Please be courteous and remember that what is on this blog, stays on this blog unless you get permission from one of the team members.


Thanks!




~*1 John 4:7*~

Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.

Note:

If you put "confusing" in the box at the bottom of this post, please comment on how you were confused and my team and I will try and clear things up so you won't be confused any longer! :)
- Princess Catherine ~*~

Monday, June 21, 2010

The Above Reproach Rule, Number 2

I know that in December (December 20th to be exact) I said that I would do the Above Reproach Rules, but do to a number of factors, I haven't been able to write this post until now. If you've forgotten about the first Above Reproach Rule, please click here to refresh your memory.

2. The Two Eye Ball Rule

The second rule of three is a rule that was explained to me by Eric and Leslie Ludy (not personally, but in one of their books). It's called the "Two Eyeball Rule". Below is an extract from their book "Meet Mr. Smith", and it talks about the second rule.


During Eric’s single years, he lived by something that he referred to as the “the two
eyeball principle.” (I should add here that the entire League has gone on record in agreeing with me that this phrase is about as unromantic and awkward sounding as a foghorn.)
The two eyeball principle was based on a something that God taught Eric in college,
when he realized how differently he would act around girls if his future wife could see his words and actions. He began to live as if his future wife was watching him interact with the opposite gender at all times – as if her “two eyeballs” were upon him. (Why couldn’t it just be her “two eyes” that were upon him? I have yet to receive a good explanation for this!)
Eric began to ask himself the question, “If my future wife could see me now, how would
she feel about what I am doing or saying? Would she feel honored? Would she feel protected?
Or would she feel hurt and jealous?” Those simple questions began to revolutionize Eric’s
interaction with girls. He decided that someday, at his wedding, he wanted all the girls who had known him during his single years to come up to his future wife and say, “Eric has always
honored and respected you – even before you were in his life.”


This rule is one we can all apply, and its rewards are immense! You see, if you are faced with a decision that you don't know what to do, think about this; would I do it if my future husband were here?
Now, I'm sorry I don't have a cute little phrase like WWJD (What Would Jesus Do?) or FROG (Fully Rely On God), and I know that WIDIIMFHWH doesn't sound catchy enough. The closest I can get is "If he could see, would it embarrass me?", but that's beside the point. It doesn't matter how you remember it, the point is that you do remember it! How many of you would like guys to come up to your husband and say "(Your name) has always honored and respected you- even before you were a part of her life"? I know I would! And wouldn't you want to know that your future husband is doing the same for you? Again, I know I would!

I know it can be hard to apply this continually, but- with God's help- you can do it! Also, have accountability partners. They could be close girl friends, your sister, Mom, Dad, or even your brother. Before you laugh, consider this; your brother knows how you act normally towards boys (he is one!), so when you start doing something that is unnatural (like staring at a guy continually or sighing when he walks past), he knows. And the greatest thing is, he'll let you know (you can count on it)! Having people keep you accountable is important, and also keeps you on your guard (the less times brother says "Cut it out" the better, right? :)

When you apply these two Above Reproach Rules (Rule of Three and Two Eye Ball Rule), you not only are honoring your future spouse by your actions, but also honoring God and protecting yourself from unnecessary hurt and embarrassment.

Blessings,





Tuesday, June 8, 2010

Learning Through Disappointment

NOTE: This was a post that appeared on my other blog, Just Passing By.

A day ago, I was really excited. Can ya guess why? I was going to be an extra in a new movie that will be coming out! I was so excited, especially since it was about a Christian soccer player. Soccer is, like, MY hobby besides all the other stuff, and I absolutely LOVE it. And it's always been my secret dream to be an actress. I'm horribly un-photogenic and I'm not convinced I can act (not to mention I'm kinda shy) but it's my secret goal. So when I found out about this, I was over-the-top excited. I was convinced this was the answer to my prayers, and it would lead me into being an actress!

But, like so many things, this conclusion was not to be.

It so happened that on all the dates of filming we had stuff going on. There was no way we could do it. I was so disappointed.

No, disappointed doesn't really grasp it. I was devastated. It's everything I imagined what having your dream trampled on would feel like. Yes, I'm really melodramatic, I know. But still, I was really, really looking forward to it.

And then, after crying a little and wondering if God was trying to torture me, I got to thinking.

You know what, maybe God doesn't want me to start as an extra. Maybe he wants me to start my acting career as the star of the show. ;)

Maybe he has a different plan in mind, one that will be sooooo much better than the one I was hoping for.

Hey, maybe he doesn't want me to be an actress at all.

