Another drawing!
Posted on Tuesday, October 9, 2007 by Ana Marie Ort
Biblicalwomanhoodonline.com is hosting another drawing! This time, it is a book that no doubt has much to offer women in our day.
To enter the drawing, visit http://biblicalwomanhoodonline.com/blog.htm
You can read a description here:
http://passionatehousewives.blogspot.com/2007/09/passionate-housewives-desperate-for-god.html
A press release can be found here:
http://www.prwebdirect.com/releases/2007/10/prweb558267.htm
And, if you don't regularly visit Crystal's blog, I encourage you to do so!
Interesting article...
Posted on Monday, September 24, 2007 by Ana Marie Ort
If you want to know what a child is, study his play; if you want to what he shall be, direct the form of play.....Girls have, however, plays which are peculiarly their own. Many years ago, when my first daughter was born, my wife and I planned for her a childhood which should omit dolls. Most of the disorders in my family had been of a nervous type—headaches, earaches, backaches, rather than any organic troubles—and we wished our children to be out of doors a great deal in order to counteract this tendency. So we encouraged our daughter in all forms of boys’ plays, and gave her much opportunity for playing outdoor games. We gave her no dolls, because dolls lead to sedentary occupation. We decided that she should not play indoors with other girls, for we feared that through such association the habit of doll play would be acquired. She was not taken down-town to the shops where dolls are prominently displayed lest she should be attracted by them. The plan seemed to work very well for a few years. But one Christmas she was asked what gift she wanted more than anything else. To the astonishment and confusion of her parents she answered: “Oh, if I could only have a doll.” She received that doll and so did the three sisters who came after her.
Some years afterward I took a doll census and discovered that there were in the house thirty-seven members of the doll family, each with its won name and relationships. That number did not include the clothes-pin dolls, spool dolls, paper dolls, dolls made from acorns, or any other of the great community of ephemeral dolls that come and go. It included only the regularly established members of the household. These girls had no more intense relations to the dolls than most girls have. A remarkable development of domestic feeling was brought about in connection with this doll family. Doll play is essentially girl play. Much of the rich, social life of women and the ready use of the hands come through playing with dolls. The manual skill that boys acquire is different in kind.
A Philosophy of Play, 1920, Charles Scribner and Sons, by Luther Gulick
another drawing!
Posted on Friday, September 21, 2007 by Ana Marie Ort
One of my friends is hosting another giveaway on her blog. This time, it is a lovely black/white/red teapot apron! Do visit the link below and find out how you can enter the drawing.
http://ajoyfulhandmaiden.blogspot.com/
Vision Forum gift certificate drawing!
Posted on Wednesday, August 8, 2007 by Ana Marie Ort
BiblicalWomanhood.com is giving away a $25 Vision Forum certificate. Copy and paste the link to find out how to enter the drawing!
http://www.biblicalwomanhood.com/2007/08/giveaway-25-vision-forum-gift.html
CD giveaway!
Posted on Monday, July 30, 2007 by Ana Marie Ort
My friend, Cheri, is doing another giveaway on her website. Visit the link for more details: http://www.ajoyfulhandmaiden.blogspot.com/ .
Apron Giveaway!
Posted on Tuesday, July 10, 2007 by Ana Marie Ort
One of my friends is giving away a lovely home-sewn apron on her blog. Check out http://www.ajoyfulhandmaiden.blogspot.com/ for details and to enter the drawing!
Bible vs. cell phone
Posted on Wednesday, May 23, 2007 by Ana Marie Ort
What would happen if we treated our Bible like we treat our mobile phone?
What if we carried it around in our purses or pockets?
What if we flipped through it several time a day?
What if we turned back to go get it if we forgot it?
What if we used it to receive messages from the text?
What if we treated it like we couldn't live without it?
What if we gave it to Kids as gifts?
What if we used it when we travelled?
What if we used it in case of emergency?
This is something to make you go....hmm!! Where is my Bible?
Oh, and one more thing. Unlike our mobile phone,
we don't have to worry about our Bible being
disconnected because Jesus already paid the bill.
Makes you stop and think "where are my priorities?
And no dropped calls!
(from a forwarded e-mail)
The Modesty Survey Results Launched!
Posted on Wednesday, February 14, 2007 by Ana Marie Ort
TheRebelution.com just launched the results of their massive Modesty Survey! Over 1,600 Christian guys answered questions on everything from glitter lotion and lip gloss to swimsuits and skirt slits! For you girls, it's everything you've ever wanted to ask guys about modesty, but were afraid to ask! For you guys, it's really interesting to see what other Christian guys think!
Most importantly, the survey is presented as a resource to help Christian girls (and guys), not a list of legalistic rules, and it is accompanied by the Modesty Survey Petition (which tons of guys have signed) which encourage young women to focus on the heart, not the hemline, to honor their parents, etc.
