tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-76283458679814386352024-03-24T00:23:34.229-07:00in the name of LOVEwalk. talk. preach. teach. in the name of love.Biancahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08148305912197192593noreply@blogger.comBlogger236125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7628345867981438635.post-76253392756082428562010-04-20T22:09:00.000-07:002010-04-20T22:12:12.089-07:00new blog site...<div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">The blog has moved.</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"> Please </span><a href="http://blog.inthenameoflove.org/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">click here</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"> to visit the new site!</span></div>Biancahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08148305912197192593noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7628345867981438635.post-90691159927022958582010-04-20T05:33:00.000-07:002010-04-20T05:54:52.241-07:00I'm MOVING...It's been ten months since I began blogging and it has been such an awesome experience. In the past couples months I've listened to your suggestions and tried creating a blog that was more user-friendly and aesthetically pleasing. <div><br /></div><div>I'm so excited to announce that tomorrow I'll be moving to a new spot! </div><div><br /></div><div>Here's a small <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">snippet</span> of the promo video that will be on the page as well:</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(100, 95, 94); white-space: pre-wrap; font-family:verdana, sans-serif;font-size:10px;"><object width="400" height="300"><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><param name="movie" value="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=11073162&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color=&fullscreen=1"><embed src="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=11073162&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color=&fullscreen=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" width="400" height="300"></embed></object><p><a href="http://vimeo.com/11073162">In The Name of Love</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/user961934">Bianca Juarez</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com/"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Vimeo</span></a>.</p></span></div><div>The video was produced by the ever-amazing Drew and Chad from <a href="http://www.shadetreefilms.net/blog/">Shade Tree Films</a>. They are totally amazing and if you need any video work, they are the best visual storytellers I know. Check them out! (Note: the video that made me fall in love with their work is actually a wedding video but they did such a good job at capturing the feel of the moment that I wanted to use them for my personal video. Check out <a href="http://www.shadetreefilms.net/blog/page/2">this page on their blog</a> and watch The Kidds wedding. Uh-maz-ing!)</div><div><br /></div><div>Thanks for your continual support and love. I look forward to more conversations, debates, and comments to push us about thinking differently and living wisely. </div><div><br /></div><div>Cheers,</div><div>B</div>Biancahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08148305912197192593noreply@blogger.com56tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7628345867981438635.post-19705369904397320462010-04-19T07:31:00.000-07:002010-04-19T19:17:08.206-07:00guessing leads to caffine fix...I'll be posting about the awesome conference in San Jose later, but I have something to announce!<br /><br /> If you can guess what it is, you'll win a $25 giftcard to Starbucks and an eHug ;)<br /><br />Happy guessing...<br /><br />*Edit to post: AP from Los Angeles and Suzanne from England have tied :) Both answered the correct guess: a blog design! Email me your addresses and I will send the crack cards, er, I mean coffee cards your way ;)Biancahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08148305912197192593noreply@blogger.com34tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7628345867981438635.post-22367110446898582752010-04-16T05:49:00.000-07:002010-04-16T09:39:51.420-07:00post-it project...<div style="text-align: center;">When we compare our lives to others, it may be disillusioning. But there is a healthy introspection that comes from acknowledging what you have in light of the blessings God has given. Therefore, give back.</div><div><br /></div><div>In the midst of the craziness of life, I don't want to forget my commitments to serving a cause greater than myself. As I've <a href="http://liveinthenameoflove.blogspot.com/2010/03/never-say-never.html">mentioned in a previous post</a>, I have been invited to go to Africa this summer to partner with Mavuno church in Kenya. This adventure is exciting and nerve-wrecking all at the same time. In order to be a participant on this trip each member is required to fund raise <b>100%</b> of their financial support.</div><div><br /></div><div>There's a nasty little monster that hangs on my shoulders and his name is Pride. I hate asking for help--especially financial help. But the premise and core ideology of Outreach is to invite others to join in on our journey. With your financial help you're able to participate in this adventure with me. The Post-It Project will give you a small way to be where I am.</div><div><br /></div><div>For ten days a group of youth from Orange County will join with a group of youth from Kenya for total world domination! Well--something like that. Here's some vision for the trip:</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre; font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:12px;"><object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/rH-2XD_AUDE&hl=en_US&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/rH-2XD_AUDE&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object></span></div><div>If you want to help and support the trip, here are some simple steps:</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 20px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Go to </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><a href="http://www.marinersoutreach.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=331&Itemid=331">http://www.marinersoutreach.org/giving</a></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /><br />Click on the link that says "Give towards a Faith Adventure"<br />Step 1: Fill in your information.<br />Step 2: Designate Faith Adventure Donation<br />Team Member Name: [Bianca Juarez]<br />Trip Name: [Kenya, June 2010]<br />Step 3: Fill in your account information.</span></span></span></div>Biancahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08148305912197192593noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7628345867981438635.post-19973987118190619152010-04-14T07:09:00.000-07:002010-04-14T07:22:33.556-07:00100 words on the granola syndrome...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.sucheela.net/images/food/granola.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://www.sucheela.net/images/food/granola.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>Beware of the Granola Syndrome in church. Yup, you heard me, <i>thee</i> Granola Syndrome. People walk into church as a fruit, a nut, or a flake. <div><br /></div><div><b>A fruit</b>: healthy, alive, bearing other fruit.</div><div><b>A nut</b>: enough said. (We know those people so we'll just stay PC on this one.)</div><div><b>A flake</b>: tried God, didn't work, gave up. Yes, a flake. </div><div><br /></div><div>Here's hope for the nuts: nuts can bear fruit! But they need to be rooted, grounded, and watered with Living Water. </div><div><br /></div><div>Our responsibility is to spread health within the walls of our church. <b>For the building is not the church; </b><i><b>we</b></i><b> are the church. </b></div><div><br /></div><div>So--what are you? A fruit, a nut, or a flake? Keep it real.</div>Biancahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08148305912197192593noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7628345867981438635.post-27162306952460734412010-04-13T06:26:00.000-07:002010-04-13T07:10:23.107-07:00rituals, check lists, and burnout...<div style="text-align: center;"><i>May you experience the <b>love of Christ</b>, through it is so great you will never fully understand it. Then you will be filled </i><i>with the fullness of <b>life and power</b></i><i> that comes from God. --</i>Ephesians 3:19</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://theletter.co.uk/images/lc/vicious_cycle.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 260px; height: 260px;" src="http://theletter.co.uk/images/lc/vicious_cycle.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a></div>There needs to be a followup; an explanation of sorts. After reading yesterday's comments (I read every single comment), I couldn't help but feel an addendum had to be added. Though no one said it, perhaps I was too harsh. My intention was not to add one more item to your checklist of holiness nor was it my aim to compare our "performances" against other Christians. My goal was to simply say, <i>Life is hard. Hang in there and you'll see results.