Redeemed Girl

the Redeemed Girl blog has moved

2009-08-18T23:01:00.002-05:00

Dear Readers (all four of you!)

The RGM blog has moved. Never fear...we are still in business, we've just made a few changes here at Redeemed Girl Ministries. Please visit www.redeemedgirl.org and you will find many new and exciting changes. For starters, we now have two blogs (just to keep things interesting, and to keep you on your toes.)

The first is called "transformation." Here you will find weekly teachings from me (Marian) and an exciting new team of writers. We will also post teaching videos to this site on a regular basis.

In addition to the "transformation" blog, you will also find the "RGM news" blog. Here, we will post stories from our great adventures as we travel around telling women about Jesus.

Of course, there is a handy RSS feed so you can get the latest blogs when they are posted.

Please take time to browse the new site, we would love your feedback. We sure are proud of our new baby!

For His Glory,

Marian

Love is a Battlefield

2009-07-22T13:34:00.007-05:00

Hi girls! So I'm busy writing my fourth book, Radiance. Which, by the way, is the reason my blog posts have been missing lately. But I just had to stop working on the book to face an important problem plaguing a generation of women: it seems that many young women today are not aware of the awesomeness of 80s music.

My assistant Lauren was editing a chapter of mine and said, "Who is Pat Benetar?" Her words stopped me dead in my tracks. How could she not know Pat Benetar? So, I started singing...

"We are strong, Heartache to Heartache we stand. No promises. No demands. Love is a battlefield."

Nothing.
Crickets.
Blank Stare.

Then it hit me...

There may be a whole generation out there who don't know the song "Love is A Battlefield" ...and frankly, that is just a shame. Forget saving the whales, I must save Pat Benetar for the enjoyment of the next generation. It is my cultural responsibility.

So, if you, too, are not aware of this rock legend, please enjoy this video from the 80s archives.

Vogue editor launches new war on size-zero fashion

2009-06-13T21:39:00.005-05:00

Dear Redeemed Girls,

The following article from The Times provides great insight into the fashion industry's role in perpetuating the unhealthy images that bombard women everyday. Images that result in unrealistic expectations concerning weight and wide-spread eating disorders. In a day when a size 2 girl feels "fat" and when pre-teen girls are dieting at record numbers, it took a bold move by the Vogue Editor to speak up. I applaud her courageous move in both protecting runway models and setting a more realistic standard for the rest of us.

Jesus said, "You shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free."

From The Times June 13, 2009
Vogue editor launches new war on size-zero fashion

The editor of Vogue has accused some of the world’s leading catwalk designers of pushing ever thinner models into fashion magazines despite widespread public concern over “size-zero” models and rising teenage anorexia.

Alexandra Shulman, one of the most important figures in the multi-billion-pound fashion industry, has taken on all the largest fashion houses in a strongly worded letter sent to scores of designers in Europe and America. In a letter not intended for publication but seen by The Times, Shulman accuses designers of making magazines hire models with “jutting bones and no breasts or hips” by supplying them with “minuscule” garments for their photoshoots. Vogue is now frequently “retouching” photographs to make models look larger, she said.

Her intervention was hailed last night as a turning point in the debate over model size that has raged after the deaths of three models from complications relating to malnutrition, and the decision of leading fashion shows to ban size-zero models.

Baroness Kingsmill, who headed the 2007 Model Health Inquiry on behalf of the British Fashion Council, said the stand taken by Shulman was “an encouraging sign” from one of the industry’s “leading lights.”

Beat, Britain’s leading eating disorder charity, says that 1.1 million people are affected by anorexia or bulimia.

Shulman claims that the clothes created by designers for catwalk shows and subsequently sent to magazines for use in their photoshoots have become “substantially smaller”.

The garments are typically sent to magazines six months before they appear in the shops and editors have no choice but to hire models that fit the clothes or fail to cover the latest collections from the leading designers.

“We have now reached the point where many of the sample sizes don’t comfortably fit even the established star models,” Shulman writes, in a letter sent to Karl Lagerfeld, John Galliano and fellow designers at Prada, Versace, Yves Saint Laurent, Balen- ciaga and other top fashion houses.The supermodel Erin O’Connor described the stand by the editor of Britain’s most prominent fashion magazine as “a huge breakthrough”.

“The fact that Alexandra Shulman with her enormous influence has opened this conversation means that it will have a huge impact,” she said. “It has . . . made it compulsorily relevant that we address this now.”

A "Go To " Prayer for a Clear Conscious

2009-05-14T12:53:00.003-05:00

Do you ever find yourself praying the same thing over and over again?
I sure do!

I have several “go to prayers” in my arsenal. Ones that I repeat often because I need the prayer answered routinely. One such prayer is this:

“Jesus, please make me easy to discipline and quick to convict.”

What this prayer means is this: I don’t trust myself. I know that given too much slack I could get myself into a mess of trouble. It says to God, “I need You to speak to me and show me anywhere I am or could potentially be stepping out of Your will. And if I should sin, PLEASE convict me (cause me to feel guilt and remorse) so that I will turn to Jesus and find forgiveness.”

I guess I learned the hard way about sin. I was redeemed from a very sinful lifestyle, and I don’t want to go back there again. But, there is one thing I am certain of: I don’t trust my flesh (the old sinful nature) one bit. I know, without the Spirit of God working in me and through me, my flesh is capable of anything. Therefore, I pray regularly for my heart to respond quickly to God’s voice and to obey Him should He point something out.

This morning in my devotional time I read the following entry from Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest. This teaching served as a great reminder to me about the need for a “Clear Conscious,” therefore, I thought I would pass it on to other Redeemed Girls.

The Habit of Keeping a Clear Conscience

". . . strive to have a conscience without offense toward God and men"
—Acts 24:16

God’s commands to us are actually given to the life of His Son in us. Consequently, to our human nature in which God’s Son has been formed (see Galatians 4:19), His commands are difficult. But they become divinely easy once we obey.

Conscience is that ability within me that attaches itself to the highest standard I know, and then continually reminds me of what that standard demands that I do. It is the eye of the soul which looks out either toward God or toward what we regard as the highest standard. This explains why conscience is different in different people. If I am in the habit of continually holding God’s standard in front of me, my conscience will always direct me to God’s perfect law and indicate what I should do.

The question is, will I obey? I have to make an effort to keep my conscience so sensitive that I can live without any offense toward anyone. I should be living in such perfect harmony with God’s Son that the spirit of my mind is being renewed through every circumstance of life, and that I may be able to quickly "prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God" (Romans 12:2 ; also see Ephesians 4:23).

God always instructs us down to the last detail. Is my ear sensitive enough to hear even the softest whisper of the Spirit, so that I know what I should do? "Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God . . ." (Ephesians 4:30). He does not speak with a voice like thunder— His voice is so gentle that it is easy for us to ignore. And the only thing that keeps our conscience sensitive to Him is the habit of being open to God on the inside. When you begin to debate, stop immediately. Don’t ask, "Why can’t I do this?" You are on the wrong track. There is no debating possible once your conscience speaks. Whatever it is— drop it, and see that you keep your inner vision clear.

Dear Jesus, I pray you would make us so sensitive to your Spirit. May we love the things that you love and hate the things that you hate. Help us. Enable us to live with hearts that fear you and love you. May your Truth be our standard. Please make us easy to discipline and quick to convict. Thank you for your grace that is greater than all our sins!
Amen.

The "Sticky" Note

2009-05-05T13:21:00.001-05:00

The “Sticky” Note

Various scraps of paper with urgent reminders, upcoming wedding and baby shower invitations, scripture memory cards, unpaid bills, numerous to-do lists, updated and outdated gym workout schedules, and several other items are adhered to the corkboard positioned above my writing desk—the perfect spot to place those “need to find fast memos” and “don’t forget” reminders.

We all need reminders, right?

Maybe it’s just me, but it seems like I need certain truths right in front of me because I’m so very prone to forgetfulness. Therefore, near the top of my board—right at my eye level—sits an important piece of paper. Worn about the edges and pin pricked from years of moving and removing … this one is a keeper. It reads:

The Christian who knows he is
Crucified with Christ
Has no AMBITION and so has nothing to be jealous about.
Has no REPUTATION, and so has nothing to fight about.
Has no POSSESSIONS, and therefore, nothing to worry about.
Has no “rights,’ so, therefore, he cannot suffer wrong.
He is ALREADY DEAD, so no one can kill him.
By Leonard Ravenhill

Unlike invitations and to-do lists, this note will never grow obsolete and doesn’t have an expiration date. It sits waiting for those life-moments when I need a good dose of truth. Life is not about me. My life is hidden in Jesus.

If I really believe Galatians 2:20 which says, “I am crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me,” then Ravenhill’s words are spot on accurate (even if they do ring oh-so harsh to our modern, me-first mentality.)