TheRebelution.com presents the results of the survey as a big St. Valentine's Day gift from 1,600 Christian guys to all Christian girls—and I can't think of a better one!
Go check it out: www.therebelution.com/modestysurvey
But also make sure you spread the word to all your friends. We want as many Christian girls as possible to see it on Valentines Day, so you can repost this post on your blog or forward it as an email.
Guys, they are still accepting signatures for the Modesty Survey Petition, so this is an opportunity for you to still share your voice on the topic of modesty!
Our Merciful God
Posted on Feb. 9, 2007 by Ana Marie Ort
Copy and paste the link below to read a truly unbelievable story! We serve the God of the impossible!
http://www.wissmanns.blogspot.com/2007/02/our-merciful-god.html
ICE storm!
Posted on Saturday, January 20, 2007 by Ana Marie Ort
A week ago, Tulsa was visited by a sheet of ice. Never before had I seen such a sight. It was truly amazing!
Yes, that's ICE!
See the thickness
My brother proved it.
What else should you do on ice? (This photo reflects more the skills of Peter in photography rather than mine in ice skating!)
My brothers proved to be quite athletic.
The three of us.
George Mueller of Bristol by A. T. Pierson
Posted on Wednesday, January 10, 2007 by Ana Marie Ort
I am currently reading this book, and have been very impressed not only by Mr. Mueller's walk with the Lord, but the spiritual insights which fill the account of his life. Visit the links page to find a website where you can read the book!
Happy New Year!
Posted on January 3, 2007 by Ana Marie Ort
No, snow is not on the ground around here! This is my first try with posting pictures into my journal. Pictured are the three of us Ort siblings at the beginning of December after the 10.5 inch snow.
May the Lord draw us all closer to and more like Him in this year of 2007!
The Rebelution Modesty Survey
Posted on Tuesday, December 5, 2006 by Ana Marie Ort
New links added!
Posted on August 5, 2006 by Ana Marie Ort
I came across the websites of two of my friends, Laura Bogner and Catherine Perkins. Visit the links page to find their stories!
My EXCEL report
Posted on Tuesday, April 11, 2006 by Ana Marie Ort
I have just completed my EXCEL report, which you can find in my latest newsletter: http://www.anamarieort.com/newsletter/.
Enjoy!
Where I'll be for the next two months...
Posted on Sunday, February 5, 2006 by Ana Marie Ort
Dear friends,
I will be starting a discipleship course called EXCEL(Excellence in Character, Education, and Leadership) in Dallas tomorrow, which will last until March 31. Could you please be praying that it will be a profitable time of learning, application, and growing in my walk with the Lord?
An overview of the course:
"Our purpose is to fulfill the Scriptural command to love the Lord our God with all of our heart, soul, and mind and to love our neighbor as ourselves, from which will grow spiritual disciplines enabling us to have the direction in personal skills needed to fulfill our God-given role as virtuous women."
Week 1(Feb 6-11):
Orientation, Resting in Jesus and Courtship a Lifetime Commitment
Please pray for grace and peace as the ladies get settled into the schedule and activities of EXCEL and for unity of spirit as they get to know their team.
Week 2(Feb 12-18):
Knowing God, Hospitality, Time Management, Wardrobe Planning, Interior Design
Pray for sensitivity to God's prompting and for insight in applying truth to areas of need.
Week 3(Feb 19-25):
Preparation for a Lifetime
Pray for each one to respond to the Holy Spirit as He prompts them and that any areas of surrendered ground would be reclaimed.
Week 4(Feb 26-Mar 4):
Excellence in Communications
Pray for continued strength and diligence as the ladies study. Pray for insight into character qualities as they apply to academic training.
Week 5(Mar 5-11):
Anger Resolution Seminar
Pray for an openness of spirit and a renewed understanding of God's principles. Pray for freedom from worry, fear, or any bitterness.
Week 6(Mar 12-18):
Life Purpose Planning, Medical Issues
Pray for insight and understanding into God's principles of health and care. Pray for grace and strength as they learn First Aid and CPR.
Week 7(Mar 19-25):
Standing Alone
Pray for continued unity of spirit and an increased vision of what it means to be a virtuous woman.
Week 8(Mar 26-31):
Wisdom of the Ages, Preparation for Returning Home, Vocal Instruction
Pray for a vision of how to begin to apply what has been learned at home and for traveling mercies as each one returns home.
Grateful for your friendship,
Ana Marie
What to do when you don't feel rested...
