EXEMPLIFY MAGAZINE

May 2009 Awesome

The Joy Edition Giveaway:
Details Inside!
:::::
fumbling
with former
joy?
:::::
Sacred Chaos:
Book Review
:::::

add a little
joy to life
in 10 minutes
or less!
:::::
new
marriage
column
May 3, 2009

W E L COME
e x e m p l i f y m a g a z i n e

Giveaway! Meet Our Writers iHealth Joy Comes

Win a ticket to A Woman Get to know our writers and Find ways to use the internet for Author Christa Allan is
Inspired's June Conference! their blogs better health featured this month
Page 2 Page 4 & 5 Page 10 Page 18 & 19

“The LORD has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy.”
Psalm 126:3
I don’t know about you but April seemed to fly by for me! I cannot believe May is upon us and yet another issue of
Exemplify Magazine is releasing. As I sit here and write, I am amazed at the women who have come up alongside me and
encouraged this project. May is our fifth month of publication (we’re still a baby magazine!) but my goodness, your response
has been so warm! We are hundreds of women strong and more importantly, our love for our Jesus is strong.
As spring dawns and we find the passing showers of April gifting us with May flowers, it is my prayer you will be renewed
in spirit and encouraged to walk out this spring with joy.
Fittingly so, joy is our theme this month.
Find yourself a cozy corner, brew your favorite tea and get ready for an issue filled to the
brim with the joy of knowing Christ. This month we are happy to feature Christa Allan on
page 18 (whose first novel hits bookshelves next spring!) and Joanne Sher of the wonderful
blog, An Open Book (you can read her article on page 15 and her blog feature on page 23!).
We have a new marriage column on page 21 and are giving away tickets to the June
Woman Inspired Conference (details on page 2!).
We are bible studying on the topic of former joy and learning how to add a little joy to life
In 10 Minutes or Less.
It is my prayer this issue will find you praising our Savior King for the overwhelming gift of
joy we’ve been given in knowing Him intimately. May we be joyfully expectant at His feet, Be sure to check out
offering our all and ready to answer His call. our new marriage
The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy... column on page 21.

In King Jesus,
Kristen Schiffman

Exemplify online & magazine :: exemplifyonline.com

May 3, 2009

Win a ticket to the June

conference of
A Woman Inspired!
Exemplify Online & Magazine has the privilege of
giving away THREE tickets to our readers for the June
conference of A Woman Inspired. Take a look at the
details of this particular conference:
“Modern technology has opened up new doors
of opportunity for ministry. Women who were once
confined to space and time due to duties at home
can now finish their tasks and sit down to a whole
new mission field; one that knows no limits. It is the This conference has an amazing speaker
Internet. line up, including Exemplify Online &
How do you begin? What should your Magazine’s very own Kristen Schiffman!
boundaries be? Must I Twitter and Facebook? If so
then what are the advantages. Are these friendships Be sure to head over to the conference
that you are forming real or imagined? Do you need website
a blog? How can you branch out? www.awomaninspiredconference.org
We have a team of ladies who are very to get further information, register,
educated in the ways of the internet and online check out the speakers and the topics
ministry. They can show you how to begin, maintain, that will be covered.
branch out, and even how to deal with adversity.
This conference is for anyone who is ready to make You are sure to be blessed!
a difference via the internet.” (Quoted from the A
Woman Inspired Conference Site)

To enter the contest...

Write a post on your own blog about why you’d like to attend this particular
conference. If you attended the April conference, be sure to share why you loved
the first conference so much!

At the end of your post, link back to ExemplifyOnline.com, telling us YOU are a
woman who wants to be inspired!

We will provide a Mr. Linky on our blog that will allow all participants to link up to
until May 17th! The winners will be announced on May 20th!

Exemplify online & magazine :: exemplifyonline.com

 In This Issue...
May 3, 2009

A Woman Inspired Giveaway Details 2

Meet our team ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! 4
The Juice! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! 6!
Fumbling with former joy! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! 7
no greater joy! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! 9
ihealth !! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! 10
my joy & my delight 11
A Sanctuary’s greatest accessory ! ! ! ! ! ! 13
in 10 minutes or less 14
pure joy: feature 15
the book nook with katrina 17
joy comes: feature 18
titus 2 corner with christine 20
marriage column 21
blog feature: an open book 23
fashion forward with jennifer 24
ministry: online! 25
hannah: god has heard me 27
submission details 31
! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !
!
Kristen is the editor and owner of
Exemplify Online & Magazine. It is her
desire to encourage women living lives
that glorify Christ. She has a passion for
relevant media and resources that fit
that vision.
She is also the author of the bible study
column.
Andrea is Exemplify’s Family Columnist.
She writes about her adventures as a
wife and mom of three seeking to know
Christ more.
Christine is the Titus 2 Corner columnist.
Drawing from her
experience as a mom of four, she
prayerfully offers sound
advice. She welcomes your questions at
titus2corner@gmail.com.
Christy writes the Home Column for
Exemplify. She writes with humor and
creativity on how to make your
house a home.
Katrina writes the Book Nook
Column. She is Exemplify’s
source on all things literary!
Jennifer is Exemplify’s resident
Fashion Columnist! She has a
love for fashion and a desire to
see women, no matter what
they are wearing, internally
beautiful before our God.
Amy is the writer of our Tech
Column, Ministry: Online. Using
her experience in design,
ministry and knowledge online,
she shares practical and
powerful ways to make a
difference via the internet.
Shannon is the writer for
Exemplify’s Health Column.
Drawing from her current
pharmacy schooling, she
writes with the purpose of
seeing women live healthy
lives before the Lord.

Kara is Exemplify’s Devotional Columnist.
She writes with a passion to see others
love Christ with their all.
Rachel writes the Fiction Column. With
the call to study and apply God’s Word,
she writes with the purpose of
teaching.
Carol has mastered the ability to get
things done In 10 Minutes or Less. She
writes her column with practical tips on
how to make the most of that spare 10
minutes.
Jenifer, drawing from personal
experience, writes Exemplify’s marriage
column. Check out her first column this
month!
© Exemplify 2009 - The contents of this
publication are the copyright of either the
individual columnists or Exemplify itself and
cannot be reproduced in any form without
prior written consent from the individual
author or editor-in-chief, Kristen Schiffman.
© Exemplify 2009
visit our team members online
Kristen Schiffman, Editor & Study Columnist
dancinginthemargins.typepad.com
Andrea, Family Columnist
undergraceovercoffee.typepad.com
Christine, Titus 2 Corner Columnist
titus2corner@gmail.com
Katrina, Book Nook Columnist
callapidderdays.com
Christy, Home Design Columnist
christyklein.wordpress.com
Kara, Devotional Columnist
karacwak.blogspot.com
Rachel, Fiction Columnist
afuturepastorswife.blogspot.com
Amy Bayliss, Tech & Blog Columnist
amybayliss.com
Jennifer, Fashion Columnist
somanybooksblog.blogspot.com
Shannon, Health Columnist
asetapartgirl.blogspot.com
Carol, In 10 Minutes or Less Columnist
she-lives.typepad.com
Visit our additional team members as well!
Christy M., Facebook Admin & Blog
crittyjoy.wordpress.com
Patty, Blog Contributor
pattywysong.blogspot.com
Joanne, Blog Contributor
joannesher.blogspot.com
Victoria, Blog Contributor
letthesonshine.org
Shane, Blog Contributor
heartreflections.wordpress.com
Samantha, Twitter Administrator
agapegoldens.blogspot.com
 TH E JUICE
One of my favorite things about blogging is the women I’ve come to know. I’ve been so blessed by bloggers who

write from their heart, share their lives and ultimately, point to Christ with their all.

This got me thinking that there are so many great posts out there that often go unnoticed.

It seems so unfair!

So on (most!) Saturdays you will find ExemplifyOnline.com pointing your attention to women who deserve some

recognition.

We invite you to get involved! If you read a post that tugs at your heart strings, makes you laugh out loud or stirs

something up in you — send it our way.

You can reach our team through the contact page on Exemplify’s website.

I look forward to spotlighting women who have refreshed my spirit as well as yours.

