GOD OF CREATIION EDITION MARCH 2009

M A R C H 2 0 0 9

Welcome

New In This Issue:

Exemplify is happy to
announce the following new
columns in our March issue:

In Like A Lion…  Tech Column with Amy

I’ve been noticing so many women write on their blogs, Bayliss
websites and Twitter how they are longing for spring to  In 10 Minutes or Less with
arrive. March seems to stir within us a hope for newness and Carol
sunshine. We want to shed our winter clothes and get out  Fashion Column with
our flip flops once again! Jennifer
 Health Column with
Spring offers us a renewal of sorts, a season to be reminded
Shannon
again that the same God who spoke creation into being still
speaks to us today. This issue is dedicated to the celebration
Also be sure to check out our
of our God, who is Creator. Still today. new monthly feature, The
He still speaks with power and creates with wisdom by His Juice!
side. He still offers renewal and hope. He still sends rain to the
nourish the earth and tells flowers when to dawn with life.

This month may we take some time to reflect on our Lord

God as Creator, praising Him for the work of His hands.

I pray this issue will help you do just that.

Following hard after Him,

Kristen Schiffman

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GOD OF CREATIION EDITION MARCH 2009

Contents:
March 3, 2009

Meet The Exemplify Team 4

Preulde to Genesis 5
Spotlight On… 8
The Orginator of Original 9
Guarding Your Heart 11
God of Creation, God of Comfort 13
In 10 Minutes or Less… 15
Ministry: Online 17
Titus 2 Corner with Christine 19
The Juice 20
For the Love of Fashion 21
Featured Blogger 22
The Work of His Hands 23
From Nothing to Something 25
Creating A Sanctuary… 27
The Book Nook with Katrina 29
Eve 31
Announcements 37

© 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
author or editor-in-chief, Kristen Schiffman.

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 GOD OF CREATIION EDITION
TAKE SOME TIME TO GET ACQUAINTED WITH OUR WRITERS. THIS
MONTH WE ARE SPOTLIGHTING THEIR PERSONAL BLOGS AND
WEBSITES.
Kristen Schiffman, Editor & Study Columnist
Andrea, Family Columnist
Christine, Titus 2 Corner Columnist
Katrina, Book Nook Columnist
Christy, Home Design Columnist
Kara, Devotional Columnist
Rachel, Fiction Columnist
Amy Bayliss, Tech & Blog Columnist
Jennifer, Fashion Columnist
Shannon, Health Columnist
Carol, In 10 Minutes or Less Columnist
Christy M., Facebook Administrator & Blog
Patty, Blog Contributor
Joanne, Blog Contributor
Sheila, Blog Contributor
Shane, Blog Contributor
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MARCH 2009
dancinginthemargins.typepad.com
undergraceovercoffee.typepad.com
titus2corner@gmail.com
callapidderdays.com
christyklein.wordpress.com
karacwak.blogspot.com
afuturepastorswife.blogspot.com
inpursuitofproverbs31.com
somanybooksblog.blogspot.com
asetapartgirl.blogspot.com
she-lives.typepad.com
crittyjoy.wordpress.com
pattywysong.blogspot.com
joannesher.blogspot.com
a-homemakers- meditations.blogspot.com
heartreflections.wordpress.com
GOD OF CREATIION EDITION MARCH 2009

Feature Article by Elaine Olsen

“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was fo rmless
and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was
hovering over the waters.”
(Genesis 1:1-2)

Thought precedes action.

Six days of creative impulse and then a
seventh to sit back and to reflect.
Always.
Doesn’t quite do the process justice, does
We may not be aware of the processes
it? We think it does. We’ve perfected our
that coordinate behind the scenes to fuel
telling of said process, and on most days, I
our accomplishments, but they are there.
am quite content with a faith that walks so
Existing and simmering to bring about the
simply. But in doing so, in accepting the
plans of our heart ... to walk the dreams of
“flannel graph” version of Creation as
our creative impulse.
presented to me in my youth, I miss the
depth and the breadth of a beautiful
Thoughts are the stuff of creation. Without
pondering.
them, our lives walk accidental, void of
purpose, and full of happenstance. And if
I miss God’s thoughts in the process, and to
that’s the case, if life is but an inadvertent
miss God’s thoughts in any process is to
pause birthed through inconsequential
neglect one of his most sacred gifts to us as
measure, then God is no longer needed.
his children—
Rather, he is relegated to the role of an
occasional participant in the Creation
to think with the mind of Christ (1 Corinthians
story when we need the story to make
2:9-16).
sense. When our thoughts force us to fill in
the blanks of our beginning with some
Thus, rather than sitting on the backside of
semblance of reason.
Creation’s completion … rather than pulling
up a chair on a seventh day to sit and
How callous we’ve become in our
ponder the fruition of a week’s hard labor …
approach to our Genesis—to the whispers
I carry my chair to the front side of our
of all things Edenic that breathe a story
beginnings. To the moments that gathered
much bigger than the one to which
and filled and served as the prelude to our
we’ve grown accustomed.

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 GOD OF CREATIION EDITION
Genesis.
They are there, not figments of a wild
maybe, but real moments that are yet to
be recorded by man’s pen but that are
fully scripted in the annals of heaven. Our
God is eternal, and with Him is our
beginning, our end, and our every breath in
between. Accordingly, as the pages of our
Genesis unfold, we find Him already
present.
Waiting. Hovering. Contemplating the
dark and the deep, the formless and the
void, knowing that out of his cauldron of
wet, he would pour forth and plant the
fruition of his thoughts.
Somewhere between seemingly nothing
and everything, God lingered with his
thoughts and with the endless possibilities
that were his to write. To create and to
birth. To fashion and to form. To measure
and to mold. To perceive and then to
paint.
See God there, staring into the face of the
deep and monitoring the reflection of his
thoughts as they gaze back at him. Pause
and consider the moment. Linger long
enough and full enough to grasp, at least in
part, the magnitude of your beginnings.
There, amidst the ripples of blue skies and
earth’s grass, stars and galaxies, flamingos
and bluebirds, peach trees and rose
bushes, amidst the swirls and inklings of all
manner of species, comes another ripple.
Your ripple. Your face, presenting itself as a
possibility on the canvas of God’s forever.
Your life reflecting back into the face of
your Creator.
Imagine that moment, and if you’re still
standing, find your knees and your
gratitude for the truth of such a beholding.
Long before you imagined your Father, he
imagined you and lovingly decided that,
indeed, you would play an important role in
his creation.
MARCH 2009
That you would bare his likeness and that his
“goodness” would be declared over you, even
though he knew you would be prone to
declaring otherwise.
Your created life didn’t begin inadvertently. It
began with the thoughts of God, long ago and
far way in a distant dark and wet that hosted his
hovering and that boasted his canvas. You
aren’t his accidental impulse. You are his
intentional pause—his deliberate holding until
such a time as this when your seed of his
Genesis’ prelude has finally bloomed into the
living witness of his creative genius.
That, my friends, is what pulling up your chair to
the front side of creation will get you. A truth
that exceeds your sixth day arrival. And while
some would argue that God worked up to our
creation—that somehow after five days of a
busy work week he finally yielded his best—I
would say that his best was birthed long before
that sixth day ever arrived. Why?
Because thought precedes action.
Always.
In our minds and in God’s. And since his mind
exceeds ours and his actions all the more, our
faith should grow in the belief that we are and
have always been seeded with his eternity.
Indeed, it is a story that is much bigger than our
occasional flannel graphs and our reasoned
grasp. May God grant us the wisdom and the
willingness to walk its depth and to speak its
grace with the whispers of the Genesis prelude
pulsing in our hearts as we go. Thus, I pray…
Thank you, Father, for thinking up me. For
pausing long enough to count my ripple worthy
of your kingdom canvas. I cannot fathom such
grace, such favor on my behalf; nonetheless,
you’ve allowed my voice a melody or two
alongside yours, and I am undone with the gift.
Thank you for the blood of your Son that counts
me worthy of any measure of kingdom
influence
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 GOD OF CREATIION EDITION MARCH 2009