Posted on Friday, January 20, 2005 by Ana Marie Ort
This morning, during our family wisdom search (we are reading the book of Daniel at the moment), I was feeling tired, having gotten up at 4:45. So I closed my eyes while listening to Daddy read the passage. When he finished, I opened my eyes and realized Paul Stefan had "caught" me. I of course explained that I HAD been listening (well, I may have missed a little bit). He then had the following advice:
When your alarm clock rings, a little earlier than the time you should rise, just close your eyes, and do some mental work. Your eyes will be fooled into thinking that you are sleeping while you are actually making sure not to go back to sleep. The best use of this time would be to meditate on Scripture.
Although I do not dispute the exhortation to meditate on Scripture while in bed, and I really must do it more, I seriously doubt whether I would be able to utilize the above suggestion very well. I most likely would go back to sleep and fail in the attempt to fool myself (that I really am getting more sleep when in fact my mind is busily pondering).
Well, if you should experiment with this idea, do send me a message detailing your findings!
A good day...
Posted on Monday, January 16, 2006 by Ana Marie Ort
Today was a good day. I did not get everything done that I had hoped, but spent quite a length of time on violin(approx. 5 hours). I will be gone for February and March, so before leaving I need to audition for some violin camps during the summer. That means that I need to record the piece I played at the Christmas recital, learn a Bach unaccompanied piece, and the first movement of a sonata, as well as record the Hallelujah Chorus with my brother for some friends and an audition. Cramming so much music in an extremely short time frame is a challenge, but it will surely be good for me. I am also finishing up some credits this month and applying for some scholarships.
Through the experience of having many assigments, the Lord is teaching me to be faithful in the work He has ordained for me. I know that whatever obstacles I overcome now in my life will be well worth it. The time I have now will one day be gone, and I will have other things to do. Now is the time to become who God wants me to be, excel in the skills He has given me, and learn lessons He has in store for me. Of course, I will never stop learning. This is just to say that the time of youth is a special time set aside for important growth and education. Are you making good use of the time you have NOW?
This time of year...
Posted on Saturday, January 14, 2006 by Ana Marie Ort
This week, I received a prom dress catalog in the mail. It ended up in the trash, cut into little pieces. It is unbelievable to see the clothes that many girls these days are willing to wear. Apparently someone buys the dresses(if you can call them that), because otherwise the stores would not survive. But laying aside the topic of clothing for the moment, I have posted an entry in the 'Articles' portion of this website. I wrote the article about a year ago in response to discussion about attending the homeschool prom. I wanted to call attention to some issues which others may not have considered. Well, go and read it if you are interested!
Bless the Lord, O my soul...
Posted on Sunday, January 8, 2006 by Ana Marie Ort
This morning at church, a couple of songs were sung which talk of blessing the Lord:
"Bless the Lord, O my soul...."
"Blessed be Your name...."
I wondered, "What does it actually mean to bless the Lord?" I have heard in the past that to bless means "to speak well of," but desired to know for sure. So, this afternoon, I found a list of verses in Scrpture which mention men blessing God, and looked them up to see what I could discover about the meanings of 'bless' and 'blessed' in those verses.
All the following verses in the Old Testament describe those words as:
"to kneel as an act of adoration, congratulate, thank, praise, salute (Hebrew # 1288)
Gen 24:27
1 Chr. 29:20
2 Chr. 20:26
Ezra 7:27
Neh. 8:6, 9:5
Ps. 34:1, 66:8, 89:52, 100:4, 103:1, 124:6, 134:1
In the New Testament, the following verses describe those words as:
"to speak well of (Greek # 2127), adorable(Greek #2128)"
God is also the Blessed One (supremely blest; fortunate, well off - Greek #3107)
Mark 14:61
Luke 2:28
2 Cor 1:3
Eph 1:3
1 Peter 1:3
1 Tim 6:15
According to my research, therefore, I believe that it is a very good and possible thing to bless God. We need to ponder whether our daily endeavors are done in a way which draws acclaim toward the Lord. Are they done in a manner which Christ would do them were He the One doing them? Since "the highest form of admiration is imitation," do we imitate Christ's way of accomplishing tasks? For example, do we clean house as thoroughly as Jesus would? Do we study as diligently as He would? Do we practice a musical instrument as precisely as Jesus would? There are many other questions we can ask as well.
Is our whole existence a testimony to the preeminence and greatness of God, and do we seek to bless Him by speaking well of Him with our mouths? Whin impressed by someone, a natural response is to speak of him/her to others. Should we not then be constantly speaking to others of our Lord Jesus Christ, and spreading His praise in the earth? May this verse truly be the description of our lives no matter what the circumstances we face:
"Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless His holy name." Psalm 103:1
Gaining Favor With God and Man
Posted on Saturday, January 7, 2006 by Ana Marie Ort
All the quotes below come from "Gaining Favor with God and Man," a book I am reading for an EXCEL assignment, and I have been incredibly impressed by it. Maybe these quotes will motivate you to read it as well!
