The Beauty of a Woman

When a husband takes a second or third glance at women in public, looks intently at women on magazine covers, views pornography, checks out dating sites, and or has an extramarital affair we are left feeling like we just don't measure up and sadly more often than not a wife feels as if somehow this is her fault.

That is a lie. The truth lies in her husband's heart condition. His heart is not right with his Maker. This has nothing to do with the wife yet often she finds herself thinking that if only she was thinner, prettier, smarter, her teeth were straight or whiter, her hair a different shade or longer or shorter, her 'attributes' more 'fine tuned' with a nip here, a tuck there and an augment you know where then things would be different. Surely then he would not need to look elsewhere.

I have been guilty of this mindset. I have been known to shop for specific outfits or shoes that I knew would please my husband, yoyo diet to win his affection, and even change my hair color or style to give him a variety of looks. Now I am not saying that we shouldn't take into consideration what our husband's would like or that we shouldn't try to dress or look nice for him- I am saying that when our motive for doing so is to win him over as if we are in competition with the world then there is a problem because that heart motive will only leave us sadly disappointed and even more frustrated than before. I suggest if you are struggling in this area that you do some self evaluation as recommended in 2Corinthians 13:5 to see if your heart motives are motivated by the Lord or are influenced by the world.

The world tells us through ads, commercials, magazine covers, catalogs, pornography, television, movies, highway billboards, books and more that image is everything. If we saturate ourselves in those things (men this is for you, too) we will believe or be influenced by the world. If we want to be transformed into God's image and believe Him at His word for who He says we are then we must saturate ourselves with the Truth of His word. When we are consumed with the world, we are blinded by the world but the word says this in 2Corinthians 3:16 "but whenever a person turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away." This tells me that GOD will open my eyes to His truth and renew my mind! That is encouraging! So, what does God say to us? Well, he says a lot, but specifically I want to share with you what He says about how He looks upon us and how that differs from how man looks upon us. In 1Samuel 16:7 the second half of this verse says this: "...for God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart." Then in 2Corinthians 3:11 He says this: "For if that which fades away was with glory, much more that which remains is in glory." Lastly; let us not forget that image and even beauty of this world fades as 2Corinthians 4:16 reminds us: "Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day."

So? What now? How do we begin to believe the truth about who we are and begin to break down the wall of lies that have shaped us for so long? We can start by searching God's word on who we are and how He sees us. After all, shouldn't He be the Author of what matters to us?

• "Listen, O daughter, consider and give ear: Forget your people and your father's house, The king is enthralled by your beauty; honor him, for he is your Lord." -Psalm 45:10-11

• "For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb; I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." -Psalm 139:13-14

• "Then your fame went forth among the nations on account of your beauty, for it was perfect because of My splendor which I bestowed on you," declares the Lord GOD.-Ezekiel 16:14

• "Many daughters have done nobly, But you excel them all." Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, But a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised.-Proverbs 31:29-30

• "You have stolen my heart, my sister, my bride; you have stolen my heart with one glance of your eyes, with one jewel of your necklace. You are a garden fountain, a well of flowing water streaming down from Lebanon." -Song of Solomon 4:9,15

There are so many more truths and promises in God's word for you. Delight yourself in His word. He wants to set you free from the bondage of the lies you have believed. He has so much to say to you. YOU are beautiful because GOD made you beautiful. No one can take that from you. If your husband doesn't see you with the eyes of Christ it will not matter what your outer appearance ever looks like for he will not know you as you are.

I want to leave you today with a link to a video that I think every woman needs to hear about the beauty of a woman: Measure of Beauty

My prayer for you is that your eyes will be opened to what a beautiful and unique woman you are. That you will truly believe you were hand made by God of the Universe and He has a plan and a purpose for your life that can not be defined by what any person here on earth thinks or sees you as. No one can hinder your ability to walk in the fullness of God for your life... no one but you, of course. Stop believing the world and start believing God!

©2009 Michelle Truax

Michelle resides in Atlanta, GA and has worked for Fireproof Ministries for 5 years. She is their Event Coordinator and writes a blog for wives of sex addicts. She has two grown children, both men are her pride and joy. She loves adventure, the outdoors, animals, music and art. She is an over-comer of being a teenage single mother and being married to a sex addict.