Now that I think about it, that is one “sticky” note—a truth that I want to stick with me. I’ve found that simply believing this message can cure most of life’s ailments. Think about it, if I really believe that “I am Crucified with Christ” then half the things that bug, annoy, bother, and in general cause me to freak out, are really nothing I need to worry or to fret about at all.
The reality is this: we are hidden in Jesus…and Jesus is good. Jesus is safe. Jesus is our hiding place. We don’t need to impress others to find acceptance, we don’t need to amass wealth to feel secure, we don’t need to have power to be important…because everything we are, everything we need, and everything we long for is assured us in the Resurrected Life of Christ.

That is why we can lay everything else down and die to our fleshly desires because we trust that He has us and He is in control.

For instance, I can’t tell you the number of times that someone has said something negative about me and I have wanted to “defend” myself and God reminds me of the fact that “my reputation” is dead and I am “hidden in Christ.” He will defend me.

Or the times when I’m tempted to place too much value in the material things of this world and God reminds me that the only things that will last are those I invest in eternity.

I’m learning and need reminding daily that life’s circumstances must be filtered through the reality of who I am in Christ: the old Marian is dead and the life I now live is in Him, through Him and for Him.

I’ll be honest; I’m still very much a work in progress! Not a day goes by that I don’t feel rejected, embarrassed, overlooked, scared, or worried and need reminding of this amazing truth; hence the sticky note. Being “crucified with Christ” means dying to my selfish desires and embracing the glorious life in Christ—the life of love and selflessness that is only possible because He lives in me!

Apart from Him I can do nothing!

Calling All Redeemed Girls!

2009-04-27T22:55:00.003-05:00

Hey Girls!
I'm eager to hear your testimonies. Please share with our readers how Christ is redeeming your life today. I know there are thousands of amazing redemption stories out there just waiting to be told. So, in the blog comment section please share a quick praise and let the world know why you are thankful to be a Redeemed Girl.

I'll go first:

It has been nearly ten years since Jesus rescued me from the pit of sin and despair that I was living in. I was that girl "looking for love in all the wrong places"… seeking to fill my emptiness with all the junk the world told me would bring me happiness. Instead, I found shame and even more emptiness.

I remember thinking how true Bono's words rang when he sang, "I still haven't found what I am looking for."

Thankfully, what I was really looking for found me. I was just a girl searching for God.

When my heart grasped the beauty of the cross I embraced the forgiveness Jesus offered and breathed the sweet air of grace. The logical next step was surrender—all of me to the one who redeemed me. To "redeem" means to buy something back and to restore it to the original purpose. Jesus bought back my life and restored everything--I AM A NEW CREATION! New desires, New thoughts, New passions, New identity, New life, New purpose, New hope... yes, I am a Redeemed Girl!"

To testify to the transformation that has taken place would take forever. I guess the biggest change I’ve seen over the years is easily in my identity. Before, I saw myself as a usable object (something that could be used and discarded…a.k.a trash) But when Jesus’ love for me filled my heart and I grasped the price he paid to redeem me, I began to comprehend that I am not trash to be used... I am a priceless treasure.

Girls, this isn't diva talk. This is the testimony of a girl who now knows her value in Christ. I learned a long time ago that something is worth what someone is willing to pay for it...and Jesus said that I am worth dying for.

If anyone is in Christ he is a new creation...the old is gone, the new has come! 2 Corinthians 5:17

Please share your redemption story!

Transformation

2009-04-16T11:57:00.004-05:00

“The gospel is righteousness from God that transforms us from the inside out. Transformation is the fruit of faith.”
--unChristian

I adore Spring.
Recently, I bought my first house and moved in the “dead of winter.” (Okay, so that’s kind of a drastic statement for someone who lives in Houston, Texas. But, it did dip down into the frigid forties this past January, which felt very tundra-like to this Texas girl.)
I digress. Where was I? Oh yes, Spring.

So, when I moved in I noticed these dead twigs and sprigs in my yard. I supposed them to be unwanted weeds that I would eventually get around to removing. But then, something happened…Spring arrived.
Ahhhh…glorious sunshine!
Low and behold, I now have a garden! Those lifeless twigs are in full-bloom. My yard is brimming with new life, and looks quite lovely I might add.

With springtime comes another symbol of new life…Easter. All over the world this past weekend Christians celebrated the resurrection of our Christ. I like to sum up Easter in one word: transformation. Think about it…. Death becomes Life. The perfect symbol of our faith.

As Christians, we believe in a God who transforms us for His glory by giving us new life in Him. Jesus, our Redeemer, takes our brokenness and makes us whole. He gives sight to the blind, hope to the hopeless, and brings light to the darkness. Miraculously, sinners become saints. Like my garden, Jesus transforms us from spiritually dead to people that blossom with the fruit of His Spirit. (Ephesians 2: 1-2; Galatians 5:23-24)

Sadly, this is not the message we (the church) are sending the world. I’ve been reading a book called unChristian. The authors have this to say:

"Christians are supposed to represent Christ to the world. But according to the latest report card, something has gone terribly wrong. Using descriptions like “hypocritical” to describe the church…young Americans share an impression of Christians that’s nothing short of ….unChristian.”

This book elaborates on the problem by saying that the lifestyle of Christians is not different from those who don’t know Christ. Simply, we are not bearing fruit that represents Jesus to the world. Our lives don’t testify transformation.

But why?

I’ve been thinking about this problem quite a bit lately. If, the message of the gospel is the power of God’s grace to transform us, then why doesn’t the world see us as transformed people? I think the primary problem is an old one. We have substituted God’s transforming power for our own human effort. And, let’s face it; we simply aren’t very good at changing ourselves.

Transformation happens in the human soul when we see our brokenness and turn to God in our weakness and surrender to God’s spirit for life. It is not about human effort, it is 100% about Christ-dependence.

Thinking about my new garden, I’m struck by the fact that I’ve never once overheard my rose bushes whining and complaining about the difficulty of producing a rose. Nope, not once did I hear my peonies huffing and puffing in their effort to produce colorful blooms. The reason? They followed the simple God-given design for bearing fruit—they remain abiding to their vine.

I think the book unChristian raises an important point. For many, the Christian faith is about a one-time decision to pray a prayer or walk an aisle or check a box. This type of experience is only the first step. The Christian faith—the one that transforms—is the result of daily abiding in the object of our faith…Jesus Christ.

The night before His crucifixion, Jesus explained the secret to fruitfulness to His disciples by saying:

"

I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. (John 15:1-5 NIV)

The secret to seeing the life-transforming power of God in our lives is staying connected to the Life-Transformer, Jesus Christ. It is that simple.
Our only hope for transformation is in Him. There is no method, no program, no plan, no iPhone app, prescription, or a handy-dandy quick fix that can transform us…just the glorious Son shining upon us, and His Spirit’s power flowing through us every single day.

Friends, if we want our lives to testify of God's transforming power, we must ABIDE!

(p.s. The photo is of my favorite garden in Oxford, England. This is not at my house. I wish!)

Passion Week and The Price is Right

2009-04-07T17:06:00.001-05:00

“Amazing love how can it be that you my King would die for me?”

Bright lights. Cameras rolling. Producers shouting last minute instructions. The countdown begins: 10, 9, 8…and then…the familiar music fills the room, and the famous (or infamous) Bob Barker takes the stage. On the edge of our seats, my college girlfriends and I were giddy with excitement.

We’d made it!!!

Months of planning and finally, we were really there—live in the CBS television studio for the filming of The Price is Right. A week in Los Angeles for Spring Break culminated with the three of us camping out at CBS in hopes of getting a seat in the audience for the show. Our sleep deprivation paid off!

With so much to absorb and take in, I was far too busy and preoccupied to listen when the producers gave instruction for the audience—us, the prospective contestants. Something about where to stand, blah, blah, what to do, blah, blah, blah…I wasn’t listening.

Alas, I was the proverbial “deer in headlights” when low and behold the first name called was: MARIAN JORDAN…COME ON DOWN…YOU ARE THE FIRST CONTESTANT ON THE PRICE IS RIGHT!

Who?
Come on Down?
What?
Where?
(insert: blank stare, dumb blonde look, frozen limbs, and friends hitting and shaking me into action)

And…………..she’s up!

I can’t recall making it from my seat to the contestants’ row down front. I do know that I didn’t run screaming and waving my arms like I’ve seen other people do. I did more of a stumble forward, unsure that this is really happening to me kind of movement…all the while trying not to get bulldozed by the over-eager contestants now following close behind.

It’s all a haze.

Finally, I reached my station. But before I could catch my breath, Bob (as we contestants like to call him) presented the first item up for bid: a Maytag refrigerator. Since I was the first contestant it was up to me to start the bidding and give my estimation of the price of the refrigerator.
It’s all a such a blur…but my PRICE was RIGHT!! The next thing I remember, I’m on stage, kissing Bob Barker (on the cheek) and wondering “does the camera really adds ten pounds and if so did I wear the right jeans?” Once again, Marian is not listening as Bob gives me the instructions on how to play the game.

