix around their chores and homework. Try getting up earlier to have quiet time with God. However, I wouldn't suggest staying up later to have it unless there's no other option.

I hope this helps anyone who has been struggling with the same issues as me!

In Christ,

Princess Izori

The Storyseekers Part 7: Dallian's Secret

As darkness settled over the land of Estrellica, an eerie silence prevailed inside the palace walls. Everyone was asleep...well, almost everyone.
Thump, thump, thump, thump. If Cheydine had realized how loud his steps sounded on the cold stone floor, he might have stopped walking. As it was, he had too much to think about. He really wasn't sure how Jayrin, Naomi, and Dallian could sleep at a time like this. Cheydine definitely couldn't. Pacing up and down the hallway, lost in his own thoughts, he completely tuned out everything else around him. Until he heard the sound. Stopping, Cheydine became completely silent and listened. He could hear it clearer now. It sounded almost like...someone crying. Cheydine hated that sound. Compassionate and sensitive, he couldn't stand it when someone else was upset. He had to do something. Walking down the hallway, Cheydine tried to follow the sound.
Finally, he found the place where he could hear it the clearest. Staring at the door in front of him, Cheydine tried to decide what to do. Suddenly, he realized where he was. There was no way he could have followed the sound here. The door in front of him...that led to Dallian's room. That's impossible. Cheydine told himself, still, he couldn't hear the sound better anywhere else. It was definitely coming from that room. Dallian's room. Cheydine thought about it, but knew he had only one choice. Silently opening the door, he stepped into the room and closed it behind him. Dallian didn't turn, but just kept staring out the window. Cheydine couldn't tell exactly what Dallian was staring at, but he was pretty sure it was the Skhi Mountains.
Dallian looked up when Cheydine came to stand beside him.
"Why are you still awake?" Cheydine asked softly.
"I might ask the same of you." Dallian snapped.
Cheydine refused to give up. "Dallian, what is wrong?"
"Go away, Cheydine."
"You aren't going to get rid of me that easily. What's wrong?"
Dallian sighed. "You wouldn't understand.
"Why wouldn't I?"
"Because your life is perfect."
Cheydine could see how Dallian might think that. "That isn't true. Not in the least."
Dallian obviously didn't believe that, so Cheydine felt like he should explain.
"I know I'm overly optimistic. But, really, my life has been far from perfect. I choose to be happy. A long time ago, I learned that I could only be optimistic if I chose to be. I knew that everything wouldn't always go right for me, but if I have a good attitude about it, I can find good even in the bad things. So will you tell me what's wrong now?"
Dallian turned away from Cheydine, looking back out the window. "I guess nothing is really wrong."
"I don't believe that in the least."
"Well...nothing out of the ordinary is wrong."
Cheydine knew Dallian was avoiding the question. "Maybe not, but I know there's something wrong. You're hiding something."
"Even if I was, why would I tell you?" Dallian exploded.
"Because if we're going to succeed on this mission, we need to trust each other. Completely."
Dallian thought for a moment. "Alright. Everything I told you in the woods is true...except for two things. One, I haven't been an orphan nearly as long as I made it seem. Two, my parents didn't die when I was little. They were killed three years ago."
Now Cheydine was really confused. "They didn't just die...they were killed?" Only after he asked it did Cheydine realize what a rude question that was.
"Yes. By a monster Lucien set loose in the mountains. We call it the Alunsian. It has killed so many people in our village...it killed my parents. I saw it happen." Dallian's voice held more anger, pain, and hatred than Cheydine had ever heard in all his life.
Dallian turned back to the window, his voice quieter. "Lucien's hold on this kingdom is growing. Our doom is near."