"Mark the men in every community who are notorious for ability and equally notorious for never getting ahead, and you will usually find them to be those who never stick to any one business long, but are always forsaking their occupation just when it begins to be profitable. Young man, stick to your business. It may be you have mistaken your calling; if so, find it out as quickly as possible, and change it; but do not let unay uneasy desire to get along fast, or a dislike of your honest calling, lead you to abandon it. Have some honest occupation, and then stick to it. If you are sticking type, stick away at them; if you are selling oysters, keep on selling them: pursue the business you have chosen, persistently, industriously, and hopefully, and if there is anything of you it will appear and turn to account in that as well, or better, than any other calling; only, if you are a loafer, forsake that line of life as soon as possible, for the longer you stick to it the worse it will 'stick' to you."
-a writer in the "Merchants' Magazine"(quoted in "Gaining Favor With God and Man")
"Often the dull, plodding pupil, faithful in his place, and doing the best he can, in the long run leaves his brilliant, talented companion far in the rear. In the lapse of years, his persistent application, seconded by its invincible purpose, makes for him a place and a name. For the want of these elements of strength, ten talents often fail in the race of life."
-From "Gaining Favor With God and Man"
"Lives of great men all remind us
We can make our lives sublime,
And departing, leave behind us
Footprints on the sands of time;
Footprints that perhaps another,
Sailng o'er life's solemn main,
A forlorn and shipwrecked brother,
Seeing shall take heart again.
Let us, then, be up and doing,
With a heart for any fate;
Still achieving, still pursuing,
Learn to labor and to wait."
-Longfellow
"A man may shine in the second rank who would be eclipsed in the first."
-a French proverb
"Good character is above all things else. Never be idle. If your hands cannot be usefully employed, attend to the cultivation of your mind. Your character cannot be essentially injured except by your own acts. Make no haste to be rich if you would prosper. Never play at any kind of game of chance. Earn money before you spend it. Live within your income. If anyone speaks evil of you, let your life be such that none will believe him."
-Found in the pocket of Hon. Stephen Allen, one of the most eminent and useful citizens of New York, who perished on the steamer "Henry Clay" which was burned on the Hudson River.
"There is no such thing as becoming learned or great without forethought, plan, or purpose; it must be the result of well-directed and perservering effort."
"Every man has a mission to perform in this world, for which his talents precisely fit him, and having found what this mission is, he must throw into it all the energies of his soul, seeking its accomplishment, not his own glory....Having found out what you have to do--whether to lead an army or to sweep a crossing, to keep a hotel or drive a hack, to harangue senates or address juries, or prescribe medicines--do it with all your might, because it is your duty, your enjoyment, or the very necessity of your being." -Unknown
You can buy the book here:
http://mantleministries.com
Betrothed to Christ
Posted on Friday, December 30, 2005 by Ana Marie Ort
- A journal entry documenting the teaching of one of the elders at my church. He explained this at Easter time.
In Biblical times, when a betrothal was being considered, the two fathers would be discussing, and then call in the son and daughter. The young man would fill a cup with wine and then present it to the girl, saying, "This is the new covenant in my blood. Will you enter into covenant with me?" The girl then had the choice, whether to refuse and hand the cup back, or to drink the wine, thereby signifying that she was presenting herself to him. In this way they would be entering into an unbreakable covenant.
This explains the significance of what Christ said to His disciples at the Last Supper. The above story shows what a huge implication it is to partake of communion. It is entering into covenant with Christ as a bride and groom. What implications should this have on our daily lives? Are we not BETROTHED to Him? Can you imagine what it will be like in Heaven, when we partake of communion WITH CHRIST? Oh...I can hardly wait....
Ah Lord God!
Posted on Friday, December 30, 2005 by Ana Marie Ort
Ah, Lord God! You have created the heavens and the earth. Your hands formed the depths thereof, and You hold them in the palm of Your hand. Lightnings and tempests are sent by You. Thunder and earthquakes are the rumble of Your majestic voice. You take out Your wrath on the earth. What a mercy it is that not all of us are consumed. With one breath You could snuff out all life, but You don't. You love Your children too much, and You love the world too much to destroy them yet.
When I lay down at night to the sound of thunderous tempests outside, I will not be afraid. You hold me in Your right palm, and the storm is led by Your left. It does not have a mind of its own that it would harm me, but You hold the reins.
No clap of thunder or burst of lightning is without order, for You ordain it. Therefore, I will not be afraid, for You hold me in the palm of Your hand. I praise You...
Ah, Lord God!
Time
Posted on Friday, December 30, 2005 by Ana Marie Ort
Are you...spending time
saving time
or investing time?