I’ll spare you the humiliation of the next 12 minutes. I was a train wreck. Clueless. I didn’t listen so I kept having to repeat the game until finally, only God knows how….I won! Yes, in spite of myself, I won the stinkin’ game and moved on to SPIN THAT WHEEL!!!

This is where my glorious brush with fame ends…at the wheel. I didn’t make it to the “showcase showdown,” but I did walk away that day with a new refrigerator, an all-expense paid trip to Boston, a recliner or as I like to call it a “Barker Lounger”, a lamp…and one fine story to tell.

That day—and a few days following—my excitement over winning was uncontainable. We rushed from the CBS studios to LAX airport to catch our flight home where I bumped into Robert Redford and I told him my exciting news. Then on the plane I thought the flight attendant and other passengers needed to know the news, and of course, the minute I could get to my phone I called everyone I knew (or had ever known) and told them about winning The Price is Right.

All of this fuss over a silly game show.

What’s funny to me is that, now, years later I rarely think about that experience. It’s interesting how quickly my excitement faded and the enthusiasm fizzled. Today, most of my friends have no idea that I was even on the show. It’s not something I talk about … it never comes up in conversation. Gone is the girl who couldn’t wait to tell complete strangers and random celebrities and was overflowing with excitement. Winning The Price is Right is just a blip in my memory.

This fading passion reminds me of the fizzle that happens in the hearts of many Christians over the miracle of their salvation. At first, there is an overwhelming flood of emotion and a desire to share the new found peace, hope, love and joy with others. Yet, over time, we can grow numb, cold and complacent. The emotional numbing leads to a lack of zeal for sharing the good news of Jesus with those whom we encounter.

I got to thinking about our fickle and fading emotions because this is “Passion Week.” Christians around the globe are celebrating the events that led up to Jesus’ death and resurrection for our redemption. We are supposed to be celebrating Jesus’ love, self-less determination, and willingness to lay down His life for our own.

But I can’t help but ask myself, “Are we really passionate about passion week?”
Do we really care?
Have we lost the fire that once burned so bright?

Friends, let us not grow cold. Let us not forget the most amazing event that has ever happened in human history. Let us not grow indifferent toward our salvation and cease sharing the amazing news: that God came to earth to redeem us from the grip of sin.

Far greater than hearing the call to “come on down” on a silly game show, the God of the Universe called us “out of darkness and into His marvelous Light.” Now, that’s something to be excited about.

So…wherever you are today, reading this on Facebook or my blog, please stop and pray with King David, “restore unto me the joy of your salvation!” It’s so easy to grow numb. But our passion quickly returns by taking an honest look at our sin and then looking at the wonderful cross of Jesus and singing … “AMAZING GRACE HOW SWEET THE SOUND THAT SAVED A WRETCH LIKE ME.”

Now that you remember what Jesus has redeemed you from...Go and Tell.
There is a lost world out there just dying to know.

And you, who were dead in your trespasses…
God made alive together with him,
Having forgiven us all our trespasses,
by cancelling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands.
This he set aside, nailing it to the cross.
Colossians 2:13

I know that my Redeemer lives! Job 19:25

Legacy

2009-03-23T13:35:00.001-05:00

Let your light shine before men
so that they will see your good deeds
and glorify your Father in Heaven.
Matthew 5:16

Webster’s defines legacy as, “a thing handed down by a predecessor.” I spent last evening honoring a woman whose life truly left a lasting legacy—countless lives impacted and influenced for eternity because of her choice to follow Jesus and make Him known.
The woman was Jill Jarvis Attebery.

I can’t remember meeting Jill. You see…I’ve always known her. My earliest memories include her. Snapshots of my childhood flash before me—Vacation Bible School, 1st, 2nd, 3rd…12th grade, slumber parties, school plays, choir trips, youth lock-ins, drill team…with all of these memories… yet, I never imagined I would be asked to speak in memory of my earliest friend.

This weekend I traveled from Houston to El Dorado, Arkansas where Jill’s husband is a Pastor. Jill and I had reunited months before her death because of our shared passion for reaching young women with the gospel of Jesus Christ. I was devastated when the news of her death reached me. Today, it is still surreal (for lack of a better word) and I pray often for her precious family.

Jill’s husband, Scott emailed a few weeks ago expressing his desire to honor her dedication to serving God and to celebrate her legacy of discipleship. He asked if I would speak to the women that she’d touched. I jumped at the opportunity. You see, my life was one that was also impacted by her faithfulness.

The room was filled with women, young and old, who knew and loved Jill—many of whom she’d discipled as college students (challenging them to memorize entire books of the Bible), others she taught in Sunday School, all were impacted as she led Sunday worship, many testified of her encouragement in their shared struggle with infertility, and one was forever grateful for a friend who walked “through the valley of the shadow of death” with her when her own daughter was killed years before. Everyone in the room missed a woman who’d shown them the love of Christ in tangible expressions of His heart.

The Lord gave me four words to describe Jill.
INTENSITY…she loved Jesus with all her heart, mind, soul, and spirit. (Matthew 22:36-40)
INTEGRITY…she was the same person in every situation….her character was unwavering. (Proverbs 4:18-27)
IDENTITY….she knew who she was because she knew Whose she was. Jill lived every moment as a Child of God…a daughter of the King. (1 Peter 2:9-10)
INTENTIONAL…she lived on purpose. Her purpose was to “know Jesus and make Him known.” Her legacy testified to the fact that she “practiced what she preached.” (Matthew 28:18-20)

Jill’s legacy continues to grow. My friend Gee came with me to lead worship for the event. Here is her impression as someone who did not know Jill, but witnessed her legacy and was challenged by it.

G’s perspective:

“Although I didn’t know Jill as many people did, in a way…. I feel like she would have been a “kindred spirit” so to speak. I have been impacted by hearing of her life in Christ and the “living fruit” that will go on and go forward represented by many others that were deeply touched and changed by her love…God’s love. Last night was a powerful moment in my life as I had the “honor” of leading others into worship and through CELEBRATING a life and love that will live on! God is faithful….He weaves our lives together for HIS purpose and glory and I left last night feeling so FULL of love and life in Christ, so challenged to keep LIVING here on earth for God’s glory and so challenged to “take my life with Christ” to a new level by loving others more deeply and intentionally as Jesus did…as Jill, His servant did.
Her example will live on in my heart now and I will always remember this night. I don’t know who exactly said or spoke this…but in my words…”never underestimate the power of ONE.” This statement has been rolling around in my heart and mind for months now….meaning the “power of one life”…fully LIVED here on earth for God’s glory and devoted to him. This kind of RADICAL life and love can literally change lives, towns, cities, etc. This is the kind of life that Jill lived each day, since her childhood. The power of ONE….that will stick with me forever.”

I love that expression, “The power of one.” Jill’s legacy is certainly a powerful one. She proved that one life could leave an impact for eternity… if focused on Christ and lived for His glory. Her legacy has challenged me … not to waste on single day, not to lose perspective about the purpose of this life, and not to get distracted from what really matters.

I know without a shadow of doubt that Jill has heard Jesus say, “Well done my good and faithful servant.” I pray we will all be inspired and live in order that we will hear the same.

Thank you sweet Jill for letting your light SHINE brightly… and thank you Jesus for sharing her with us.

Breaking Up With the Bachelor

2009-03-02T23:52:00.000-06:00

Pardon me while I rant.
I just finished watching The Bachelor and I’m steamed. Wait a minute. That word doesn’t come close enough to how I feel right now. As I write my roommates are offering me synonyms to express my emotions. They like “ticked, irate, and peeved.” I’m going to go with righteous anger.

That is saying it mildly.

For those of you who missed it, this season’s bachelor, Jason proposed marriage to Melissa only to decide a few weeks following his proposal that he’d made a mistake and therefore should pursue the other girl …..because golly… he never expected he could be “in love” with both women. And “shucks” it was only a few weeks after the show that the reality of engagement didn’t feel like the fantasy world they’d once shared on television.

Here’s my problem. Jason represents what the world teaches about marriage. His philosophy is that commitment lasts just as long as chemistry sizzles. He believes that feelings determine decisions NOT morals, vows, integrity or commitment.

I’ve had enough.

I politely sat back and watched adultery celebrated in the recent movie “He’s Just Not That Into You.” The characters justified an affair because they “just wanted to be happy” and “what if they hadn’t married The One.”

THIS IS ALL GARBAGE!!!

Love is not something you “feel” one day and you don’t the next. That, my friends is called lust. Frankly, love aint’ a feeling….it is a CHOICE. It is choosing to put someone else’s needs above your own. It is self-less. It is a keeping a commitment despite how you feel. It si something that can’t be experiences in a six week dating show…it is cultivated and proven over a lifetime.