© Exemplify 2009
 F UMBLING WITH FORMER JOY
I once heard it said that everyone
has five defining moments in their
life that go on to shape the course
they will take.
A few year ago, after hearing this, I
sat down to make my list. Two of
the moments on my list were
traumatic and unexpected deaths
that tore through my family with a
violent force I had never reckoned
with before. Two more of my five
events had to do with the
devastating absence of
relationships that had just fallen
apart in my life. And the last event I
felt ‘forever marked’ by was my
high school battle with constant
illness.
After tallying My Five, I realized my
list was rather depressing. Looking
for the theme laced in between My
Five I noticed the trend: Loss. What
course could possibly await my
eager feet, if every ounce of My
Five was dripping with the
heaviness of loss?
Christ and I indirectly spoke about
this over the next few months. I did
not mention to Him My Five
because I was rather embarrassed.
Now, I realize hiding things from
Christ is quite impossible, but I gave
it a go. Christ was not having it. And
so dealing with the loss became
our ‘thing’. To be honest, it is still our
‘thing’.
These past few days as I have
mulled over writing on the subject
of joy; I have been struggling with
how to approach the topic. I’ve
been fighting writing because “I
am so full of joy,” is not something I
hear many in my inner circle saying.
As a matter of fact I’ve been
hearing:
“I cannot go on like this.”
“I don’t think I have anything left to
give.”
“I feel like I am at my end.”
“I cried myself to sleep last night.”
“I’m seriously considering checking
out.”
“I’ve got nothing…”
Reading the book of Ezra, chapter
three the other morning, I felt the
Holy Spirit prodding at my heart.
The Holy Spirit has seen not only fit
to lace the lesson of joy throughout
the Bible, but he has also seen fit to
lace the lesson of FORMER joy into
the pages of Scripture.
Ezra 3:7-13 sets the stage and
scene of the people of Israel
rebuilding the Temple. After being
carried away into exile, their homes
and city foundations destroyed,
© Exemplify 2009
By Kristen Schiffman
Israel finds their new freedom once
again allowing them to rebuild.
Within Ezra 3 we read their story of
rebuilding something that was
once glorious:
“Then they gave money to the
masons and carpenters, and gave
food and drink and olive oil to the
people of Sidon and Tyre, so that
they would bring cedar logs by sea
from Lebanon to Joppa, as
authorized by Cyrus king of Persia.
In the second month of the second
year after their arrival at the house
of God in Jerusalem, Zerubbabel
son of Shealtiel, Joshua son of
Jozadak and the rest of the people
(the priests and the Levites and all
who had returned from the captivity
to Jerusalem) began the work,
appointing Levites twenty years old
and older to supervise the building
of the house of the LORD.
Joshua and his sons and brothers
and Kadmiel and his sons
(descendants of Hodaviah) and the
sons of Henadad and their sons and
brothers—all Levites—joined
together in supervising those
working on the house of God. When
the builders laid the foundation of
the temple of the LORD, the priests
in their vestments and with
trumpets, and the Levites (the sons
of Asaph) with cymbals, took their
places to praise the LORD, as
prescribed by David king of Israel.
With praise and thanksgiving
they sang to the LORD:
"He is good;
his love toward Israel endures
forever."
And all the people gave a great
shout of praise to the LORD,
because the foundation of the
house of the LORD was laid. But
many of the older priests and
Levites and family heads, who
had seen the former temple,
wept aloud when they saw the
foundation of this temple being
laid, while many others shouted
for joy. No one could distinguish
the sound of the shouts of joy
from the sound of weeping,
because the people made so
much noise. And the sound was
heard far away.”
Did you take notice to those last
verses? “But many of the older
priests and Levites and family heads, of former afflictions drown the sense
who had seen the former temple,
wept aloud when they saw the
foundation of this temple being
laid...”
I must agree with the Family
Heads, the former temple was
something to behold. If you are
interested check out 1 Kings 7:13-51 would we be on?
which describes the beauty with
which it was constructed.
I encourage you to grab your
BIble and read up on the splendor
with which the first temple was
constructed. As you read, try to
imagine what it must have been like I want to challenge us in the coming
for the older priests, Levites and weeks to lay down our firm grip on
family heads to see the new temple. ‘temples’ we may still be holding
The former temple was one of
majesty and beauty for the people
of Israel.
This new temple foundation was
much more humble and simple.
Compared to the old, it was
lacking.
If Israel had a My Five, you can bet
that their exile and destroyed
temple would be within the list.
Do you also notice the text suggests
that those who were shouting for joy
had not been around the former
temple?
In other words, they were not
struggling with the memory of
former joy; joy came easily,
because they were not looking at it
in terms of what had been lost, but
ahead into the promise of what was
coming.
While researching this passage, I
was very taken with bible scholar
Matthew Henry’s commentary.
Speaking of those who wept aloud
he said, “Let not the remembrance
of present mercies.”
Where are we drowning the sense
of present mercies? Where are we
allowing former joys to hinder the
restoration of new shouts of joy?
If we were standing in the crowd of
biblical Israel today, what side
The side with shouts of joy?
Or the side with sounds of weeping?
Would we be able to distinguish
ourselves?
the past and whatever former
out for. Wouldn’t it be heartbreaking
to watch our lives unfold, with only
© Exemplify 2009
memories of joy – when new joy
awaits us?
Even if the joy awaiting seems
smaller. More humble. Less
outrageous in the moment.
Christ is in the ministry of restoration.
Not replacement. If we are holding
out for the replacement of what has
been lost, we will wait forever.
If we are standing expectantly,
welcoming restoration, we will not
be disappointed.
“Weeping may last for the
night but a shout of joy comes
in the morning.
”
Psalm 30:5
Welcome the morning.
Speak aloud your frustration with the
things of today. Get before our God
and tell Him about your let-downs,
disappointments, give Him you’re
“My Five” list and watch Him lead
you ever closer to restored joy.
Not back to former things, but into
the joy of present things.
I pray you will follow. And will soon
be heard with shouts of joy.
Scripture Covered
In This Article:
• Ezra 3:7-13
• 1 Kings 7:13-51
• Psalm 30:5
 No Greater Joy
As a mom of three, I have had many
opportunities to experience pride
over my children.
Pride over accomplishments, like
good grades, a great recital,
conquering a fear.
Pride over talents, like music, art, and
sports.
Pride over doing something they
weren’t asked or expected to do,
but just did for the sake of helping.
Yes, as their mom, my kids have
already done a great many things
that make me proud, that make me valued or appreciated.”
feel good about how I have raised
them.
Pride isn't always a bad thing. But it is walking with God.
a self-thing. Pride is defined in the
dictionary as “pleasure or
satisfaction taken in something done brothers come and tell about your
by or belonging to oneself or
believed to reflect credit upon
oneself.”
My kids belong to me. Their actions,
good or bad, reflect upon me.
And to be honest, I do tend to take
a bit of credit for their
accomplishments.
They inherited my "smart" genes.
They get their love of music from me themselves.
(although they get their love of
By Andrea
sports from their Dad. And some of
those smart genes, too!)
Really, in the end, some days it's not
so much about what my children
have done, but what a good job
parenting my husband and I have
done.
(I speak purely for myself here - my
husband is a LOT more humble than
me!)
Joy, on the other hand, is not about
me. It is defined as “a source or
cause of keen pleasure or delight;
something or someone greatly
In the Bible, joy is most often
expressed over people faithfully
“It gave me great joy to have some
faithfulness to the truth and how you
continue to walk in the truth. I have
no greater joy than to hear that my
children are walking in the truth.” (3
John 1: 3-4)
I agree.
I take great joy in knowing my kids
love the Lord. I take great joy in
knowing my kids are eager to get
into His Word. I take great joy when
my kids put others ahead of
© Exemplify 2009
It gives me joy to hear my son
faithfully pray for his friend who was
in an accident last year. It gives me
joy to know he fully believes his friend
will be restored to good health,
because nothing is impossible with
God (Luke1:37).
It gives me joy when I read a prayer
or song written by my oldest
daughter out of pure love and
adoration for Jesus. It gives me joy
when I know she takes her struggles
to God, believing He will help her
overcome them.
It gives me joy when my youngest
daughter displays the unconditional
love and acceptance of Christ with
her friends at school. (And even, on
occasion, with her little brother!)
Oh, I take pride in them, too! But
ultimately, I am beyond thrilled when
they do things that show they are
learning the importance of putting
God first in their little lives.
It’s the joy of knowing that one day
we will all be kneeling before our
Lord, worshipping and praising Him.
Together.

“Ask and it will be given to you;
seek and you will find;
knock and the door will be opened
to you.”
Matthew 7:7
The Internet is a great tool for finding
information you need. But, it can
also be a dangerous supply of
“information” garbage without
sources. If you have a question about
your health, it is always best to ask
your doctor or pharmacist. But if
neither of them can be reached, the
Internet is a great place to look for
an immediate answer. However, it is
very important to be selective of the
resource to ensure that you are
receiving accurate information. Here
is a list of five credible websites that
are at your disposal:
1. Aetna’s IntelliHealth - http://
www.intelihealth.com/
This website provides information
from Harvard Medical School, among 4.
other reputable sources. The site www.hearthealthywomen.org/
provides a lot of resources, including
interactive tools and a drug search.
iHealth
There is also an “Ask the Expert”
section where you can send in a
health-related question and possibly
receive an answer from a doctor or
pharmacist.
2. Mayo Clinic - http://
www.mayoclinic.com/
Mayo Clinic is always the first website
I look to if I need broad, basic
information about a condition. They
have a large database of diseases
and conditions, and for each
condition they offer several pages of
information including symptoms,
complications, and tests to diagnose
the condition.
3. MedlinePlus – http://
www.medlineplus.gov/
MedlinePlus provides information
about drugs as well as supplements,
and also provides an online medical
dictionary and encyclopedia.
Drawing information from
government health resources such as
the National Institutes of Health,
MedlinePlus is a dependable tool for
accessing health information.
Heart Healthy Women - http://
© Exemplify 2009
By Shannon
Focusing on cardiovascular diseases
and conditions, Heart Healthy
Women offers in-depth articles about
these issues, and each article is first
reviewed by 25 or more leading
health experts in the field.
5. Office of Women’s Health -
http://www.fda.gov/womens/
The FDA provides this free online
database of fact sheets, articles,
publications, links, and other
resources, all pertaining to women’s
health. Examples of topics covered
are Osteoporosis, mammography,
pregnancy, and menopause.
So, next time you have a nagging
question about something, please
don’t just Google it! Refer to one of
these great websites to make sure
you are getting the (real) facts. And
no matter what is going on with your
health, entrust your earthly body to
God, knowing that He will nurture you
and take care of you.