</i> <div><br /></div><div>Desirous of encouraging us complainers, I think I may have perpetuated the failure cycle we as Christians fall victim to: <div style="text-align: center;">Performance --> Rituals --> Checklists --> Failure --> Guilt --> Withdraw --> Emptiness*</div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>We don't need to do more "God-stuff,"</i> as <a href="http://www.simplyyouthministry.com/">Doug Fields</a> would say, <i>we need connect with God.</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">When we connect with God (John 15:15), we can admit that we are jacked-up sinners who will fail and complain (Romans 3:23), and come boldly before Him to ask for mercy and grace (Hebrews 4:15-16a). Doug also put a list together about connecting with God that I would feel selfish for not sharing it with you. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Connecting with God...</div><div style="text-align: center;">It's not about ritual... it's about a relationship</div><div style="text-align: center;">It's not about performance... it's about presence</div><div style="text-align: center;">It's not about a "show"... it's about showing up</div><div style="text-align: center;">It's not about "have to"... it's about "want to"</div><div style="text-align: center;">It's not about guilt... it's about grace</div><div style="text-align: center;">It's not about form... it's about friendship</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Love you. Pray for you. Grateful for you.</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">*Cycle produced by </span><a href="http://www.simplyyouthministry.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">Doug Fields</span></a></div></div>Biancahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08148305912197192593noreply@blogger.com25tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7628345867981438635.post-77403348840390846422010-04-12T07:27:00.000-07:002010-04-12T08:22:26.829-07:00life change hurts...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEfqBjTElE37IPZgurCFsVzFnrYb2f97e5hgnIrApndFi71VFBtZYb8-eHF_yB1EkJ_L6u0TMHUBYTdx7ZknaXbYVFHrt1xCX74TMiiPikMhkgEWd-sTSTlwczeZnvnkxnDUlJQfOicX9D/s1600/Screen+shot+2010-04-12+at+8.13.03+AM.png"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEfqBjTElE37IPZgurCFsVzFnrYb2f97e5hgnIrApndFi71VFBtZYb8-eHF_yB1EkJ_L6u0TMHUBYTdx7ZknaXbYVFHrt1xCX74TMiiPikMhkgEWd-sTSTlwczeZnvnkxnDUlJQfOicX9D/s320/Screen+shot+2010-04-12+at+8.13.03+AM.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459269851601701442" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Life change hurts. But if you want change, deal with the pain. Period, the end. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>It's no secret that I love to workout and strive for the great new exercises to try. I've found an awesome gym near my house that offers amazing cross training by a fitness coach who not only loves what he does, but loves his clients. He not only cares about changing what you look like, but he cares about how you feel. </div><div><br /></div><div>At 5:30am a small group of women arrive at <a href="http://www.nextleveltrainer.blogspot.com/">NextLevelFitness</a> before the sun comes up because we want to change. We are committed to change. We are paying for a change. But there's a woman who habitually complains about every circuit we do.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Push ups? Come on! Run around the building? It's cold. Lunges? My ankle hurts. </i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">A few weeks ago the workout was particularly challenging. As we switched from one station to the next, we were <b>all</b> tired. Kathie was so tired she crawled to the next station, I leaned over the ab bench trying to catch my breath, and the other women adjusted to their new station. The Complainer? Well, she refused to do the next station: push ups. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">What I said: [inhale, exhale, inhale, exhale]</div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left; ">What I said in my head: <i>Look honey, we all are hurting. We have a choice as to whether or not we want to change. If you don't like it, don't come. So just shut up and get do the push ups!</i></div><div><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: left;">(Not only am I unsympathetic at 5:30am, I'm have a low tolerance for complainers.)</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews+12%3A11&version=NIV">Hebrews 12:11</a> says, "No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it." <b>I couldn't help but parallel her complaints with our own complaints in spiritual living. </b>We ask God to change us, mold us, break us so we can be used, but when he does, we complain and fight back. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">If we simply trust him and do what is needed to change our lives, Hebrews tells us it will produce a harvest of righteousness.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Today I saw the fruit. At the end of our arduous workout, Joe decides to kill us (aka give us one more circuit). Oh yeah, it had push ups. I was waiting for a comment from The Complainer, but she got on her hands and began doing push ups. Like REAL push ups. I watched her out of the corner of my eye and was so proud of her! All the workouts had paid off and she realized the instruction for our trainer was right and beneficial. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">How can you daily submit to change? Are you The Complianer or are you a trainer? Whatever station you are at, keep at it! Whether your instruction comes from life coach, pastor, mentor, or daily biblical instruction, listen. I promise you--the results are worth it!</div>Biancahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08148305912197192593noreply@blogger.com32tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7628345867981438635.post-68564771423115278222010-04-08T17:50:00.000-07:002010-04-09T10:31:56.657-07:00friday video blog: imparting vision...<span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(100, 95, 94); white-space: pre-wrap; font-family:verdana, sans-serif;font-size:10px;"><object width="400" height="300"><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><param name="movie" value="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=10803866&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color=&fullscreen=1"><embed src="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=10803866&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color=&fullscreen=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" width="400" height="300"></embed></object><p><a href="http://vimeo.com/10803866">Imparting Vision to Gen Y</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/user961934">Bianca Juarez</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com/"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Vimeo</span></a>.</p></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(100, 95, 94); white-space: pre-wrap; font-family:verdana, sans-serif;font-size:10px;"></span>J. Vernon McGee says, <i>You should never stand behind the pulpit without being able to say, "Thus <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">sayeth</span> the Lord." </i>I wish I would have heard this quote before I responded <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">capriciously</span> during a recent interview. <div style="text-align: center;">Reason #829,827,410 why you should pray before you sit down and open your mouth.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>If I am going to say anything, if I'm going to impart knowledge to anyone, if I am going to steal <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">someones</span> time, it should be under the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">auspice</span> of giving away God's goodness. In an era of entertainment and diversion, how do we impart a vision and hope to our next generation that they are not forgotten.</div><div style="text-align: center;">We need to take ordinary and mobilize them to do extraordinary things because of an extraordinary God.</div><div><br /></div><div>My words to the next generation are not to read a book or follow 10-steps, but rather look at my generation and the generations before and do what we COULD NOT DO. For the mistakes we've made or the foundation we laid, do your part.</div><div><br /></div><div>For those in my generation or the generation before, what are we doing to live our and create a legacy? We only have on life to live and soon it will be passed. Only what we do for Christ Jesus will last.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">What can we do? What are you doing? Do not fret. We are ordinary people serving an extraordinary God.