Jane Austen.. a life that saught passion but found it only in her imagination....

Jane Austen is a women who is credited with writing some of the most classic literature of all time. Her novels have been turned into movies and have taken the most innocent of female hearts and wrapped them hopelessly to the idea that Mr. Darcy will one day come to take them away to a life of riches. While watching the documentary on her life I assumed that she would end up with a fairy tale love in the end.... she repeatedly said "sometimes good people come to a bad end".
I don't know... my heart is broken for her. Her story of "pride and prejudice" stole my heart long ago, to romantic dreams. It is not only found in Jane Austen's work but also this theme of true love enduring all situations has been woven into me since I was very young. Looking at Belle in her beautiful yellow dress dancing with the prince of her dreams, is a scene that every young girl and old girl wishes she could dance in. Is it wrong for girls to set a standard that in this age is almost never seen? It is so sad to me that Jane Austen never found her real life man. In the movie her parents repeatedly said that no man was good enough for her. But I submit to any who read this male or female that it is not wrong for her to set a standard that challenges the people in her life. But it is also not right for any look for perfection in any human... other that in Jesus Christ our Lord. None will ever meet that. She created men for our minds to imagine...these men will never really mess up because we can read or watch the end in which all her characters get what they truly desire.
In my minds eye right now all I can see is the little girls in Jamaica and Africa that have been raped or used for their body and wonder is there any way that they can understand that God has a promise for them. I see in my mind a friend who had a baby in the eleventh grade. Whose boyfriend has now ditched her. How she has to completely change her life and of course her baby is beautiful, but she I cant help but wonder what she feels inside... I know I can never even guess to feel the weight and the loneliness she must feel at times. Gods says he is with those who are broken hearted and I pray that these girls who once dreamt of becoming a princess, can find the comfort of the Holy Spirit.
Girls we don't need to throw our bodies at men to find love or affection. And boys do not need to give a girl affection just to gain respect that has been lost. Girls you should respect men and know that one day a man will come along that will sweep you off your feet, that he will take you in his arms and tell you that he wont let go. And boys you deserve to know that you can have respect even with out trying to impersonate Mr. Darcy, because God has created in all of you a strength that you will use one day to rescue your sweet heart.
It is easier to write down that it is to live, because we all have within us the desire to love and beloved, but isn't it worth trying? Girls in life we have given part of ourselves to a boy who because of our naiveté didn't know what to do with it, and then we lose. It really is sad... and I sympathize... but know that God wants to renew you and give you fresh beauty. That he loves you deeper than any wound that may be left. He wants us know that he has good things for us and when we seek him we will prosper... so no don't give up looking for Mr. Darcy, or prince charming, or what ever you call him, but don't settle for a man until you know with out a doubt that he is seeking God for his and your life. That he cannot love you unless he loves God.
God always gives his children the good things they seek according to his good will and purpose... do we dare even seek a love that deep or real from Him? He is holding a rose in his nail pierced hand, he is holding it out to each one of us, we can choose to take it or not.

Containers of the Radiance

1In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, 2but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe. 3The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.

This struck me when I realized that Jesus- who is the " radiance of gods glory and the exact representation of his being, and the sustainer of the world"- is Alive and living in and through me. This gives Christians even more reason to live not in fear but in pure faith, let us not hold back the radiance of Gods glory, I can only image that to be a terrible thing. Gods word then tells that Jesus provided perfect purification of sins, So let us be free to walk in the freedom and let us not hold back the front lines of the battle.

Walk in faith and be blessed, may God expand your territory!
-Allie

The Fellowship of the Unashamed

by Dr. Bob Moorehead

I am part of the "Fellowship of the Unashamed."

The die has been cast. I have stepped over the line.

The decision has been made. I am a disciple of

Jesus Christ. I won't look back, let up, slow down,

back away, or be still. My past is redeemed, my present

makes sense, and my future is secure.

I am finished and done with low living, sight walking,

small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams,

chintzy giving, and dwarfed goals.

I no longer need pre-eminence, prosperity, position,

promotions, plaudits, or popularity. I now live by

presence, lean by faith, love by patience,

lift by prayer, and labor by power. My pace

is set, my gait is fast, my goal is Heaven, my

road is narrow, my way is rough, my companions few,

my Guide reliable, my mission clear. I cannot be bought,

compromised, deterred, lured away, turned back,

diluted, or delayed.

I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the

presence of adversity, negotiate at the table of the enemy,

ponder at the pool of popularity, or meander

in the maze of mediocrity.

I am a disciple of Jesus Christ. I must go until

Heaven returns, give until I drop, preach until all know,

and work until He comes. And when He comes to get

His own, He will have no problem recognizing me.

My colors will be clear.

I am not ashamed of the gospel . . . Romans 1:16

This is such a great quote, such a good reminder for me in this time of change in my life. It first says "I have stepped over the line". Gods word says that we are completely different because of the Jesus in our lives. Then he says "My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, and my future is secure." Gods word says "I know the plans I have for you". He next shows us a promise "I am finished and done with low living, sight walking,small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams" In Psalms it says "Delight in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart".
There is so much more to this but am lacking time!! God bless!

Psalm 39 (Contemporary English Version)

(A psalm by David for Jeduthun, the music leader.)