Submissions for FREEDOM'S CALLING Over-Comer's Blog: CLICK HERE

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DOMESTIC MINOR SEX TRAFFICKING - IDENTIFICATION AND RESPONSE TO VICTIMS July 30, FORT MYERS, FL - Florida Gulf Coast University Division of Justice Studies, in collaboration with Continuing Education and Off-Campus Programs, and in partnership with Lee County Sheriff's Office, presents "Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking - Identification and Response to the Victims" part of the Human Slavery Symposium Series II, 2009-10, 8:30 a.m. to noon, Thursday, July 30 at the Sugden Welcome Center. The program is free and open to the public; registration and refreshments are from 8 a.m. to 8:30 a.m.

Presenter for this conference is founder and president of Shared Hope International and former U.S. Congresswoman Linda Smith. While still a member of the U.S. Congress, Smith traveled to Falkland Road in Mumbai, India. The hopeless faces of desperate woman and children forced into prostitution compelled her to found Shared Hope International (SHI). For more information

NATIONAL REPORT on DOMESTIC MINOR SEX TRAFFICKING - Released July 21 by Shared Hope International

FREEDOM CHILDREN'S HOME™ LATEST News: CLICK HERE

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Please join us & intercessors world wide for theCALL2XXX from 8-9am EST EVERY FRIDAY to pray for the sex industry, victims of sexual exploitation & the ministries working to make a difference. Prayer guide: CLICK HERE

PRAYER REQUESTS: CLICK HERE

Our 4TH ANNUAL STRIP CLUB OUTREACH & XXX MINISTRY TRAINING here in Fort Myers has been RESCHEDULED to Sept 1-3. We'll be partnering up with Word of Life Ministries for their Great Outpouring 2 Worship Conference featuring Robert Stearns, Rick Pino & JoAnn McFatter Sept 3-5. Registration required for training. $25 Manual Fee. Limited seating due to intimacy & personal ministry.

To SCHEDULE AN EVENT WITH BEAUTY FROM ASHES™: CLICK HERE

Beauty From Ashes™ International Ministries

Where Victims Become Over-Comers

239.939.9218

877.4BFA SOS (423.2767) International Toll Free Help Line

www.BeautyFromAshes.org

AWARENESS & PREVENTION • REACH & RESCUE • TEACH & DEMONSTRATE • TRAIN & SEND

5100 S. Cleveland Avenue, Suite 318, PMB 148 | Fort Myers | FL | 33907 | USA

Suffering From Prejudice

SUFFERING FROM PREJUDICE?

Miriam-Webster’s Definition of Prejudice:

1 :injury or damage resulting from some judgment or action of another in disregard of one's rights ; especially: detriment to one's legal rights or claims

2 a (1) :preconceived judgment or opinion (2):an adverse opinion or leaning formed without just grounds or before sufficient knowledge b: an instance of such judgment or opinion c: an irrational attitude of hostility directed against an individual, a group, a race, or their supposed characteristics

What a shame, what folly to give advice before listening to the facts. Proverbs 18:13

Intelligent people are always open to new ideas. In fact they look for them. Proverbs 18:15

Any story sounds true, until someone sets the record straight. Proverbs 18:17

Ever been falsely accused of something? Ever realize that someone is desperately trying to discredit you or slander you? Has God exposed evidence of people passing judgement upon you when you know they haven’t even bothered to ask you your side of the story?

It hurts & unfortunately it occurs everyday and every one of us has suffered the devastating effects of such prejudice. Is it right? Absolutely not, but in a fallen (sinful) world, it happens and we are faced with how to react to such circumstances.

We have options; we can take matters into our own hands and defend ourselves. There is scripture that addresses this methodology and it states “don’t defend yourselves, vengeance is mine says the Lord” (Romans 12:19-20). God will not be mocked and what a person sows he shall reap. (Galatians 6:7) Or we can release the matter to the God and let Him handle it.