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div>Biancahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08148305912197192593noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7628345867981438635.post-91551420109747433002010-04-08T05:37:00.000-07:002010-04-08T07:16:41.245-07:00not sure i said yes...<div style="text-align: center;">Atop the veranda at the J. Paul Getty Museum in Los Angeles, Matthew <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Olthoff</span> asked me to marry him. And I'm not sure I said yes. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Rewind.</div><div><br /></div><div>Three weeks ago I started snooping around and asking subtle questions about my birthday. As coyly and coquettishly as possible, I tried discovering the master plan for my birthday <i>experience</i>. After a few days of failed discoveries, I flat out asked what we were doing for my birthday in an exasperated tone. <i>Oh, that's right, </i>he dryly stated without lifting his eyes from his computer screen. <i>Your birthday is coming up.</i> </div><div><br /></div><div>Without getting into reasons as to why I ignored him for the full hour of <a href="http://www.mylifetime.com/shows/project-runway">Project Runway</a>, I will say I was internally cooling off and trying to love him in <b>spite</b> of his lack of care, waning love, and overwhelming apathy. But I was so angry. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">It felt as if he didn't care. He didn't love me. He had taken for granted who I was in his life and I was now officially part of his office furniture. And, if I'm being totally honest with you, this made me question staying in our relationship. <i>If he can't love me the way I need to be loved or the way I love him,</i> I confessed to my mother,<i> I'm not sure he is the one for me. </i></div><div><br /></div><div>Fast forward.</div><div>Tuesday, April 6<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">th</span></div><div>Arriving to the Getty was like arriving to the Disneyland of nerds. And I felt at home. Matt and I sat on a bench with a pastry and hot beverage and talked about life, the blessings God has given me, and how special he made me feel. I still had no clue he was proposing.</div><div><br /></div><div>After a few art collections had been viewed, he pulled out another present for me while we sat on the lawn of the Getty garden. It was a book I've wanted but couldn't find. Score! Under the golden California sun we read and laughed and chatted about things we loved. I still had no clue he was proposing. </div><div><br /></div><div>He packed an amazing lunch with various cheeses, salads, drinks, and love. He insisted we move to a new location for lunch. Begrudgingly I complied, but did so while complaining about leaving the perfectly great spot by the tree. </div><div><br /></div><div>Atop the veranda with the Hollywood hills, downtown LA, and the Pacific ocean as our backdrop, we ate lunch and spoke about what life in the future would entail while the wind blew lightly across our faces. As dishes were wiped off and food put away, Matt asked me what I wanted to do next. I said, <i>Today has been perfect. But I would really love to go read some more!</i> </div><div><br /></div><div>In true movie script form he pulls out a book wrapped in clear cellophane and says, <i>Well... I think you should read this. </i>He created a book complied with old emails, pictures from the last year, prayers he wrote for me, personality traits we each possess, and through it all, I had no clue he was proposing.</div><div><br /></div><div><i></i>As I turned each page of the book I realized how much he loved me, how well he knew me, and how much he cared. The entire month he belabored over insuring I would be surprised. The lack of care was a front. The apathy was a lie. The waning love was sheer acting talent. The last page had a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">trifold</span> adhered to it, sealed with a sticker. Inside was the most beautiful letter he's ever written ending with the words, <b>Bianca Juarez, will you marry me? </b></div><div><br /></div><div>I'm not sure I even said yes. I think it was more along the sobbing lines of, <i><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">I'mSoSorryIDoubtedYouILoveYouSoMuchAndI'mSorry</span>. </i>He kissed my forehead and slipped the ring on my finger as I cried like baby. I'm not even sure I said yes.</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrNDtin_Bm4F98lc1Xnh-O8LjaeuEAHI3MbnWKhRiNdIAj6iEOwYwHmZM-g8e-jhcFMiTBFsaHM3iAcdX9W-bHjAPgs_KPxcUmHfr2eL8ufhUgIq-mIFObmjbAFw2HJ2cQ13ShtDGc8CaI/s1600/Screen+shot+2010-04-08+at+6.33.58+AM.png"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 132px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrNDtin_Bm4F98lc1Xnh-O8LjaeuEAHI3MbnWKhRiNdIAj6iEOwYwHmZM-g8e-jhcFMiTBFsaHM3iAcdX9W-bHjAPgs_KPxcUmHfr2eL8ufhUgIq-mIFObmjbAFw2HJ2cQ13ShtDGc8CaI/s200/Screen+shot+2010-04-08+at+6.33.58+AM.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457759563119095362" /></a></div><div><i>Matt, my answer is yes. A resounding yes! If I could marry you tomorrow and wake up next to you for the rest of my life, either in a hut or a mansion, I would. My life is better because of you and you constantly push me to discover who I am, who God is, and how I can change the world for better. I promise I will never leave you or abandon our new family and my commitment is for life... even when I want to give up and quit. Thank you for taking me back--twice. I love you more today than yesterday... but not as much as tomorrow.</i></div>Biancahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08148305912197192593noreply@blogger.com76tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7628345867981438635.post-314431828038777792010-04-07T00:38:00.000-07:002010-04-07T00:53:50.573-07:00news, hints, and incourage...<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">There's some big news I want to share with you all, but it'll have to wait until tomorrow. There's so many details I need to sort through and right now, I can't even think straight. Here's a hint: it starts with </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">en</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">- and ends with -</span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">gaged</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">. Oh yeah, baby, you heard right!</span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">In the mean time, it's my monthly post on </span></span><a href="http://www.incourage.me/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">(in)courage</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">, a website of collected writings from different women from around the country. If you've never checked it out, take some time to check it out! The bloggers are amazing and I'm honored to write alongside of them. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">To read the post in it's entirety or post a comment, </span></span><a href="http://www.incourage.me/2010/04/need-to-be-heard.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">click here</span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">:</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(76, 76, 76); line-height: 20px; font-family:georgia, 'times new roman', serif;font-size:12px;"><p style="margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; "><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i>The room filled will chattering girls, laughing boys, and shushing teachers. It was chapel time. The mandatory, one-hour service where all good Christian kids go and eagerly await a required bible study.</i></span></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; "><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i>Tough crowd. </i></span></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; "><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i>They were the Christian picture of scholastic perfection. Pressed uniforms, light makeup for girls, neatly combed hair for boys. I began to share on the given topic for chapel that particular day, but something was amiss. There was an air of hypocrisy creeping into the room and choking hold of the dark truth in hearts and minds.</i></span></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">I've turned off comments here so you can join the conversation at </span><a href="http://www.incourage.me/2010/04/need-to-be-heard.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">(in)courage</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">! </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(121, 121, 121); line-height: 16px; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span></span></span></span></p><div style="height: 125px; width: 125px;"><a href="http://www.incourage.me/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><img src="http://www.incourage.me/images/incourage-button.gif" border="0" /></span></a></div></span><p></p></div>Biancahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08148305912197192593noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7628345867981438635.post-71705703583118484922010-04-06T06:07:00.000-07:002010-04-06T07:02:56.433-07:00things i've learned in 29 years of life...