January/February 2008

Dear Sister, waiting patiently for your Master,

I pray that you are enjoying the new year in Jesus! Time has soared by so quickly that I can hardly believe it is winter! I cannot remember a time in the history of my life that time has gone by so fast! It is as if you blink and a year is gone. This gives me all the more reason to savor every minute God gives me in this season of my life, for soon it will only be a memory. Our winters have been unseasonably warm for the past few years. I was playing outside with children on December 21. It was too warm to zip up their jackets! Then, on New Year’s Day, we had our first “real” snowfall of the season. I was so delighted! My family is doing fair, as God remains His same, faithful Self. I am currently “on call” for my dear friend who is expecting her 5th baby. We are so excited! I can’t wait to go and be with the other children as we wait on the arrival of sweet little Samuel. I am enjoying these cold, icy days of blankets, reading, writing, and warm cider, but am anticipating Spring and gardening. I am excited to see what God has in store for the Summer. He always surprises me. I hope you enjoy the third issue of Watching For The Morning .

Waiting For Snow

The first snowfall of the season is always so exciting to me. As soon as the first autumn frost appears on the ground, I begin waiting, watching for snow. If there is a 20% chance of snow flurries in the forecast, I get almost too excited to sleep. This year, I’ve had to wait even longer than usual. Our first real snow did not fall until New Year’s Day. When I saw it, I ran outside, too excited to grab a coat, and I just stood in the middle of the front yard. I lifted my head toward the sky so I could feel each snowflake on my face. It was so exhilarating! I began thanking God for the beautiful snow, while saying a quick prayer for safety for those traveling. Sure, the neighbors probably thought I was crazy if they saw me, but I was in such bliss, that was the least of my concerns. Back inside, getting warm, I realized that the beauty and the joy of the snow
came from waiting so long for it. If we had snow every day, it wouldn’t be nearly exciting. If it had come in October rather than January, it would not have been as precious to me. This reminded me of all the poor girls and young women who are “casting their pearls before swine”, and dating various boys and mens to fulfill their “now” longing for a lifelong mate. These are usually the ones who find marriage so disappointing and dull, and many times it tragically ends in divorce. How precious, how beautiful, and how joyful it will be when GOD brings forth a rightful husband to those precious, virtuous women who have waited hopefully and patiently, who have walked by faith alone, placing their trust only in HIM. It will be like waiting for snow that falls at just the perfect time. And when it comes, it will seem as though you have not waited long at all.

You Are His Beloved

One evening while in my prayer closet, I got still and quiet. That is usually somewhat hard for me, because I always have so much to say to the Lord. However, it surely is worth the wait if you can just get quiet before Him and listen to what He has to whisper to your heart. On this particular night, in the very depths of my heart, I could hear Him singing His love over me! Yes, singing! I was amazed beyond words. The God of the universe would take time to sing over me?! Of course I knew it was in His Word (Zephaniah 3:17), but the reality of it was still hard for my humanity to swallow. Do you know what He was singing? He was singing, “You are My Beloved” of all things! My Creator, My Heavenly Father, My Master, My King was telling me that I was His beloved!!! This is nearly too much for me to fathom! I certainly understand the Psalmist’s thoughts when he declared,
“Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain it.” Psalms 139:6
Being in His presence, hearing Him sing over my being took me back to a praise chorus I had heard last summer that I cannot get off my mind. The words are inspired by Song of Solomon 4:9. I had seen it on wedding programs, yet I had not really thought of it as God’s heart toward me. The song repeated:
“You have ravished my heart, with one glimpse of your eyes. How fair is your love, my promised, my bride”.