“Well, Julie”, you say, “that’s all fine and dandy, but what about the fact that they have lied and the evidence of the strife, jealousy, control and division is so obvious?! Besides that, they really hurt me!”

God tells us that we must forgive our brother (or sister) 70 times 7, or as many times as they ask. (Matthew 18:21-22) That may seem really hard, especially depending on the depth of the wound that others have inflicted upon you. Be assured that with God all things are possible. (Luke 19:26) Ask the Lord to help you do this. Forgive so that your sins will be forgiven. (Matthew 18:21-35)

I know from experience that when you choose to not forgive someone, it will eventually result in bitterness and finally rebellion against God. You don’t want to go there, for this will result in separation from God: His protection, His guidance & blessings. My decision to not forgive led me to a decade of captivity: hopelessness, anger, confusion, resentment, adultery, drug addictions, suicidal tendencies and the involvement in the industry of adult entertainment, sexual exploitation and trafficking - a slow, gradual, downward destructive spiral in my life.

Since I recommitted my life (repented of my sins, asked Jesus to come back into my heart & yielded to His word), I have had plenty of opportunities to take up (hold on & refuse to forgive & release into God’s hands) an offense (a wrong or a perceived wrong done to you by another). Choosing to hold onto the offense will literally kill you spiritually, mentally and in some cases affect you adversely physically. I have heard it said that not forgiving someone is like drinking the cup of poison meant for the other person. Ew, you don't want to do this!

I couldn’t begin to count all the offenses I have experienced in the past 6 years and beyond. Nor would I want to, for that is not the purpose of this message. I will tell you that every time I was betrayed or promised something that never came to pass, it hurt deeply and regardless of how many times it happens; processing those feelings is always a challenge. However, the more it does happen and you handle it with a biblical perspective, realizing that nothing happens to you that God does not allow and that He is perfecting His character in you, it does enable you to not spend as much time being stuck there. You do learn to forgive and move on knowing you can trust God to be faithful to calm you or the storm in the middle of what you're facing.

I don’t know what has happened to you that was unfair or how you have been judged wrongly, but I know Someone that was betrayed & treated the same way. His demonstration to us while still hanging on the cross, illegally judged, physically beaten beyond human recognition, was to ask, ‘Father, forgive these people because they don’t know what they are doing.’ (Luke 23:34)

I’m sorry for the wounds and hurts that have happened to you and know full well what it feels like, but we must choose to follow Christ’s example of forgiveness. No, they might not deserve to be forgiven, but we don’t deserve to be forgiven for our sins either. For while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8) A person who keeps all of the laws except one is as guilty as the one who has broken all of God’s laws.(James 2:10) God graciously, through Jesus Christ, does forgive them & us because He paid the price for all our sins.

It may seem like the toughest thing you have ever had to do and you might think it’s impossible to do. Believe me, I did too! I encourage you to ask the Lord to help you and I know He will. He has helped me to forgive many, many, many offenses. You may have to speak out loud that you forgive that person that wronged you even if you don’t feel like you have. You may have to say it over and over and over and over and over and over again and again. It’s a process, depending on the deepness of the wound(s). I still have to do this at times.

Just do it and trust Christ that He will heal you. Love covers a multitude of sins (1 Peter 4:8) the Bible says that by His (Jesus Christ) stripes (wounds, cuts & abrasions) we are healed (Isaiah 53:3). Remember too, that wounded people hurt other people. Choose to forgive them & pray for those that have hurt you. (Matthew 5:44)

And to avoid being a victim to that controlling, judgmental, jealous spirit of Jezebel and being able to make sound decisions, Proverbs 18 gives us three basic principles:

1) Get the facts before answering.

2) Be open to new ideas.

3) Make sure you hear both sides of the story before judging.

All three principles center on seeking additional information. This is difficult work, but the only alternative is prejudice.

If you have realized that you’ve been prejudiced towards another, ask the Lord to forgive you. For some of you, it may entail asking forgiveness from the individual(s) you judged. I pray that you will submit to the Holy Spirit, as I know that He will not direct incorrectly and His perfect will is for you to be free from prejudice & unforgiveness.