You, alone, harbor the seeds of my

beginning and the punctuation of my end.
You’ve seen it all; you know it all, from the
prelude of Genesis until now, throughout
forever. May I always harbor the certain
and secure faith that comes from such a
sacred knowing. Amen.

Copyright © January 2009 – Elaine Olsen. All

rights reserved.

You can read more

about Elaine and her
blog Peace for the
Journey on page 22!
This month she is our
featured blogger.

“The first verse of the Bible gives us a satisfying and useful

account of the origin of the earth and the heavens. The faith of
humble Christians understands this better than the fancy of the
most learned men. From what we see of heaven and earth, we
learn the power of the great Creator. And let our make and
place as men, remind us of our duty as Christians, always to
keep heaven in our eye, and the earth under our feet.”
--Matthew Henry

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 GOD OF CREATIION EDITION
We are proud to spotlight A Woman Inspired! With a conference jam-packed with godly content
for women coming in April, followed by four more conferences this year, how could we not
spotlight this awesome ministry? Please vist www.awomaninspiredconference.org for FULL
details!
Do you have a desire for more?
• more of Him?
• more evidence of the fruit of the spirit?
• more joy in life?
• more Holy Spirit control so that your
flesh will submit?
• more courage to walk in your God
given dreams?
If so then you have
come to the right place.
We too have those
same goals in mind. We
too desire to see the
Hand of God so evident
in our lives that it causes
others to be drawn to Him as well.
Join us April 6th through the 9th!
An online audio conference uses the Internet
as a conference venue. What this means to
you is that you will be able to access the
conference from anywhere in the world using
standard browser software which we
provide. This software is compatible with all
computers including Macs and it is provided
by us, to you, with the cost of admission. All
you need is a computer, internet connection,
and speakers!
8
MARCH 2009
No traveling is required.
Well, except a walk over to where your
computer is located. But, there are no layovers,
no shuttles and no hotel rooms. Ah well, there
goes room service. I hope your fridge is
stocked.
Makeup and fixed hair is optional.
BUT, let me point out how much
better you will feel if you
actually do get out of the sleep
clothes, splash some water on
your face, apply some face
powder and give your hair a
quick fix. C'mon ladies. Show
yourself some love.
No childcare needed.
Okay so someone has to watch the little ones
while you are being transformed but we are
women and we can do two things at one time,
right?
Financially possible.
I am the first one to exhale loudly when I hear
of the cost of some conferences and although I
admit that nothing can replace that special
experience at least now we have an
alternative when money is tight. And hey... at
this price you can afford to buy more great
products from your favorite speaker, eh?
 GOD OF CREATIION EDITION MARCH 2009

Devotional Column by Kara

I’ve been known to jump up and down in glee over seeing snow fall. A
colorful sunset usually gets a round of applause from me (which can be
dangerous if I’m driving down the road so it’s better if someone else is
behind the wheel during that hour of the day. Consider that a, “Heads
up!”).
And the ecstasy over being on the beach He spoke and giraffes and zebras and
and jumping into waves in the ocean, my flamingos were created. He determined that I
word, my heart just about beats out of its would have my mother’s green eyes instead
chest. I am unashamedly in awe of of my father’s gray blue ones. He made me
creation. I love the changes in the seasons. left handed and short like my mom instead of
I love laying on my back and looking up at right handed and tall like my sister and father.
the stars and trying to grasp with my finite Psalm 139:13-14 is one of my all time favorite
mind how many of them there are and passages of scripture, detailing God’s intimate
then consider that God calls each one. I role in our creation: “For You created my
sigh with delight over gold, red, and yellow inmost being, you knit me together in my
leaves in November. I relish playing in the mother’s womb. I praise You because I am
dirt and watching pretty flowers grow in my fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are
backyard in the spring. wonderful I know that full well.”

Maybe Hallmark commercials get you all
weepy, but watching the Travel Channel or
going to the zoo is what gets me. To
imagine that the same God who fashioned
the Rocky Mountains and the Pacific
Ocean and the platypus and my pug dog
Phoebe is the same one who hears me
when I pray is nothing short of astonishing to
me. He came up with snow. He designed
the colorful orange pink and golden hues
of a sunset.
I think about the creation account in Genesis
1, when God would look at all the things He
had made and would proclaim them as good.
When it came time to assess the workmanship
of the human being, he said it was very good.
Think about that.
Amazing sunsets, awe-inspiring galaxies,
majestic mountain ranges, diverse creatures
on land, in the sky and sea, and God gave the
very good nod to us.

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GOD OF CREATIION EDITION MARCH 2009

Created in His image. Fearfully and wonderfully

made. Woven together in the depths of our
mother’s womb, a passionate, artistic God made
something more amazing than anything else in all
creation. He made you. He made me. I was never
the best Science student so a lot of the
complexities of the human body are over my
head, but I can truly say we are all works of art. Try “The God who made the world and
looking in the mirror and saying that about everything in it, this Master of sky
yourself. Stop and take your pulse and think about and land, doesn't live in custom-
the blood that God keeps pumping through your made shrines or need the human
veins. Study your fingerprints and know that yours race to run errands for him, as if he
are absolutely unique. A God with limitless power, couldn't take care of himself. He
ability and creativity designed the layout of your makes the creatures; the creatures
frame, the time you would be born, where you don't make him. Starting from
would live, who your parents would be. scratch, he made the entire human
race and made the earth hospitable,
The Apostle Paul said it best in Acts 17:24-28 "The with plenty of time and space for
God who made the world and everything in it is
living so we could seek after God,
the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in
and not just grope around in the
temples built by hands. And he is not served by
human hands, as if he needed anything, because
dark but actually find him. He
he himself gives all men life and breath and doesn't play hide-and-seek with us.
everything else. From one man he made every He's not remote; he's near. We live
nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole and move in him, can't get away
earth; and he determined the times set for them from him! One of your poets said it
and the exact places where they should live. God well: 'We're the
did this so that men would seek him and perhaps God-created.'”
reach out for him and find him, though he is not
Acts 17:24-28
far from each one of us. For in him we live and
move and have our being.' As some of your own
(The Message)
poets have said, 'We are his offspring.'”