The way the Bachelor threw around the sacred words of “love” and “marriage” tonight made me literally sick at my stomach. I was disgusted. Sick, because I know the mind-set is the reason the divorce rate is over 60% …it’s because the world has deceived us into believing that our feelings are the most important determiner for decision making. The world has deceived us into believing that marriage is a contract…not a commitment. The world has deceived us into believing you can do anything as long as it makes “you happy.”

Ok. I feel better.

P.S. All I have to say to sweet Melissa from Dallas who got dumped on television tonight is, “What seems like rejection is God’s protection.”
I don’t know her, but I wanted to tell her to “run” and thank God all the way home in her limo tonight because God spared her a marriage to a man who doesn’t know the meaning of commitment. …who lives only by his fickle feelings and who can not be trusted to keep his vows. .

I’m just sayin….

Christmas Part 1: Overcoming A.D.D.

2008-12-03T10:43:00.005-06:00

Here's a confession...I'm a tinsy, winsy bit A.D.D. (My friends and family are rolling their eyes right now at the understatement of all understatements!) Over the years, I've made peace with my scatterbrained self. I've grown to see both the positives and negatives...but I d0 fight, on a daily basis, how easily I am distracted.

This fight against distraction is even more intense during Christmas.

Although retail stores began celebrating in September, for the rest of us, December marks the Christmas season. But, are we really celebrating?

Over the years I've noticed something..it seems like the whole world is A.D.D when it comes to Christmas.

We are so busy shopping, spending, decorating, eating, partying, and traveling that we fail to focus on the very thing we are celebrating: The gift of grace given to us through God's Son, Jesus Christ.

With that in mind, and because I need help focusing, I will dedicate my posts this month to helping me and you focus. Focus on Jesus. Focus on the real reason for celebration. Focus on the Gift of all gifts.

My prayer today, and for this entire season, is that I won't miss the Gift. I pray for a heart that focuses on Jesus. I pray for a spirit that rejoices in Him. I pray I will celebrate the Christ of Christmas.

Here is an amazing video that will help you and I focus on the real reason to celebrate this Christmas.

Oh Be Joyful!

2008-09-19T12:13:00.004-05:00

The following is an excerpt from my new book Wilderness Skills for Women. (Broadman and Holman 2008)

In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls. 1 Peter 1:6–9

The massive rock face that I found myself clinging to for dear life did not seem anything at all like its name. I would have described it as “menacing,” “foreboding,” or “fearful,” not “Oh-be-joyful.” It wasn’t even a pretty mountain. Instead, it was a mass of ugly boulders, dark and grey, piercing the sky— very Lord of the Rings. Ironically, the peak our guide chose for us to climb during this wilderness adventure was given this profoundly spiritual name—“Joy.” And yet, there I was stuck and clinging to a boulder, feeling anything but joyful, only an embarrassing twenty-five feet from the summit.

I really wanted to crawl back down, to forgo the thrill of seeing the view from the summit for just a taste of the familiar— the solid, flat ground I liked to call “safety.” But looking back down the mountain didn’t give me the sense of security that I desired. No, craning my neck around while still tightly gripping my new best friend, I attempted to look back down the mountain for an escape route. Oh yes, I forgot to mention one important little nugget. There was no trail on this mountain— just rock, and tons of it. Looking back only intensified my fear. For in fact, I couldn’t see anything. A thick cloud, milk-like in appearance (not the skim kind, I tell ya) obscured my view and left me feeling paralyzed and freaking out just a tiny bit. OK, who am I kidding? I was borderline “crazy place."

Then I heard the voice: “Keep moving. Don’t give up. Take one more step. Place your foot to the left. Lean your weight against the boulder and pull yourself up.” It was the voice of my guide encouraging me to press on. Backpacking with my girlfriends was supposed to be fun: sleeping outdoors, gathering firewood, finding water, building shelter . . . you know, going granola. Speaking of granola, I’m sure this goes without saying that I’m not what you’d call a tree- hugging nature-girl. Now, don’t get me wrong. I love the outdoors. As long as my expeditions end each night with a hot shower and soft bed, I’m all good. I’m just saying—visiting nature is fine, but “becoming one with nature” is an altogether different thing. And at this point in the journey, I am so “one with nature” it is pathetic. It would be hard to discern where the mountain ended and my body began . . . we were “close,” if you know what I mean. As I huddled next to the wall, I reflected on the fact that this trip was supposed to be a simple learning experience about wilderness skills, and absolutely at no point was I supposed to be in danger. I was in the midst of this memo to self when my guide called out again, “You don’t need to be afraid.Trust me. You are almost to the top.”

Sure, I trusted her, but at that moment I didn’t so much love the idea of proving this trust by starting to climb again. My guide continued encouraging me by explaining that I was only experiencing what wilderness experts call “perceived fear versus actual fear.” The fact that my route was unknown, the boulders slippery, and my vision limited was causing the situation to feel more dangerous than it actually was. She reassured me that this was a case of perceived fear. I was actually safe. I was in a good place. I would make it to the summit. Still clinging to my rock, I thought, This fear seems pretty “actual” to me. I mulled over her advice and reasoned it must be true.

You see girls, my guide knew the wilderness. She was experienced, knowledgeable, and well trained. The girl had skills: climbing skills, backpacking skills, nunchuk skills, survival skills. She’d lived for months on end in the wild and hiked mountains the globe. Needless to say, I felt I could trust her.

Yet I didn’t budge. I was torn. Gripping my rock, I decided to not go up and to not go down. I would just wait. Perhaps, in some miracle of miracles, a trail would materialize—kind of like on Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade when the bridge appears and Harrison Ford makes it safely across the chasm. Perhaps a stair with a nice handrail or a gondola would appear if I waited long enough.

Waiting.

Alas, no magical ski lift emerged to rescue me. Honestly, at first the only thing that tempted me to continue climbing was my stinking pride. My pride really didn’t want the humiliation of scooting back down the mountain on my bootie, but then again, to go forward into the cloud—into the scary unknown was a little too much for a girl afraid of heights.

And there, on the side of that mountain, I would still be today if another voice had not spoken to my heart: “Marian, don’t quit. Don’t stop. Don’t fear what you cannot see. Don’t turn back because the way is tough. Press on. I have something for you at the summit.” And girls, let me just say I knew this voice.

This was the voice of Jesus, my real Wilderness Guide, calling me to overcome my fear.

I began to pray, “Lord, I know You are calling me to climb, but I’m afraid. Help me to reach this summit. Everything in me wants to go back to camp, pack my backpack, and hike back to the car, but I know You have a purpose in this journey. Help me.” And then, I heard the familiar words, “Walk by faith and not by sight.”

With that, I released my death grip on the boulder and took the proverbial “step of faith.” And then another, and then another, until I found myself at the summit. There I learned the reason the mountain was named “Oh-be-joyful.” For within minutes of arriving at the peak, the thick clouds parted, revealing the most spectacular view. The only word to describe that moment was, yes, you guessed it, joy. Now, with clear vision, I could see in the distance magnificent mountain peaks and valleys, clear rivers, and wild flowers—the view from the summit was breathtakingly beautiful.

I simply had no idea what glory was behind that cloud.

Inhaling the sweet mountain air, I exhaled, “Oh, be joyful!”

Like my personal season before it, in this wilderness journey I faced difficulties, terrifying terrain, and moments of despair and desperation, but the ascent to the summit proved my training ground—for in facing fear I found the muscles of faith.

Sometimes walking with Jesus means our vision is obscured by clouds, and at times we face obstacles that evoke such fear that we would rather forsake the journey than keep going. And yes, sometimes following Jesus means we trust His voice evenwhen we can’t see His face.

But girls, isn’t that the thrill of the adventure?

During the months of heartbreak and confusion, I sensed God speaking one message to me over and over again: “Don’t miss the wild for the wilderness.” What did this mean? Finally, I figured out this meant that I should open my eyes of faith and see the powerful hand of God moving. This phrase reminded me to not lose sight of the incredible plan of God in the midst of the wilderness—even if my perspective was temporarily lim- ited by a cloud.

Friends, in case you haven’t figured this one out yet, we serve a wild God who isn’t predictable and who isn’t at all tame. Much like His creation, He is gloriously wild. But isn’t it His untamable Godness that makes Him so glorious?

Reflecting over the heartache, disappointment, and misery of my wilderness season, I can honestly say it was all worth it. For there, I experienced the wild adventure of trusting God.

Life's Hurricanes

2008-08-30T09:56:00.005-05:00

I live in a Hurricane evacuation zone. A place that meteorologist often cite when warning of tropical storms, severe flooding, and category 3, 4 and 5 level hurricanes. We are fluent in the lingo: Dopler, tracking systems, mph winds, contra-flow lanes, high tides, evacuation routes... Folks around here just know that August through October are unpredictable at best.