When was the last time you had one
of those grab your gut because it
feels like you just did 100 crunches
and now you’re sounding like a
hyena but you don’t care and even if
you did you couldn’t stop laughing
kind of laughs? Try having that times 7
and you get the idea of what my
friends and I sounded like last night at
a restaurant while celebrating some
birthdays. You know my peeps and I
got some crazy looks. We didn’t care.
Some people are just never going to
get it.
Joy is like that. When you have real
joy, some of the people around you
just don’t get it. You get crazy looks.
You definitely stand out in the crowd.
People wonder why you are acting
like that, now, in this situation? When
you have joy it can come across to
some as absurdity. Perhaps that is
because people have confused joy
with happiness. In our society
happiness is a highly valued
commodity. We even have it written
into the fabric of our nation. The right
to life, liberty and the pursuit of
happiness. How many times have you
heard these phrases uttered, “I just
want you to be happy” or “Whatever
makes you happy” or “As long as
you’re happy”. It’s like the be all end
all of life. Except that it isn’t.
Happiness is circumstantial, joy
transcends circumstance.
Happiness is fleeting, joy is lasting.
Happiness is a mood, joy is a fruit of
© Exemplify 2009
My Joy
and
My Delight By Kara
the spirit, a by-product of living in the
Spirit.
You can pursue happiness, but just as
stated above it’s not a given that you
can actually possess it. But joy? Now
that is something that we should be
trying to pursue. And I’ll let you in on
a little secret. As believers, it’s totally
our right. It’s tied into grace, into
salvation, into the One who resides in
us.
In Psalm 43:3-4 the psalmist writes
“Send forth your light and your truth,
let them guide me; let them bring me
to your holy mountain, to the place
where you dwell. Then will I go to the
altar of God, to God, my joy and my
delight. I will praise you with the harp,
O God, my God.”
Here we see that God is our true
source of joy. I think of all the things
in my life that I have pursued trying
to find joy when all along it is found
in Him. Isn’t that always the way
with God, in pursuing Him you find
everything else you’ve always
When the allergies or the stress of
my job or petty differences with
people tempt me to discard joy, I
need to reaffirm where my hope is.
I need to praise God.
He is our hope, our joy and
Psalm 43:3-4
our song!

“Send fo!h y"r light and y"r tru#, let

wanted. In Psalm 16 we find that in
God’s presence is fullness of joy.
Forget pursuing happiness, I think I
#em guide me; let #em b$ng me to y"r holy
would rather have joy at it’s fullest.
Wouldn’t we all?
Unfortunately, like many m"ntain, to % place where y" dwell.
other believers I don’t live like
someone whose access to joy at
'en will I go to % altar of God,
it’s fullest is just one prayer away. I
often fight depression. I let crummy
circumstances stave off joy. Stressful to God, my joy and my delight.
days at work, strained relationships,
springtime allergies, you name it, I
I will pra(e y" wi# % harp,
have let it get me down. Call it
spiritual amnesia.
O God, my God.
Later on in Psalm 43 the psalmist

Why are y" do)ca*, O my s"l?

asks himself, “Why so downcast o
my soul?” There are days I could
ask my own soul the same question.
Why am I downcast? Why so Why so +*urbed wi#in me?
negative? I have the true source of

Put y"r hope in God,

joy inside of me! The answer is
found right there, “Put your hope in
God. For I will yet praise him, my
Savior and my God.” for I will yet pra(e him,

my Savior and my God.”

© Exemplify 2009
 A Sanctuary’s Greatest Accessory
Proverbs 31:27-28
“She looke# well to % ways
of her h"sehold, and eate# not
#e bread of idleness. Her
chil-en a$se up, and call her
blessed; her husband also, and he
pra(e# her.”
© Exemplify 2009
by Christy Klein
I grew up in a comfortable home. It wasn't big, it wasn't a
marvel of contemporary architecture, it wasn't a reflection
of the current home interior trends, but it was comfortable.
It was a sanctuary and I loved being there.
My childhood home might have been lacking a certain
decorative flair, but it never felt cold or empty. To me, our
sanctuary was as beautiful as a castle, and as warm as a
kiss from the sun. To me, our sanctuary lacked nothing
because we had the greatest accessory any sanctuary
could have... my mom.
I loved walking home from school knowing that my mom
would be there waiting for me. She would be there willing to
take an interest in my day, and ready to meet all of my
needs. She kept her home in perfect order (with the
exception of the junk drawer, but I think every sanctuary has
one of those). I don't know how she did it, but our sanctuary
was always spotless and ready for unexpected visitors. My
mom's hands were always working on something for
someone - pouring herself out for others in her service to
them. She worked hard to ensure that her girls grew up with
memories to share and traditions to pass on. I do not
remember my mom's hands ever being idle. She was very
much like a Proverbs 31 woman, though she probably never
realized it.
My mom was my cheerleader when I felt defeated, my
comforter when I felt distressed, my security blanket when I
felt scared, my sunlight when I felt blue, and my medicine
when I felt homesick. Everything about my mom was
beautiful to me.
I tell you this because if the Lord has gifted you with the title
of "Mother", then chances are your children feel the same
way about you. You are what makes being at home a time
of peace and rest. You are what those children look
forward to seeing when they come home from school. Your
hug offers the warmth and peace they crave. You have all
the beauty in your smile those little blessings will ever need.
Yes, there are a lot of ways we can make our sanctuary a
place of peace and beauty. And we should do what we
can to that end. But with Mother's Day right around the
corner, I wanted to remind you that you are the greatest
accessory your sanctuary can ever contain.
 Adding a Little Joy to Life
By Carol Moxley
in 10 Minutes or Less
In the midst of our day-to-day troubles, our daily busy-ness, the
concerns and trials we all find ourselves in, it is often difficult to find a
little joy. Sometimes, we need to just stop and create a joyful moment.
I confess, I sometimes have trouble with this, myself.

So, I asked my dear readers at She Lives (http://she-

lives.typepad.com/) to offer suggestions to you, dear Exemplify
readers, of things that can be done in 10 minutes or less to add a little
joy to our lives.

•From Kristin at No Small Thing (http://nosmallthing.wordpress.com/):

Play a game with the kids. It kind of amazes me how much fun we can
have playing a game of buckaroo. I am always so happy and thankful
that I sat down to *play* for once.

•Michelle, who doesn’t have a blog, offered two ideas: a) If you have
a latte machine, take 10 to make your favorite drink. Maybe even a
Caramel Macchiato! B) Go to your favorites and browse the blogs
that have been updated since you last checked. You could easily
read through 6 of them and have 6 fresh views.

• Susan at Sweet Annabelle (http://sweet-annabelle.blogspot.com/) this great idea: In ten minutes - Take time
to look back through old photos, photo albums or a computer photo cache. Since we don't usually take
photos of the "bad" times, usually this is a cheering experience for me! Nothing helps me to count my blessings
more than this activity!

• From my Twitter friend, @CowPunkMom, Blow bubbles in the backyard!

I’ll add a few of my own:

• Sing. Out loud. Okay, I know what you’re thinking. “She’s always telling us to sing.” I know, right? But it’s so
very good for your spirit and creates so much joy. Nobody cares if you’re off key when you’re alone, either.
So do it as to the Lord!

• Dance. Like nobody’s watching. You can even make sure they’re not, if that helps any. It’s more fun when
you have a dancing partner, though. So dance with the kids! (Or your hubby!)

• Play with your pets! When was the last time you enjoyed a good romp with Fido or jiggled a ball of yarn for
Kitty? A few minutes of pet therapy will bring you both a measure of joy!

And now, for my all time, number one, bestest, most favorite thing you can do in 10 minutes or less that will bring joy to
your life . . .

• Worship! When you pray, read the Bible, and praise the Lord God most high, it brings true joy. I’m not talking
about the momentary joy we find from fun activities. I’m talking about the deep, abiding, lasting joy that He
intends for us through His Son, Jesus Christ. Even in the midst of our trials.
The more we focus our eyes on Him, the more we look like Him. The more we look like Him, the deeper our true joy.

“Be joyful always.”

