Wednesday, August 28, 2013

Protecting and Loving Our Brothers in Christ

 I am SO encouraged by the wonderful people that I have met on G+. I cannot tell you how many times I come across a true gem like this! A few friends and I were having a talk about how to build up brothers in Christ, while still maintaining a proper emotional distance.

I asked +Kathleen Grace if I could use her words of encouragement for my (sadly under used and forgotten) Blog. And she said yes! The following is her comment on our topical discussion. I like to pretend that I'm a journalist, and this is my interview of Miss Grace about modesty, and protecting our brothers. ;)

 
This photo provided by Fresh Modesty Blog
 
"It can be tricky to find that balance, can't it?

In the last six months, due to circumstances beyond my control, I've had to work very closely with a young man who, though he is much like a brother to me, is not a blood relation.  As a result, we've had to talk about this kind of thing - about boundaries, avoiding tempting one another, etc.  I've learned a lot from that, from observing others with that kind of thing in mind, and so on.  When you have this at the front of your mind for six months, you learn a lot.

I'm seeing more and more that one of the ways we can best encourage guys is to not make their lives harder.  We have the ability to make life very difficult for our brothers in Christ if we do not use caution.  Or maybe it would be better to say that one of the best things we can do is avoid discouraging them.  They may not always notice, but when they do, they definitely appreciate it and are encouraged that their sisters are actively seeking to protect them.

One thing to not do is excessively compliment them.  We girls want to be loved.  Guys want to be respected and affirmed by those around them.  Especially by their father, and by young women.  Just as it can be a stumbling block for us if a guy seems too caring, it can be a stumbling block for them if a girl is too "respecting".  There's nothing wrong with respecting young men, or with them knowing that you respect them, just as there's nothing wrong with them loving us as their sisters in Christ, or with us knowing that they do.  But verbally affirming them too often can be a temptation for them.  As my friend put it, it can be hard when all the girls are going wild over something he's done, and there's maybe a guy or two who likes it, too.  I mentioned fathers - there's an even greater danger for them here if their father is not providing that affirmation, and if they don't have real sisters who are doing it.

One of the most powerful ways we can encourage our brothers is simply to dress modestly.  That's a battle that never ends for them.  If you haven't yet, you should read my friend Shelby's post about it here: http://inthethinkingtree.blogspot.co.uk/2013/06/jacks-struggle.html
Read the comments from the guys, too (especially the first one from Andrew R), and the posts written by guys that she's linked.  It's not just that we protect them from being tempted to sin in their thoughts about us while they're around us.  Seeing or remembering a girl whose dress reminds them of the importance of purity strengthens them against those temptations.  When we dress modestly, we don't just protect them in our presence.  We arm them for the fight when they are away from us.  You may not think of it, but that guy ten yards away down the aisle in the store?  Your dress may just have called his mind back to what is right, just as he was about to give in to the temptation.  Your friend who just saw those supermarket checkout magazines (I hate those things!)?  Maybe something reminded him of you, even though you're miles away.  And he has a reminder (even if an imperfect one) of what wholesome, Biblical womanhood should be to redirect his thoughts to what is pure.  I can't say it for all guys, but I know there are those out there who do this - when they are tempted, or they feel discouraged by the constant assault, they turn their minds to other girls.  To girls who, though imperfect, reflect Christ to them.  When a guy has that image in his mind, the contrast with the world's corrupted version of womanhood makes the latter very unattractive by comparison.  Your dress and actions can either strengthen or weaken that defense.

Another way that we can encourage our brothers is to have boundaries, and clearly communicate them.  Most often, if a girl seems comfortable with where things are, a guy will go along with it, even if his conscience isn't quite easy about it.  Most guy-girl friendships (once it goes beyond acquaintance) are going to end up at the lines the girl lays down.  Many of them will try to be careful, but if we don't let them know where the lines are, then they're likely to feel a bit like they're walking blindfolded through a minefield.  Once you let him know where the boundaries are, then he has a responsibility to respect those (and if a guy doesn't respect your boundaries, then get out of the friendship).  But once they understand that there are boundaries, and know where they are, that frees them to be friends with you, without worrying that they're about to step on a mine.

But one of the best ways you can encourage them is simply to be an example.  Follow Christ in your actions.  Love them as your brothers, and act that love in your dress and manners.  When they see us growing in Christ and whole-heartedly seeking to follow Him, then it encourages them, and challenges them to do the same.  We girls have more influence over our brothers than we really understand - let's use it well."

Tuesday, May 22, 2012


Here it is! I am so happy that I got to be in it! :D
If you are wondering how it ends, you'll have to buy the book!
My brother Adam did a great job filming and editing this trailer. If you want to see more of his stuff, go to http://www.youtube.com/user/atomterrible. He has some cool 3D stuff you can look at. (if your up for a chalenge for your eyes)

Saturday, April 28, 2012

Gillian's Book Trailer and Life

Gillian's book trailer is coming out soon. May 1st in fact! It was very fun to make, and I think Adam (my brother) did an amazing job at putting it together. I will post the video here as soon as I am able to do so. Go check out the Director's post about it by clicking here.