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfcQzBwBYHN4S4SRH-hPDYHvFC8qdgbHeAxkNnzoy0mlIf4p3ptNO54tU8i8p1Kit9zs1CPlMYjjq4CKkvXdFrcb8da_rRoYdt_QbNiZjGA8zY579SWYb607cGNKTPOAEEnQpzJP1dNowy/s1600/Screen+shot+2010-04-06+at+6.57.25+AM.png"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 104px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfcQzBwBYHN4S4SRH-hPDYHvFC8qdgbHeAxkNnzoy0mlIf4p3ptNO54tU8i8p1Kit9zs1CPlMYjjq4CKkvXdFrcb8da_rRoYdt_QbNiZjGA8zY579SWYb607cGNKTPOAEEnQpzJP1dNowy/s200/Screen+shot+2010-04-06+at+6.57.25+AM.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457023498942857346" /></a>Today marks the day I'm officially... [<i>cough, cough, swallow</i>]... mature. Maybe this means I have to stop singing and dancing wildly in my car. Or stifling my raucous laugh with a dainty hand covered in a Victorian glove. Or wearing walking shoes. Or maybe this means I'm full of sage wisdom. <div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>What God? What are you telling me? Oh, it means I'm full of sage wisdom? Greaaaaat! I'll impart my knowledge of the last couple years...</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: left;">*When you learn an American idiom, don't try it out. When someone says, <i>It's like spitting in the wind</i>, what they mean is, don't be stupid and try it.</div><div style="text-align: left;">*Don't steal gum--or anything--in front of <a href="http://liveinthenameoflove.blogspot.com/2009/05/she.html">my mother</a>. Piety overwhelms her and she'll march you right on over to the manager and make you tell him you stole a package of watermelon flavored Bubblicious gum. Hypothetically, of course!</div><div style="text-align: left;">*Make friends who are better than you or possess strength in your areas of weakness. You'll be like the Greek phalanx; better together than separate.</div><div style="text-align: left;">*If at all possible, <a href="http://liveinthenameoflove.blogspot.com/2010/01/twins.html">get a twin</a>. You can blame them if you're wrong, play with them when you're bored, and steal clothes when necessary. </div><div style="text-align: left;">*Don't EVER date a <a href="http://liveinthenameoflove.blogspot.com/2010/02/lonely-hearts-club.html">lead singer in a band</a>. They'll be more in love with themselves than you'll ever be. You're welcome.</div><div style="text-align: left;">*Date <a href="http://liveinthenameoflove.blogspot.com/2010/02/because.html">someone who is super clean</a> so they'll take care of the household chores, while you watch trashy reality television. [Just kidding, Matt! Well, half kidding.]</div><div style="text-align: left;">*<a href="http://liveinthenameoflove.blogspot.com/2010/02/paulie-rocky-and-fighting-fight.html">Do what you're inspired to do. Even if you think you're not good at it.</a> It may not be a lucrative profession, but in the end, it's better to fail at something you love than succeed at something you hate. Truth. </div><div style="text-align: left;">*Never wash your <a href="http://liveinthenameoflove.blogspot.com/2009/07/laundry-lust-and-life.html">white clothes with a red sock</a>. </div><div style="text-align: left;">*Read your bible daily!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">If you have any advice to add, feel free to! For those older than I, pour out your wisdom :) I need it. </div>Biancahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08148305912197192593noreply@blogger.com40tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7628345867981438635.post-8610477422168337952010-04-05T06:35:00.000-07:002010-04-05T07:40:51.190-07:00life is beautiful...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.moviepostersusa.com/images/product_images/popup_images/R086.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 274px; height: 400px;" src="http://www.moviepostersusa.com/images/product_images/popup_images/R086.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><i>La vita e bella!</i> Italian director Roberto Begnini directed one of the most amazing films where a family faced with horrific situations was able to find moments of beauty in the <b>mundane</b> and even <b>painful</b>. When all hope was lost and death triumphed, the characters whispered, <i>Life is beautiful!</i><div><br /></div><div>This week is a new week, I'm excited to be alive, and I didn't workout. Intentionally. I woke up eager to make moments beautiful. Instead of focusing on trying to save the world while balancing a 9-5 job, I want to chronicle what is beautiful. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Because really, if Clark Kent could save the world and manage a desk job, so can I!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Mom is cancer-free, Dad is sleeping, family is healthy. Life is beautiful.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Turning 30 and I have my health, wealth, and slept in until 5:40am. Life is beautiful!</div><div style="text-align: center;">Lost the Biggest Loser competition at my gym, but I lost seven pounds. Life is beautiful!</div><div style="text-align: center;">Jasmine's closet better than ANY store because she let me borrow anything I wanted for Easter. Life is beautiful!</div><div style="text-align: center;">Impromptu birthday dinners with amazing friends. Life is beautiful!</div><div style="text-align: center;">Food in the fridge, a roof overhead, water to drink, and a bed to sleep in. Life is beautiful!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">King David and I have a lot in common. Okay, okay, so he was a king, had tons of money, and ruled people. I get that. But when I read his songs of praise in Psalms, I feel like he is writing from my mind and heart. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Psalms 16:11 <b>You</b> will show me the </i><i>path of life</i><i>; In <b>Your</b> presence is</i><b><i> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">fullness of joy</span></i></b><i>; At <b>Your</b> right hand are </i><i>pleasures forevermore</i><i>. </i></div><div style="text-align: left;">When we feel lost in life, lack joy, or desire pleasures, they can be found in the <b>mundane</b> and sometimes <b>painful</b> moments of life. But like David emphasized, it is through God that we can whisper out, <i>Life is beautiful!</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;">What is God doing in YOUR life that is beautiful?</div>Biancahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08148305912197192593noreply@blogger.com29tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7628345867981438635.post-89181413834297604522010-04-01T07:10:00.000-07:002010-04-01T13:42:41.640-07:00because it's my blog...I need to write this out. I need to remember these feelings. I need to wrestle through the little and big things in my life. I need to chronicle this journey because if I don't know where I've come from, I will not know where I'm going. <div><br /></div><div>Last week I had a breakdown in my office. No one knew, no one saw, no one needed to find out. It was just me. In my office. Alone. In a moment of pounding stress, I lost it. I literally spoke out loud to God [like a crazy lady from Venice beach with her 85 cats] and asked the questions every 20-something asks: </div><div style="text-align: center;">What am I doing? Where am I going? What do you want from me? </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://tech.smartcanucks.ca/wp-content/uploads/2008/07/garmin_nuvi_350.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 350px; height: 310px;" src="http://tech.smartcanucks.ca/wp-content/uploads/2008/07/garmin_nuvi_350.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a></div><div>You would think I have this whole thing figured out. <b>But I don't.</b> As a ControlFreak who loves having my <a href="http://www.garmin.com/garmin/cms/site/us">Garmin</a> spurt out turn-by-turn directions, I want God to do the same. Because honestly, I'm going full steam ahead into pitch black darkness. </div><div><br /></div><div>My life is unglamorous. I wake up at 4:45am to workout, blog, and spend time with God. Then I shower, put on heels, pack a lunch, sit in traffic, send 1,395,982,507 emails from my small office covered with post-it notes, sit in traffic again, lather, rinse, repeat. I'm exhausted. I'm tired. I'm wondering if what I'm doing is what God wants me to do. </div><div><br /></div><div>Then I remembered the words I shared with <a href="http://liveinthenameoflove.blogspot.com/2010/03/do-your-thang.html">Maxine over bread</a> at dinner: <i>So what? Just do it! </i>Sometimes I give really good advice. It would be nice if I listened to myself. In those moments I know it's not ME, but the spirit of the Lord who is within me to share Truths. </div><div><br /></div><div>As Public Relations & Media coordinator, I'm in the midst of launching our new church website, copy writing, planning Passion Week, facilitating our guest speakers and guest bands, oh yeah, annnnnd trying to study for Saturday's speaking event [which is bubbling over with whispers of people who are bothered that I'm speaking... so hurtful]. In addition to this I still don't have a dress to wear for Easter!