1 Thessalonians 5:16

© Exemplify 2009

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds.
James 1:2 NIV
James 1:2 threw me for a very, very
long time. I understood, fairly early in
my journey as a believer, that
coming to Christ wasn’t a
guaranteed relocation to easy street.
I was, however, guaranteed a
Comforter to lean on during tough
times, and His watchcare over me as
they continued.
But that’s not what James is saying
here, nor is it the message Paul
focuses on in his letter to the
Philippians. We are to “Rejoice in the
Lord always. I will say it again:
Rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4) Note that
this is not only in good times, but in
bad as well (Paul was, after all,
writing this epistle from a Roman jail).
How, you may ask, did he do that?
How are WE to do that? How can we
possibly have joy in the midst of loss,
confusion, and desperation? How
can I watch my husband undergo
three brain surgeries in one year and
still rejoice? Where is the joy in a
chronic, debilitating illness or a
financial crisis?
It all depends, I have discovered, on
your perspective.
Pure Joy
The first thing I need to clarify is that
there is a difference between
happiness and joy.
We are happy when things go our
way, when our plans come to
fruition, when we are pleasantly
surprised. Happiness is a good feeling
based on our circumstances.
Joy, on the other hand, is based not
on the outward factors of our lives
that can so often affect our mood,
but on trust and faith... Joy is a
positive confidence that things are
going as they should.
So, James and Paul are not asking
you to smile wide and dance a jig
when, say, your spouse dies.
They are, however, asking us to
accept and rejoice in God’s
sovereignty. We should, with the
power of the Holy Spirit, display “the
peace of God, which transcends all
understanding” (Philippians 4:7) in
the midst of our difficulties.
But how do we get to this point? Let’s So, I can rejoice in my difficulties
finish looking at James.
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers,
whenever you face trials of many
kinds, because you know that the
testing of your faith develops
perseverance. Perseverance must
finish its work so that you may be
© Exemplify 2009
By Joanne Sher
mature and complete, not lacking
anything.” James 1:2-4
The ultimate goal of every believer
should be to become more mature
in the Christian walk—to become
more like Christ, reflecting His nature
more and more precisely. It should
be the desire of our heart.
Trials are often the way the Lord
develops Christlike character in His
children. As we persevere through
the difficulties of life, as Jesus did
during His time on earth as a man,
each struggle we go through, each
experience we face, has the
potential to make us reflect His Son
more and more clearly.
Financial loss can help us appreciate
what we have, making us more
empathetic and generous with our
belongings. Physical illness helps us to
lean on and trust the Lord more, and
give us many opportunities to share
God’s faithfulness with others. And
the list goes on.
because God has used them to
reach a sinful world, in part by
developing Christlike character in
me, as well as others around us. I can
truly say that, because of the trials
the Lord has taken me through, I
have become:
 • A more loving and
respectful wife
• More adept at “making the
most of every opportunity”
• (Ephesians 5:16)
• A more powerful and willing
witness of the Lord’s power
and love Heavenly Father,
• More likely to exhibit the
fruit of the Holy Spirit
(Galatians 5:22-23) Thank You for using whatever
• More willing to give God,
rather than myself, the glory means are necessary to mold us
• More willing to put others into the image of Your Son. Help
before myself (Philippians
2:3) us, Lord, to keep our eyes on You,
• A better encourager and to rejoice in the work You are
doing in each of us, no matter
Of course, I am far from a perfect how hard it may be. Help us,
reflection of my Lord. But for every Father, to look beyond the
millimeter closer I grow to that
Perfect Model, I know that God is temporal difficulties, sorrows, and
causing it. And with my struggles, trusting Your
understanding of Him from His
Word, I can certainly trust that it is sovereignty, and Your promise that
for my good and the good of His all will work out for our good.
Kingdom.
Lead us to trust You, and to rejoice
For the purest joy, in its truest sense, in Your love and watchcare over
will only be found in His presence.
And anything that brings me closer us.
to that time is certainly cause for
joy.
In Jesus’ name I pray.
He is in control. He won. All will work Amen.
out for the good of His children
(Romans 8:28). My suffering is
temporary and serves an eternal
purpose.

Pure joy.

Be sure to check out

To visit Joanne at her personal blog, head
Joanne’s blog feature on
on over to joannesher.blogspot.com!
page 23!

© Exemplify 2009
 The Book Nook with Katrina
reviews & recommendations on all things literary
When I first read the back-cover copy of
Sacred Chaos by Tricia McCary Rhodes, I
knew I needed to read it. The premise was
one I could so easily relate to:
“Life is often chaotic.” So how
can we find ways to connect
with God, to pray, and to
listen to Him in the middle of
the craziness and noise and
busyness?
I think we could all use a little help connecting
with God amidst the chaos of life – both the
everyday chaos that comes with kids or work
or extended family, and the seasons of “extra
chaos” that seem to sneak up on us and take
over our lives and schedules.
Yes, we know that spending time reading
God’s word and praying are crucial, but there
are times when having an extended “quiet
time” each morning seems like little more
than a distant memory or vague future hope.
What do we do then? How can we keep our
communion with God vibrant and at the
forefront of our lives?
Sacred Chaos provides some excellent ideas.
The chapters are short, easy reads and the
author writes with a mixture of humor, warmth
and very practical advice – reading Sacred
Chaos felt much like chatting over coffee
with a mentor.
© Exemplify 2009
In each chapter, Rhodes offers a unique
suggestion for noticing the work and presence of
God in our lives and for engaging with Him. Her
suggestions include:
• Use your daily stresses, confusion or
disappointments as cues to pray. You may
not be able to set aside an hour to pray in
the morning, but you can use your
circumstances and emotions to remind
you to continually turn to God in prayer,
throughout the course of the day.
• Choose a short passage from Scripture
and write it out on note cards. Set aside
bits time over the next few days to read
the passage, meditate on it, ask God to
open your eyes to His truth, and
contemplate what God is saying in His
Word. This can be done in just a few
minutes each day.
• Look for opportunities to connect with
God through nature. Go for a walk, look
at the stars, etc. Think about what God
reveals about Himself through nature and
offer Him praise as you enjoy His creation.
These are just a few of the many ways of keeping
God foremost in our minds and hearts offered by
Rhodes in Sacred Chaos. When I turned the final
page of the book, I felt like I had an entire
toolbox of strategies and approaches for keeping
my mind fixed on the Lord…even when life is
completely chaotic.