A Prayer for Forgiveness

1I told myself, "I'll be careful

not to sin by what I say,

and I'll muzzle my mouth

when evil people are near."

2I kept completely silent,

but it did no good, ^[a] and I hurt even worse.

3I felt a fire burning inside,

and the more I thought,

the more it burned,

until at last I said:

4"Please, LORD,

show me my future.

Will I soon be gone?

5You made my life short,

so brief that the time

means nothing to you.

"Human life is but a breath,

6and it disappears

like a shadow.

Our struggles are senseless;

we store up more and more,

without ever knowing

who will get it all.

7"What am I waiting for?

I depend on you, Lord!

8Save me from my sins.

Don't let fools sneer at me.

9You treated me like this,

and I kept silent,

not saying a word.

10"Won't you stop punishing me?

You have worn me down.

11You punish us severely

because of our sins.

Like a moth, you destroy

what we treasure most.

We are as frail as a breath.

12"Listen, LORD, to my prayer!

My eyes are flooded with tears,

as I pray to you.

I am merely a stranger

visiting in your home

as my ancestors did.

13Stop being angry with me

and let me smile again

before I am dead and gone."

vs

Psalm 39 (New International Version)

For the director of music. For Jeduthun. A psalm of David.

1 I said, "I will watch my ways
and keep my tongue from sin;
I will put a muzzle on my mouth
as long as the wicked are in my presence."

2 But when I was silent and still,
not even saying anything good,
my anguish increased.

3 My heart grew hot within me,
and as I meditated, the fire burned;
then I spoke with my tongue:

4 "Show me, O LORD, my life's end
and the number of my days;
let me know how fleeting is my life.

5 You have made my days a mere handbreadth;
the span of my years is as nothing before you.
Each man's life is but a breath.
Selah

6 Man is a mere phantom as he goes to and fro:
He bustles about, but only in vain;
he heaps up wealth, not knowing who will get it.

7 "But now, Lord, what do I look for?
My hope is in you.

8 Save me from all my transgressions;
do not make me the scorn of fools.

9 I was silent; I would not open my mouth,
for you are the one who has done this.

10 Remove your scourge from me;
I am overcome by the blow of your hand.

11 You rebuke and discipline men for their sin;
you consume their wealth like a moth—
each man is but a breath.
Selah

12 "Hear my prayer, O LORD,
listen to my cry for help;
be not deaf to my weeping.
For I dwell with you as an alien,
a stranger, as all my fathers were.

13 Look away from me, that I may rejoice again
before I depart and am no more."

When i was doing my Bible study I noticed this change but i really like how it is written in the new international version.

" 5 You have made my days a mere handbreadth; the span of my years is as nothing before you. Each man's life is but a breath. Selah"

I noticed this and I got to thinking how our life truly is only as good as the width of our hand. Many people have left a very heavy hand print during their days. It makes me glad that even though life goes very fast I still have a very long time to make a deep imprint on others lives, just as God imprints me.

heros?

This I Believe...

In 1951 a radio program was started to allow people to voice their belief statements, I also had this opportunity. National Public Radio opened this program again, and people have been entering their essays and a few get the opportunity to read them on national radio. I was given the assignment by my social issues teacher, to write my belief statement. My teacher showed us a few examples...

Penn Jillette- he doesn't just not believe in God


Eve Ensler- If you have ever had trouble saying the word vagina!


Harold Taw- monkeys=prosperity



Those were all interesting... but let me give you mine. This is exactly the way I presented it to the class.

" I believe in love. I believe in finding the beautiful in people. I believe that everything in life is driven by love or the lack thereof.
I believe not just in goodness. Henry David Thoreau said " Don't be too moral, you may cheat your self out of much of life. Aim above morality. Be not simply good , be good for something."
I believe in being good for love.
He said it could have been prevented, he said it could have been avoided. I wonder could the shootings at Virginia tech , Columbine and so many places throughout the world have been avoided? Could the 33rd person killed at VT have benefited from someone trying to be good at love?
The root of all love for me is my relationship with Jesus Christ. He showed me the ultimate love. I am loved so who am I not to be loving?

"This is real love. It is not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son for us as a sacrifice for our sins." 1 John 4:10- this I believe.

When I look around at the earth the sky the people. All I have, all I have been given. I wonder who am I not to give?

" O the joys of those who are kind to the poor." Psalm 41: 1-2 This I believe


To the person sitting alone I wonder how many times have I been lonely and been comforted?

"Don't be afraid, I am with you. Don't be dismayed for I am your God. I will strengthen you i will uphold you with my victorious right hand" Isaiah 41:10 This i believe.

I am truly in love with the created who cries out to know me. I am driven by seeing the love in others, by trying to love more. I believe in giving with out receiving and hoping even if I cant see through the blackness in front of me. I believe in Jesus Christ his sacrifice and his unconditional love and desire to know us.
" Love is the greatest thing God can give us, for he himself is love, and it is the greatest thing we can give to him" Jeremy Taylor- This I believe !"

first blog!

I am starting this blog! I have decided to call the blog "Catching Crumbs" because my Father (Sir Chuck) has the Round Table. I also chose this name because I know that even if I just catch the crumbs from the table of God I can be fed for a lifetime! I plan to blog later on 3D vs 2D. I think many time we treat each other as 2D people, even though we think from our perspective as 3D people!