How to Pray for Love

The Wedding season is once again among us! David's Bridal commercials are popping up everywhere, Facbook accounts increase with engagement announcements, reception pictures, blinged out rings and white gowns. For many of us, we can smile at every invitation and picture we come across. For some of us, it is a painful reminder that our time has not yet come.

My friends and I often have these discussions about relationships, marriage, dating in purity and waiting on the Lord. There are books, social communities, advice columns and magazine articles to help guide us to "the one" but, to honestly put it, there is no absolute solution, remedy or proof to determine the sure fired way of procuring love. Dating sites are not a guarantee, racing towards the pew to get a good seat by the cute guy in church is as silly as it is disappointing and reaching to get a good look at the guy in the checkout line in front of you, only to see that he already has a wedding ring, is just plain embarrassing! Truth be told, looking for love can be exhausting and frustrating. Yet, for the believer, we know that love is not based solely on only acquiring it, but also on offering it, as well.

Trust me...I know the highs of relationships and the deafening lows, but through it all, God has been faithful! Within my 10 year window frame of dating,  I experienced countless heartbreaks, broken hopes and burning tears. I'd been rejected, cheated on, lied to and ashamed. But God is good!

About the age of 24, I found myself at a place where I needed direction, because my own impatience and attempts for love were failing miserably. I remember my mother telling me, "Trina", until you fall in love with Jesus, you will never understand or appreciate how God created you to be loved".
This coming Monday, my husband and I will be celebrating our second year of marriage. For 3 years, we dated in purity: I was a virgin, he was practicing celibacy and we were determined to stay committed in obedience. I was 28 years old when I walked down the isle and I am thankful for such an incredible blessing!

Through it all, my mother's words never left me... there came a day when I realized that I HAD to learn to fall in love with Jesus! His love illuminates our understanding of what true love was intended to be. In other words, the world has it's version of love, but it will never fulfill us. It is temporary and contingent. It is self seeking and based upon carnal emotions that are here today and gone tomorrow. But the love that comes from God is eternal and when we trust our love to Him, he brings us someone who will not only understand God's love, himself, but will also be experienced enough to share that same love with us. He won't be perfect:  there will be mistakes and struggles, let downs and misunderstandings;  but through it all, the eternal love of God will overshadow where both of  you lack.

In this wedding season, where smiles and celebrations seem to be flaunted and plastered in every direction, I think about those of you who are struggling in your singleness, searching for meaning, relationships and fulfillment. I promise you, none of those things will exist outside of Christ. If you want someone to share your heart with, start with Jesus. Invest in a love relationship with Him, first, and allow Him to mold your heart in preparation for the one that He has created for you. In this way, you will find meaning, fulfillment and purpose that you will be able to share with that someone special. 

While you are waiting, wait for the Lord. Share your heart with Jesus! Tell Him about your anxiousness, disappointments, sadness and expectations. Pray that He begin to prepare your heart and create within you a love that is stronger in giving than it is in receiving. Ask for discernment to recognize the one that God will place in your path and pray for a spirit of contentment in your waiting process. Finally, pray for your husband as well. Not just that he will come, but that he will be strong in the Lord. Pray for his family and his friends. Pray over his finances and his future. Cover his struggles and temptations in prayer (because believe me, he will have them!). Pray over his exams in school and over his accomplishments. Ask God to prepare His heart for you, as He prepares your heart for him and I promise, "Mr. Man" may not show up the next day, but those prayers will not go out in vain!

Pray without ceasing... Pray for love!

~Pearls

Is Christianity Still Relevant?

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Last Thursday, a crowd of comments swarmed Facebook regarding the topic of religion vs spirituality after a post was uploaded featuring women co-hosts on ABC's The View. In the video clip, the stars discussed on the morning talk show their personal opinions, acceptance and reactions of modern day religion and the path to God. Raven Symone, America's sweet heart and child star from the Cosby Show and Disney's That's So Raven show, made some rather interesting remarks in regards to her personal beliefs and opinions on the matter:

"Every religion has it's time and place and then we start evolving [as a human race]...I have a personal rejection to religion itself, but spirituality is through everybody, no matter what God you praise to."