</div><div><br /></div><div>So this is me--broken and wounded. <b>But I'm still the</b><b> girl ambitious enough to think the world can change through the love and leading of Jesus Christ.</b> My greatest desire is to round up ordinary people and have God transform us into fearless, EXTRAordinary leaders who want to save the world. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Yes, I will provide the capes. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Thank you for listening and loving me through this journey,</div><div style="text-align: left;">:B</div><div><br /></div>Biancahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08148305912197192593noreply@blogger.com45tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7628345867981438635.post-32096198188898014392010-03-31T07:03:00.000-07:002010-03-31T07:22:26.763-07:00100 words on bad theology...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://cruciality.files.wordpress.com/2010/01/prosperity-gospel1.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 297px; height: 400px;" src="http://cruciality.files.wordpress.com/2010/01/prosperity-gospel1.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>There's sucky theology out there. <b>Beware</b>. You probably won't amass great wealth, drive a Ferrari, or own a plane, but some preachers will tell you that. It's a lie. You can't <i>name</i> and <i>claim</i> anything if it's not part of God's sovereign will. You can't preach <i>health</i> and <i>wealth</i> in a world broken to sin. <div><br /></div><div>Furthermore, in a world teaching the prosperity gospel and <a href="http://liveinthenameoflove.blogspot.com/2009/11/prayer-of-juarez.html">Jabez-like prayers</a>, it elevates <i>us</i> above a Savior who suffered. Jesus was poor. Jesus was homeless. Jesus was hungry. Jesus felt isolation. Pain. Despair. Rejection. Betrayal. </div><div><br /></div><div>An empathetic Savior knows what we feel. <b>Why should we be exempt from suffering if our Savior wasn't?</b> Am I wrong? </div>Biancahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08148305912197192593noreply@blogger.com28tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7628345867981438635.post-73113583256747650872010-03-30T06:35:00.000-07:002010-04-02T06:14:23.037-07:00do your thang'...<div>She looked across the table as if she was going to admit she was preggo, selling illegal substances, or pilfering from her governmental job. She inhaled, swallowed, and braced herself for my reaction. I sat across from her and munched on the mound of warm <b>deliciousness</b> some people call bread. <i>Seriously, </i>I said, <i>you're starting to worry me.</i> [Note: I eat when I'm nervous.]</div><div><br /></div><div>She pushed her bread plate away from her [Note: she doesn't eat when she's nervous] and blurted out her aspirations of becoming a ________.* With a quizzical look and arched eyebrow I replied, <i>So what? Just do it.</i></div><div><br /></div><div>For the next two hours we sat around discussing the importance of passion and guilt. Passion in doing what we want to do; guilt in what it is we want to do. She confessed her guilt was because her desire wasn't "spiritual" and it's not like teaching the bible or working for a church [Note: she was probably talking about me].</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">She wasn't comparing like <i>I-want-to-be-like-you</i>, but more of a <i>It's-not-a-holy-job</i>. Naturally we are inclined to compare ourselves in the discovery of God's will for our lives. It's part and parcel of our brokenness and humanity.</div><div><br /></div><div>But what is defined as a holy job? Working for a church? OH PLEASE! <b>A holy job is a person who desires to be holy and HAS a job.</b> There's a lot of people who are guilt trippin' over what they're inspired to do. Why? God has created us to do great things... impossible things! </div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://doyourthing.com.au/images/logos/do_your_thing_yellow.gif"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 315px; height: 164px;" src="http://doyourthing.com.au/images/logos/do_your_thing_yellow.gif" border="0" alt="" /></a></div><div>If you want to be a rapper, be a rapper who gives glory to God. You want to be a photographer, be the most amazing photographer who captures God's beauty. You want to be an deejay, actress, playwright, brain surgeon, lawyer--do it. And do it well. We are his masterpiece created for good works <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians+2%3A10&version=NIV">Ephesians 2:10</a> tell us. </div><div><br /></div><div>So why struggle? If you are able to <b>praise</b> God with your talents, <b>give</b> the glory He is due, and <b>make</b> a living out of it, DO YOUR THANG'!</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">*You fill in the blank. It could possibly be what you've been praying about doing.</span></div>Biancahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08148305912197192593noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7628345867981438635.post-34236128704670321102010-03-29T07:45:00.000-07:002010-03-29T08:10:43.598-07:00proclaiming freedom to captives...Syncopated voices vibrated in the sterile room of the third level of the <a href="http://www.lasd.org/divisions/correctional/crdf/crdf_sm.jpg">Los Angeles Women's Jail</a>. It was one of those feelings we all have felt: <i><b>What did I get myself into?!</b></i> Shaved heads, tattoos climbing up necks and onto soft feminine faces displaying 'hoods they were from. Loud voices taunting and jesting with each other confused me in the way you would feel on foreign soil; you know what their saying but you can't understand the words.<br /><div><br /></div><div>I clutched my bible and inmates yelled through walls or shouted through windows, <i>Pray for me! My name is Channel and I'm up for parole soon!</i> And, <i>Hey you! </i><i>My baby's daddy is in court tomorrow. Would you remember to say a prayer for him? </i>I had no clue what I'd gotten myself into.</div><div><i><br /></i></div><div>In my naivete I assumed this would be another speaking event with willing women's heart open to hear the gospel. I didn't expect to be fearful. I didn't expect to be afraid. I didn't expect to pray in the solitude of my mind feverishly for the right words to say. But the fears washed away as a simple guitar lead us into a time of worship. </div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Brown, black, white. Straight, lesbian, confused. Searchers, seekers, finders.</div><div style="text-align: center;">In one room we sang off beat and out of key to songs I will never forget. The words sung out by the lips of the women gathered in ward 304 dripped with sincerity. Lyrics, sung out with every fiber of their being, meant something more than mere words. It was one of the most moving times of worship I've ever experienced.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I swallowed the lump in my throat as I walked towards the microphone. After getting comfortable with each other, we laughed together, learned together, and felt like a rowdy, motley crew of girls who needed some Jesus up in our lives. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4E2g-G-5FaQhpCDAJSevNYg39NMwBYuAmKr-H27yLgMMooiW7Rv53sX0Wip2q2hEbFP_M-rq8lW9lZR-YnfuPdiWAadoZalRxD4Er8hnjB_4sQ8RLh5wgFTcYan73iAPBXLT3DPmw6xuJ/s1600/Screen+shot+2010-03-29+at+7.56.51+AM.png"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 136px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4E2g-G-5FaQhpCDAJSevNYg39NMwBYuAmKr-H27yLgMMooiW7Rv53sX0Wip2q2hEbFP_M-rq8lW9lZR-YnfuPdiWAadoZalRxD4Er8hnjB_4sQ8RLh5wgFTcYan73iAPBXLT3DPmw6xuJ/s200/Screen+shot+2010-03-29+at+7.56.51+AM.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454070171204612050" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">Before leaving I had the privilege of praying with a dear sister who was sentenced to death row that very day. It was in that moment I realized she represented so many women who, though have freedom in the outside world, are <b>prisoners to themselves</b>.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">As we go about our day, remember those who are living in an emotional, psychological, or physical prison and give them the One who proclaimed, <i>The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of our Lord's favor and the day of vengeance of our God to comfort all who mourn... </i>(Isaiah 61:1-2)</div>Biancahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08148305912197192593noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7628345867981438635.post-31788887069287205512010-03-27T13:46:00.000-07:002010-03-29T07:00:13.689-07:00InTheNameOfLove summer series...