Tested in what I just learned.

Its funny how soon after you learn something from the Word you will surely be tested or tempted in the exact thing that you just learned about. A woman's worth....my last post. Its like if I'm being asked now, lets see Jaz, how much do u value yourself now? This is determined not by what we say but how we act. Our actions show us the value that we have on ourselves. It's the one who doesn't see any value that diminishes herself to walk aimlessly and to fall prey to any side wanderer/entertainer. Praise the Lord, for His faithfulness and for friends who know your worth as well and are quick to exhort you.

He has called me His. My heart belongs to Him, my life, and all of my future is His.

Truth. What is Truth?
I was just studying how in order to see Jesus we must first learn to see ourselves in Truth. He, of course gives us this ability. He sheds light on the reality of our state in contrast to his holiness.... ewww.... yeah..

Anyways.... its really easy too fool ourselves, to come up with "pretty" ideas that are partly based on truth but mostly on our lovely day dreams. dream being a key word. The enemy will come and deceive with some truth meshed in with lies. To destroy and crush, but if we hold on to Truth and discren what is Truth, we will not fall prey to his lies.

Oh and wow, did I get a bucket-full of lies this last week... lies that made me doubt for a second (a loong second) if they were lies or truth. I'm glad I had just learned on being watchful, and walking with Dad so he can show us what is true/reality vs deception.

Anyways...... isn't it awesome that HE provides us with truth to see beyond the ever so cunniving deceptions of the enemy. We must be aware and watchful for the barriers that so quickly throw you astray the goal.

A Woman's Worth... Set your worth.

I visited a friend last night. She asked me if I have a boyfriend, or if there was someone that I was "talking" with. She wanted to know if I'd be willing to marry a local, hoping that I would, so that I could stay here.... I told her... no there's not one, neither here nor in America. Anyways.... after sharing a little of my story, I asked her about herself. I don't know if to be happy or sad. Mostly my heart does break, for what she shared with me... I will now tell it to you as if it is her speaking.

-"When I was 19, my mom's friend saw me, and then she spoke to my mom about her son and how he was looking for a wife. He was ready to get married and she liked me for him. So my mom asked me, and I said, ok, no problem, we can meet them. So we met them as a family, we had dinners, and sometimes him and I would go on our own to get to know each other better. He was very nice and kind, and hardworking. So after some time, he talked to my mom and we all got together to arrange the engagement. When we get engaged, the culture is that He must give to the girl gold, however much she asks for. I asked him for this much, and he said he coudn't he only wanted to give me half of what I asked. I gave him 2 choices, he could either give me what I asked him for or I would not accept to marry him. Jazzy, I know he could give me what I asked for, I was not asking too much, he just didnt want to spend this on me. But if he didnt want to give me what I asked for, then he does not love me! He said he could not give me what I asked him for, and so I told him, from now on I am only your sister.

-After a year or so, he called my mom and he told her that he wanted to marry me. He said he would give what we asked from him. My mom spoke with me, she said he was a good man, and he had a good job, but Jazzy, I did not feel the same for him. I also now thought different. I thought, i'm 19 he's 32... when I am young he will be old! I dont want that, he had his chance and he did not want to provide for me. If he loves me he will sacrifice and provide for me. So this is it, this is all. Now there is no one, we will see.... "

While she told me this... I couldn't help but remember the woman with the alabaster box.
I coudn't help but ask myself, how does one set a price on oneself?
How did she come up with this price?
How did she feel when she found out that the man who said he loved her, wasn't willing to pay the price she put on herself?

I ask myself how much am I worth? and God says, your worth my life.

-"Jazzy, I don't think there is anyone who loves me this much...."

YES! there is.... remember, He has loved you with an everlasting love...

-"Everlasting? It means that it will never end? Wow!!"

Jaz's Oath to the King. Oct 7, 2009

I will be a diligent daughter to my King because He has lavishly endowed me with His grace, hope, and faith. So in gratitude, I will do my best to improve my faith and be a trustworthy steward.

I commit to excellence in every thing I do demonstrating an upright and virtuous character at all times. Always eager to be useful and fruitful for my King.

I will arduously pursue to understand all that my King desires His daughter to know.