“…but joy comes in the
morning.” Psalm 30:5, NKJV
And, actually, it did. Joy
came for me at 11:44 a.m. on a
Thursday. On my cell phone. Clearly
not the way a psalmist would have
envisioned, but arrive it did. My
agent, Rachelle Gardner, called with
the news of my first sale. My novel,
Walking on Broken Glass, sold to
Abingdon Press.
Joy hung out with me for
quite some time after that while I
awaited the contract. Of course, the
one day I didn’t arrive home before
the husband is the day the envelope
arrived. But not one of the scenarios
I'd played out over the past years
involved what came to pass. On that
same day, I learned Jonathan, a
precious student of mine from the
previous school year, died from
complications related to his brain
tumor treatment.
Jonathan didn’t start his junior
year of high school because weeks
before he was diagnosed with a
brain tumor. Those of us who knew
Jonathan, even staff and students
who only knew of him, were stunned.
Well, truly, a brain tumor in any
teenager is shocking news. But
Jonathan? The kid who didn’t need
to walk around campus with a Bible
because he could practically quote
it verbatim anyway? The kid whose
refreshing old-world politeness gave
us hope for male-kind? The kid who
J O Y C OM E S
didn’t skip classes, but rather skipped
to classes?
Yes, that Jonathan.
Even before Jonathan was a
student in my sophomore English
class, I knew about him. I'd taught his
older brother, Michael, who is now
studying aviation. So, years later,
when Jonathan appeared in my
class, I wasn't surprised by his deep
faith and passion for Jesus. I'd seen it
in Michael years before.
Jonathan bounced toward
everything and everyone. I'd observe
the "coolest of the cool" kids in class
as they'd watch Jonathan "work the
room" greeting students, giving away
hugs and smiles like he's just won
them in the lottery. Whatever
skepticism they harbored soon set sail
because, regardless of how lovingly
goofy they may have thought
Jonathan was, they were
magnetized by his transparency. No
one could ever doubt he was
genuine. Jocks, preps, skaters, nerds,
divas, geeks and goths--none of
those labels mattered to him. He saw
their souls and won their hearts.
As a writer, I want people to
know life is messy and scary and
confusing, but we find joy in the
chaos. I thought about those
yearnings as I read the guest
condolences posted for Jonathan.
Condolences from Louisiana,
Kentucky, North Carolina, California,
© Exemplify 2009
By Christa Allan
Florida, Kansas, New York, Iowa, New
Jersey, Pennsylvania, Mississippi,
Georgia, Oklahoma, Texas, Virginia,
Ohio, from Australia (Adelaide,
Newcastle, Kalgoorlie, Brisbane),
from England, Scotland, Canada,
and the United Arab Emirates, Dubai.
Many of these people knew
Jonathan only from his many
conversations on a theology website.
But their commonality was Jonathan
had touched their lives, he’d brought
them joy.
And he was barely 17 years
on this earth.
So, there was the lesson that
Jonathan taught me. I must dare to
be afraid so I can trust I'll find
courage. Because to reach out to
others, I must first reach within myself.
Summon the joy that eagerly waves
its hands shouting, “Pick me! Pick
me!”
And whatever gifts God has granted
me, I need to spread them lavishly.
After all, what's the purpose of a gift
that's never opened?
I couldn't help but think about
Jonathan rejoicing in heaven when I
looked at that envelope with my
long-awaited contract. Knowing
Jonathan, perhaps he wanted that
envelope to arrive the same day so
I'd rejoice as well. That'd be just his
style.
 While I'm on this road to
publication, I'm picturing Jonathan
running cross-country as he used to
do at school. Only now he's on the
streets of heaven, and he's
surrounded by the wisdom of the
ages.
He crossed the finish line first,
but I have no doubt he's cheering
me on.
___________________________
Jonathan wrote the poem below
when he was 15 years old.
“My Wings Take Flight”
by Jonathan DiLeo (2006)
Sometimes I wonder,
If I'm in a solemn dream,
Wond'ring around in darkness,
In this horrible requiem,
There is no end to it,
No end that I can see,
I feel that I can't break out,
Of this horrible requiem.
Peering into my psyche,
Into my conscious soul,
It's a frightening place,
Whose emotions take its toll,
And when I ever wonder,
If there's a way out,
A door in the corner of my eye,
Shuts itself to lock me out.
Life and death are as the same,
They are naught to me,
In this horrid darkness,
Living inside this requiem.
Hope is but a longing,
For which I can no longer seek,
Existence is but a travesty,
A terrible burden upon the man,
Under which no man can stand.
Suddenly, as I wonder,
In what is my horrid requiem,
A light above my wond'ring,
Opens itself up to me.
And I see, for the first time,
That my life was not in vain.
For I shall remember,
That I shall never be the same.
For hope has wings and it takes flight,
Inside the soul of man,
A wondrous dream of my God,
Is the requiem in which I stand.
Goodness and longing for my
freedom,
Inside dwells in me,
Power flows inside my veins,
Given from the Deity.
I now have wings,
And I take flight,
Outside of this abyss,
© Exemplify 2009
Heavenly light shines on me,
Something I hope to never miss.
From one of his journals:
Well, for everyone who
doesn't know...I have cancer. Yeah, it
sounds bad...it's Ok though...The
grace of God can carry though this
situation so much...I'm going to make
the most out of these next few
months.
Wow! The grace of God is
amazing! The most important mental
battle of my life just took place in the
last few hours and God has helped
me conquer!
I can not tell you how joyful I
am!
~Jonathan
Christa Allan is the mother
of five adult children and the
totally smitten Grammy of two
granddaughters.
She and her husband,
Ken, live in Louisiana where she
teaches high school English.
Her debut novel, Walking
on Broken Glass, will be released
by Abingdon Press in March, 2010.
She has essays in Chicken Soup for
the Coffee Lover’s Soul, Chicken
Soup for the Divorced Soul, The
Ultimate Teacher, and Cup of
Comfort for Parents of Children
with Special Needs.
WEBSITE:
www.christaallan.com

I have been a Christian for a number of years. I cannot seem to believe that Jesus will never
leave me. I feel like when I mess up that He has had it with me and is going to leave me. How can I
overcome this bondage. It honestly controls my life. I fluctuate between faith and fear
between victory and defeat. I really want to be free of this.
Dear Elise,
I have struggled with that same
bondage.
For me it has been a slow journey.
One that even as I was going
through it seemed like I was on my
own. I can now look back and see
the hand of God leading me and
changing my heart. Showing me
that He is faithful. That there is
nothing I could do to be
acceptable to God and if that is
true then there is nothing I can do
to become unacceptable to God.
Truth be told it is God beginning to
end. He is the faithful one. Even
when I am not. (2 Tim 2:13).
Jesus is the only thing that makes
us acceptable to God. There is
nothing we can do to merit
salvation on our own. And truly
understanding that can set you
free to rely and to believe solely on
Titus 2 Corner
with Christine
“I cannot seem to believe
that jesus will never leave
me...
”
Elise Wrote:
on God's goodness. His faithfulness
If you continue in Christ, He will
to keep us.
continue in you. Because He
cannot deny Himself. He is a good
If you have children, think about
and faithful God.
what they could do that would
cause you to reject them. If you
In Him,
are like most parents your answer
Christine
will be nothing. I could never leave
my children even if they left me.
Well God's word says ”if you, then,
though you are evil, know how to
give good gifts to your children,
how much more will your Father in
heaven give good gifts to those
who ask him!” (Matthew 7:11)
Look for scripture that counteracts
your fears and speak it daily. God's
word is alive and powerful. It
cannot return to Him void. 
God will continue His work in you
until the returning of Christ. He
promised it and He will do it.
I hope this has helped you.
© Exemplify 2009

It is my pleasure to introduce you
to Jenifer of By His Grace
Ministry
(www.byhisgraceministry.com).
She has joined the Exemplify
team as our monthly marriage
columnist.
Take some time to read the
testimony of her marriage today.
You will be amazed at what our
God can do! He is faithful and
hers is a story that is living proof
of that!
-Kristen schiffman
Once upon a time in a far away land
there lived a handsome young
prince. The handsome young prince
lived with his father and mother in a
beautiful castle atop a wide open
field of lush green grass. Over the
way there lived a fair young maiden
who spent the days filling her mind
with lovely stories from the many
books that lined her library shelves.
Then one day, as fate would have it,
the handsome young prince and the
fair young maiden met at the ball of
a neighboring countryman. Soon
they found themselves head-over-
heels in love and not long after were
married.
The handsome young prince and his
now lovely princess-bride built a
castle of their own, filled it with the
finest of things, had a rather large
family, and lived happily ever after.
Can you relate to this fairy tale of a
story? Me either! Well, maybe just a
little. My husband IS a very handsome
man, my knight in shining armor, in
fact. But, that’s about as far as my
fairy tale goes. When we met he was
not living in a beautiful castle atop of
wide open field of lush green grass.
He was living in a fifth wheel camper
in the middle of a lush green cow
pasture. Can you say “Yee-haw?” I
did spend my days filling my mind
with the books that lined my library
shelves, but these books didn’t
contain lovely stories that allowed
me to drift off into a world free of
cares and worries. I was reading
philosophy books and psychology
© Exemplify 2009
Meet our
new
marriage
columnist,
Jenifer!
books hoping to one day graduate
from college.
My husband and I didn’t meet at a
ball or anything remotely resembling
a ball. A mutual friend had agreed to
host a youth party for me in her home
and unbeknownst to me invited him
to come. We chit chatted that night,
neither of us very impressed with the
other, but soon after found ourselves
hanging out more and more. Not
long after we found ourselves head-
over-heels in lust and by the next
year we were married.
Our first home was by no means a
castle; it was a rat infested, roach
hotel that needed to be burned
down. We had mice living in our
couch and mattress and birds and
squirrels living in the fire place. No
need to worry about the upkeep of a
lawn of lush green grass. We didn’t
even have grass; instead we had a
peanut field for a back yard and
pecan trees filled the front yard. Not
long after we married our family
began to grow. We welcomed our
first child during the first year of
marriage and three years later our
second. And, eight years later we
were blessed to have a third child.
Living “happily ever after” was not We didn’t talk, we didn’t laugh, praying for him like nobody’s
even a thought in our minds during most of the time we didn’t even business. Within a month he was on
the first years of our marriage. Our want to be in the same room. his knees at our kitchen table crying
honeymoon was over before it even out to the Lord to save him. That
began. My husband and I both November 2002, brought with it a December, my husband and I were
brought a lot of junk into our much needed change. I agreed to baptized together. It was the most
marriage. I had suitcases filled with attend a marriage conference with precious gift we received that
shame and guilt, bitterness and my mother-in-law never expecting Christmas. God had not only worked
hatred. I was lonely and depressed anything to come from it. I need you a miracle in my life, but He also
searching desperately for someone to know that I had grown up in performed a miracle in the life of my
to fill the hole in my heart. My church. My dad was a pastor, so I husband.
husband had his own set of was always there. I knew all the
baggage as well. He was carrying churchy answers and I knew how a Within a few months both of us were
wounds from his parents’ divorce “good preacher’s daughter” should actively involved in our student
and had chosen to deal with those act. But, that’s as far as it went; it ministry department. He was
wounds by drowning himself in was all an act, a front, a façade. At teaching and mentoring a 12th
alcohol each night. He too, was this point in my life I had wandered grade boy's Sunday School class. I
lonely and looking for someone to fill very far away from God. But, praise was also teaching and mentoring a
those empty places in his heart. So His name He is El Roi, the God who 7th grade girls class. God was doing
here we were two much messed up sees, and all the while He had His a mighty work in us and allowing us
people who had no business saying eyes on me. to do some mighty work for Him.
“I do”. Since then, God called us to leave
God spoke so plainly to me through our home in Alabama and move to
As I look back over those early the speaker that weekend; it was as North Carolina to prepare for the
years, I can see the hand of God though He Himself were standing ministry He has called us to.
drawing us closer to Him with each before me. I saw in her a love and
new obstacle that reared its ugly passion for the Lord I had never seen Is our marriage perfect? No. Is our
head. Within a year and a half of before. I felt the love of God pouring marriage always easy? No. Do we
marrying, my husband had been to forth from her. God began that always get along and agree on
see a divorce lawyer; paperwork weekend to heal my broken heart everything? No. I love my man more
was drawn up and he was on his and battered body. To put into than anything else in this world. The
way out the door because of some words all that I experienced during love I have for him flows from a
very irrational and stupid financial that one weekend with the Lord heart that loves Jesus more than life
decisions I had made. The lawyer he would be far more than these pages itself. Today, we laugh together at
was working with was a Christian can hold for now. Since that the silliest of things and enjoy each
and told him that she would not file moment I have never been the other’s company. He is my
the paperwork until we had same. God began healing my heart confidant, my best friend, and my
exhausted all of our resources with that weekend and set my feet to soul mate. God purposed for us
Christian marriage counseling. We walking down a new path, a before the foundations of the world
found a Christian counselor and met straighter, much narrower path than to spend our lives together. It was a
with her for about three months. She I’d been used to. He restored to me long, hard road which lead us to this
had some very good ideas, but the joy of my salvation. The next end, but I wouldn’t trade it for
neither of us was ready to really deal Sunday I went forward during the anything. God is good and His plan
with our issues. We both sat there invitation and told the pastor about in perfect!
and lied to her, telling her what she the encounter I had with the Lord. I
wanted to hear so that we could knew Jesus like I had never known The joy of the Lord is our strength
get the “ok” to move on. Him before and He knew me. through the storms. His joy is the
laughter that now fills our home.
For the next three years we My husband was not happy in the And, His joy is the perfect love that
continued to drift further and further least with my “new found freedom” floods our souls each day.
apart. He buried himself in his work because he knew he was soon to
and fishing; I dove into my job and follow. He knew that when I set my
motherhood. Our relationship at this mind to doing something, there was
point was nothing more than two no stopping me; it was all or nothing
people living under the same roof. and he was going with me. I began