As I first listened to these words put to music, my heart was melted by the fire of God’s overwhelming love towards me. I realized all over again that it could never be by anything I do that could earn this unfathomable love. After all, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8)! I was truly swept off my feet! I was reminded that this is not only a declaration of love between a mortal man and woman. This is God’s own heart toward His Bride- you and I!
I believe that the true essence of Songs of Solomon is God’s love song for all those who have accepted Jesus as their Bridegroom. God not only loves us with a protective, fatherly love, but also with a fiery, passionate, jealous love- much deeper than that of a man and woman head over heels in love! This truth is overwhelming to my human heart! His holy, jealous love requires us to worship Him, and Him only (Exodus 20:5). He alone is worthy of all of our praise! He knows how much trouble we can get into by chasing after other people and things. He desires the best for us. He treasures us as a good husband treasures his wife. He shows ownership of us. He has bought us with a great price. We are engraved upon His hand. He has redeemed us, called us by name. We are His (1Corinthians 6:20, Isaiah 49:16, Isaiah 43:1)!
Dear sister, if you are walking with Jesus, you lack nothing! Your earthly courtship or marriage will never be as rich as the intimate communion Christ longs to have with you this very moment. He has written you a very long love letter- and in it, He has given instructions on how to deepen your relationship with Him, how to please Him, how to grow. The beautiful thing about this “letter” is that it never grows dull. It is so multi-faceted.
It is brand new and fresh every time we read it. Read your Bible daily. Study it! Eat and savor it like a fancy gourmet meal! It is life to your being (Proverbs 4:20-22)! I know that it is only natural to sometimes feel lonely as you wait for the husband God has prepared for you, but you must know that your God is WITH you. He is not just floating around you or simply aware of you. He is with you and in you! He is working out every situation in your life for your good (Romans 8:28). What an amazing thought! I encourage you to take time out of your day and listen to the Lover of your Soul singing over you. Allow Him to have all the secrets of your heart. He already knows, but loves hearing them from you. Allow Him to speak to your heart. I have no doubt that if you listen close enough, you will hear Him say, “You are my Beloved!”

”As a bridegroom rejoices over his bride, so will your GOD rejoice over you.”
Isaiah 62:5b

“The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing.”
Zephaniah 3:17

“Do you think God will drop a man from the sky?!”

You may be surprised how many people have asked me this question. Or maybe, people have said similar things to you. I have a dear, well-meaning uncle who used to tell the story of “The man who drowned” every time I was in the same room as him. For those of you who haven’t heard the story, my uncle’s version goes something like this. . .
“Once, there was a man who was lost at sea. He was being carried away by mighty waves and he cried out to God, “God, save me!”. A boat went by. The man cried again, “God! Please save me!”. Then, a plane flew overhead. Eventually, the man went under and drowned. When He got to Heaven, he asked God, “Lord, why didn’t you save me? ” And God supposedly said, “I sent a plane, and a boat, but you wouldn’t flag them down. So you drowned.”
It doesn’t take a Bible scholar to see that this “story” is quite unbiblical. But, what often bothers me is the amazing pressure of family and acquaintances to “fix you up” with a man for a date, even when they know where you stand on the issue. Oh, they say it’s “nothing serious”. Just dinner and conversation. Even the church is saturated with this “harmless- fun -getting-to-know- a- possible- suitor” game. It’s bad enough that large families are approached with questions, along with criticism and looks of condemnation. But well-meaning people, (especially the Church) are discouraging young single women in their faith and obedience to the Lord as well. How disheartening!
My extended family and friends of the family have plotted many “set-ups” on my behalf over the years. From “The nice Christian boy at church” to the “Prominent young man who owns much land and has a booming business”, they’ve pressured, harassed, even violated my identity by giving out my picture and phone number to strangers! And in the midst of all their work, I have sometimes vaguely wondered if I could have missed God. But, do you know what? God is so amazing that He has confirmed every single time that it truly was not Him at all. He has even allowed me to see some of these “prospects” a year or so later and the life they are leading. Wow. All I can say, is “Thank you, Lord!!” Oh, how He protects and preserves us without us even being aware of it!
I give God the glory that He is my Master- Matchmaker, and He is more than enough! I can trust Him. You can too. He won’t make one mistake. He’ll work it out to His liking, and for your best, if you leave it in His hands. I know you can’t always see Him working, but you must know that He is always at work. When you can’t see Him, trust Him.