On another note, there hasn't been much going on here. I have been steadily doing school, one day at a time. I'm looking forward to being finished, but I will have to wait a bit longer as I will be doing school through the summer. As it turns out working for you family has it's drawbacks. :) As most of you know, I worked for Tyler (my other brother) as his office manager for 5 months or so. Now I am occasionally subbing for teachers when he needs me, and I teach a homeschool tumbling class on Friday mornings.

I love it.

I have allot of personal goals for after graduation, but I will not bore you with them now. I can tell you that I will be staying under my fathers roof, and training to serve the Lord in marriage or single womanhood, wherever he may take me.

I will not be going to college, even though that's where most of my friends are already. I believe that one of the most important things that a Christan young person can do is honor his parents. I love my friends, but some of them seem to think that I condemn them for going to college. And that's not it at all! If their parents want them to pursue a college education, and that's what they're doing, I think that's a wonderful and Godly thing to do.

A few of the reasons why I'm not going to college:

Our family has a strong belief against going into debt.

If I need to learn about something, I'm all for taking a class or learning hands on from a person who is in that particular Field.

The church that we are a part of is greatly lacking in young woman who are not in school and have no marital obligations (there is only one other girl, and she is currently involved in a courtship). There is so much work to do ladies! The church needs our help. The bible gives us clear instructions that we are to learn and listen from women with more wisdom then us. How are we to do that when we are not around?

Who will help the new mother with a toddler that she no longer has hands for?
Who will watch the children when a husband and wife need to go on a date?
Who will be an example for the younger girls to not be silly and boy crazy?
Who will help teach the little ones to be still and listen?
Who will visit the elderly people, and bring food when they can no longer make it themselves?

Who will do all of this for free, just for the Kingdom of God?

Also when I am at home I have so much more time for hospitality.

Let me elaborate on that last point. If I were in college, I couldn't have a outreach to college students. I would be busy taking courses, and probably going to a church outreach for students. Instead, I can be the outreach! What a blessing!



Let me leave you with a quote from someone that I met last year.

"When blessed with a strong and close-knit support system, it is easy for us who were home educated to become arrogant and over-confident in our own abilities and accomplishments, like a big fish in a little pond. Then, after we get out of that little pond and start seeing truly big fish, we tend to fall into second guessing our own and our parents choices when we encounter obstacles on our less-traveled road. We can never let the world, or even our peers in the church, be the standard against which we measure ourselves or our work, but always look to Christ. It requires close examination of what you believe and why, prayerful and honest evaluation of your walk with the Lord. and habitually testing all things, every day, against God's word."

~ Ian Lamont

Click his name if you would like to read the entire interview. I would recommend it. It is very profound. Here is his website, Slickepott.com.


In Him,
~ Amy K Terrell

P.S. I understand that this is the longest post for quite a while. Thank you for getting to the end.



 Colossians 3:14
"Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity."




Tuesday, February 21, 2012



"For beautiful eyes, look for the good in others; for beautiful lips, speak only words of kindness; and for poise, walk with the knowledge that you are never alone."

— Audrey Hepburn


Monday, February 20, 2012

Out of Darkness Rising

This is an awesome book written by my friend, Gillian Adams. A few weeks ago we shot the book trailer at Lake Ray Roberts here in Texas. No, I hadn't heard of people making book trailers either, until now. I have to admit it's a pretty good idea.

It was so cold outside when we were filming! And VERY windy. Our fabulous story board papers were almost lost to the lake! Several times! All the actors were freezing, and in between takes I was shivering (and I never shiver....never). I was so excited that Gillian let me portray a character in her story. (spoiler: I die:) The whole experience was super fun, we all hung out at Gillian's house and had hot chocolate afterwards :) Yay for hot chocolate!!! It's too bad we started it so late that Adam (my brother) couldn't enter it in the San Antonio Christian Film Festival. It will probably turn out too short anyway. So...

Here is what the book cover will look like when it comes out:

                                        Darkness reigns unchallenged.

For the villagers on the accursed Island, life has only one meaning - death. Bound to the Island by the curse, the villagers suffer beneath the iron claw of the serpent, daily breathing the poison of his breath and dying to appease his insatiable appetite.

When Marya’s parents are slain by the serpent for their belief in a legendary king, she becomes an Outcast. Struggling to survive and avoid the vengeance of the Tribunal, Marya is torn between legend and the harsh reality of the Island. Yet when a forgotten promise springs to life, she cannot help wondering if the old stories might in fact be true. And if they are, will the promise prove stronger than the curse?

Out of Darkness Rising is being published by Flaming Pen Press and will be released summer 2012. It is an allegorical fantasy novella intended for a young adult audience.  

This is so cool! I'm so excited for Gillian. She is a great writer. Be sure to visit her blog: http://ofbattlesdragonsandswordsofadamant.blogspot.com/p/innocent-blood.html


Monday, December 5, 2011

Third Time's the Charm

Aria, has won the contest! 

I will also send Jansen something, since she did have an advantage. Though I haven't decided what.

So, I have gone off a high dive before, it was three stories high. Very fun. But I have not snorkeled. :( But I want to! That's one of the things I want to do before I die, to go snorkeling or scuba diving in the Great Barrier Reef.

Thank you guys for participating! You make my blog a lot more fun!

*Ding Ding* Round Three!

We had another tie, so...

1. I love to snow board.
2. I love high diving.
3. I love snorkeling.

One thing on the list I have never done. Which one is it?