Remember too, that God’s word says that the world will know us (brothers and sisters in Christ) by our love for one with another. (John 13:35) God calls for unity in His church (that’s cross-denominational) and it grieves Him when this is not happening. (Ephesians 4:30-31)

Don’t let prejudice and unforgiveness hold you back from becoming all that God destined and purposed you to be. Freedom is calling you, will you respond? My prayer for you is that you will make sound decisions, not suffer from prejudice or be influenced by any spirits other than the Holy Spirit. May God give you the revelation of who He is & who you are in Him. You are more than an over-comer!

©2009 Julie Shematz

Pastor Julie Shematz is an educated fine artist and alumnus of Indiana University who enjoys horseback riding, cooking and gardening. Ordained as a minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ with Word of Life Ministries, she is over-comer of growing up fatherless, rape, depression, attempted suicides, abortion, divorce, drug addiction, sexual exploitation & trafficking. Passionate about preventing sexual exploitation and assisting victims to become over-comers, she is the founder of Beauty From Ashes™ Ministries and resides in Fort Myers, FL with her husband Steve and their dachshund, Jehu.

If this message has touched you in any way, or you are struggling with forgiveness or prejudice, please contact us. We’d like to hear from you, pray for you & encourage you that forgiveness is possible.

Submissions for FREEDOM'S CALLING Over-Comer's Blog: CLICK HERE

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Please join us & intercessors world wide for theCALL2XXX from 8-9am EST every Friday to pray for the sex industry, victims of sexual exploitation & the ministries working to make a difference. Prayer guide: CLICK HERE

DOMESTIC MINOR SEX TRAFFICKING - IDENTIFICATION AND RESPONSE TO VICTIMS July 30 Fort Myers, FL

Florida Gulf Coast University Division of Justice Studies, in collaboration with Continuing Education and Off-Campus Programs, and in partnership with Lee County Sheriff's Office, presents "Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking - Identification and Response to the Victims" part of the Human Slavery Symposium Series II, 2009-10, 8:30 a.m. to noon, Thursday, July 30 at the Sugden Welcome Center. The program is free and open to the public; registration and refreshments are from 8 a.m. to 8:30 a.m.

Our 4TH ANNUAL STRIP CLUB OUTREACH & XXX MINISTRY TRAINING here in Fort Myers has been RESCHEDULED to Sept 1-3. We'll be partnering up with Word of Life Ministries for their Worship Conference featuring Robert Stearns, Rick Pino & JoAnn McFadder Sept 3-5. More information coming soon.

PRAYER REQUESTS: CLICK HERE

FREEDOM CHILDREN"S HOME™ LATEST News: CLICK HERE

Follow FREEDOM CHILDREN"S HOME™ on Twitter: CLICK HERE

Join our Facebook Group Page: CLICK HERE

To SCHEDULE AN EVENT WITH BEAUTY FROM ASHES™: CLICK HERE

DONATE: CLICK HERE

Beauty From Ashes™ International Ministries

Where Victims Become Over-Comers

239.939.9218

877.4BFA SOS (423.2767) International Toll Free Help Line

www.BeautyFromAshes.org

AWARENESS & PREVENTION • REACH & RESCUE • TEACH & DEMONSTRATE • TRAIN & SEND

National Report on Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking

Shared Hope International’s Report on

Child Sexual Slavery in America

In 2006 Shared Hope International received a grant from the U.S. Department of Justice to perform field research on Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking (DMST)—the sex trafficking of American children. The National Report is the culmination of ten field assessments conducted in targeted locations in the United States, providing a comprehensive understanding of child sex trafficking across America. This unprecedented report reveals the starling reality that American children are being recruited from our neighborhoods and sold on our streets!

The National Report found misidentification of victims to be the primary barrier to properly addressing America’s trafficked children. Consequently, this misidentification often leads to the criminalization of victims, barring them from receiving proper treatment and care. In fact, in nearly every location American child victims of sex trafficking are being arrested for the crime committed against them while their abusers walk free. In addition, the study found a severe lack of appropriate protective and therapeutic shelters. Finally, the National Report emphasizes that although buyers are a critical in addressing the issue of child sex trafficking, buyers most often escape criminalization.

National Report