Sometimes a particularly spectacular sunset

causes me to praise God with hallelujahs. As a
believer, I know who came up with such an
amazing finale to the day that He has made. His
artist’s palette is never short on vibrant hues. God
is inventor of all things bright and beautiful. He is
the originator of original. He is the maker of me.
And that deserves some serious praise. Hallelujah!

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 GOD OF CREATIION EDITION MARCH 2009

Health Column by Shannon

“Above all else, guard your heart,

for it is the wellspring of life.”
Proverbs 4:23 Lowering your cholesterol –
Choosing the right foods

• Get lots of fiber in your diet: whole

In scripture, God tells us to guard our hearts
grain breads, cereals, and pasta;
more than anything else. Most would argue
berries; broccoli; and spinach and
that this verse is referring to emotional purity,
other green, leafy vegetables
and is not supposed to be taken literally. But
• Cut out saturated fats and opt for
in truth, your heart is one of the most
unsaturated. Use olive oil when
important organs in your body. It makes
cooking in place of butter or
sense that you should take care of it,
grease.
strengthen it, and guard it! And it’s never too
• Eat more seafood: studies show
early to take precautions regarding heart
people who consume a
health.
Mediterranean diet are at a much
lower risk for heart disease.
Last month was American Heart Month. Did
• Eat more grapes, which are rich in
you stop to think about its significance?
antioxidants. Also, a small amount
Maybe you will once I tell you this: heart
(4 oz.) of red wine each day may
disease is the number one killer of women in
help lower cholesterol.
America.
• Try eating more seeds and nuts,
which contain a substance that
blocks cholesterol. Companies
Living a heart-healthy lifestyle really comes
are now starting to enrich other
down to four things: lowering or maintaining
foods with it as well, so look for the
your cholesterol, losing weight or maintaining
words “plant sterols” in everyday
your weight, being physically active, and
grocery items like orange juice
refraining from smoking.
and margarine.

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GOD OF CREATIION EDITION MARCH 2009

Ask God to help you guard your heart,

both emotionally and physically.

Losing the weight – Diet & Exercise Tips

friends in your quest to eat healthier.
Don’t make something different for
• Fast facts: Women who aren’t
yourself for dinner because it’s
physically active are 25% more likely to
healthier; have everyone enjoy a
have heart problems. Although simply
healthy meal together.
restricting fats and carbs doesn’t
significantly lower the risk of heart
disease, being overweight greatly
God tells us to guard our hearts, yet hundreds
increases your chances. Even without
of thousands of people are dying yearly due
weight loss, a heart-healthy diet can
to heart disease. This is a real issue in our
lower your risk by 10-25%.
culture, but it is one that we can help prevent
• Make yourself exercise! Take the stairs
with our daily lifestyles. Ask God to help you
at work or at the mall. Take the kids (or
guard your heart, both emotionally and
dog) for a walk or bike ride. Buy a
physically.
membership to a gym…if you spend
the money, you’ll be more motivated
to use it.
References:
• Try to make time for physical fitness
every day. One thing I’ve found that Greene C, Fernandez M. The role of nutrition in the
helps is to pray or listen to worship prevention of coronary heart disease in women of
songs while I’m doing yoga or sit-ups, the developed world. Asia Pacific Journal of
squats, lunges, etc. That way, I feel like Clinical Nutrition [serial online]. March 2007;16(1):1-
the exercise fits into my day better, 9. Available from: Academic Search Premier,
and I’m encouraged by God’s Ipswich, MA. Accessed February 6, 2009.
presence.
http://www.healthcastle.com/
• Stock up on healthy snacks rather than
chips and snack cakes. Try yogurt,
roasted almonds, whole grain
crackers, dried fruit, or rice cakes.
• Don’t be the only one in your family
eating healthy; you will feel like it’s a
chore! Include your family and even