Maybe he knows more than I do about the consequences of being famous--the media watching your every move, all the temptations a star goes through, the loneliness.

Perhaps God knows that being famous will turn me into, say, Miley Cyrus (no offense, Miley fans, but to me she's the worst I could ever get). After all, I've never been famous before.

Or perhaps God wants me to work on something else more important in my life first, such as being a better sister to my lil' siblings, especially one in particular. If I'm faithful with a little, I could be trusted with much.

But who can grasp God's mind? It's so above us, and I'm really thankful for that. God will do what's best for me, even if I don't think it's good at the time.

So, even while I'm working through all of this, I'm getting more grateful. Our pastor preached on Sunday about Jacob wrestling with the Angel of the Lord, and how the Angel merely touched Jacob to dislocate his hip, making Jacob to limp for the rest of his life. It caused him to lean on the Lord solely for his protection.

Sometimes, a limp can be one of the best thing God gives us. It teaches, corrects, and humbles, and in the end we should be happy he gave us this 'limp'.

So, while I'm waiting to make my famous debut as an actress (lol), I'll work hard on being a better daughter and sister. It's even better than being a star, after all.

In Christ,

Princess Izori

P.S. This movie that I'm talking about is For the Glory. I know two people who will be having some big roles in it (I also know some other extras). It'll be really weird watching the movie and saying, "Hey! We know him!" Lol. Oh, yes, and it's a professional movie. Just in case you were wondering. =)

Friday, June 4, 2010

Attitude--Part 1(Our Story)

Inside the house was nearly as dark as outside. The humid, low clouds reflected the storm that was brewing in the household that June afternoon. It had all started with four year old Leah...

"Mo-o-o-o-o-m!!"

The garage door slammed open, and then closed forcefully. Leah--with a tear-stained, swollen face and stringy blond hair damp with sweat--came flying into the kitchen. She stopped at the sight of her sixteen year old sister.

"Where's mom?" she whined. "Ruth, where's mom?"

Achingly, Ruth held her head in her hands. With the sudden hot and humid weather they had been experiencing, she had a terrible headache and wasn't feeling well at all. "You need to adjust your tone before I tell anything to you, young lady!" she said tersely.

Leah burst into tears as stomped her foot. "B-but Esther and her friends are having a Popsicle, and I want one t-too!"

Ruth's brown eyes narrowed as her sister's chaos sent a fresh burst of pain through her head. "Stop thinking of yourself!" she shouted. "Mom's sewing upstairs, so why'd you have to scream at me?"

Leah gave a fresh sob and sprinted up the stairs. Ruth moaned as she watched her go.
Next thing she'll do is wake up Baby Jonathan from his nap!

Giggles and girlish voices from the garage broke Ruth from her thoughts. The peace and quiet, already cracked by Leah, shattered completely as ten year old Esther and her two friends swung open the garage door.

"Hey, Ruth!" Esther said brightly. "Can you ask mom if Monica and Leslie can--"

"No!" Ruth snapped. "I won't, and you can't anyway."

Monica and Leslie, Esther's friends, exchanged glances and then the former leaned forward to whisper to Esther. With her sensitive migraine, Ruth heard everything clearly.

"Hey, Esther, maybe we should leave your sister alone for a little."

But Esther had immediately flared up at Ruth's tone. "Well, excuse me, Miss Grump!" she sparked. "I--"

None of the girls had noticed Mom coming down into the kitchen. Leah had found her re-doing the sleeve to her new dress for the fifth time, and then the sewing machine had become un-threaded. That, combined with Leah's selfish behavior, had pushed even patient Mom to the limit. The pettish argument of her two oldest daughters served as the boiling point. Even then, she didn't burst yet.

"Hi, Monica and Leslie," Mom said with a strained smile. "Esther needs to go inside now. Goodbye!"

Only when the door had closed behind the two girls did Mom turn to her children.

"What is all this about?" she thundered. "Esther, couldn't you have got your sister a Popsicle?"

"She was whiny! She didn't even say please! She..." Esther trailed off when she realized that Mom wasn't paying attention to her.

"Ruth, Leah tells me that you yelled at her. Explain!"

Ruth felt like bursting into tears. "Leah came in whining and sniveling, and then she stomped her foot at me and I have a migraine and I
can't find the ibuprofen!" Her voice broke into a wail.

"Can't I have a moment's peace to sew?"

"But I want a Popsicle!"

"Why can't I play?"

"This isn't helping my headache!"

And then, to top it all, Baby Jonathan started crying.
--------------------------------------------------------------

This post is continued in Part 2.

In Christ,

Princess Izori