Last summer, I found myself thinking about all the things I had been involved in: bible studies, church services, ministries during the week, etc. I was doing a lot “inside” the church, but that was it, so I talked to God about it, and wouldn’t you know it…He caused me to step outside the church, and the journey has been amazing.
Change the World
A Battle for Purity…Being Won
Last night at bible study, we almost thought that no one would show. Janel co-leads the ministry with me, and we had been there for almost an hour, recapping things that happened at the convention, discussing strategies for next time, when, all of a sudden, a beauty walked in, and she was so excited about life!
She’s been coming to our study for awhile. We’ve walked beside her through the ups and downs of life. We’re friends, and that’s what happens in our study: we become friends with you and experience life with you, and she was ready to share her experiences lately about her battle for purity. Continue reading
The Age of Beauty
A couple weeks ago, someone contacted JC’s Girls because they wanted to do a photo shoot of a beauty-from-ashes story. Sounds like I might’ve qualified, right? Wrong. They wanted someone under the age of thirty. So why does beauty have an age?
To me, beauty is timeless…ageless. It’s not something one “puts on.” It’s something that “comes out”…that shines from the inside. One of my biggest struggles inside my heart at the porn convention was experiencing my beauty in the midst of an environment where everyone was all dolled up, but it was super important for me to experience this for “me.” It was part of my journey, part of my walk, and so much came out of it. Continue reading
Unpacking a Bond
On Sunday, after driving everyone home from the porn convention, I climbed into bed around midnight. There was no way I would’ve been able to unpack the van that evening and knew it would be waiting for me in the morning. I was going to call a friend to come help but, but Katie woke up, so I asked her, “Would you like to help me unload the van?” She said, “Sure.” I had no idea where that would lead. Continue reading
Tears of Intensity
This time, for the porn convention, I was determined to go as “me,” but I wasn’t prepared for how “less than” I would feel and spent the first night crying on my bed in the hotel room.
Being reminded of who I was in the environment I used to live in was a pretty intense battle. In ministry, I find that I learn as I go. There were times when I would share my testimony with men, and in an instant, they would repent of the thoughts they had toward me and a deep respect would come over them, but that wasn’t how it happened every time. Continue reading
A Picture of Love
The two thousand and fifteen porn convention has passed, but there’s something that still lingers in the air: Love. Those who were driven there by their flesh were satisfied yet empty. For those of us who were led by our spirits, our hearts were heavy and felt broken by what we saw, but God’s Love filled the atmosphere and invaded lust. By the end of the weekend, girls were showing less, the music was less vulgar, and walls were coming down. Continue reading
Hidden Smiles
Since I’ve been open about having false teeth and the victories I’ve had about seeing my beauty past that, people have approached me about either having false teeth or having bad teeth. Behind the smile, there’s an insecurity gained and a beauty that seems lost. It’s definitely a strong hold in people’s lives, but God is training His army to walk in victory of indescribable beauty.
As I meet people on the street who have bad teeth, there’s always reason to laugh or smile because I’m usually laughing or smiling, and it causes that same reaction. But what I’ve been noticing is that, as soon as they start to smile, it’s like they realize it and shut there mouth really quickly and simply grin. Every time, it breaks my heart because it feels so good to smile. Continue reading
A Friend from Heaven
Yesterday was a bit overwhelming at times, so I was so looking forward to stepping away from my desk at lunch time and heading to the park. I really wanted to talk, so I did the usual: text someone to see if they could talk. No one answered but God, Continue reading
A Break with God
Yesterday, I knew I’d be busy at lunch because Katie and I will running a 5K tonight, and I needed to pick up our packets, so I knew I wouldn’t be in the park. Sometimes, I wonder: if nothing happens in the day, what will I write about. Well, God always has something for me to write about. It’s such a passion of mine and so hard to explain. Those of you who write will understand, but it just so happens that, yesterday, God lined up a few encounters that I wasn’t expecting.
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Worship Flags and Infinity Scarfs 