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 GOD OF CREATIION EDITION
[I love how God can use His creation to
connect our hearts to Him, the Creator.]
Walking along a wooded trail one morning I
found myself questioning God. I wondered
why He had brought me to a lonely place of
heart. I felt so far away from Him, far from my
true self and my loving family. Familiar tears
began to flow as sorrow seeped from my
soul.
The path took its final turn and I sensed God
asking me to look up. My reluctant eyes
were shocked and stung to find an enormous
brilliant sun shining in the morning sky.
Suddenly my heart was filled with praise and I
heard laughter escape my mouth. Tears,
mixed with emotions, flowed freely. I was in
the presence of the Creator. He was with
me, He heard me, He knew my pain.
Do you not know? Have you not heard? Has
it not been told you from the beginning?
Have you not understood since the earth was
founded? He sits enthroned above the circle
of the earth, and its people are like
grasshoppers. He stretches out the heavens
like a canopy, and spreads them out like a
tent to live in.
"To whom will you compare me? Or who is
my equal?" says the Holy One.
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MARCH 2009
Feature Article by Shane
Lift your eyes and look to the heavens: Who
created all these…
Why do you say, O Jacob, and complain, O
Israel, "My way is hidden from the LORD; my
cause is disregarded by my God"?
Do you not know? Have you not heard? The
LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the
ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or
weary, and his understanding no one can
fathom. (Isaiah 40: 21-22, 25-28 NIV)
That morning I realized that God, the creator of
everything around me, everything my eyes can
see, created me. He created me in His image.
He loves me. He cherishes me. I need not fear
or question His sovereignty. God is always with
me.
But how does a Christian woman live out these
truths in the midst of her pain? How do you
balance the beauty and goodness of God
against the fears and failures of this world?
Although God revealed another facet of
Himself to me that morning, He didn’t heal me
of my illness.
I still struggle with depression.
 GOD OF CREATIION EDITION
Depression affects 1 out of every 4 women
according to the National Institute of
Mental Health. Even though depression is
so wide spread, it’s still a hidden disease.
People do not like to talk about it. Too
many myths exist and the truth needs to be
exposed.
Depression is real. New research pinpoints
depression literally changes the brain.
Imaging tools now show how the brain
functions. After I had my scan the doctor
sat down with me and told me that it’s
hard to tell someone they have an
abnormal brain. I started laughing and
announced – I’m happy to hear that it’s
not an imaginary disease!
Although I have heard accounts of people
praying for healing and receiving it
immediately, that just isn’t the norm. Many
people think that if you can’t will or pray
depression away, it means you are weak.
That simply isn’t true. After getting a
proper diagnosis, there are several
different treatments that one can undergo
for the relief to begin. For me, I find a
combination of talk therapy, medication,
exercise, and eating properly works
appropriately. Over 80% of people who
seek treatment are successful in easing
their symptoms.
(for more myths, read
http://www.healthcentral.com/depression/
just-diagnosed-822-143.html Top 10
Depression Myths Debunked.)
Looking back to Isaiah, let’s examine verse
28:
Do you not know? Have you not heard?
The LORD is the everlasting God, the
Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not
grow tired or weary, and his understanding
no one can fathom.
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MARCH 2009
Here are the truths we can incorporate into
daily living:
o The Lord is everlasting – always there
for us no matter what we face.
o God is the Creator – everything we
see and feel is under the realm of
God. He is bigger than any problem
we can fathom; whether it’s a mental
illness, a job loss, cancer, divorce.
o God is not governed by human rules.
He does not get tired, or get sick of
hearing from us. God’s strength is
unlimited and unable to be
measured.
o God’s understanding is far different
from ours. We might never know why
things are allowed to happen, but we
will know Him.
Our Creator is not one who stopped after
creation and walked away into eternity.
Instead, He cares about our every day trials.
Draw near to the Creator today to catch a
glimpse of His everlasting power. Allow Him
to direct your path and don’t miss the sites
along the way!
To read more of Shane’s writing, please
visit Exemplify’s team blog. There she
writes devotionals weekly.
You can also visit her personal blog at
http://heartreflections.wordpress.com/.
GOD OF CREATIION EDITION
In 10 Minutes or Less Column by Carol
We’re all pressed for time. The
demands of our day often seem to far
outweigh the hours in our day!
This is why Exemplify is thrilled to have
Carol join our team. Each month she
will be bringing you content on
productive things you can in 10
minutes or less.
We all have 10 minutes, right?
Enjoy this month’s column as we learn
10 ways we can appreciate creation
in, you guessed it, 10 minutes or less!
--Kristen Schiffman
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MARCH 2009
• Enjoy a cuppa creation. The
temperatures are beginning to warm.
When you take your morning coffee
or afternoon tea outdoors, all five
senses come into play. Enjoy the
scents of early spring, the feeling of
the air around you, the sights and
sounds of nature and the tastes of a
savory beverage. Note: coffee
beans and tea leaves were created
by God!
• Take a fresh look. Prayerfully re-read
the first two chapters of Genesis. Ask
the Lord to show you something new
and exciting in these familiar
passages. What do you notice this
time that you may have overlooked
before? Remember: Every spring,
the Lord makes the earth fresh and
new again. Each time you read a
passage of scripture, the Lord has
something new and fresh for you,
too!
• Plant one thing. You’d be hard
pressed to get a tree or substantial
shrub planted in ten minutes, but how
about potting a few fresh herbs? Or
starting seeds in empty muffin tins?
March is still too early for putting
tender plants outdoors, but not too
early to begin preparations.
GOD OF CREATIION EDITION
• Be a quickie birdwatcher. Birds are
most active in the morning and
evening times. Grab the binoculars
and take the kids out into the yard for
a few minutes just to look for and listen
to birds returning from their winter
migration.
• Invite creation into your garden.
Clean out your hummingbird feeder.
It’s a little early to set it out, but they’ll
be here before you know it. The
healthiest recipe for hummingbirds is
one part white sugar to four parts
boiling water. Allow to fully cool
before adding to your feeder.
• Be a quickie astronomer. Go out at
on a clear night and look at one
group of stars. Check the internet to
name the constellation. Don’t be
surprised if you set out to spend ten
minutes identifying one constellation
and end up getting caught up in the
heavens for an entire evening!
• Catch the sunset. Research the time
the sun will set in your area. Go
outside beforehand and turn your
gaze westward. Watch and be
humbled as God paints a
masterpiece across His canvas.
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MARCH 2009
• Pray outdoors. Set an alarm for a
specific time each day. Rain or
shine, go outdoors and offer up a
word of praise and thanksgiving.
Marvel in how different it feels to
praise the Creator while in His
creation, free from man’s walls.
• Sing. Purpose to go outside just to
sing a hymn or song of praise to the
Lord. So what if you don’t have the
voice of a nightingale? You have the
voice He created you to have, so lift
it up loud and strong! Outdoors is a
great place to . . .
• Praise Him for who you are.
Remember, you were created in
God’s image and likeness. Your
value and worth comes from who
you are in Christ.
Welcome, spring!
 GOD OF CREATIION EDITION MARCH 2009

Tech & Blog Column by Amy Bayliss

“And Jabez called on the God of Israel saying, "Oh, that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge
my territory, that Your hand would be with me, and that You would keep me from evil, that I
may not cause pain!" So God granted him what he requested.”
1 Chronicles 4:10

I was a housewife with 3 children that

Don’t you just love it when we put
were 5 and under. I spent my days
restrictions on God and He shows us
making Sippy cups, breast feeding,
just how silly we are?
cleaning up toys and changing diapers.
“Yes, Lord, enlarge my territory” I
Years later as I was reading an
thought to myself. I wasn’t
email that came in response to a
convinced that God could give
blog post that I had written. It
me a mission field even if it had
occurred to me then that I was
been prophesied to me by more
ministering to her, from my own
than one person of God. I
home. Then the thought hit me,
thought that they must have
“You are now a missionary to the
missed the mark and totally
world.”
misunderstood God. I know I
heard them say that I would be
Wow! I never would have dreamed
a missionary to the world but I
that that would come to pass and I
knew it wasn’t possible. After all, God
certainly couldn’t comprehend that
knows that I don’t like airplanes and I
it could be done online. Blogs,
can’t leave my boys. I was totally
forums, Twitter, Facebook and all of
comfortable adopting the thought that
the other social networking places
my home was my sole mission field. Oh
that abound are just ripe with those
my, was I ever wrong. I understand that
who are searching and crying out.
some are called to solely minister in the
They need someone to be a true
home and that some are called to do so
example of Christ to them. They
for a season but we should all seek God’s
need the unwavering love of Christ
will for our own lives. You just might find
to be expressed to them. They need
out like me that you were wrong about
Christians like us to minister to them.