A few years back my city was “doomed for disaster.” Everyone, and I do mean everyone, was “asked to evacuate” and seek shelter at higher ground. Let me just say--for the record--the evacuation was by far worse than the storm. The best of humanity did not rise to the top on that fateful weekend.

Storms expose both our strengths and our weakness. Faith tested. Selfishness exposed.

Today, a new storm is brewing in the Gulf. I lose track of the names, but the same buzz is circuling: fear, anxieties, questions….what to do in the storm? Stay or Flee? Worry or Rest? The concern is valid.

As I think about hurricane season, I can’t help but think about the storms of life. Economic storms. Relational Storms. Health storms. Much like the ones we watch on The Weather Channel, these also test our faith and expose our weaknessses.

A few years ago I faced what could only be described as "the perfect storm." Looking back, one of the primary lessons I learned during that season was that fear and worry will cause us to run for cover, to seek shelter, and to find aid, but where we run is completely our choice.

There is only one true place of shelter, security, and protection for us...and that is Jesus. A scripture that became so real to me during my hurricane season was Proverbs 18:10 "The name of the Lord is a strong tower; The righteous runs into it and is safe."

Friends, whatever you are facing today...run to Jesus. Run to the One who can by the mere word of His mouth calm any storm.

35 As evening came, Jesus said to his disciples, “Let’s cross to the other side of the lake.” 36 So they took Jesus in the boat and started out, leaving the crowds behind (although other boats followed). 37 But soon a fierce storm came up. High waves were breaking into the boat, and it began to fill with water.
38 Jesus was sleeping at the back of the boat with his head on
a cushion. The disciples woke him up, shouting, “Teacher, don’t you care
that we’re going to drown?”
39 When Jesus woke up, he rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Silence! Be still!” Suddenly the wind stopped, and there was a great calm. 40 Then he asked them, “Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?”
41 The disciples were absolutely terrified. “Who is this man?”
they asked each other. “Even the wind and waves obey him!”
Matthew 4:35-41 New Living Translation

Confessions of a Bad Blogger

2008-08-22T02:02:00.002-05:00

Girls, it’s been a busy summer, and I’ve been a very bad blogger.

So this Redeemed Girl is in desperate need of blog redemption. I was recently informed by one of my friends/readers that I’m “seriously failing at giving her anything to read while she’s supposed to be working.”

To Leslie: I’m so sorry.
To Leslie’s boss: You’re welcome.

But, I have a plethora of excuses for my absence. Would you like to hear them?

a. I might as well keep a locker at Houston Intercontinental Airport. Seriously, air miles anyone? I’ve been to Atlanta, Los Angeles, Sydney, DC, NYC, Albuquerque, Wilmington, and Lufkin in the past six weeks alone. Whew!!!! And, can we just discuss extra baggage fees for a minute? First of all, a girl needs her stuff. Second of all, a girl needs her stuff. I’m just sayin, I’m not a big fan of the new policies. So, of course it takes me even longer to pack now that I must commit to one bag. (You simply have no idea how difficult this process can be. Time that really could have been spent blogging.)
So, my summer has been filled with fun adventures: Hilllsong Conference in Sydney, Surfing Lessons at Bondi Beach, a family trip to NYC and DC, speaking to college women in a variety of locations, and a delightful time of celebrity spotting at the LA airport. Yes, I know I should of/could of blogged about all of these fun experiences, and I really meant to, but….

b. Major Book Deadline. My “free” time has been spent writing, complaining that I can’t find time to write, and then scampering to find scraps of paper to jot down ideas that occur to me while in the soup isle of the grocery store. I use to think I had ADD, which would allow me to do multiple tasks at once. Now I know otherwise. Truly, it just makes this girl scatter-brained and coffee dependent.

c. The Olympics. I would just like to say to Michael Phelps, “You are a serious distraction.” Clearly, I would now be finished with the book and out of blogger purgatory if Mr. Phelps didn’t find it necessary to go for Gold just about every night. I know what you’re thinking. I just watch cause he’s cute. Not true! I’ve developed quite a fascination with the sport of swimming all of the sudden. Ok, so I’m a liar. The fact that he’s 6’5, and still somehow adorable, is precisely why I watch…But seriously, when the Olympics are over, I think I’ll be a very good blogger. (By good I mean consistent, of course.)

Freedom in America

2008-06-26T00:22:00.003-05:00

I will not celebrate the 4th of July in the United States this year.

Honestly, I can't recall the last time I was on American soil for our national holiday.Kind of weird, huh? For the past six years I've been overseas the first week of July, so I have missed the fireworks, the food, and the fun red, white, and blue festivities.

This year I will be in Sydney, Australia attending the Hillsong Conference (which I've attended for the past two years.) The year before that, I spent the summer studying in Oxford, and well, the year before that I was gone on an overseas mission trip.So....It's been a really long time since i've stopped and contemplated what it means to live in this country.Until tonight that is...

This evening was 100% USA !!! An All-American, Norman Rockwell, Mayberry Moment. I went with some friends to the Houston Astros baseball game tonight because our friend and pastor Craig Reynolds was inducted into the Texas Baseball Hall of Fame. (Craig played for the Astros organization for years and is not only one of my favorite people on the planet, but he was also an incredible athlete. Congratulations Craig)

Back to my point. So, I'm at the baseball game (America's favorite pastime by the way) and I couldn't help but feel patriotic with the hotdogs, peanuts, and a stirring, three-part-harmony rendition of our National Anthem. I don't care how many times i hear that song, I still get a little choked up. I think it is the "rockets’ red glare" moment that gets me.I really enjoyed the game, although I can't tell you who won...I was too busy people watching and talking, of course.

Good times.

So, I arrive home from my blissful summer evening, still with a little bit of a patriotic spring in my step, and settled down for a few minutes to read the news before going to bed. What I discovered guaranteed that I would not be sleeping for a while.

I ran across an article in the NYTimes about our Christian Brothers and Sisters in Iraq. These men and women are facing intense persecution. Many are killed, tortured, and blackmailed because of their faith. I can guarantee you one thing; none of them know the meaning of "freedom of religion."

As I read of the horrific circumstances these Christians endure I thought two things: First, we must pray! These men and women are losing their lives for the name of Jesus. This isn't a story from The Book of Martyrs; this is in the NY Times for crying out loud! And second, it occurred to me that we Americans really have no clue what holiday we are about to celebrate. I know I don't really get it. Do we really have a clue about the freedom we enjoy?
The freedom to worship however we choose.
The freedom to openly confess the name of Jesus without fear of death.
The freedom to simply disagree.

Friends, please read this article about our Brothers and Sisters in Iraq. Pray for them. Also, don't allow this upcoming holiday to slip by without contemplating and celebrating the freedom we have in our country. It is a gift. Thank God for it and use this time to lift up Christians around the globe persecuted for the cause of Christ.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/26/world/middleeast/26christians.html?ex=1372219200&en=75ac9af39160c213&ei=5124&partner=permalink&exprod=permalink

Buying the Lie or Believing the Truth

2008-06-17T23:22:00.002-05:00

Recently, I spoke to hundreds of young women at High School Beach Retreat in Gulf Shores, Alabama. Normally, my ministry finds me on college campuses with an older crowd. Typically, I’m speaking to women who have experienced the brokenness of the hookup and hangover lifestyle and they are in need of both hope and healing. Facing a younger audience I felt the pressure of prevention. I imagined myself standing at the edge of a cliff and begging them not to jump off.

My heart was so burdened for these girls and for the bondage that so many of them are in at such a young age. The Lord gave me this question for them: “Are You Buying the Lie or Believing the Truth?” In this talk, I shared my testimony of “buying the lie,” and how for years I bought Satan’s lies about my worth, my value, and my identity. I told the girls how media (TV, movies, magazines, music, etc.) influenced my thinking and therefore my behavior in high school and college. I told the girls that the sad reality is this: whenever you buy something you give up something in return. And my story is the all-too-common tale of a young girl giving away her soul because she believed the lie that she would find love and acceptance in return. Sadly, far too many of them knew exactly what I was talking about.

I don’t know about you, but I’m sick and tired of Satan (the father of lies) deceiving young women.

We face a fierce enemy in our culture, but I believe with everything in my being that the Lord has called Redeemed Girl Ministries for such a time as this. I believe in the power of the gospel. I believe that they can know the Truth and the Truth will set them free. I believe by speaking the truth we can make a difference in the lives of women for eternity.

Many have asked me over the past few months, “What can we do to protect young women?” The number one thing besides consistent prayer is to protect their minds.

“A 2004 study of almost 2,000 teens found that those who watch TV with a lot of
sexual content are twice as likely to engage in intercourse as those who watch
less. ‘The impact of television viewing is so large that even a moderate shift
in the sexual content of adolescent TV watching could have a substantial effect
on their behavior.” --Generation Me , by Jean Twinge, Ph. D.