I want to share dinner with my husband and be able to truthfully say to him, “Darling, you’re the first man I’ve shared an intimate meal with”. I want to talk with him on the phone when we aren’t physically together and sincerely say, “Honey, I enjoy every minute of our phone conversations together. They’re even more special, because I never wasted hours of vain blabbering on boys or men I was ‘dating’ at the moment”. I want to cook his favorite meal and serve it to him under candle light and be satisfied in my heart that I’ve never done such for another. I want to leave love letters and flirtatious little post-it notes in his lunch box or in his vehicle or on his pillow, and know that I’ve never wasted the ink, paper, or my heart in that way on another man. I want to “date” my husband, even if it’s a picnic in the back yard and have the assurance that he’s a keeper and I don’t have to worry about a “break-up”.
Will it be worth all my denials of the Mr. Church Go-ers, Mr. Land Owners, Mr. Widowers, and Mr. Calls to No Avail? You’d better believe it!
I must add something else.
Romans 4 tells us about Abraham- how he believed God, despite his old age and the “deadness of Sarah’s womb”. He still believed God for a son. It says he “hoped against hope”. Being not weak in faith, he considered not the circumstance or how things looked in the natural. He was “fully persuaded” that God was able to perform this miracle. And it was imputed to him for righteousness. Romans 4:3 repeats,
Abraham believed God and it was counted unto him for righteousness.I love this! It was not his giving into what everyone else was saying, or doing what his logic told him to do (Just look at how the whole Ishmael situation turned out.) that was accounted to him as righteousness. It was not by flagging down planes and boats, assuming God was driving them that earned him this godly character trait. It was his faith in God to perform the impossible! Isn’t that amazing?!
Oh, dear, precious sister, who longs to be married but feels like melting under the heated pressure of well meaning and not so well-meaning passers by, please remember WHO you serve! Remember that He has a plan for you! Know what you will say before the situation arises. Do not feel you have to debate or convince someone of your convictions. I have found it to be extremely rare that they are “won over”. Just state your faith is in God. Smile, and walk away if you must. But, do not forget WHO is in control and WHO has the pen of your love story! And be reminded in your humble heart that your faith in God is accounted unto you as righteousness.

As I Wait. . .

A poem by Amber Moran

As I wait I find I am renewed with strength.

For You promise God to fill me And cause me to soar, to soar like an eagle.

And I’ve claimed that promise and have found it true.

Your love surrounds me as I wait and I’m drawing close to You.

For In my waiting I find, that I am taken to a place I’ve never been…

To a place of absolute surrender

To a place of complete trust

To a place where I find my hope in You alone In You alone Jesus, only You.

And then comes peace and joy flooding into my soul, like I’ve never known, like I’ve never known

See in my waiting, as I’ve knelt before You over and over again seeking You,

My Lord and Friend, You revealed Yourself to me like You never had before and I came to love You more I came to love You more…

Oh God, You promise me I’ll soar,

And You promise the reward…to those who wait, to those who wait

Lord I’m waiting Lord, I’m trusting…. And not only will I fly, but I will testify, of You Of your faithfulness…

You’ll put a new song in my mouth and I will never doubt You are good You are good Unbelievably good…

Especially For Teenagers

“Teenagers” is one word I just do not like. I think “virtuous young ladies” is a much more lovely term for Christians young women who strive to obey the Lord. I am so honored to include a full article which was beautifully written by my sweet “niece” in Jesus. I have been blessed to baby-sit for her (when she was younger) and her siblings for years. I am so proud of her pursuit of godliness, her refusal to compromise, and her relentless walking forward in Truth. I love you, Demie!

A Foreword by Edee Moore, Demie’s Mother: Recently, I heard a popular Christian radio host introduce a program on “teenagers” by laughingly stating that, when he gets to Heaven, he has one question for God: “Why did you create the teenage years?” Immediately, I knew the nature of this program. I had to smile as I imagined God’s response to that question: “Oh, but I didn’t create the so-called ‘‘teenage years.’’ YOU did!”