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GOD OF CREATIION EDITION
The more time I spend researching and
studying to further God’s Kingdom through this
ministry the more I know that this is God’s
perfect plan for me. After all, I am now home
schooling one of those three boys and spend
most of my day teaching him and cleaning the
house. I also like to spend some time with my
husband when he comes home and weekends
are our time of retreat and rest so I enjoy the
flexibility that an online ministry gives me.
That’s not to say that it comes without sacrifice.
There may very well be no limitations with
online ministry but you do have limitations and
you will have to learn a thing or two to
become effective.
Be real. In other words, get rid of that
insecurity and just be you. Others will
learn more from your mistakes than they
will learn from a façade. Consider the
teachings in the bible. Which one can
you recall that paints a perfect picture
of someone (besides Jesus)? NONE of
them were perfect. Although we are
called to be imitators of Christ, we will
never be as spotless as He was. The bible
guarantees us that (Romans 3:23).
Be patient. If you receive a comment or
an email that makes you uncomfortable
or defensive, wait at least 24 hours
before responding and pray before you
type anything. I also suggest that you let
someone else read it and give you their
honest opinion. Written word lacks the
benefit of facial expression and body
language to convey the full meaning. It
is best to seek His will and to also calm
down before writing back because you
do not want to respond in an
inappropriate manner. Remember, a
soft answer turns away wrath, but a
harsh word stirs up anger (Proverbs 15:1).
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MARCH 2009
Be attentive. Look for those who
comment the most and who seem
to ask a lot of questions. Befriend
them. I mean truly befriend them.
Communicate with them. Read their
postings and comment back.
Commit to pray for the needs that
stand out in their lives (James 5:16).
Be faithful. You must remember that
the same temptations that Satan
tosses out to us here on earth also
exist online: gossip, envy, lust, deceit
and thievery, just to name a few.
You must pray diligently and always
be on guard. Study the Word daily.
Find an accountability partner and
be committed to openly sharing
your thoughts with them. Your
spouse is the ideal candidate for this
position since they know you best.
(1Timothy 6:12).
In future issues, we will
discuss, in detail, the
applications we can use to
minister to others via the
World Wide Web. If you have
any specific questions about
blogging (design and
writing), twittering, or
anything else pertaining to
online ministry please send
them to:
inquiry@amybayliss.com.
I will try to answer as many
questions as possible in each
issue.
GOD OF CREATIION EDITION MARCH 2009

Dear Christine,

I am a new Christian who is married. My husband is not saved and no

matter how hard I try to make him see the truth he doesn't. I am
frustrated and feel like a failure what should I do?

--Patricia
Dear Patricia,
The good news is that it is not your job to save
your husband. That job belongs to God.
When I discovered that truth in 1 Peter 3:1-2 a
weight was lifted off my shoulders. We are
told that if we live lives that are godly that
even an unbelieving husband can be won
over by our behavior.
Another thing I would like add is to respect
your husband. Studies show that when men
are asked what they desire from their wives
the majority overwhelmingly responds saying
they want respect. I believe that is why it says
in Eph 5:33b, “Wives respect your husbands.”
And of course my favorite piece of advice to
give is to pray-pray-pray and then pray
again. The prayer of a righteous man availeth
much! Not only does God love to hear our
prayers He loves to answer them!
In Him,
Christine
Have a question? Contact Christine at
titus2corner@gmail.com!

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 GOD OF CREATIION EDITION MARCH 2009

Welcome to The Juice!

Each month we are looking forward to bringing you news from the blog-o-sphere.
If you have a meme or giveaway planned for your blog or website and you would like us to
feature it, contact us through our website!

This month Exemplify is giving away Behind

To win a copy of this book, simply
Those Eyes: What’s Really Going on
leave a comment on our Facebook
Inside the Souls of Women an
group thread “Scripture Shared”
awesome book written specifically
telling us a Scripture you often cling
for women.
to.
In Behind Those Eyes, Bible teacher
This will be a great way to share
and speaker Lisa Whittle encourages
Scripture and build a little
women to get real –-real with
community!
ourselves, real with one another, and
real before God. With humor,
The winner will be announced
compassion, and biblical insight,
March 17th, St. Patricks’s Day, so get
Whittle takes a refreshingly honest
commenting!
look at how we often mask our fear of
rejection.

Revamped
You may notice some changes taking place at the
Exemplify website this month. We are so excited to
bring you a more user-friendly website, as well as
more content automatically updated for your
reading pleasure.

Please bear with us as we transfer over our content

and finish up our web construction!

20
 GOD OF CREATIION EDITION MARCH 2009

Looking for a new mascara? One of my favorites is

Max Factor Vivid Impact Dual Color Mascara.It has a
double sided wand with a base cote that is one
shade and a top coat with a complementary shade.
You can choose from five different shades. I
personally love the Burning Bordeaux combo.

Scarves are all the rage this season. Check out this
cute and affordable scarf from Target. I love the
bright colors. It can be worn with your favorite coat
to keep the cold out, or to dress up a simple long
sleeve t-shirt. Either way, gorgeous!

By the way, if you are not sure how to tie a scarf, you
can check out YouTube. They have some good
tutorials on tying scarves.

Also from Target, this fun pair of Patent Oxford Pumps.

A little bit retro looking. They remind me of shoes my
grandmother wore. I can see them being worn with a
great pair of jeans or a cute skirt. And for under $30,
you can't beat the price

TIP:
Want to get rid of
mascara on your eye
lid without having to
wash your face? Use a
damp Q Tip to remove And remember no matter what you wear, the King is
the excess. Works great enthralled by your beauty.
to remove extra
eyeliner too. “THE KING IS ENTHRALLED BY YOUR BEAUTY;
HONOR HIM, FOR HE IS YOUR LORD.”
PSALM 45:11
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GOD OF CREATIION EDITION
Featured Blogger
Be sure to visit Elaine at her blog,
Peace for the Journey:
peaceforthejourney.blogspot.com
MARCH 2009
Featured Blogger:
Elaine is the wife of Preacher Billy and has the
delightful privilege of mothering four dynamic
children who have been with her for nearly half of
her almost forty-three years. She grew up amongst
the rolling hills of the Bluegrass which boasts the
presence of exquisite thoroughbreds and die-hard
Wildcat basketball fans.
Her growing up years were spent running the
hallways of Asbury Theological Seminary where her
father was a professor of preaching and her mother
was the Registrar. From the cradle to her current,
Elaine has been a church girl. The spiritual shaping
she received from her parents quickly secured for
her a belief in a great big God who loves her far
beyond reasonable bounds.
Elaine was born on Easter Sunday. The significance
of its shadow has followed her all the days of her life.
God began the sacred conversation with Elaine’s
soul from the earliest of ages, and she has spent the
past four decades walking the path of such a
gracious grace. He has marked her forever for
kingdom living and kingdom loving.
Her overriding hope and desire for her life is to live as
authentic before her God and his created people.
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 GOD OF CREATIION EDITION MARCH 2009

Family Focus Column by Andrea

When each of my children were born, I marveled over every single detail on
their tiny bodies. I counted each finger and toe, examined every wrinkle,
dimple, and mole. I knew exactly where the sweetest spots to kiss them
were located and where their most ticklish spots were.