The issue facing these young girls is the daily, moment by moment, decision to believe God’s truth about whom they are, what they are worth, and how they should live. The world bombards them with the message that says: you are nothing more than a sexual object; you are only as valuable as how you look; and you are not loveable unless….

Thankfully, we can offer young woman The Truth to confront and expose the lies. The Truth is Jesus Christ and His Redeeming Grace. He alone sets the captive free from the lies of the world. He alone can tell these young girls that they are not objects to be used and discarded, but they are treasures worth dying for.

Enough is enough. Satan is a big-fat-liar!

“Jesus said, ‘the thief has come to steal, kill and destroy, but I have come
that you may have life and have it abundantly.’” John 10:10

Powerful Video Portrays Redemption

2008-06-06T13:09:00.003-05:00

Here at Redeemed Girl Ministires we love testimonies of transformed lives. When the broken is made whole, the sick made well, the captive ...set free. We believe in a God who changes lives by His power and for His glory.
Jesus redeems our lives when we receive His payment for our sin. In turn, He takes our broken lives and makes something beautiful.

A good friend of mine recently emailed me this video...it is amazing! Watch and see the power of redemption! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RvDDc5RB6FQ

Oh yes, by the way, for the record....my cardboard sign would read....

front side:
wild, drunk, and hurting party girl

back side:
REDEEMED GIRL!

If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old is gone, the new has
come!" 2 Corinthians 5:17

Sex and the City ...Uncovered

2008-06-02T16:52:00.003-05:00

The new film, Sex and the City, features four stylish New York women frequenting bars and talking bluntly about their broad range of sexual experiences. Clad in stylish attire and extremely independent, these women seem to have it all.
But this lifestyle of hookups, hangovers, and heartbreak only leads to emptiness, says author Marian Jordan. In her book, Sex and the City Uncovered, she exposes the myths behind the seemingly glamorous lifestyle. The following article is adapted from her book.

Looking for Love in All the Wrong Places

After a hard night on the town, the women of Sex and the City hit their local breakfast spot to dish on the previous evening’s events and the men it involved. The night before, Carrie, as a local celebrity of sorts, was called upon to judge a firefighters’ calendar contest on Staten Island. One ferry ride and several Staten Island Iced Teas later, the girls found themselves in foreign territory. Samantha, of course, was enamored with the smokin’ hot body of one of the firemen, while Carrie met a handsome politician who had the hots for her. Charlotte indulged in one too many cocktails, and as a result she is nursing quite a headache the next morning.
Back on the island—Manhattan, that is—their get-together results in a lively discussion of the topic “Why do women love firemen?” Miranda leads the charge with her observations, and the others follow suit. Their conversation is the typical brunch banter until Charlotte chimes in with her reason, bringing the table to a stunned silence: “Women just really want to be rescued.” She sighs as she props up her aching head with her hands. You could hear a pin drop as the other women stare back at her in disbelief. Did she really just say that? At this point Carrie, in a voice-over, describes Charlotte’s comment as “the statement single women in their thirties are never supposed to think, much less say out loud.”

The Confession

Knowing that Charlotte is the hopeful romantic of the bunch, it comes as no surprise to us that she utters the words that “single women in their thirties are never supposed to think, much less say out loud.” Of course, she is the one to confess, “Women just really want to be rescued.” But what’s the big deal? Did she say something wrong? Why are the others so shocked? Is Charlotte still drunk? Or maybe, just maybe, she has stumbled onto something. Do women really long to be rescued? Is there something deep down inside each of us that would love to have the white knight sweep in and carry us away? I think for most girls the answer is, “Yes!”
Recently I watched the hit show The Bachelor. This particular season the bachelor happened to be a real prince. Fighting for his affection and attention were twenty-five beautiful women. In the two-hour premiere, one common theme resonated from the women: they wanted the fairy tale. As the evening progressed and the alcohol flowed, the women revealed more and more of their hearts’ true desires. Each wanted to be chosen by the prince and for her childhood longings of being a princess to come true. As I watched the episode and listened to their comments, I thought, This is reality television. Hungering for love and desiring to be chosen, these women had picked up their lives and moved to a castle in Rome in hopes of being rescued by Prince Charming.

So why did the Sex and the City characters, and perhaps many of us, bristle at Charlotte’s comment? It seems the other characters are much too independent and savvy to admit this inner longing. They pride themselves on self-sufficiency and hope to evolve past any notions of having needs and longings, so they blast Charlotte’s old-fashioned idea with a dose of reality. Reality, according to Miranda, is that “the white knight only exists in the movies.” Her reply rings with bitterness toward men and a lack of trust in anyone but herself. The same is true of Carrie’s response, except she takes a different approach, saying, “Did you ever think we’re supposed to rescue ourselves?” There it is—the motto of the modern single woman: “I don’t need anyone, and I can do it all by myself.”

Charlotte does not buy their dismissals, and her response to their advice is revealing when she replies, “That’s depressing!” And we have to admit, it is, but why? Probably because as women, since the first time we played with Barbie, we’ve imagined Ken coming in his sports car to rescue her from the clutches of GI Joe. This is part of the fabric of being a girl. But surely, some would say, we’ve all grown up and put those childish dreams behind us. After all, hasn’t life taught us some pretty tough lessons? White knights don’t always come to the rescue, and sometimes, let’s face it, Ken actually likes GI Joe. For some of us, these life lessons have left us hard and a little jaded too. So, like Miranda, it’s easier to shove the desire to be rescued behind us and pretend it’s just a fantasy.
But what if it’s not? Let’s imagine just for a moment that it’s real—the fairy tale, the hero, and all the stuff that romantic movies thrive on. Let’s imagine for just a minute that it is a legitimate longing and examine why Charlotte’s confession resonates with us. Why do women long to be rescued? Why is this desire ingrained in the heart of every little girl? To answer this question, we must dig a little deeper and ask some fundamental questions.

The Rescue

First, what is meant by the word rescue? The word rescue means “to set free, as from danger or imprisonment; to save.” (Kudos, Mr. Webster.) From the damsel in distress, who is tied to train tracks as a high-speed locomotive approaches, to the princess, who is locked away in the perilous castle, the role of the hero is to save his lady from whatever enemy she faces.
I’ll be honest: life’s been so intense at times that I’ve daydreamed that someone comes along and takes me away from it all. I’ve gazed out my office window hoping to see Prince Charming ride up on his white horse (or in an SUV—I’m not really picky about the mode of transportation). Just like Charlotte, I did my share of barhopping in the past, hoping to meet “the one.” But I’ve realized the desire to be rescued goes much deeper than just a longing for a man. I know plenty of women with great men who still have this desire. Women identify with the longing to be rescued—young and old, married and single, rich and poor. Ladies, this desire is bigger than any man can fill.
Because this is a common desire, is there also then a common problem? In other words, is there something that we all need to be rescued from? Is there something basic to all of us that causes us to feel like we need help or we need to be set free? What is it that makes us hope and dream that someone will come along who can make all right in our world? Our desire to be rescued implies we are held captive … imprisoned.
But what is this prison?
I believe the universal prison in which we are all held is best described in a country song from the ’80s by Waylon Jennings called “Lookin’ for Love in All the Wrong Places.”

The Prison

The song is a classic because everyone can identify with the problem. Here’s the point: this song describes, and human experience confirms, that humankind is in a prison—a perpetual and fruitless search for something or someone to make us feel loved, complete, and whole. Each one of us has an empty place in our hearts that aches to be filled.
You know the ache I’m talking about. You aren’t satisfied; you don’t feel complete; something is missing, and you keep hoping that the next relationship or the next job or even a new outfit will remedy the ache, but it doesn’t. Life can be going along great, and, yet, that empty gnawing is still there—the one that cries out, “I still haven’t found what I’m looking for!” And as a result, we desperately search and we hunt for a love that will fill our emptiness and make us feel complete. And on and on and on we go.
This is my story. I went looking for love in all kinds of places, only to find myself more empty and confused as a result. From parties to people, from shopping to men, job promotions and even more parties … hoping something would bring me a sense of security or love. Happy hour eventually is over, the guy inevitably fails to be perfect, and food may fill a stomach but not a soul. My disillusionment eventually led to despair. Life seemed without hope and joy seemed elusive. I was captive to the emptiness.
I see this same desperation and disappointment in the lives of the women portrayed on the show Sex and the City. While on the surface everything appears glamorous and exciting, if you take a step back and evaluate their soul-searching questions, you see women who are hoping for someone to rescue them from the pain and emptiness they feel.
For example, let’s consider Charlotte. Like most of us girls, she hopes to find the love her heart longs for in a man. She is by far the most hopeful romantic of the crew. Over the six seasons of Sex and the City, we watched as she searched from man to man hoping to find “the one” who would complete her. Did she find him? Well, yes and no. She did get married (two times, in fact), but once she found a husband, did he fill her emptiness? No. The last season ended with Charlotte hoping the ache in her heart would be filled with a child. So, her search continues.
Can you relate? How often do you tell yourself the following? • If I were married, then my life would be perfect.• Or, If I had a better job, then I would be satisfied. • Or, When I buy my own house, then I will be happy.• Or what about this one? When I lose ten pounds, then I will feel OK.
We believe the solution to the restlessness we feel is remedied by finding something or someone to fill the emptiness in our hearts. But as we all know, those things may work for a season, but after a while that old familiar ache returns and we move on to the next thing or the next person, thinking that this time we will find what we are looking for.
This is why I call “looking for love in all the wrong places” a prison. For some of us it can be a life sentence. The pursuit to fill the void can be endless and full of disappointment. But that leads us to the most important question of all: what caused this emptiness in the first place?
The answer is found in the Bible. In Scripture we are told the story of God and how our problem of “looking for love” first began. The Bible tells us that humanity is created by God and for God. Translation: He is the Designer and Creator of Life, so in order to find out how things got all jacked up in our world, we must go back to the “Designer’s manual.”
Let’s play Fantasy Island for just a minute and imagine Dolce & Gabana designs a one-of-a-kind outfit just for you. It goes without saying that they would know best how this outfit is supposed to be worn (the perfect accessories, fit, shoes, etc.). Why? Because they are the designers. Hello? That’s the same with God. As our Creator, we need to look to Him and His Word (a.k.a. The Bible) to understand how life was meant to be lived. So for us to understand why we deal with insecurity, self-doubt, restlessness, and a perpetually empty soul, we must turn to the original design to see what God created us for and what went wrong.