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJzPVS6YzhON8ode9IjKQ10lP-X-v4sqr5ERbN1bF0TRHEwotti3oiIQDygLLUOztKr5Smo1FWJleNpLnaopJTH6tYzSrLK2cgYbHmIyDdyxx0bqTowEXShze7TLVuQMA1nYPmzPgshbH1/s1600/Screen+shot+2010-03-27+at+1.53.35+PM.png"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 195px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJzPVS6YzhON8ode9IjKQ10lP-X-v4sqr5ERbN1bF0TRHEwotti3oiIQDygLLUOztKr5Smo1FWJleNpLnaopJTH6tYzSrLK2cgYbHmIyDdyxx0bqTowEXShze7TLVuQMA1nYPmzPgshbH1/s200/Screen+shot+2010-03-27+at+1.53.35+PM.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453419866104666210" /></a>As a certified nerd, I'm so excited to pass along to YOU [the weekend blog reader] the dates for the In The Name Of Love summer series!<div><br /></div><div>I'm sooooo excited about this years theme, but I'm keeping it a secret until I have all my ducks in a row. [*Side note: American idioms always confuse me. Who has ducks and how do they stay in rows?]</div><div><br /></div><div>Without further <i>adieu</i> [yes, I try to speak French], I give you the dates:</div><div>Tuesdays at 7PM, July 6th-August 10th</div><div>Join over 500 women for six weeks of fantasticness and worshipful artistry with guest bands and time in God's word. Holla'! Hope to see you there. If you have any questions, feel free to ask! </div>Biancahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08148305912197192593noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7628345867981438635.post-53964106321327457562010-03-26T05:21:00.000-07:002010-03-26T09:34:51.797-07:00vlog: women as teachers, preachers, and leaders...At the core of who we are, we must admit that we don't have all the answers. The truth is, I could feel dogmatic about a certain topic then read a commentary or listen to a theologian and completely change my mind.<div><br /></div><div>I've been asked several times via <a href="http://twitter.com/BiancaJuarez">Twitter</a>, <a href="http://www.formspring.me/BiancaJuarez">formspring</a>, and <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/In-The-Name-Of-Love/119258557503?ref=nf">facebook</a> what are my views of women teachers. I found it interesting how some the questions were phrased because it felt like entrapment, more than a inquiry of my personal thoughts. I also found it difficult to respond to because not only is it part of my profession, but it's part of who I am. </div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Given my gender I tread cautiously and respectfully in certain church realms. Some churches allow women to serve as leaders, lay-pastors, or even senior pastors. Other churches won't allow women to teach, lead, or wear makeup (obviously I'm not invited to the non-makeup churches!). Both groups have scriptures, convictions, historical cultural contexts to support their beliefs. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">All I know is one day I will stand before God Almightly and be asked, <i>What did you do with my Son?</i> The only thing I want to hear after is, <i>Well done good and faithful servant!</i></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; white-space: pre; "><object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/puflRIR58ic&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/puflRIR58ic&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object></span></div><div>This post comes with much fear and hesistation because my church has graciously invited me to share during <a href="http://ccmtb.com/?P=497">Passion Week</a>. My church celebrates the equality of women, yet understands Divine Hierarchy and the need for theological order within church walls. But for the first time in our church history, a woman will be sharing about Jesus, Easter, and us. That woman is me. </div><div><br /></div><div>I had reservations knowing there may be some who want to bring out the theological whip. But, as my pastor/daddy reminded me, I'm simply doing what the first evangelists did: proclaiming Jesus rose from the dead, He is who He said He is, and our lives will never be the same because of His demonstration of love displayed on the cross. <i>Furthermore</i>, my father wisely concluded, <i>the first evangelists were women.</i> Touche Daddy, touche!</div><div><br /></div><div>If you're in the SoCal area like to join Shachah and me for a night of worship and teaching, come down<a href="http://ccmtb.com/?P=497"> April 3rd at 6pm</a>. </div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://eugenecho.wordpress.com/2008/05/06/supporting-women-in-ministry/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Eugene Cho</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> stands on egalitarian view of women serving in Church and it's an interesting read with a </span><a href="http://eugenecho.wordpress.com/2008/04/26/10-reasons-why-men-should-not-be-ordained-for-ministry/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">hilarious link</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> on a satiric post on why men shouldn't be ordained. *Note: Satire is tongue-in-cheek humor. </span></div><div><a href="http://www.goingbeyond.com/ministry-faqs"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Pricilla Shirer</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> gave a great answer to the </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Should Women Teach/Serve</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> question on her website. </span></div><div><a href="http://manofdepravity.com/2008/05/06/women-in-church-leadership-1/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Tyler Braun</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> wrote three posts about this exact topic. As a seminary student, I valued what he had to say greatly and appreciated the links he provided for further discussion. Read all three posts!</span></div>Biancahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08148305912197192593noreply@blogger.com41tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7628345867981438635.post-63303053465288061752010-03-25T21:41:00.000-07:002010-03-25T22:02:50.720-07:00spotlight: renee johnson...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXpW6PjAfh73VKTGacoRJc-jgiJPTsmpUCYodf5vm2CClaGn6nht2dW0r214QYICuE82mbMbEoKn5pdD6hv4pHfy5R30lFTZUAR3TiYqAWvMv61JReH0n8z-x3JvXBoL5xCyRWXC-be_TX/s1600/Screen+shot+2010-03-25+at+9.59.40+PM.png"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 135px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXpW6PjAfh73VKTGacoRJc-jgiJPTsmpUCYodf5vm2CClaGn6nht2dW0r214QYICuE82mbMbEoKn5pdD6hv4pHfy5R30lFTZUAR3TiYqAWvMv61JReH0n8z-x3JvXBoL5xCyRWXC-be_TX/s200/Screen+shot+2010-03-25+at+9.59.40+PM.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452802921298878962" /></a><a href="http://www.devodiva.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Renee Johnson</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> is one of those girls who once you meet, you won't forget! Upon meeting her we spoke about all things important: boys, writing, quality television, and well, God. See, she has a big heart and believes passionate about getting into God's Word daily. </span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">She asked me to be part of her blog tour for her forthcoming book, </span><a href="http://www.faithbookofjesus.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Faithbook of Jesus</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">, but instead, I'd want you to hear in her own words why she does what she does. Enjoy!</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">How did you first get started writing?</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Helvetica;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I started journaling when I was a young girl. I took all my emotions to the feet of Jesus. At first I just thought my journals and devotional time was between me and Him, but eventually it bubbled over into a love to help spur other people forward in their daily time with Him!</span></i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Helvetica, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Helvetica, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">What has your ministry journey looked like in the past couple years?</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Helvetica;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The past couple years have been both exciting and scary. I got my dream job over two years ago working for Outreach Events. I loved it. I got to work with some AMAZING speakers and comedians, pastor's and churches. It was truly a dream come true after watching my parents in ministry my whole life. Then when I got my book contract with NavPress to write my first book, a daily devotional for 20-somethings I couldn't handle the stress of both. It truly grieved my heart to give up something I loved, but once I obeyed God blessed me by calling me into full time ministry.</span></i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Helvetica, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">What do you plan on doing in the next couple years?