As they grew, I learned to differentiate which

cries meant hunger, which meant they were
tired, and which meant they just needed some
cuddle-time. I could decipher their moods and
know how the next few moments would play
out. I studied them so closely, I knew their likes
and dislikes, what made them happy, and
what made them frustrated beyond belief.
I learned all of these things because these
children were mine. They were of me. As I
looked on each of my darling little bundles, I
couldn’t help but notice pieces of me in each
of them. And because they were of me, I loved
them instantly and with a love so fierce that I
needed to know every single detail of their
lives, no matter how small.
Now, however, I find it difficult to keep up with
them. They go to school and are away from me
for the better part of the day. They have
learned to hide some of their feelings.
Their likes and dislikes are sometimes changed
more frequently than their clothes (although
sometimes that seems impossible with my girls!).
As my oldest approaches adolescence, her
moods are even more difficult to decipher as
hormones kick in to gear. I worry over them
more, whether they will make good decisions,
if they will be hurt, if others will understand
them as well as their dad and I do.
Then the other day I was reading Psalm 139. I
love this Psalm. Not only is David praising God
for the way God has made him, but he is also
thankful that because God made him, He
knows every single last detail about him.
Sometimes as Mom, I forget that raising my
kids isn’t all about me, that I wasn’t the only
one who had a hand in creating these
beautiful and wonderful children. Sometimes I
forget that while I can’t be there for them
every single moment of every single day,
Someone else is. Sometimes I forget that there
really is Someone who knows more about my
children than I do, right down to the
positioning of the toenail on their pinky toe.

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GOD OF CREATIION EDITION MARCH 2009

It’s their Maker.

While I sat on the outside waiting for my

sweet babes to be formed, God watched
as they were being formed in utter
seclusion, as they were woven together in
the dark of the womb. (v 15).

As I eagerly awaited each child’s arrival,

God saw each one before they were
born. Every day of their lives had been
recorded in His book. Every moment was
laid out before a single day had passed.
(v 16)

And while there are days that I wish I

could go with my children everywhere to
protect them from harm, that I wish I
could read their thoughts and know the
very depths of their hearts to make sure
we are parenting them well, I can rest
easy in the knowledge that God their
Maker sees and knows all these things.

“O LORD, you have examined my heart

and know everything about me. “Then God looked over all
You know when I sit down or stand up.
You know my thoughts even when I’m he had made, and he saw
far away.
You see me when I travel that it was very good!”
and when I rest at home.
You know everything I do. Genesis 1:31
You know what I am going to say
even before I say it, LORD.
You go before me and follow me.
You place your hand of blessing on my
head.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
too great for me to understand!”
(Psalm 139:1-6)

He knows and sees all these things

because He has made them. And He
loves what He has made.

24
 GOD OF CREATIION EDITION MARCH 2009

Bible Study Column by Kristen Schiffman

“In the beginning God created

 A Creator.
the heavens and the earth.”  A Doer.
Genesis 1:1 

An Action Packed Opening Line.
A Genesis.
I vividly remember chanting this verse in my  A Mission Statement.
first grade classroom, at the very least, a  Purpose.
million times! My teacher drilled this verse  Power.
home with such force I still recite it throughout  Promise.
the day. I’m not even kidding.  Something More.
 Life Offered.
It is one of those things you never forget. Like  His Story.
how to tie your sneakers or ride a bike. Or how  Our Beginning.
to order a Sugar-free, Non-fat, Grande, Vanilla  Our Once Upon A Time.
Latte with a hint of cinnamon, hold the
whipped cream, please! Yes, I remember well the sound of my fellow
first grade classmates (one whom I married
Once you learn something like that, you never years and years later!) standing together
forget it. and speaking back to our teacher these life-
giving words:
It is basic. A beginning. The foundation. Try
reciting this verse over the course of the “In the beginning God created the heavens
coming week. Unbelievable as it may sound and the earth.”
there is life to be found within these simple Genesis 1:1
words.
At the age of six I felt awe, speaking these
Soul-renewing, heart relieving, life-restoring words.
power.
Open your Bible with me to the first book
Here within a first grade memory verse we find that makes itself at home within the pages
all we have been searching for. of the Word of God.