The Beginning

In the beginning, God placed the human race in a beautiful garden that He filled with everything they needed for a life of joy, peace, and purpose. Adam and Eve were provided for and given the responsibility to rule over and care for God’s creation. And right from the start, God declared our identity (the “who am I?” question) when He looked on the first man and woman and declared us to be “very good” (Gen. 1:31).
This is a powerful moment. When God speaks over Adam and Eve the word good, He establishes their identity. You know how when you fall in love, one of the best things about being with that special person is how they make you feel about yourself? Well, that is the situation we have here. Our God-given design is one that when we are in relationship with Him, we know who we are and we know we are loved. As the Designer, He alone has the authority to name and define—and His declaration of His design from the very beginning was “very good.”
Here’s the thing: originally humankind didn’t need to be rescued from “looking for love in all the wrong places.” Why not, you ask? Because all was right and good in our world—we didn’t struggle with the self-doubt, insecurity, restlessness, and emptiness that you and I experience today. You see, it was never God’s original design for people to suffer from the nagging inadequacies we feel.

The Design

Uncovered. Naked and not ashamed! This is the condition of man and woman while living in the midst of the unconditional love of God. Adam and Eve didn’t know the meaning of insecurity. They didn’t ask questions such as, “Am I good enough? Am I pretty enough? Will I be accepted? Am I lovable?” Eve never asked, “Does this fig leaf make me look fat?”
Identity is something that is bestowed. We cannot define ourselves. Today, we are always looking outside of ourselves for someone to tell us who we are, but for Adam and Eve, the question of their identity wasn’t up for debate. First of all, when God created them, He essentially said, “You are good and you don’t need to do anything to prove yourself or seek anyone else to tell you that you are worthy of love.” So, for Adam and Eve, the self-worth question was solved. If the God of the universe, who spoke the world into existence, said they were good—then that settled it.
Girlfriends, can you fathom walking into a room and never thinking, Do I look OK? Just imagine being fully known, explicitly seen, and fully loved—never fearing rejection, never meeting a new group of people and feeling like you don’t belong. Try to imagine having a confidence that isn’t based on fickle things such as money, a new pair of shoes, or attracting male attention.

The Scam

The pure freedom and unshakable confidence Adam and Eve experienced were wonderful while they lasted, but the harmony and beauty of Eden were shattered when Satan entered the scene.
Satan (starring as the Serpent) scammed Eve into disobeying God. This deception is the root cause of our perpetual search for love and completion today—the real reason we are looking for love in all the wrong places and we all long to be rescued.
Satan tricked Eve. But it is important to note just exactly how this ruse went down. First, he caused her to doubt God by asking, “Did God really say?” Then he outright called God a liar when he suggested, “Surely, you won’t die.” By leading Eve to doubt the truthfulness of God’s word, Satan undermined her trust in God.
Satan’s scam was basically an attack on the goodness of God. His theory went something like this: if God is good, then He would allow you to eat of any tree. God must be bad because He said you can’t eat of this certain tree.
Eve bought into the lie. She rebelled against her God—her source of life, security, and love.
Perhaps you’ve been in a similar situation. You hear a great marketing pitch about a new cosmetic product that promises to eliminate wrinkles, cellulite, bad breath, and make you taller all at the same time. Sold, you charge the wonder pill to your credit card (at only $49.99 a month for the rest of your life) only later to discover . . . you’ve been scammed! The whole thing is a lie. The wonder pill isn’t so wonderful. It doesn’t deliver on its promises, and with it comes a whole new world of side effects. This is exactly like Satan’s promise to Eve, except the side effects of his scam were far more devastating—they were life altering.
Today, many women, like Eve, are deceived— believing the lie that the love we hunger for is found in the alluring lifestyle portrayed on Sex and the City. Masked behind couture fashion, clever writing, and beautiful people is a life of searching and desperation. I know because I’ve been there myself. The lure is clever, but the promises don’t deliver. Here’s the big problem with deception: you don’t know it’s a lie until you face the consequences.
We were not created for life separated from God. When Adam and Eve chose to dethrone God and cut the cord of dependence—by deciding for themselves what is good and evil—humankind indeed got independence from God. And this independence is the source of every heartache, disappointment, and the emptiness we experience in the world today.
Today, we all experience the loss and separation that resulted from Adam and Eve’s fatal decision. Instead of knowing peace and security, we feel angst and incompleteness. Instead of knowing who we are and if we are loved, we are constantly searching and striving for someone to tell us who we are. Our desire to be rescued, therefore, finds its origin in the human need to be reconnected with our Creator—to be back in the place of security and rest that comes from being in His presence—simply, the place we were created to inhabit.
Charlotte is right. Women really do want to be rescued!

The Rest of the Story

I’m just a girl who believed the lie that the deep longings of my soul could be fulfilled in the lifestyle portrayed on Sex and the City. Rescued from the emptiness, I’m here to tell other women the rest of the story. God doesn’t abandon us. He knows our design. He knows apart from Him we are searching, restless, and incomplete. And because He loves us with this incomprehensible love, He comes to rescue us and set us free from our prison of “looking for love in all the wrong places.”

Adapted from Sex and the City Uncovered, by Marian Jordan. Published by B&H Publishing Group. Used with permission.

Marian's appearance on The 700 Club

2008-05-30T13:32:00.003-05:00

Hey friends.
Check out my recent appearance on The 700 Club.
I was there discussing the release of Sex and the City --the movie.

http://cbn.com/700club/guests/bios/Marian_Jordan_052808.aspx

Redeemed Girl News

2008-05-08T13:33:00.003-05:00

http://blip.tv/file/886939

Check out this video to see testimonies and info about Girls' Night Out Events, Sex and the City Uncovered and my upcoming book Wilderness Skills for Women.

true confession

2008-04-29T21:57:00.005-05:00

I voted five times for Jason Castro tonight on American Idol.

Is that wrong?

I Love to Dance!

2008-04-22T20:17:00.004-05:00

"Velcro... Next to the Walkman and Tab it is the coolest invention
of the 20th century!" Lynn (Helen Hunt) –Girls Just Wanna Have Fun

Girls…do you mind if I call you that? I'll explain later…okay, I have a
confession… I love 80's movies! Can't Buy Me Love, The Breakfast Club, Pretty in Pink, Sixteen Candles, Ferris Buellers Day Off, Footloose, and When Harry Met Sally. Each is a classic. But there is one movie that will forever hold a treasured place in my heart and it is the one—the only—Girls Just Wanna Have Fun!

I can vividly recall my 8th grade slumber party in which a throng of preteen girls reenacted scene by scene, or rather step by step of this ground-breaking film. We were so cool. So why did/do I love Girls Just Wanna Have Fun? For starters, I'm always a big fan of movies that include dancing, but throw in neon spandex and you've got yourself a hit. But the number one reason I adore this classic is not for the fashion—though it is exceptional—I heart this movie because of one line, "I LOVE to dance!"

Janey (Sarah Jessica Parker—pre Carrie Bradshaw days) is the new girl in town. Soon she meets Lynne (Helen Hunt) who shares her passion for dancing in general, and "Dance TV" in particular. When a competition is announced to find a new Dance TV regular couple, the girls are determined to audition. Honestly I was hooked long before the dance off began. I was a sold the minute Janey looked at Lynn and said the words "I LOVE to dance."