I will restrain from doing what I think is best and instead be loyal and obedient to the will of my King.

I will persevere in my devotion to doing good and all things profitable despite hardship or delayed success.

In all circumstances I will look out for the betterment of the body even when it takes sacrificial service.

I will constantly dwell on the love bestowed upon me from my King and thus be motivated to be patient in love, forgiving in love, admiring in love, joyful in love, kind in love, and always hopeful in love towards all and any whom I cross paths with.

All for my Kings good pleasure.

-Beloved daughter of the King-
-For its is my King who is at work in me, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.

Phillipians 2:12-13
2 Peter 1:5-7
Proverbs 31
1 Cor. 6:12
1 Cor. 13
1 Peter 4:8

Sacrifice. by Howard Guinness.

Where are the men of this generation who will hold their lives cheap (Rev 12:11), and be faithful even unto death?
Where are those who will lose their lives for Christ’s sake – flinging them away for love of Him?
Where are those who will live dangerously, and be reckless in His service (Acts 15:26)?
Where are his lovers – those who love Him and the souls of men more than their own reputations or comfort, or very life?
Where are the men who say “no” to self, who take up Christ’s cross to bear it after Him who are willing to be nailed to it in college or office, home or mission field; who are willing, if need be, to bleed, to suffer, and to die on it?
Where are the men of vision today?
Where are the men of enduring vision?
Where are the adventurers, the explorers, the buccaneers for God who count one human soul of far greater value than the rise or fall of an empire?
Where are the men who glory in God-sent loneliness, difficulties, persecutions, misunderstandings, discipline, sacrifice, death?
Where are the men who are willing to pay the price of vision?
Where are the men of prayer?
Where are the men that count God’s Word of more importance to them than their daily food?
Where are the men and, like Moses of old, commune with God face to face as a man speaks with his friend?
Where are God’s men in this day of need of God’s power?”
compliments of Rob, thanks. good stuff.

Captivated in Greece.

I was (past tense) going to write about each day in Greece, however I didnt have time. I'll sum it up.

First of all, I feel spoiled by my Heavenly Dad. When the word says he blesses us abundantly, he sure does. One of my desires had been to visit Greece, I never really dwelled on it too much, but it happened. and Dad provided for it. There could not have been a better timing for this vacation.

I had just come out of a rough season here in the desert, not only with work, but you know the feeling that comes when your away from the people who know you the best and who you know the best. When you start thinking with your flesh. Make sense? The thoughts of singleness started creeping up and tons of questions about the future. Like, where do you want me to go?

Questions that Dad told me very clearly that I woudn't have the answer to, and He asked me to wait on Him for. (That was a tough and clear response, he woke me from a dream/nightmare and led me to Isaiah 29:11. It was neat though. This had never happened to me, and it was awesome to experience this encounter.) He answers... amazing the concept we read about, but we just dont ask. Maybe because we're afraid of his response? hm.

Anyways, so yea thats where I was at. Needless to say I needed a break from the Middle East culture and some fresh air (literately... some blue skies).

While in Greece Dad marveled me with His creation. He captured my heart once more with his beauty. He flattered me with his sunsets. The works of his hands, the strong high cliffs, sounds of roaring sea, captivated me and took away any doubts. He whispered I love you, this is for you. and this love is more than Enough. His timing is perfect, his grace is abundant. He is my strong tower and strength.

Real quick memories from trip:
-Jumping in freezing waters from the boat to swim to the sulfur thermal waters by the Volcano! AND swallowing some of the water and thinking is sulfur poisonous?

-Climbing the active volcano and feeling the vapor from one of the craters!
-Sitting on the black rocks and the rock beach reading My utmost to the sounds of crashing waves.
-Eating a delicious fruit waffle on the sea side.
-Climbing and lying at the tip of a cliff, with winds that coul'dve blown me away!
-Riding a 4 wheeler, and a donkey in SANTORINI.
-Sitting at the rooftop in Ia waiting for the most beautiful colorful sunset, just for me! =)
-Nick the Greek calling me YASMINA in the most awesome greek accent!
-Eating a hotdog for the first time in 10 months yum!
-Watching the rain for the first time in 9 months!
-Wearing shorts and short sleeves in public for the first time in 10 months.