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She also states on the show that she was focusing her lifestyle on New Age montras, light and energy. Her words were said with such confidence and the crowd gave a roaring applause, but I wonder, within the inner being of her own heart, is Raven, along with the others in our world, truly satisfied with the condition of their souls? Or are they, like many, on the search to find fulfillment within their own means? And if so, is the debate to convince themselves or those around them?

Scripture tells us to be careful of false teachings or of words that lure us into self-gratification..."tickling ears" is what the Bible calls it:

"For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear."
~2 Timothy 4:3

There is no doubt that we are in such an era, where people willingly reject what is true and sound in exchange for what is comfortable and for what allows them to maintain a certain lifestyle without responsibility for God's word. Everyone feels they have their own personal path to God, yet scripture is very clear that there is only one way to the Father, and that is through Jesus, His son!

"And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life and this life is through His Son. Whoever has the Son has eternal life, whoever does not have the Son does not have life" ~1 John 5: 11-12

The next day after this video was posted on Facebook, the girls from Pearls of Hope had a very riveting discussion on the matter. Here are some of the comments they shared:

"I understand there may be people in the world who profess Christ but they are not setting the best examples and it's unfortunate, but people have been rejecting him since he came into the world. That's a choice. You are choosing not to believe, don't blame the next person and use them as the representative for the entire body. Try him for yourself." - Brittany

"It bothers me that all of those ladies seemed to try to make excuses for the world and themselves and blame it on religion for the reasons they're conforming to this "new age"...(people) think they are saved because they believe in God or his existence but then choose to live their own way because they don't know what's required of them because they're not seeking God and his kingdom and staying glued to his word!" -Amanda

"Although people like her make me sad, I feel like they just need the right experience to change their whole perspective. There is still hope for her and those with that mentality as long as they are breathing. We really have to pray hard for them."- Ariel

In a nut shell, no matter who you are or what you've heard or what you've read, God's word must be the source of our lives and the means by which we make our decisions, because He is God. If He says it, we know it is truth, because God is not a man that He should lie (Numbers 23:19). Yet, our society defies the very nature of God by rejecting His word and clinging on to their own intellect, opinions and views. And worse, they demand that we, those who belong to God and are called of Christ, to assimilate ourselves with their perspective and their views, expecting us to quietly "respect" their life choices, while they openly reject ours. It is a difficult condition that the Christian has found themselves in: to boldly proclaim Christ to a world who has rejected him, or silently disagree in our hearts for fear of being rejected ourselves. Yet scripture tells us that they will reject us- well... not really us, but the Spirit of Christ who lives in us (Matthew 10:22). 

If we are to be effective Christians, we must not align ourselves with the world in regards to things that are contrary to the Bible. In love, we must allow the courage of the Holy Spirit to raise up within us and declare, "No. This is not right. There is only one way and there is only one path, and this is through Jesus!"

The women on The View, regardless of their personal opinions, each have a soul that is precious to God. But I wonder how many of them truly understand the Gospel message? How many of them, in their own power and in their own attempt at goodness, are trying to pave their own path, despite the fact that God has already paved one for them and for us all? The issue isn't Spirituality vs. Religion...even the Devil and his demonds are spiritual! Religion is man's own attempt at righteousness, which we know is disgusting to God (Isaiah 64:6). So the question then isn't spirituality or religion...The real question is, Do you want a relationship with God or not? If you do, it's only possible through Jesus! All other attempts, forms, beliefs or traditions will not make the cut. It's only through him that we are reconciled to God. This is the way of God. Any other route leads away from Him, away from His light and away from His kingdom.

Here are more scriptures on the matter:

John 14:6 Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

1 Corinthians 2:14 The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit.

1 Thessalonians 4:8 So, he who rejects this is not rejecting man but the God who gives His Holy Spirit to you.

Romans 1:20 For God's invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.

