Beth AK

The act of forgiveness is a conscious choice to let go, to move past feelings of resentment, and to move forward in light and love. Holding on to unforgiveness is like carrying a bucket of stones. With each step the bucket seems to get heavier and heavier until it is exhausting to bear. Choosing a quiet time and place, I examine the stones of unforgiveness that fill my bucket. One by one, I take them out, lay them aside and release them to God. Without the stones of unforgiveness and resentment, I move freely and can now use the bucket to gather flowers of light, peace and freedom. I choose to forgive and release to remain free of resentment. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. --Matthew 6:12

Dear Lord, how could he have done this to me? How could he forget his promises? How could he throw away in a moment all the things we have built all these years? How could he break my heart? Was it my fault? Was it me Lord? Tell me where I have gone wrong. Show me my sins, flash them before me so I may know. For I do not understand how all these things can be happening right now. I do not understand how something so good can suddenly end up the way it is today. We were so happy, Lord. We were so in love we have not a care in the world. It was just him and me, the two of us, and it was enough, probably more than enough. He was your gift to me, and I to him. We complement each other, we share so many things in common, it is to him that I opened up my heart. It is he Lord whom I trusted with all my heart. How then can he break it so? How can he betray our love? How can he suddenly say he doesn’t love me anymore? It seemed not so long ago when we would simply walk hand in hand along the

My God, I can no longer recognize the face that I see in the mirror. Where was the radiant bride that stood here merely five years ago? Where was the young woman full of hope, full of love and full of the promises of a brand new life ahead of her? For the woman who stands here now seems no longer a woman at all. Gone was the light in her eyes that used to be the envy of all. Gone was the blush on her cheeks that used to be caressed with tenderness and love. Those eyes are now swollen from endless tears. Those cheeks are now shadowed by bruises and scars. I have been transgressed and defiled, and I have allowed it all! I have allowed it for the most cliché reason of all. O how I thought I loved him, but the truth is that I don’t even know how to love my own self. How conceited indeed can a woman be? To think that she could change the man who doesn’t even want to change himself? Am I a God who can look into the hearts of men and seek the goodness that can be drawn from each one? Eve

 This is John Piper's Challenge to Women. Read it, better still, print it off and stick it in a place where you'll continually be able to revisit and be challenged by it. That all of your life—in whatever calling—be devoted to the glory of God. That the promises of Christ be trusted so fully that peace and joy and strength fill your soul to overflowing. That this fullness of God overflow in daily acts of love so that people might see your good deeds and give glory to your Father in heaven.  That you be women of the Book , who love and study and obey the Bible in every area of its teaching That meditation on Biblical truth be the source of hope and faith. And that you continue to grow in understanding through all the chapters of your life, never thinking that study and growth are only for others. That you be women of prayer, so that the Word of God would open to you; and the power of faith and holiness would descend upon you; and your spiritual influence would i

I AM a Woman of Strength! I AM a Woman of Value! I AM a Woman who Builds her house NOT Tears it Down with MY hands! I AM a Woman of Wealth! My Husband and Children Praise Me! I AM a King Builder and a Legacy Maker! I AM a Woman of Integrity! I AM a Woman of Favor! I Speak Lovingly to My Husband and I Prophesy and Speak Life into Him and our Children! My Price is Far Above Rubies! I AM a Virtuous Woman! I AM a Woman of Prayer & Fasting! My Husband's Heart Safely Trusts in Me! I Do My Husband Good ALL the Days of MY Life! I Work WILLINGLY with MY Hands! I AM a Smart Business Woman! I Consider Fields (Places Multiplication Can Take Place, Places for Increase and Growth) and Buy Them! I AM NOT Lazy! I AM NOT Afraid! I Wear the Best Clothing! I AM a Woman of Honor! I AM a Woman of Wisdom! I AM a Woman of Faith! I AM a Woman of Worth! I AM a Woman of Increase! I AM Blessed! I AM a Woman of GREATNESS! My Tongue Speaks with Kindness! My Work SPEAKS for Me