</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Helvetica;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Speaking, writing more books, and gathering together as many 20's as I can and encourage them to get into the Word daily! I also am using my non-profit, Devotional Diva Ministries to help launch other individuals such as pastor's, speakers, and writers and ministries such as churches to help brand them so they can launch their ministry online! Using the skills I have with websites, marketing, branding, and social media it's been my pleasure to help launch 3-5 ministries in the past 7 months!</span></i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Helvetica, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">If you could give one message to blog readers, what would it be?</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Helvetica;font-size:medium;"><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Spur others forward. Hebrews 10:24, says, "And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds." It's amazing the people and connections in ministry I've been able to make because I'm truly invested in spurring others forward. Once you lose your life you realize how desperate humanity is and how we're all looking to be loved and found loved by Him. If you can grasp this, then serving other people isn't as hard as you thought it would be!</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">To find out more about Renee and her ministry, you can check out her <a href="www.DevoDiva.com">blog</a>!</span></span></div><div class="im"></div></span></div></div>Biancahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08148305912197192593noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7628345867981438635.post-67290740687513980712010-03-25T00:02:00.000-07:002010-03-25T00:02:00.274-07:00blog mayday...Mayday! Mayday! I need your help.<div><br /> <div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://edgarkhachatryan.com/new/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/blog_logo1.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 520px; height: 346px;" src="http://edgarkhachatryan.com/new/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/blog_logo1.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><div><br /></div><div>I was going to keep this a secret, but I need some advice. I'm working on a new blog and need your expertise, insight, and previous experience.<div><br /></div><div>Where do you host? Blogger? Wordpress? Typepad? Personal?</div><div>What are some things you like about this blog layout?</div><div>What are some things you don't like about this layout? </div><div>What have been your struggles with your own blog?</div><div>What would you change?</div><div>Why is Suri Cruise the most gorgeous little girl in the world?</div><div>Where would you go on your dream vacation?</div><div><br /></div><div>Okay, okay, the last question is just because I want everyone to be able to participate in this conversation :) But please hook a sista' up and drop your pearls of wisdom on me!</div></div></div></div>Biancahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08148305912197192593noreply@blogger.com37tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7628345867981438635.post-32082246572476336102010-03-24T07:29:00.000-07:002010-03-24T07:55:39.687-07:00lessons from an 11 year old...<div style="text-align: center;">Jesus said, <i>Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.</i> --Matthew 19:14</div><div><br /></div><div>The room was full and worship ended when the youth pastor came forward to announce there would be a impromptu prayer session. Now, I wasn't quite sure if he knew I had completed <b>two</b> sessions and worship had officially <b>ended</b>. Call me YeOfLittleFaith, but did he really expect Junior Highers to pray? Out loud? After being cooped up for nearly two hours?</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Yes. He. Did.</div><div><br /></div><div>Pastor Gil opened in prayer and silence ensued. But one by one, sweet voices began to speak out requests from around the room and I knew why Jesus desired we have faith as a child (Mark 10:15). One particular girl moved me by her simplicity and assurance. In two long breaths she spoke out statements of belief for petitions she requested. In other words, her requests were in <b>complete faith</b> they would be answered. </div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3NE4T8dsC21KUK4TZL20y8W8fpYA6XjGdgxVDXHiH26VPhEmfOW0BzzMXMbnuiCf12HbPW568A2dO0GvVpnVDx76lc4WKY-R9q2m-VnP8GIjipqNsQrJttMYO2voHKAfSXbLYEwMowBYX/s1600/photo.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 194px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3NE4T8dsC21KUK4TZL20y8W8fpYA6XjGdgxVDXHiH26VPhEmfOW0BzzMXMbnuiCf12HbPW568A2dO0GvVpnVDx76lc4WKY-R9q2m-VnP8GIjipqNsQrJttMYO2voHKAfSXbLYEwMowBYX/s200/photo.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452212217483973922" /></a></div><div>I grabbed the precious girl after our time of prayer ended and asked her to pray with me. She giggled as if I was joking, but I was serious. I grabbed her under my arm and told her she had the gift of prayer and I needed her faith. We prayed together and after we had ended, I asked her if I could blog about her faith. She said I could--as long as I posted a picture. (This girl was a riot!)</div><div><br /></div><div><i>Kayla, thank you for teaching me to have faith as a child. Your belief in our God is humbling, your faith is inspiring, and your confidence is hilarious! Never lose your boldness or faith. Keep praying like a child.</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i>Love,</i></div><div><i>:B</i></div>Biancahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08148305912197192593noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7628345867981438635.post-667073233640995772010-03-23T00:01:00.000-07:002010-03-23T05:40:06.163-07:00stuff christians like...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.wreckthetapedeck.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/stuff-christians-like-the-side-hug.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 466px;" src="http://www.wreckthetapedeck.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/stuff-christians-like-the-side-hug.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>If you don't laugh at awkward <a href="http://stuffchristianslike.net/2008/04/106-the-side-hug/">Christian </a><a href="http://stuffchristianslike.net/2008/04/106-the-side-hug/">side hugs</a> or t-shirts with popular brands reworked as witnessing tools, perhaps you shouldn't buy <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Stuff-Christians-Like-Jonathan-Acuff/dp/0310319943"><b>Stuff Christians Like</b></a>. But as a pastor's kid who now works in ministry, I've come to learn that if we can't laugh at ourselves, we're taking ourselves too seriously.<div><br /></div><div><a href="http://stuffchristianslike.net/2009/10/630-awkward-opposite-sex-friendships-2/">Jon Acuff</a> is a satiric hero who crafts epic story-telling, powerful life lessons, and hilarious Christian blunders in a language which is real and raw, yet comically palatable. How someone can be ridiculously hilarious and yet an authentic believer in Jesus Christ, makes me jealous. In fact, I <b>am</b> jealous. If I didn't like him so much, I'd rip off his material. </div><div><br /></div><div>If you don't want another Christian dating book or devotional on joy-filled living, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Stuff-Christians-Like-Jonathan-Acuff/dp/0310319943">get this book</a> and laugh about mission-trip romances, virgins and unicorns, and why Mormons are slightly nicer than Christians. The way I see it, the early Church had symbols of their fraternity by drawing the Christendom fish in the sand. I propose we drop phrases like Booty-God-Booty or buttons proclaiming we [heart] side hugs. </div><div><br /></div><div>Why? Because if we can't laugh at ourselves, we are taking ourselves too seriously. </div><div><br /></div><div>Jon Acuff can be found blogging daily and highly recommend you check out some of his favorite <a href="http://stuffchristianslike.net/2009/11/wishing-there-was-a-christian-version-of-lady-gaga/">posts</a>! Better yet, order his book <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Stuff-Christians-Like-Jonathan-Acuff/dp/0310319943">here</a>. </div>Biancahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08148305912197192593noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7628345867981438635.post-52793862971909825962010-03-22T00:01:00.000-07:002010-03-22T07:20:13.586-07:00asking for wudder ice...<i>Whatt'da ya mean, you've nevah had wudder ice, </i>they asked in disbelief? Wide-eyed and curious, they looked at this California girl as if I was from Mars. Surrounded by roughly 20 pre-teen girls, they laughed and told me I <i>had</i> to go to Rita's for water ice (or, as they say, <i>wudder ice</i>). <div><br /></div><div>The next day on my way to the airport, my gracious hosts learned about my apparent Philadelphia sin--<i>You've never been to Rita's?!