Proverbs 14:12 There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.

1 John 5:11-12 And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life and this life is in His Son. Whoever has the Son has eternal life; whoever does not have the Son does not have life!

We invite you to watch the clip and to share your thoughts, comments and questions with us! We'd be happy to pray with you or explain God's plan of salvation with even more detail with you! Please know that, no matter where you are in life, you will never go too far that God can't reach out and bring you to Himself!

Our prayers go up for you and for all those who are still searching!

~Pearls

2 Years Behind Us... An Even Brighter Future Ahead of Us!

At the brink of Summer, 2013, we began a little Bible Study at my kitchen table. There were only two girls, Ashley and I, and we met over breakfast to discuss our need for more of God. We read a few scriptures, had a lot of discussion, ate cinnamon rolls with coffee and smiled at the thought of having personal devotion together during that summer. It was a sweet time for us and for our friendship. Two weeks later, Jessica joined us, followed by Kourtney, and by the end of the month, we had begun our first book with our faithful four!

Fast forward two years later, we are 13 girls strong, with weekly meetings, weekend trips, community outreach, social media interactions and, to celebrate our growth in the Lord, our much anticipated 2nd Annual Ladies Luncheon!!! This year, our Luncheon was held under a beautiful blue sky, in Lindley Park, with the company of God's gorgeous creation! Our mentors/guest speakers traveled all the way from Charlotte to share their love and encouragement with us. It was a lovely success and, I believe, just a sneak peak of what more God has in store for us all!
Pearls of Hope serves as an undeniable blessing in my life. It's a joy for me to witness all that God has done for us and doing within us in only a short amount of time. We are more than just a Bible Study, we are an accountability group, filled with love and commitment toward one another, all for the sake of Christ! There were times when people close to us discouraged us from meeting. They didn't understand the vision God had placed within us. But our faith in the Lord and in each other is the only source from which our success grows! Our friendships are blooming, our confidence is growing, our relationships with Christ, although very individual and specific to each one of us, deepens with each study we complete, each prayer that we pray and each hug and encouragement that we share!

Hebrews 10: 23-25 is the scripture we have dedicated to represent our organization, as well as define our purpose and our friendships with one another:
"Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful.  And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day [of Christ's return] approaching".

At our 2nd Annual Luncheon, we were able to celebrate the growth and accountability that we share

together in Christ! We are so thankful for His blessings and look forward to ALL that  God has in store for us as we progress in Him! 2015 is filled with such promise as we endeavor upon our 6th study and plan for ideas that Christ has already begun to lay on our hearts for 2016!

"[Our] 2nd annual luncheon was nothing short of amazinggg!! This Bible study has been such a blessing to me and I can confidently say, all of the other pearls as well! My relationship with Christ grows stronger with each study and I'm so very thankful and grateful for each one of you. It is no coincidence that the things I was missing, the Lord saw fit to provide in and through this group. I love you all and I admire your pursuit of Christ, I pray God continues to grow our love and fellowship with each other and his people. Great things with be birthed from this group, the best is yet to come but God's NOW is pretty amazing"
~Jessica G., Pearls of Hope Member (Facebook Quote)

Pearls of Hope has become, not only a priority in our lives, but a necessity, because within this group, we can be transparent and vulnerable with each other, without fear. We can confess our struggles and short comings, lean on each other for encouragement, strength and forgiveness and hold each other accountable through the Word of God and in prayer. We are not just a club or a "girl's group", we are dynamic, fearless, passionate and unstoppable because we belong to the Lord!

What sets us apart? It's not our looks, or our talents. It's not the measure of our success or our intellect. What makes us phenomenal is our heart's pursuit of Christ! He has taken a group of broken, lost, mistreated and abandoned women and has exchanged our earthly treasures, existence and false senses of security for his eternal love, value, forgiveness and acceptance. We are daughters of the Most High King and it is His LIFE that makes ours BEAUTIFUL!!! 