The Storyseekers Part 6: Arguments

Grey clouds. Empty streets. Silence. To Jayrin, Stellin appeared so much different than when she had left it. There was only the possibility of one conclusion: Lucien's dark army was moving farther into Estrellica. Time was running out.
"Does it always look like this here?" Dallian asked, falling into step beside Jayrin. "Because if it does, then I was right. Cities are terrible places. Especially this one."
Jayrin could feel the anger rising within her. "Of course it doesn't always look like this. Cities are amazing places...under normal circumstances."
"Estrellica is full of places much better than Stellin. But, I guess you wouldn't understand that, since you're only a girl."
Jayrin had had about enough. "And what is wrong with me being a girl?"
"Oh, nothing." Dallian replied, as though he believed Jayrin wasn't smart enough to understand what he meant.
"You think you're better than me!"
"Actually," Dallian corrected in a sophisticated tone, "I believe myself to be superior to one such as...you."
"Well," Jayrin replied sarcastically, "You're very good at pretending to be smart, maybe someday you really will be."
Dallian immediately dropped his innocent facade, replacing it with his usual cold glare. "All cities are terrible, and all city people are arrogant. Why don't you just accept the truth?"
"Because it isn't the truth!"
"Fine. Be that way."
"Would you two just stop it?" Naomi asked finally, weary of the constant fighting.
For once, Even Cheydine didn't look happy. "I agree with Naomi. You're giving me a headache."
"I'd stop if Dallian would quit starting arguments." Jayrin protested. Naomi wasn't convinced.
"It takes two of you to have an argument." she said. A mischievous gleam entered Dallian's eyes.
"Naomi's right, Jayrin. Maybe if you weren't so immature, you would stop arguing and just accept the fact that you're wrong and I am right."
Jayrin looked as if she could explode any second. "You stupid little..."
"That is enough!" Melodica interrupted, glaring at Jayrin and Dallian. "It would be best if you you two would at least try and get along!"
Without a word to anyone, Jayrin pushed Dallian aside and walked in front of him, anger showing in every step she took. Clenching his fists at his sides, Dallian looked as though he wanted to shove her into a mud puddle.

A loud screeching sound could be heard above Jayrin's head. She looked up in annoyance. "Would that bird please be quiet?" she asked sharply.
"It's not just a bird." Dallian shot back. "It's a falcon. Her name is Keiree, and she belongs to me."
Jayrin didn't believe it. "Sure she does."
"It's true! I can prove it." Looking up toward the sky, Dallian called the bird's name. It swooped down out of the sky, landing gracefully at Dallian's feet. "Told you." he said. Naomi, Jayrin, Cheydine, and Melodica crowded around him, looking curiously at the white-and-gray falcon.
"Oh!" Naomi gasped, eyes shining.
"She's beautiful." Cheydine agreed in an awed tone. Dallian smiled for the first time.
"Isn't she? I've raised her since before she could fly. I never found out what happened to her parents." He suddenly looked down, a shadow passing though his eyes. "Maybe they died. Like mine."
"Are you alright, Dallian?" Naomi asked gently. Dallian looked up, quickly blinking away the tears in his eyes, hoping no one could see the feelings he tried so hard to hide. "I'm fine."
Naomi looked concerned, but didn't say anything. After a long silence, Melodica pointed ahead of them.
"We aren't far from the castle now. Come on."

"And you're sure she has found all four?" Lucien's black eyes searched General Sebel's face.
"Yes Sire."
"Where are they now?" Feeling sure that total domination of Estrellica was close at hand, Lucien smiled.
"The princess is taking them to Stellin to be commissioned." Sebel replied, glad that she knew the answer. Lucien didn't exactly take kindly to people who couldn't answer his questions.
Lucien nodded with evil glee. "Then they are within our grasp. Estrellica will soon be mine!"
"Whatever you say, Sire." if Lucien had been paying more attention, he might have seen General Sebel roll her eyes or have heard the sarcastic tone in her voice. He didn't, and therefore he still believed that she was loyal to him and would help establish him as king of Estrellica.
He, of course, was wrong. General Sebel had other plans.

Pronunciation Guide:
Keiree: Keyr-ee

Another Reason for Modesty

As Princess Catherine and Princess Izori have pointed out in their posts, modesty is important because it can help you be a witness for Christ and can even help to keep you safe from dangerous situations and unwanted attention. In this post I'd like to share with you yet another reason that modesty is important.


Modesty helps the guys around us to keep their minds pure.


Guys are wired differently than girls are, so when they see girls who are showing inappropriate parts of their bodies(i.e. cleavage, stomach, large part of their back, too much of their legs, etc.) by wearing tight, short, or low clothing, their minds go to places that they shouldn't venture into. They can easily start thinking impure thoughts, to the extreme.