</i> At this point I think Rita must be everyone's grandmother because everyone knows her and is offended I haven't visited her. </div><div><br /></div><div>We pulled into obscure an Philly lot and saw the Rita's banner hanging from the brown, weathered roof. I'm expecting an old woman with a sweet voice who calls me <i>Sugar</i> to come out and hug me. But no, Rita is no where to be found. In fact, I don't think Rita lives there. The windows aren't open and the shades are drawn closed. </div><div><br /></div><div>With sad, disappointed voices my hosts, Gabrielle and Angelica, inform me Rita's was closed. So I did what any ambitious girl would do. I knocked on the window. Hard. They looked at me in one of the <i>She's-not-from-Philly</i> ways and waited for us to get rejected. A tall, thin but burly guy peeks out of the door with a brisk, <i>We open at noon.</i> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">As he was shutting the door I yelled out, <i>I'mFromCaliforniaAndI'veNeverHadRita'sBeforeAndICan'tGoHomeWithoutEverTryingIt!</i> (exhale) There is a slight pause from my tall but burly friend. <i>Hang on, </i>he said.</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC8l5H8f1nR8zJS-lpRlbYeCgFyVGI1qN9N2-F6v_y3M2b87LoU3KETzvbR5HpxeHbJsZqDubV7wg9hlNSfLJJGOm_dzGRoSk2VM4XTO3khkxdbQO41GpLV3N9Q41HHSD1pbx2JR_Qe1SI/s1600-h/IMG_0686.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 313px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC8l5H8f1nR8zJS-lpRlbYeCgFyVGI1qN9N2-F6v_y3M2b87LoU3KETzvbR5HpxeHbJsZqDubV7wg9hlNSfLJJGOm_dzGRoSk2VM4XTO3khkxdbQO41GpLV3N9Q41HHSD1pbx2JR_Qe1SI/s320/IMG_0686.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451230827598881410" /></a></div><div>He returns with not one but THREE Rita's ice waters! Gab and Annie look at me in complete shock. I turned it into a <b>Come-To-Jesus</b> moment and I pepper our experience with, <i><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=James+4%3A2-3&version=NIV">You have not because you ask not!</a></i> We laughed, but it resonated deep within. Like a pebble tossed into a lake, the words spoken by Jesus reverberated in my mind, <i>You have not because you ask not</i>.* </div><div><br /></div><div>We sometimes look at 'CLOSED' signs and walk away. But what if we have to fight for it? What if we have to <i>ask</i> to get it? What if the miraculous is answered simply when we ask? So--what are you asking for? What's your small miracle? Maybe we just need to ask...</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=James+4%3A2-3&version=NIV"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">*James 4:2-3</span></a></div>Biancahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08148305912197192593noreply@blogger.com35tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7628345867981438635.post-86459562600244594552010-03-19T03:19:00.000-07:002010-03-19T07:02:54.398-07:00never say never...I grew up a poor kid. Not like poor <i>I-don't-have-a-home</i>, but poor like <i>I-wish-I-didn't-have-to-shop-at-thrift-stores</i>. And <i>I-wish-I-didn't-have-to-drink-the-donated-guava-juice-from-church.</i> And <i>I'm-never-going-to-wear-hand-me-downs-anymore</i>. Yeah, <i>that</i> kind of poor. <div><br /></div><div>As a child I vowed I would never be poor again. I would never wear donated clothes. I would never ask for a handout. </div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Never say never. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>I have been invited to go into the slums of Kenya, meet the <a href="http://liveinthenameoflove.blogspot.com/2010/03/united-we-stand.html">amazing people from Mavuno church</a>, and physically be the hands and feet of Jesus to live out the commission to love my neighbor as myself. I believe in the organization I'll be traveling with whole-heartedly... but there's this one thing I just can't get over: their STRICT fundraising policy. [see below]</div><div><br /></div><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwi7NcRxPoAcI8VzrHGeqZldCQM0-AK1wvWhzDEqQf8bvWAp5R0RlADYMcb0uB1YDWkGdAW1aQIZ1-bk8IE9Q' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><div><br /></div><div><div>So--I'm starting the <b>Post-it Project</b>. Everywhere I go, people who I touch, you will be able to be part of this journey. I'll be blogging and Tweeting about our adventures and if you want to be part of this adventure, you can! Below are some instructions on how to help send me to Africa.</div><div> </div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium; ">Go to <a href="http://www.marinersoutreach.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=331&Itemid=331">http://www.marinersoutreach.org/giving</a><br /><br />Click on the link that says "Give towards a Faith Adventure"<br />Step 1: Fill in your information.<br />Step 2: Designate Faith Adventure Donation<br />Team Member Name: [Bianca Juarez]<br />Trip Name: [Kenya, June 2010]<br />Step 3: Fill in your account information.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Helvetica, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium; "><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Helvetica, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; ">I appreciate your help, love, and support. If nothing else, I appreciate your prayers!</span></span></span></div></div>Biancahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08148305912197192593noreply@blogger.com27tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7628345867981438635.post-70623827488114969712010-03-18T06:04:00.000-07:002010-03-18T10:14:36.160-07:00things we don't talk about...After teaching at an event a grown woman came up to me, jittery and embarrassed, and admitted she was addicted to porn. She knew she had a problem, but she didn't know what to do, where to go, or who to tell. <div><br /></div><div>After teaching at an event a woman came up to me, jittery and embarrassed, and admitted she was addicted to porn. She knew she had a problem, but she didn't know what to do, where to go, or who to tell. Except <i>this</i> woman was 15 years old. </div><div><br /></div><div>Two separate women, two separate days, two separate generations, both struggling with the same issue.</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtuIaaT1TeuGjBxUDPHCylAEXKaS3yyfo3vZg4WcQICZdawBus94zWGYoa_liTFRKBinOEss7_dOpAHRCfASslvfxVQuOajX7cWChCWRjmDaak8tebhR3D7YZi1aTL-fKw0WyUUtlxe8nn/s1600-h/Screen+shot+2010-03-18+at+6.56.15+AM.png"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 181px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtuIaaT1TeuGjBxUDPHCylAEXKaS3yyfo3vZg4WcQICZdawBus94zWGYoa_liTFRKBinOEss7_dOpAHRCfASslvfxVQuOajX7cWChCWRjmDaak8tebhR3D7YZi1aTL-fKw0WyUUtlxe8nn/s200/Screen+shot+2010-03-18+at+6.56.15+AM.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449973246103330674" /></a></div><div>The young girl who approached me looked angrily at me as she admitted her addiction through sobs. It was as if she thought I was going to yell at her or condemn her. I grabbed her hand and told her it was okay. <i>No it's not,</i> she shot back. <i>It's not okay! It's a sin!</i> In a moment of clarity I realized she had bought into the lie claiming her sin as the <b>chief</b> of all sin. The apple had been bit and the lie continues to spread.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://second-glance.com/index.php">Research</a> from Evangelical Christian women reveal 40% of women have participated in sexual sin <b>in the past year</b> and 20% of are addicted to porn <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">(46% of men)</span>. Personally, I think the percentages are higher. Instead of keeping our sins as dirty little secrets, we need to talk about them. We need to admit to them. We need to confess our weaknesses and seek intervention.</div><div><br /></div><div>Let's stand on what we know:</div><div><ul><li>We are all jacked up and need help (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+3%3A23&version=NIV">Romans 3:23</a>)</li><li>God's love in inalienable (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+8%3A38-39&version=NIV">Romans 8:38-39</a>)</li><li>When we can't handle it, God can (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+19%3A26&version=NIV">Matthew 19:26</a>)</li><li>You're not alone in this battle (<a href="http://flowerdust.net/2009/05/14/the-mike-foster-anne-jackson-porn-show/">awesome video from Anne Jackson and Mike Foster</a>)</li><li>You need to admit this is a problem (James 5:16) and dialogue with others struggling through this (<a href="http://dirtygirlsministries.com/">Dirty Girls Ministry</a>)</li></ul><div>If you are struggling through this or would like further information, I really suggest you visit <a href="http://flowerdust.net/2009/05/14/the-mike-foster-anne-jackson-porn-show/">Anne Jackson's blog</a> and Dirty Girls Ministries <a href="http://dirtygirlsministries.com/resources.html">resource</a> page. More importantly, you're not alone.</div><div><br /></div><div>Questions? Comments? Stones to throw? Better yet, does anyone have the most current research about men and women <i>in the church</i> who are addicted to porn?</div></div>Biancahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08148305912197192593noreply@blogger.com20