Thank you Lord for your blessings and our friendships! We celebrate them and we cherish you!

~Pearls

Thanks MOM!!!

Today is the day we set aside to celebrate our moms... those women who have sacrificed for us, supported us, corrected us and loved us through our best and worst of times. There is nothing like a

mother's love and we are so blessed by God that He saw fit to provide us with their love!

Without You

Mom, without you, there would be no me.

Your love, your attention, your guidance,

have made me who I am.

Without you, I would be lost,

wandering aimlessly,

without direction or purpose.

You showed me the way

to serve, to accomplish, to persevere.

Without you, there would be an empty space

I could never fill, no matter how I tried.

Instead, because of you,

I have joy, contentment, satisfaction and peace.

Thank you, mom.

I have always loved you

and I always will.

By Joanna Fuchs

WE LOVE YOU MOM!!!!!!

Growing in our Faith!

After an entire month off, the girls and I jumped right into our first night back with our 6th Bible study! It's been an amazing two years and the thought that we have completed 5 full studies is an accomplishment that testifies to the work and change that God has developed and is continually developing within our hearts!

One by one, 9 girls began to pour into our little living room, smiling and laughing and so excited to start this fresh new series! We enjoyed Mexican food for Cinco de Mayo, welcomed a new visitor, hugged and prayed and prepared our hearts for this new adventure! Despite the sacrifices we each make to meet so regularly, once we are all together, it doesn't even seem to matter. Our purpose is beyond just "hanging out". We meet not just to be near friends, but to be near the Lord and encourage each other along the way. In our existence as an organization, each study has prosed a challenge, which we have been able to meet, head on, because we do it together!
This study, different from the last four, takes us back into in depth and personal scripture submersion, just like our first study, which we completed in 2013. Although the studies we experienced in between were very beneficial to our growth in Christ and accountability amongst each other, our current study will be different in that it goes back to the basics and fundamentals of living for Christ and helps us define the imperative question: "Why do we Believe what we believe"?
Last night, several of the girls expressed having a faith in Jesus that they struggle explaining to others. They felt as if they lacked a confidence in articulating what a life in Christ is all about, why they do (or don't do) certain things and how they could help others along the way in their pursuit of God. How brave are they!!! How many of us struggle within our own insecurities and even unbelief or lack of faith when it comes to witnessing, explaining or evangelizing for the Gospel? If we can be honest, there are moments or have been moments for all of us where we have found ourselves in conversations at work or with unsaved friends or family members and feel "stumped" in a conversation or when asked a question about our faith, we struggle to provide an answer.
So what is the solution? How can we equip ourselves to grow stronger in our faith, become more confident in living for the Lord and articulate the relationship we have in Christ with others who are curious? The answer isn't in going to Church more or defining a feeling or extending our opinions. There is no power in that. The solution to the problem of faith, lack of faith or gaining more faith is not positive thinking or the repetition of affirmations; it's only through the influence of the Holy Spirit through the Word of God! That is where faith and power, assurance and confidence, boldness and determination in Christ comes from. We can never do enough, change enough on our own, or know enough information to duplicate the work of the Holy Spirit! His presence and power is manifested through God's word, which we must learn to hide in our hearts, if we ever hope to live a life that is Spirit led and pleasing to God.

"Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the Word of God." ~Romans 10:17

This new study, Growing Strong in God's Family: A Course in Personal Discipleship, is a tool that we will use to submerse ourselves in the Word of God, allowing His Holy Spirit to speak to our hearts and strengthen our faith! It is only through Him that we can obtain the power we need to live effective lives for Jesus. Without the influence and leading of the Spirit of God, we are nothing more than librarians with lots of head knowledge. His presence and active working is what moves Truth from our heads and plants it within our hearts! Please join us in prayer for a renewing of our faith and a personal experience in the Lord, as we begin our 11 week adventure!

Stay tuned for more updates and keep the Faith!
~Pearls