This prompted yet another interesting conversation with my “teenagers.” Over the years, we’ve heard all the original and unique comments that I’m sure you’ve all heard. “You just wait until they’re teenagers!” “They may be cute now, but they’ll soon be teens.” “Your Daddy will have to stand on the front porch with a shotgun to chase off all those boys!” Oh, I could go on, but you know them all! I’ve even been advised that God allows the rebellion of the teenage years in order to prepare the parents for the “inevitable” separation between their children and themselves. In other words, they’ll make you so miserable, you’ll want them to leave home!!

When all of our children were small, the Lord gently opened mine and my husband’s eyes. He showed us, through His Word, that this pervading viewpoint of our society (including the worldly church) is a lie straight from the father of all lies. Although we felt inadequate to give an answer to the comments above, we felt sure that, following God’s plan, our children would be different than we were during those so-called “teen” years.

And, I’m so happy to report, they are! At sixteen and fifteen, Demie and Dane’’ are loving, obedient, respectful, modest, helpful, mature, and sweet Godly young ladies! They are fast becoming mine and my husband’s best friends and closest confidantes. Typical? No. Possible? Yes. But more than possible; it’s what God desires and expects from His people.

The following is the response from our sixteen year old daughter, Demie. Praise God – we don’t hear those teenager comments anymore! Why did God Create the Teenage Years?

Why did the Lord create the teenage years? The answer to this question depends on one’s perspective of the teenage years. If someone asked this question believing that this time in the life of a young person is a negative time, a time when youth become selfish, arrogant and rebellious, then the problem is not with the answer, but the question. God did not design those years to be that way. No, not at all! Mankind has twisted this time of life into having the notorious reputation that it has today. Young people in their teen years are bashed in this day and age (even by professing Christians) and, unfortunately, the average teen is living up to the negative expectations and even using them as an excuse to get away with bad attitudes and ungodly behavior. I believe that the devil played a big part in this.

What does the Bible say about youth? In

1 Timothy 4:12 the apostle Paul urges Timothy to honor God with his youthfulness saying, “Let no man despise thy youth: but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.” What high standards to live up to! And so opposite of how the world believes that teenagers will behave themselves.

There are many examples of Godly young people in the Bible – David, when he killed Goliath; King Josiah, who was sixteen when “he began to seek after the God of David his father and eighteen when he began to purge Judah and Jerusalem of idolatry (2 Chronicles 34:3); Jeremiah, when he was called to be a prophet; Daniel, when he was captured and taken to Babylon and “purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’’s meat, nor with the wine which he drank” (Dan. 1:8); Esther, when she became queen and risked her life to save her people; Mary, when she became the mother of Jesus. But Jesus Himself is, of course, our very best example. Could anyone have caught Mary saying with a frustrated sigh to a neighbor, “Oh, Jesus is a teenager now. You know how that goes!” No! The Bible says in Luke 2:40 “And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon Him.” And in verses 51 & 52, “And He went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them ……And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and man.” Jesus, who is the King of the universe, humbled Himself to be subject to His earthly parents, whom He had created! Philippians 2:5 tells us, “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:”

In 1 Corinthians 13 Paul says “When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.” (The definition for the word child here, from the concordance, is: [implying negation] not speaking, i.e. an infant, a simple-minded person, an immature Christian:-babe.) The teen years should be a time when young people begin to put away childish things. It should be a time of much spiritual growth and maturing in the fear and knowledge of God. It definitely should not be a time that our parents dread.

Some people believe that when teens become rebellious and proud, it’s just a normal part of growing up and that they will bounce right back when they reach adulthood. I have even heard some people back up this theory with Proverbs 22:6 which says, “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” But this verse does not say that children will depart, and then come back when they are old. No, this verse teaches that, if trained the right way, they will not depart, not even when they are old! I believe that the teen years will affect young people for the rest of their lives, whether they were good or bad. If the devil can get a hold of young people at this time, just as they are learning so much and undergoing so much spiritual development, then he has, sadly, won a great victory, for today’s teens are tomorrow’s adults.