You see, Janey's words resonated with something deep inside me. I too was a girl who longed to dance. I'm not at all saying I was good or even on beat for that matter—but I longed for the sheer bliss of simply letting go and dancing like you just don't care. For Janey, dancing was an expression of freedom. And my heart also desired—deeply desired to be free—free to dance.

Until I met Jesus Christ I was a girl who was anything but free. Shackled to intense insecurity, emptiness, sin, and shame—everything in me wanted to break loose. But I was a prisoner until the day—nearly a decade ago—when Jesus Christ redeemed me with His powerful love and grace. Redeemed! Set Free! Released from the hurt, shame, and emptiness that was my life apart from Him. Today my dancing springs from a deep current of life surging inside me that knows the exquisite joy of being a Redeemed Girl —and you guessed it, "I LOVE to dance!"

"It is for freedom that Christ set you free!" Galatians 5:1

You had me at “fried pie!”

2008-04-21T17:10:00.005-05:00

As an author and speaker my work keeps me traveling.
For this reason, I’m blessed to see and experience the uniqueness of this amazing country of ours. Just recently I happened upon another cultural phenom….the fried pie.
Now, if you are from the South you’ve probably experienced the delicious goodness that I’m about to describe.
If not, then I’m sorry for so many reasons.

a. The fried pie is exactly what the name implies—a pie that is fried.
b. Within the flaky folded fried dough one can put their choice of filling: peach, blueberry, chocolate, pecan, and of course, apple.

I’m an apple girl.

I encountered the carb and sugar gold mine off Route 77 in Oklahoma just 3 miles shy of the high road to Falls Creek Camp. But girls, let me just say my mouth started watering the minute I saw the gigantic billboard promising “fried pies ahead” miles before on the interstate. When I saw the sign I began explaining to my traveling companions my affinity for the fried pie. You see, my grandmother made these for me when I was a little girl AND you get all the goodness of an apple pie in a convenient hand-size package.

What’s not to love?

As we neared the exit, I thought to myself, “Will my skinny little girlfriends really stop for a treat?” Then, clearing my throat I asked, “Do you think we have enough time for a quick stop?” From the back seat my size 2 friend said,
“Girlfriend, You had me at fried pie!”
You simply have no idea how much I loved all 100 pounds of her in that moment.

Elated with our off-the-beaten path discovery, we veered off our route for fried pie paradise. Once inside we walked straight up to the counter where we were greeted by the loveliest woman you’ll ever meet. I’m sure it’s hard not to be bubbly when you’re making other people happy all day long.

I digress.

After much debate amongst my traveling crew concerning apple or apricot and to split or not to split—we finally landed on two pies each in a variety of flavors so that we could each get a nibble.
Words fail …Grandma …I’m sorry, but that was the best thing I’ve ever tasted.

So, like I said I was in Oklahoma that particular weekend to speak at a women’s conference. Naturally, before I began my first talk I described in detail and with much passion the fried pie experience.

Fast-forward two days.

On our way back to the airport we decided to stop again at Fried Pie Paradise and stock up for the flight home. As we pulled back in the parking lot we gasped at the sight before our eyes….there was now a line wrapping through the building and out into the parking lot!
It seems my testimony had power.
As I stood in line for nearly an hour to purchase my road trip treat I thought about the power of a personal testimony.

A testimony is simply one person’s account of something. As Christians, our testimonies are our explanation to the world of what God has done in our lives.

For example, my testimony is …
· Jesus redeemed me from a life of sin by dying in my place on the cross.
· Jesus healed me from the painful events of my past and put the broken pieces of my life back together again.
· Jesus is transforming me from the inside out—I am a new creation! I am a redeemed girl!
· Jesus is the reason I live. He gives my life purpose and power.
· Jesus guides me, leads me, protects me, provides for me….
· Jesus, He loves me.
· Jesus is my testimony.

Friends, in Jesus Christ we have something far better than a momentary treat to share with others…we have the key to life itself. Yet, so often we remain silent about the very thing we should be the most passionate about….our relationship with Him.

As I stood in line at Fried Pie Paradise I hoped and prayed that the women from the conference walked away with far more than a tip on a great place to get dessert. My greatest desire is that they know My Redeemer.

I learned a lesson that day. If Redeemed Girls would begin to testify about their Redeemer with the same amount of passion and enthusiasm as we do about new shoes, new recipes, new sales, new diet secrets—our “testimonies” would rock this world with God’s grace.

So dear friend, share the love. Tell the world. Don’t keep a secret your testimony in Jesus Christ. Perhaps, one day a friend will say to you, "Girl, you had me at Jesus."

And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. 1 John 5:11-12

American Idol's Nameless Savior

2008-04-12T19:58:00.001-05:00

I wept during American Idol tonight. Probably not for the reason the show’s producers hoped I would be in tears. it was not the fact that Idol raised millions to help the poor that I cried (although I love the fact that they are “giving back.”) Nope, the reason I wept was at the omission of one name. The name I love more than anything else in the world.
The beautiful name of Jesus.
The talented final eight contestants gathered on stage for a final performance and sang (to my shock and awe) “Shout to the Lord!” When I heard the familiar chords playing I sprinted from my office to the living room and watched in disbelief as the Idol contestants belted out one of my all-time favorite praise songs.
I praised right on with them….until the chorus that is.
I waited as the music built for the dramatic chorus and I anticipated the next line.
Would Michael Johns actually sing “my Jesus, my Savior?”
Alas, he would not.
It seems the producers omitted the Source, the Person, the Savior for which the song is written and ironically the Only One who can deliver the poor and give genuine hope to the nations.
When the contestants finished “shouting to a nameless Lord” I fell on my knees and wept for the state of this world. We cry out for mercy for the poor, healing for the hurt, and hope for the hopeless—and yet, we reject the God who offers us life itself.
I’m not anti-Idol now. I’m just sad.
So, as the credits rolled I sat crossed legged on my hard wood floors and wept for a world that needs redemption and grieved at a moment of authentic worship that could have been.
But, the one thing I know is this…no one will omit His name from my lips. I’ll close with some powerful words from the book of Acts. May they remind all of us of the power in the Name of Jesus!

With that, Peter, full of the Holy Spirit, let loose: "Rulers and leaders of the people, if we have been brought to trial today for helping a sick man, put under investigation regarding this healing, I'll be completely frank with you—we have nothing to hide. By the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, the One you killed on a cross, the One God raised from the dead, by means of his name this man stands before you healthy and whole. Jesus is 'the stone you masons threw out, which is now the cornerstone.' Salvation comes no other way; no other name has been or will be given to us by which we can be saved, only this one."
Acts 4:10-12 (The Message)

Grits and Girlfriends

2008-04-07T18:03:00.001-05:00

I love my girlfriends.
Several of them came over this morning for brunch. I feel so archaic using the word brunch in a sentence, but alas, we are now ladies who brunch…and we simply love it! This gathering was a reunion of sorts for a group of us who traveled to Europe together a few years back. Soon the table talk would turn quickly to statements like “do you remember those hideous shoes you wore…” and “was that really the lead singer of Hootie and the Blowfish?”
Rewind.
My friends showed up this morning like a gaggle of pink and purple Easter chickens all chirpy and excited for our girls’ reunion. All the giddiness must have given them temporary amnesia because they obviously forgot who they were dealing with and that they were sooooooooooooooooooooo early.
Planned, Punctual, and Practical—not three words that would describe yours truly.
I, the hostess of this get-together am running my typical 10 minutes behind. Who am I kidding? I am running 10 days late. You see, I can never calculate the time it takes to complete simple tasks like: getting dressed, making coffee, taking out the trash, shoving my entire wardrobe (dirty and clean) into my closet and willing the door to close so that my room at least looks clean—a girls’ got a lot to do before 10am. So, needless to say when they arrive 15 minutes til…. I was soooooo not ready.
The door flings open to laughter and casserole dishes and my frazzled self forgetting what Miss Manners would say so I exclaim “you’re early!”
Breathless, I commence to enumerate the reasons why they should delay their arrival at least 9 minutes. And then, with perplexed looks upon their faces, in unison they chimed “but….it’s us.”

It’s us implies….we know the real you. We know your closet is jammed with all the stuff that was 5 seconds ago on your bedroom floor.
It’s us implies…like we care if you aren’t Martha Steward or Betty Crocker or whoever the current standard of female perfection is today.
It’s us implies….we’d rather help you set the table so we can do it together than walk into a immaculately arranged affair.
It’s us implies…girl I’ve seen you at your worst and at your best and I still love you.
It’s us implies….you don’t have to be anything but you.

One of the greatest gifts of my life is the amazing girlfriends the Lord has blessed me with. William Shakespeare once said, “I am wealthy in friends” and I must agree. God has grace me with friends who have walked with me through the painful wilderness seasons and friends that have celebrated with me on the mountaintop. But mostly, He’s given me friends who love and accept me just as I am—mess and all.

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights. James 1:17 New International Version