25
 GOD OF CREATIION EDITION
Read verses 1-5 of the first chapter.
Keep in mind from what God is speaking
something into existence. (I’ll give you a hint: not
much!)
In verse 2 what two words are used to describe
the earth?
1. ________________
2. ________________
In the Hebrew language the two words used here
for formless and empty are tohuw and bohuw.
Both describe an absolute emptiness in relation to
the earth.
Why would God be sure to include a double
description of the earth’s emptiness?
_________________________________________________
Check out Job 26:7, “He spreads out the northern
skies over empty space; he suspends the earth
over nothing.”
Over what does our God suspend the earth?
o A solid foundation
o Strong cable lines
o Nothing
Over nothing.
The very first thing God does and is sure we read
about in the earliest records of our human history is
HIS ABILITY TO BRING SOMETHING FROM NOTHING!
What a testament to me, a perpetual screw up!
Since the beginning of time you have been set
apart.
 From nothing to something.
 From empty to full.
 From darkness to light.
26
MARCH 2009
Rest today in the knowledge that our God
saw fit to rescue you from the realm of
emptiness.
So many women I hear from tell me how
they feel they have out sinned God’s
forgiveness or they have dropped the ball
so many times they don’t believe there is
hope.
They tell me how if they could just go back
and do things differently than yes, maybe
God could use them.
“I screwed up too bad,” they tell me.
“He can’t use me now.”
So, they live out their thoughts of defeat
and nothingness every day.
Beloved, if you are one of those women,
this message is for you. Genesis 1 was
written for you.
Today our Lord speaks to YOU of His ability
to bring something from nothing. He speaks
life into what you think is formless and He
speaks abundance into what you call
emptiness.
He speaks light into your darkness. He
speaks with power and purpose on your
behalf.
He speaks for you.
Today, embrace the very One who made
sure the first thing you ever read in His Word
was about His transforming power.
And don’t you ever forget the only thing
our Christ has ever left empty was His grave.
“EARLY ON THE FIRST DAY OF THE WEEK,
WHILE IT WAS STILL DARK, MARY
MAGDALENE WENT TO THE TOMB AND SAW
THAT THE STONE HAD BEEN REMOVED FROM
THE ENTRANCE.”
JOHN 20:1
GOD OF CREATIION EDITION
Have you ever found yourself standing at the threshold of a
room in your sanctuary, inspecting it with a critical eye,
and wondering what was missing?
Something is missing... you are certain of it.
You mentally take note of everything in
the room. Key furniture items -
check, lighting & curtains -
check, wall art & other
accessories - check. It's all
there, but something is missing.
"What is it?" you ask. "Why does
this room feel like a hotel
lobby, or the waiting room at
the dentist's office?"
Is it possible your room is
lacking personality?
Riddle me this - What does a
statue of a tall skinny frog
playing the violin, a ridiculously large
collection of milky white vases, and a wall
collage made from various eclectic
fabrics all have in common? Personality,
my sweet truffles, they add personality.
27
MARCH 2009
Home Column by Christy
Fortunately, adding personality to any room
can be done easily and with minimal cost. If
your room feels void of personality, my first
suggestion would be to take a
look at your current throw
pillows.
Do they match each other or
the furniture in the room? If the
answer is yes, try replacing
them with pillows in various
bold patterns that coordinate
well with the furniture.
Matching pillows can cause a
room to look sterile and
unimaginative. You'll be
amazed at how this simple
change can add much needed energy to
a room.
For a great Etsy shop offering fabulous
pillowcases, I recommend you check out
Cotton Colors. It can be found at this web
address:
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=665
3568.
GOD OF CREATIION EDITION
Next, evaluate the decorative accessories
situation. If their numbers rival that of Abraham's
seed, think about losing a few. You do not need
dozens of knick-knacks to make a statement. A
few vibrant, well-chosen pieces are all a room
needs. Select items that reflect your family's
personality or interests. Remember, the purpose
of a decorative accessory is to pull the room
together and create continuity with color, style,
or texture. If an accessory is not helping to bring
the room together and add personality... let it
go, you don't need it.
Is your room currently arrayed in silk flowers? If
yes, toss them! Trust me, your room will instantly
lose the “waiting room” resemblance. Replace
them with something visually interesting like a
collection of vases or an over-sized picture on a
stand. And for goodness sake, resist the
temptation to display silk flowers again. They
fade, collect dust, and just look so... so... fake.
Now, if this
suggestion is causing your body to go into shock
and your eye to twitch... fear not, sweet truffle.
They do make some silk flowers that look quite
natural. So if you must have them in your
sanctuary, I recommend springing for the
premium flowers. Your pocket book will pay the
price for the superior quality, but well worth it in
my opinion. Use sparingly... please.
28
MARCH 2009
As for me... well, I love funky
decorative items. You know, the
ones you see in stores and think,
"Who in their right mind would buy
that?" Well, the answer is... ME! Most
of the pieces that I choose to create
personality in my sanctuary could be
described as either whimsical or
humorous - like the collection of
bizarre animal pictures that are soon
to grace my living room walls. They
are whimsical. They are vibrant. They
are unexpected. And they will
probably give my nieces and
nephews nightmares. But I love
them... it works for me.
Most importantly, use items you love
and that reflect your personality. This
is your sanctuary... make it so. But if
all else fails... find yourself a ridiculous
metal statue of an animal with
exaggerated features, wearing a suit
that is three sizes too small, and
playing an instrument – preferably
the violin.
Can't ask for more
personality than
that!
 GOD OF CREATIION EDITION MARCH 2009

Book Column by Katrina

Book Review: Kiss by Ted Dekker and Erin Healy

Kiss certainly did not disappoint. Twists and
Kiss is Ted Dekker's most recent novel, co-written
turns? Check. Plenty of suspense? Check.
with Erin Healy, and it was just
Staying up far too late, just so I
released in January. Tagged as
could see what happens next?
romantic suspense, it revolves
Check.
around Shauna McAllister and
her search for the truth and for
But what about the romance? I
her own lost memories.
have to admit that sometimes,
romantic suspense novels really
When a tragic auto accident
bug me. It's not that I have
leaves Shauna McAllister's
anything against romance, but
brother brain-damaged and
rather it often seems the author
erases her recent memories, she
is so determined to incorporate
discovers she has a paranormal
romance that it feels forced,
ability to steal memories from
overdone, or completely
others, a capability that will
unrealistic, given the harrowing
either get her killed or unveil
circumstances the characters
hidden sides of the very people
are supposedly immersed in.
she thought she could trust.
However, I don't think Kiss fell
Against this background, she
into this trap at all. The romance
attempts to uncover the ugly
was appropriately subtle, while
truth about her father's dark secrets and to
the focus was kept on Shauna's quest for the
upend his run for president of the United States.
truth.
When I was offered an advance copy of Kiss to
I know that some readers believe the
read and review, I couldn't turn it down. I've
paranormal in Dekker's novels sometimes seems
been a fan of Ted Dekker since I fell in love with
"way out there," but if that's your concern, I
his Circle Trilogy (Black, Red, White), and I was
encourage you to still give Kiss a try. Yes, the
curious about this book, his first co-written with a
main character is able to "steal" memories from
woman.
other people, but the authors handled this

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GOD OF CREATIION EDITION MARCH 2009

anomaly in a very down-to-earth way, keeping

Shauna a realistic character with whom readers
can relate.

Finally, I really appreciated the way Kiss reminds

us of the value of painful memories. So often, we
would like to completely forget a trial or difficulty
from our past, but God can use painful pasts to
point us in the right direction and to use us to
accomplish His purposes. Kiss is not "preachy,"
but it still gets the point across.

If you still need a little convincing, check out the

reviews on amazon.com-- I'm not the only one
who enjoyed Kiss!

And I just noticed that Dekker has another book

coming out in April: Boneman's Daughters. I'm
guessing it'll be another page-turner!

Join
Andrea & Kristen
Thursdays
starting this
March!

30
GOD OF CREATIION EDITION MARCH 2009

Fiction Column by Rachel

The water rushed over her toes, cool and refreshing, cleansing the dust
from the bottom of her feet. She turned her face to the sun and smiled,
feeling its warm rays wash over her. She leaned back and closed her eyes,
enjoying the contrast of the chill at her feet and the heat on her cheeks.

She opened her eyes and noticed the
lengthening in the shadows below the trees. It
would be sunset soon, and she decided it was
time to head back. Drawing her feet out of
the brook, she gently shook them dry over a
pile of leaves and headed back away from
the water.
Gentle breezes whipped through her
long dark hair, swirling it around her like a
silken cloud. She glanced over at the nearest
tree, eyeing the ripe green fruit. She felt the
corners of her mouth moisten as she
considered its taste. No, she thought. Better
to wait and eat with him. I might spoil my
appetite.
Suddenly she stopped. Was that
whispering she heard? “Adam?” she called
cheerfully. Perhaps he had come to meet
her! “Adam, are you teasing me?” She
laughed gaily and felt her cheeks blush. She
searched around, trying to see an arm or leg
sticking out from behind the brush.
Her gaze fell upon the nearest tree. That
tree. The forbidden tree.
She waited a few more seconds to
see if Adam returned her call, then
shrugged and started to walk again. She
must have been mistaken.
“Woman…” a voice carried on the
wind.
She stopped again and turned to
face the tree. Its branches swayed gently
in the breeze. She squinted her eyes,
shielding them with her hand from the
glare of the descending sun. “Adam?”
she called again. “Why are you hiding
here?” She marched over to the tree,
determined to catch him in his playfulness.
As she leaned around to look behind the
trunk, something moved quickly and
caught her eye. Startled, she gasped and
stepped back. A brilliant green serpent
was slowly uncoiling itself from the nearest
branch. It turned its face to look at her.
That’s odd, she thought. A snake
has never looked at me in this way before.
She stepped closer, her curiosity peaking.