© Exemplify 2009
 Joanne was raised in Southern which she truly enjoys (and has been
California but now lives in West told she is quite good at!).
Michigan with her wonderful husband
Marc, and their two kids - Andrew & Joanne’s other passion is God's
Annika. She was raised in the Jewish Word, which meets her every need.
Take some time to get
faith, but has since become a
acquainted with
follower of Christ. God has sustained Joanne and
Joanne of An Open
her family through so much, and it is
Book.
Joanne loves to write and has her ministry (among others) to share
had assorted stories published in a that sustenance, and God's work,
Exemplify is joyed to
handful of magazines and a few with all who will listen.
feature her blog
Christian writing anthologies. She is
today!
currently working on a non-fiction
book about God's workings through
Head on over to her
her husband's health issues.
site for joyful
Tentatively titled Ailing Body,
devotions and gifted
Nourished Soul, the first chapter
writing.
recently received honorable mention
in Fathwriters.com's Page Turner First
joannesher.blogspot.com Chapter contest.

Her other writing projects include

her personal blog An Open Book and
the Faithwriters' Writing Challenge.
Joanne also does editing on the side,

© Exemplify 2009
Fashion Forward with Jennifer
Like the latest trends but don't want to invest a ton a money on something that
might not be around for very long? a great way to experiment with trends,
without spending a bunch of money, is with your accessories.
One of the big trends right
now is Gladiator shoes.
Check out these options for
under $30. If you like a flat
shoe, this pair is adorable.
Or if you prefer a heel, these
shoes might be for you.
Women's Mossimo® Penina Gladiator
Sandals - Black Patent, Target $24.99
Women's Mossimo® Paulina Gladiator
Sandals - Brown Pebble Patent, Target
$26.99
Adi Designs Oversized Fashion Sunglasses
- Brown, Target $16.99
Destination Charm Necklace, Urban
Outfitters, $24.00
Another great way to
accessorize is with sunglasses.
You can't go wrong with a
great pair of Aviators or the
over-sized round glasses. A
little reminiscent of the Jacki
O sunglasses. Check out this
pair from Target.
Big necklaces are in right
now and can be worn with
pretty much anything. Your
favorite button down, tank
top or a plain tee. I love
mixing stone and wooden
bead necklaces. You can also
mix a charm necklace with
your favorite stone necklace. I
adore this charm necklace
from Urban Outfitters. Each
charm represent a different
place on the map. You can
choose between six different
destination charms. London,
California, Tokyo,
Amsterdam, Venice and Paris.
“And remember no matter what you wear,
The king is enthralled by your beauty
”.
Psalm 45:11
© Exemplify 2009
Ministry: Online!  
What kind of web ministry can I do? I know blogging is one way but what are others? I
just can’t think of other ways to do it. Can you help?
Absolutely, Karly!
There are many different
ways to begin to reach out in
ministry via the internet. I’ll
cover a basic list for you but
it is by no means exhaustive.
My advice to you would be to
pray and ask God to show
you what He would have you
to do. He may not give you a
direct answer but He will
point you in the right
direction.
1. Online Bible Study – You can
conduct a bible study online
utilizing Twitter, a chat room,
or yahoo group for privacy or
you can simply have each
participant post on their own
blogs and link back to yours.
The latter method expands
the chances of others seeing
the study and possible
becoming involved. The first
option increases the intimacy
of the room and allows for the
participants to be transparent
and vulnerable where as they
may not have been so
otherwise.
Karly asks:
2. Email – You can send an
encouraging email or
devotion each week to
someone in particular. I say
someone in particular
because when something is
mass mailed then it is typically
overlooked as chain mail. But,
if you send it to someone in
particular and write a note
about how you thought of
them when you wrote it or
read it or whatever the case
may be, then they are more
likely to read it and accept it.
If you hear of someone
having a hard time then
simply send them an email
and let them know that you
are praying for them.
3. YouTube: Believe it or not,
video evangelism is on the
rise. If you can think of fun and
interesting ways to express the
word of God and put it on
video then chances are it will
reach thousands. Simple
illustrations such as standing in
a garden and explaining the
parable of the sower and the
seeds can be a powerful tool.
Recorded testimonies, prayer,
and short messages are also a
great way to reach out.
© Exemplify 2009
By Amy Bayliss
4. Twitter: Twitter (also known as
micro-blogging) is being used
regularly as a “one-liner” way
of preaching the message of
the kingdom. I’ve seen some
great one liners like: “I have
been misrepresented by those
who don't know me. John
8:41-44,” “God answers knee
mail,” & “Our job isn't to
change the message. Our job
is to let the message change
us.”
5. Facebook – Facebook is an
opportunity to let the light of
Christ shine through you. It is
an excellent social networking
site that allows you to keep up
with fellow Christians and
minister to those who are
seeking. With over 68 million
Facebook users, there is no
reason not to consider using
this application.
Those are just a few ways you can
utilize the web for ministry but for
the sake of space and time I will
just leave it at that.
 Karly’s next question was:
Is it okay to use a secular website to
minister?

My reply is simple, yes! Jesus preached wherever and

whenever and the Father promises us that He will use
all things for good. The site in and of itself is not evil. It is
the person using it and what they do with it that makes
it so. The same could be said of many things. The
rainbow is a good example. I refuse to stop associating
my Christian heritage with a rainbow just because a
certain group of people have taken it and used it for
ungodliness. With that said, I can think of a couple of
reasons why you should not use online sites for ministry.

1. You have been personally convicted by God

that you should not participate in these
websites. If this is the case then you should
obey God but that does not mean that it is Interested in Ministry Online? Be sure to head
wrong for everyone. I know some people who over to A Woman Inspired’s website! The June
have been convicted of using cell phones conference will be on this very topic with
because it became a false god to them. That
does not mean everyone else should throw out speakers from around the blog-o-sphere and
their phones. Pray about it. Ask God what His internet who are daily ministering to women
plan is for you.
online.
2. You lack time. If you lack the time it would take
to minister in this way then you should most AWomanInspiredConference.org
definitely wait until you do. In the meantime
you can pray for those of us who are in online
ministry and when you sense God nudging you And don’t forget to enter our giveaway! Three
to go forward then you can join us!
readers will win a free ticket to the June
Send you questions to: inquiry@amybayliss.com conference. Head to page 2 to read the details or
hop over to ExemplifyOnline.com!