Another thing that people use as an excuse for the “teen years” is hormones. They say that changing hormones can cause the irritability and bad attitudes seen in most teens. But this is not an excuse. Should we ever excuse sin with how we’re feeling? No. The Lord never gives exceptions for teenagers. Now, I am not saying that there is no such thing as irritability due to hormones. I’m saying that it does not give us the right to sin. It’s just something that we have to deal with, and learn through. If we are humble, loving, sweet, and obedient only when we feel like it, what good does it do?

One thing that is extremely helpful to me is that I am blessed to have Godly, protective parents who have taught me to remain pure and humble during my “teenage” years. They did not expect me to rebel when I turned thirteen. As a matter of fact, they left no room for it in training me. They have also kept me away from the dangers and snares in the public school. They shield and disciple my siblings and me at home, away from the peer pressure and worldly influences which abound in public schools. They continue to keep their standards for us lined up with God’s word, and I desire to, with the Lord’s help, live up to these standards, because I honor the Lord; and therefore, I honor my parents.

My Daddy often says, “It’s all about the heart.” What is in our hearts will be reflected in what we say, the way that we behave ourselves, and even in the way that we dress. This can be negative or positive, depending on what is in our hearts. Is your heart’s desire to please the Lord? Then that will be reflected in all that you do. Is your heart rebellious? That will be reflected, too. I think that the problems encountered with the average teen today start early, while they are still young children. The weeds of selfishness, vanity and rebellion that are not rooted out of a child’s heart early on grow stronger and bigger. As they get older and take on more responsibilities, learn to make more decisions, and become more independent, what is truly in their hearts will become much more obvious – including the “weeds”. Psalm 119:9-11 says “Where withal shall a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed thereto according to Thy word. With my whole heart have I sought Thee: O let me not wander from Thy commandments. Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against Thee.”

So, I challenge fellow young people to remain pure, modest, humble and obedient during their “teen” years. Glorify the Lord in all that you say and do. This is a crucial time in your spiritual development! Do not waste it! Do not stray to the right or to the left but strive with your whole being to stay on the Narrow Path! It certainly can be done, through the Lord’s strength, although others may tell you that it is impossible. When you are older and look back at this time of your life, will you remember these years with fond memories and a clean conscience or with sorrow and deep regrets? Remember, also, the younger children in your life, especially your siblings. Can they look up to you as a good and Godly example, or someone to avoid? Most of all, look to the Lord for your guidance. Ask Him to open your eyes to learn new things, and be willing to apply what you learn.

The tolerance of rebellion in young people and the belief that it is just something normal that will come and go and not leave scars, is very dangerous –even deadly. But the turning point starts with each family, with each individual. It starts with you! What is your reputation like? When people think of you, do they think of a “rebellious teen” or “a Godly young person?” Proverbs 20:11 says, “Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right.” But most importantly, what is your character like in the keen and loving eyes of God?

Now, back to the question. Why did the Lord make the “teenage” years? For the same purpose that He made every other stage of life – to glorify Him…….and it can be done!

“For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.” 1 Corinthians 6:20

“He hath shewed thee, o man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?” Micah 6:8

-Demie Moore, 16, VA

*Recommended Reading*

Before You Meet Prince Charming

By: Sarah Mally

If I could buy a copy of this book for every single young woman in the nation, I would! It will challenge you and encourage you. You will smile, laugh, and maybe shed a few tears at God’s faithfulness in your life. If you haven’t read it, pick it up and pass it on to as many other young women as you can!

*CHALLENGE*

Spend time in silence daily with the Lover of your soul. Listen closely to what He has to say to you. You will find Him when you search for Him will all of your heart. (Jeremiah 29:13)

I pray that God will accomplish His perfect will for you in 2008 as you walk in obedience. May He continue to pour out His blessings upon you and your family as you seek to serve Him with all of your heart!

Watching for His Return,

Candace