Because God made us differently, we girls don't have as much of a problem with things like that, but that doesn't mean we don't have a responsibility to do what we can to help our future husbands and our brothers in Christ. If we will steer clear of immodest clothing and dress in an appropriate way that honors the Lord, it can make a difference. Instead of the guys being wrapped up in thinking about our bodies, they can see us and talk to us without being distracted.


It must be frustrating to them when they're trying to keep their minds pure to see a Christian girl, wearing revealing clothes, walking around not bothering to help them in this matter. Please realize I don't mean to point fingers or condemn, but this is the truth. I've seen many Christian girls dress immodestly(in my opinion) while they think what they're wearing is fine. This can distract guys and cause them to sin in thinking wrong thoughts.


Also, whenever you meet your future husband, wouldn't it be great if you two could have a relationship that was based more on Christ than on physical appearances? Wouldn't you like for him to like you and love you for who you are, not how you look? Why not start practicing to dress modestly now?


I'm not asking you to dress down, dress in a dumpy manner, or to not be fashionable, but please take a look at how you are dressing and what you are wearing. We don't want to be a hindrance to a guy's walk with the Lord. Let's help them out by being modest!



~Princess Gloria

School Shopping Tips

As school is coming around the corner (sigh), there is one advantage to those who enjoy the mall; back to school shopping. And although it's fun to grab anything that comes into sight or that is your size, please keep some things in mind. Yes I know, no mindless shopping! :) I know it can be frustrating to find clothes that are your size that don't grip too tight or are just too revealing. It's hard to find clothes in your size anyway, right (especially jeans!)? Sometimes I joke that I'll have to go into the boy's section to find some shirts that fit right! But how much are you going to compromise fashion for modesty? Hopefully, with these tips, you won't have to push fashion aside, and yet keep modesty as your main goal.

SHIRT TIPS

I hear people criticizing V-necks, but I believe that they are over generalizing that style of shirts. There is a simple solution to low-cut tops; tank tops! Coming in a wide variety of colors (from red to blue and back again) at most stores, tank tops also have different styles. Lace, frills, sequences, or plain; the choice is yours! Not only are they a fashion statement in themselves (and becoming more popular), they also guard against anyone seeing more down the V than you want them to. Because of the strap adjusters on the tank tops, you can also alter them to have them closer to your neck, or lower down. Tank tops also cover anything you don't want showing when you bend down to pick something up, or when you raise your hands above your head. Also, for those low cut pants, tank tops are a bonus, for when you bend over people see the tank top and not your underwear.

Over all, tank tops are not only a fashion accessory that come in a wide variety, but they also can keep the modesty factor in your style as well. :)

With too tight shirts, I would recommend layering as well (or buy a size up). Wear a loose jacket over the tight shirt, or maybe a bigger shirt over that one. Also watch out for very thin materials, as they will sometimes be see through in strong lighting. Usually the dressing rooms have strong lighting, so you should be able to tell right away whether or not the material is too thin. Use your good judgment.


PANT TIPS

Although shorts are what most people fret about, some pant styles can also lean towards immodesty. Is it just me, or are pants starting to get a little lower? Also "tight" pants are in, but this has the same effect as too-tight shirts. We've already covered a solution for low-cut pants; tank tops. But what about too-tight pants? You would have to be really creative to layer pants, and even then it might not look right. So what are we to do?
The only solution I've found is buy a size up so it doesn't cling as much, and use a belt. Belts come in more styles, varieties, materials, and colors then tank tops, so if you do decide to go a size up, use belts as a useful accessory. :) Another way is to find a style of jeans that aren't clingy, though they may not always "feel" right (I know how pant shopping is!).


SOME FINAL TIPS

Keep an eye on what your shirts say, or convey. For example, the shirts that say things like "Spoiled Brat" and "Drama Queen". I don't think that going around wearing a shirt like that, and then claiming to be a follower of Christ mix well. Pictures on shirts can be that way as well. Remember that your shirt is like a built-in bulletin board; whatever you have on it, people automatically assume you agree with it (and that should be the case). Remember also that as a follower of Christ, the light of Christ should shine through, being a beacon on hope to the lost. Although it's not the best way to judge, people often judge on outward appearances. That's why I believe modesty is so important.


I hope that these tips will help you on your "quest" of modesty. I apologize if your head is spinning because of all the information or tips; it is a lot to remember when you've been out of school for a while! :)

It's hard to believe school is right around the corner...