Married  to  her  best  friend  and  “main  squeeze”,  Amy  Bayliss  is  a  4th  year  homeschooling,  co‐
educa?ng mom to three boys who loves to celebrate life to the fullest. She thoroughly enjoys wri?ng 
about the pearls of wisdom God delivers to her soul. Amy is the co‐owner  of the popular sites: Heart 
of  the MaHer Online and  Internet  Cafe  Devo?ons. She  is also the co‐founder  of A Woman  Inspired, 
affordable and inspiring online conferences for  Chris?an women. You  can visit  her at her  site:   Amy 
Bayliss.

© Exemplify 2009

HA N N A H :
GOD HAS H E A R D M E
She stared down at the
piece of meat on her plate, trying
to find joy in his sincere gesture.
His hand closed over hers,
warm and comforting. “See what I
have given you, Hannah my love?
The choicest portion of the meat,
and only for my best person. Now
please eat, beloved. You look pale
today.” Elkanah smiled at her
warmly before turning back to his
own plate.
From across the table,
Penninah glared at her coldly.
Hannah picked up her
utensils and began to eat, doing so
only to satisfy her husband. She
had no appetite, no desire for food
or drink. She only wanted to go
home and slip under her blankets,
to hide from Elkanah and his
oblivious placating tendencies and
Penninah and her vitriolic
retributions.
She tore off another piece
of meat and placed it in her mouth.
Why, Lord? Why has my life come
to this? Why is this curse upon me?
she prayed silently, avoiding
Penninah’s dangerous gaze. Have
I not been faithful? Has my
husband not been faithful? May
You deal with me, be it ever so
severely, if You can find another
Levite as pious and devoted to You
as Elkanah is.
Across the table, Hophni
was telling a raucous joke, and
Phineas and Penninah laughed
aloud. Hannah closed her eyes,
blocking out the grating sounds.
Elkanah cleared his throat loudly,
but his sons paid him no mind.
We’re good, but we’re not
perfect, Lord, Hannah admitted
morosely. We have thwarted Your
plan for marriage. Had Penninah
never entered the picture, we
would not be in this mess.
She swallowed thickly. It
was her fault Penninah and her
abundant womb were there. If she
had only been able to provide
Elkanah a son! It never happened,
though. Month after month, the
potential for new life flushed out of
her womb, mocking her and her
infertility.
But shouldn’t Elkanah have
been content with the lot the Lord
had given him?
Ridiculous. The mark of a
man (and subsequently his wife)
was how many children had been
borne to him. And Hannah had
failed at her duty to provide an
© Exemplify 2009
By Tara Rachel
offspring. She couldn’t fault her
husband for his need to carry on his
line.
But could she fault the Lord
for closing her womb?
Oh, God, I want to fault
You. It would be so easy to cast all
the blame at Your feet. My
emptiness, my loneliness. I want to
curse You and be done with it. Her
eyes filled with thick tears. But I
can’t. You are all I have. You have
blessed me indeed with a
wonderful husband who loves You
with all his heart and desires to
serve You. You have blessed me
with a husband who loves me
despite my faults. So I will praise
You for such blessings, even though
my heart hurts more than You can
understand.
I understand, My child. And
I will sustain you, if you lean on Me
and continue to be thankful in all
circumstances.
Her hand instinctively came
to rest over her flat abdomen.
Lord, let me be as Rachel, loved by
her husband and mother of a son.
Just one son, Lord. I ask You for one
son. Please hear the cry of Your
servant.
 Hannah pushed her plate
back from her. She had taken three
bites of the meat.
“Why Hannah, you didn’t eat
much! Aren’t you feeling a little
empty inside?” Penninah taunted
wickedly.
Elkanah shot her a warning
look. “Penninah, that’s enough out
of you!” He turned toward Hannah,
concern in his eyes. “Don’t listen to
her, my dear. She is only trying to
upset you.” He smudged a tear from
under her eye. “Oh, Hannah,” he
whispered, cupping her cheek. “Why
are you weeping? Is it because of
her?” He gestured to her relatively
untouched meal. “Why don’t you
eat? Why are you so downhearted?
Don’t I mean more to you than ten
sons? Isn’t my love enough?”
She met his eyes. Oh, she
loved him so much. He was so good
to her and showered her with his love
and affection. Yes, my love, you do
mean more to me. She managed a
weak smile and turned, taking a long
drink from her cup. But you could
never understand my pain.
Hannah counted the minutes
until the fellowship meal was over. As
soon as the last bite of food had
been consumed, she stood quickly
and excused herself, making a dash
for the entryway. She left her family
seated, enjoying the last of their
drinks and laughing. She burst
through the door, choking back her
grief and stood under the moon. She
tilted her face to the strong evening
breezes, so common in Shiloh during
this time of year, and let them cool
her face and tried to ease her rapid
breaths. She walked out into the
open, towards the tabernacle, the
Tent of Meeting. The tent cloths
slapped and whipped in the strong
breezes. She sank down to her knees
in the dirt, giving in to her emotions.
She wept – hard, gut-wrenching sobs
– that shook her entire body.
Clutching handfuls of dirt in
her palms, she let her thoughts race
into dangerous territory I hate her,
God. I hate her and her children. I
hate how she makes me feel. I hate
how she treats me. I hate how she
constantly rubs it in my face that she
can give birth and I can’t! I hate
how she makes me feel worthless.
Beloved…
No, God, I’m not done! I hate
this whole situation I am in. Why
can’t I have children? It’s the most
natural thing in the world! Why has
this blessing been withheld from me?
Is it something I’ve done? Something
I am being punished for? Why this
wedge within my marriage? I love
my husband, and I want to bear him
a son. Why, Lord? Why?
Hannah…
Oh, God, it hurts. Couldn’t
the other woman, this concubine,
have been a gracious woman, not
tormenting and deceptive?
Are you being gracious by
saying how much you hate her?
Hannah shook her head,
wiping tears with her dirty hands. No,
Lord, forgive me. But it is so hard,
and the root of bitterness is growing.
Hannah, have you seen a
time in My Word when women didn’t
have chasms of mistrust and anger in
this situation? Look at Hagar and
Sarah. Rachel and Leah. When men
try to take matters into their own
hands, disaster happens and often
the women suffer right along with the
consequences.
I know, Lord. But she makes
me –
She doesn’t make you
anything, My child. You are basing
your worth and identity on the actions
of a wicked woman. You are called
grace by name, and I have given
you blessings many other women
desire deeply. Yes, your womb is
closed, but that does not make you
less of a person. That does not make
you less of a woman. That does not
mean you are loved any less by Me
or by your husband. As hard as it is,
take your eyes off your situation and
keep them focused on Me. Continue
to be thankful, and find joy in Me
© Exemplify 2009
despite the circumstance. I will
ultimately receive glory from this, as
long as you are obedient and
longsuffering.
Hannah nodded again,
letting the Lord’s words wash over her
in comforting waves.
Any woman can go through
the act of childbirth, Hannah. Flesh is
flesh. But the true test lies in what will
become of that child – how will he
live, how will he grow? Will he find
favor with Me or will he turn his back
against me?
Hannah understood. The Lord
wanted more than just population.
He wanted a people who loved and
served Him. She listened to the
coarse laughter coming from within
the hall, the sons of Penninah – the
so-called priests. They were servants
of God by birth, and yet they had no
desire to love and honor Him. The
root of bitterness dug a little deeper,
and she felt the fleshly urge to gloat
over Penninah’s lack of ability to raise
her sons with a knowledge of God.
No, I will pray for them. I will
pray for a turning of their hearts, that
they would serve the Lord as
honorable men, and that their
mother would turn to Him as well. So
she dropped her head again and
began to intercede on behalf of her
husband’s children and their mother.
After several long minutes of
praying for those she so often
despised, Hannah began to feel her
spirits lift. Joy spread throughout her
body, a hope taking root like a
flowering vine, choking and killing the
bitterness that tried so hard to
overcome her.
She sat up and sank back on her
heels, lifting her face to the heavens
and to the Lord. She began to
praise, worshiping Him for His hearing
of her cry, of her grief. While she
praised, her resolve grew. She
remembered Abraham petitioning
the Lord for the sparing of Sodom.
She opened her eyes, the stars in the
heavens twinkling back at her. “Oh,
Lord,” she prayed, her mouth moving
silently.
 Jehovah Saboath,, my Lord of
Hosts… Jehovah-Jireh, my provider…
El Roi, the One who sees me… El
Shaddai… Lord Almighty. I pray You
hear me and Your heart will be
turned, much like it was with Your
servant Abraham. If you would but
look upon the misery of Your servant
and remember me, and not forget
Your servant but give her a son, then I
will give him back to the Lord for all
the days of his life, and no razor will
ever be used on his head.” She
continued to worship and prayed,
hands lifted and heart soaring and
aching at the same time.
“Woman, what are you
doing?” A sharp voice cut in through
her private devotion. “Hallelujah,”
she whispered softly, and got to her
feet, brushing the dirt from the knees
of her linen shift. She searched
around for the owner of the voice,
and found him seated outside the
flap to the tent of meeting. It was Eli
the priest, and he studied her with a
critical gaze. He slowly rose from his
chair and walked toward her.
“I have been watching you,”
he said carefully, leaning heavily on
his walking stick. “I see your lips
moving but I hear no words. You
must be drunk.”
She shook her head quickly,
wanting to explain, but he cut her
off.
“How long will you keep on
getting drunk?” he accused. “You
need to get rid of your wine.”
“Please, my lord, it’s not so,”
she replied, and hoped he could
discern from the clarity of her words
that she was indeed sober. She
shrugged her shoulders. “I am a
woman who is deeply troubled. I
have not been drinking wine or beer;
I was pouring out my soul to the
Lord.” Her eyes prickled, and she
blinked quickly to hold back the start
of tears. “Do not take your servant to
be a wicked woman; I have been
praying here out of great anguish
and grief.”
She saw old Eli’s eyes soften,
and she knew he recognized her as
the wife of Elkanah. No doubt he
was familiar with the family situation
of one of the most pious worshippers.
He raised his hand before her. “Go in
peace, and may the God of Israel
grant you what you have asked of
Him.”
The thrill of joy rushed through
her, and she grinned widely. “May
your servant find favor in your eyes.”
Eli nodded and turned to go back to
his chair outside the tabernacle.
Hannah drew a deep breath
and turned to face the hall. Lights
still shone from the tables and
brackets on the walls. She walked
back in to find her family still seated,
some loud and rosy-cheeked
because of too much wine.
Elkanah’s eyes lit up when he saw
her, and he drew her chair back for
her so she could sit. “My dear, are
you hungry yet?”
She took her seat and tore off a
piece of meat, stuffing it into her
mouth. “I am,” she answered, and
she took his hand, smiling broadly
over the favor of the Lord in her life.
She would tell Elkanah later in private
about her vow; she knew he would
not force her to nullify it under the
Law. He wanted her to have a son
as much as she did. She smiled
again, her heart full with hope.
“Push, my lady, one more
push should do it!”
Hannah squeezed her eyes
closed, straining every muscle in her
body as she focused on moving the
mass within her abdomen. Pain
ripped at her to her very core; her
back throbbed dully. Even her legs
ached in protest from the muscles
being clenched for so long.
Puah the midwife knelt
between Hannah’s raised legs, one
hand on her swollen abdomen and
the other poised to catch the new
child. She raised her eyes to
Hannah’s, smiling brightly. “I can see
the head, my lady. Is your stomach
still tightening? Give one last push
© Exemplify 2009
the next time you feel your stomach
tighten and the baby should come
out.”
Hannah propped herself up
on her elbows, sweat pouring off her
face and chest. Muscle spasms
rolled throughout her abdomen, and
she bit her lip against the pain.
Drawing in a deep gasp of breath,
she focused as hard as she could
and felt the child slip easily from her
body. “Praise the Lord,” she
whispered, collapsing heavily back
on the pile of blankets. Her stomach
continued to cramp but the intensity
of the pain was over. She dragged
air into her lungs, more exhausted
than she had ever felt in her life. She
heard the choking cry of her baby,
and she began to sob herself.
She heard water splashing
and looked over. Puah was washing
the child thoroughly and rubbing the
body down with salt. She took the
clean strips of linen and began to
wrap tightly, until the child was a
perfect little package. She brought
the baby over to Hannah and
placed it gently into her arms at her
breast. “A son, my lady,” Puah
whispered. “You have a beautiful
son.”
Hannah stared through her
tears at the tiny, perfect face. The
rosy pink lips nuzzled her shoulder
and she moved him to her breast.
He began to suckle immediately.
Puah stood close, gazing at the new
boy. “Shall I get the master?” she
asked excitedly, brushing a sweaty
strand of hair from her forehead.
Hannah nodded and Puah
bolted from the room. Soon Elkanah
came rushing through the door, tears
flowing freely down his cheeks. “Oh,
Hannah, oh, Hannah,” he gushed,
coming to her side and kissing her
drenched forehead.
She smiled weakly, though
inside her heart was racing with joy.
“I have given you a son, my love.”
Elkanah laid his hand on her
head. “What should we call him?”
 She already knew his name. carefully for this day. Had it really three short years.” She felt her eyes
She knew it the first time she noticed been three years already? filling with tears again. “I wanted
her monthly flow was missing. She Eli the priest walked toward nothing more than a son. It was the
knew it the first time she couldn’t tie her and reached out to young deepest desire of my heart and I
her belt around her shift. She knew it Samuel. Samuel, as though gave it over to God. He answered
the first time she felt sick in the instinctively, reached out and joined my cry and my prayer and gave me
midday, the first time she felt the him. Eli patted the child’s head. the one thing I longed for more than
tickling sensations deep within her Hannah stepped forward. anything else.” She saw the sheen of
womb. She whispered the name to “As surely as you live, my lord, I am tears in Elkanah’s eyes as well. “I love
him when she was alone, told him of the woman who stood here beside the Lord more than anything or
the God who had woven him you praying to the Lord. I prayed for anyone – even you, my dear, and
together despite her barrenness. this child, and the Lord has granted Samuel.” She swallowed over the
“His name will be Samuel,” me what I asked of Him. So now I stinging lump in her throat, trying to
she replied, and Elkanah smiled. give him to the Lord. For his whole coax out her next words. “I can think
“Because I asked the Lord for him, life he will be given over to the Lord.” of no greater way to demonstrate
and He heard me.” Tears fell hard and fast, obstructing my love for Him than to give to Him
her vision. the thing I love the most. If that
She and Elkanah said their means my son, then it must be my
Hannah stood in the goodbyes and watched as young son. I will give up my son for Him,
doorway, watching as Elkanah lifted Samuel was led away by the old because of my deep love for Him.”
the last of his belongings onto the priest. Then together they packed She swallowed again, the lump in her
back of his donkey. He wiped his up their belongings and headed for throat growing larger. “As happy as
brow and shielded his eyes from the Ramah. Going home without their Samuel makes me, I now know that
overhead sun. He came back into son. only in His presence is fullness of joy.”
the shade of the house and kissed Hannah didn’t speak for most She sighed. “I need to be alone for a
her cheek. “I must go back to Shiloh of the trip. Her thoughts and minute,” she said. Elkanah nodded
and fulfill my vow to the Lord.” He emotions were consumed and she and she turned to go back outside.
cupped her face with his hand. “Are spent most of the trip in desperate The night breeze was warm,
you sure you won’t join us?” prayer. My son, Lord. Oh, I didn’t and it lifted her hair and made chills
She shook her head and think it would hurt this bad. break out on her skin. She looked up
shifted Samuel slightly on her hip. She Cling to me, my child. at the sky again, the same sky and
was amazed at how much he had I’m trying, God. I want to same stars that once winked down
grown in the last two months. “I am serve You and I want nothing other on her in her great distress. She lifted
going to stay here.” Her husband than my son to serve You. But it still her hands in praise to the Lord,
met her gaze, a solemn reminder of hurts. thanking Him for the life that came
her own vow she would need to fulfill. It was dark by the time they out of the death of her womb, for the
“After he is weaned, I will take him arrived back in Ramah. As they three amazing years, and for being a
and present him before the Lord, made their way into the house, God who hears and listens to the cry
and he will live there always.” She Elkanah approached her. “You’ve of His people, even a lonely wife
sounded steadfast, though inside the been awfully quiet, my love.” desperate to be a mother. Hallelujah
words made her tremble. She smiled at him. Sweet, .
She noted the mixed compassionate Elkanah. “It hurts, Adapted from 1 Samuel 1
emotions crossing Elkanah’s face. Elkanah. I won’t lie and say it © April 2009
She understood his feelings: joy to be doesn’t. I had no idea three years
able to serve the Lord could pass so quickly. Sometimes I
wholeheartedly, and yet wish I could go back on my vow. But
unspeakable sorrow for giving up the I also know had I never made it, I
one thing they had wanted for so would never have had Samuel.” She
long. Elkanah bent and kissed her looked outside, towards the direction
again, turned into the sunshine, and of Shiloh, where she knew her young
departed for Shiloh. son was already being trained for the
*** service of the Lord.
Hannah stood before the Tent “But if there is one thing I
of Meeting, watching the flaps wave know, it’s that God can do amazing
in the breeze. She clutched the things in a short amount of time.
chubby hand of her son, dressed so Look at what he has done for us in

© Exemplify 2009
 May 3, 2009

Submit an article to our magazine!

Exemplify Online & Magazine is currently If you are interested in submitting, please check our

scheduling our 2010 editorial calendar. Below are website for writer’s guidelines: exemplifyonline.com.

2010’s themes.
We look forward to featuring your writing in the

future!

January — Simplifying

February — Love in Action

March — Obedience

April — Worship

May– Faithfulness

June– Humility

July– Forgiveness

August–Friendship

September–Spiritual Endurance

October–Harvest (for example, Psalm 126)

November–Family

December–Christmas