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GOD OF CREATIION EDITION
Why would He withhold something
from us?
The serpent stared straight ahead at her, its
triangular head unmoving. Its tongue darted
in and out between its thin lips, as though
tasting her scent on the breeze. “Hello,” it
hissed softly.
She gasped again and took a step
back. “You speak? What a wonder! I’ve
never heard an animal speak before!”
The serpent stretched out gently on
the branch, brushing the stem of the fruit with
its body. The fruit swayed gently, the bright
red skin taut and shiny. The serpent turned
again and faced her. “Did God really say,
‘You must not eat from any tree in the
garden?’”
What is the meaning of this? she
thought, her mind reeling in confusion. Why is
he asking me this? She searched her brain,
seeking to recite the exact Word the Lord
had given to Adam which he in turn
delivered to her. “We may eat fruit from the
trees in the garden, but God did say, ‘You
must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the
middle of the garden, and you must not
touch it, or you will die.’” She smiled, satisfied
with her ability to remember the words.
“You shall not surely die,” the serpent replied
in a much deeper, lower hiss than before.
She stared into the dark, black eyes.
How would this serpent know? What if it’s
telling the truth?
Of course it’s not telling the truth, she
scolded herself immediately. This is stupid,
really. I’m talking to a snake. Why would a
snake know more than God?.
She started to walk away from the
tree, but something held her back. A curious,
unfurling feeling in the pit of her stomach that
she couldn’t quite describe.
But why would God say something
that wasn’t true? He wouldn’t! … would He?
She suddenly wished for God to be
nearby. She needed His confirmation. She
needed Him to affirm the Word she believed.
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MARCH 2009
The serpent slid down the tree branch
again, bringing its face close to hers. “God
knows that when you eat of it your eyes will
be opened, and you will be like God,
knowing good and evil,” it breathed softly.
She felt as though something cold had
slipped into the pit of her stomach. Her mind
spun with new possibilities.
Was it true? Was that all the Lord God
wanted to prevent?
Of course not! Obviously if the Lord
God doesn’t want us to eat from the tree, He
has a good and valid reason. I should trust
Him.
But why should I trust Him? He didn’t
give me a reason to obey.
He did, though. He said we would die.
But the serpent says we won’t die. Does
it know something God doesn’t?
What was wrong with knowing good
and evil? Shouldn’t I be aware of
everything? Did He not say that everything in
the Garden was under our care?
Is He hiding something from us? Is that
why He doesn’t want me to eat the fruit?
But He’s God. Isn’t He within His right
to make decisions like this?
Maybe. But does He not trust us – me –
with such knowledge?
And what was so bad about being like
Him anyway?
Wouldn’t it be better for us to know
good and evil?
Would it?
Why would He withhold something
from us?
I thought He loved us! Or are we just
puppets to do His bidding? Just His
caretakers?
A chilling breeze swept through the
Garden, drawing her out of her spinning
thoughts. A new, powerful emotion rose
inside of her.
GOD OF CREATIION EDITION
Her heart filled with hope - at least
now she wasn’t alone.
She could feel heat blazing into her cheeks.
She wanted to confront God. She wanted to
demand her rights.
She didn’t understand the new
confusion surrounding her. But she knew she
had to have an answer.
The serpent slid back down the
branch, across the stem of the fruit. The twig
snapped and the fruit fell towards the
ground. She reached down and caught it
before it hit the dust.
She stared at the round orb, bright and
red and smooth. The skin was so taut and
shiny she could see her reflection in it, though
the image was distorted in the curvature of
the fruit. She felt the soft flesh of the fruit
giving way to the pressure of her fingers. She
felt the familiar tingle in the corners of her
cheeks, and she wanted desperately to taste
it.
She turned it over in her hand again.
Could this fruit really be what the serpent said
it was?
“Try it…”
Her head snapped up. The serpent
was gone.
She looked back down at the fruit,
growing warm from the palm of her hand.
She had to know. She had to try…
Taking a deep breath, she sank her
teeth into the soft flesh.
Juices ran over her lips and into her
mouth, and she pulled the bite from the fruit.
She chewed carefully and swallowed.
A cold wind rushed over her, and she
felt her arms break out in chills. She tried to
breathe but could not seem to take enough
air into her lungs. She gasped and heaved,
straining to drag breath into her body. She
fell against the tree, her knees giving way to a
newfound weakness. Her skin felt as though it
was several sizes too small for her body. She
stretched her hands, trying to ease the
feeling of constriction. She turned and
33
MARCH 2009
clawed at the tree, crying out for the serpent
to come back, to explain. Pieces of bark
broke off beneath her fingernails, drawing
blood from the tender flesh beneath them.
She cried out, sticking her fingers in her mouth
and trying to figure out what this new, horrible
sensation was that came with the blood. She
sat back on her heels at the foot of the tree.
“Oh, God, God… what have I done?” She
waited for her answer, for the unexplainable
peace that always came over her in
comforting waves.
Nothing. Nothing but quiet, emptiness,
loneliness.
She heard footsteps behind her and
she stood quickly, turning around. The fruit
was still clutched in her hand.
“My love, what are you doing here?
What did… is that… did you… have you
eaten from the tree?!?” Adam’s face was
hard, his eyes wide with question.
She forced a smile onto her face,
feeling the full effort in her jaw. She wanted
to reach out to him, to take his hand and fall
into his strong arms, but it felt as though a
deep chasm extended between them. She
glanced down at the fruit in her hand. Her
heart twisted as she saw it was now dull and
muted, and her stomach churned. Reaching
out across the indefinable distance, she
handed him the fruit. “Here, it’s no big deal.
Take a bite. Look at me, I’m not dead.”
Please, please, she thought desperately.
Please don’t leave me all alone.
Adam gingerly took the fruit from her,
examining the mark of her teeth carefully. He
studied it for a long time. She could almost
see his mind turning. He turned his gaze to
her and reached out and brushed her cheek
with his hands, as though to make sure she
was still real and solid. Then raising the fruit to
his lips, he took a bite.
She could see it in his eyes as it happened.
Her heart filled with hope - at least now she
wasn’t alone.
GOD OF CREATIION EDITION
Tears filled her eyes as stark realization
hit her.
He sank to the ground, shaking slightly. He
raised his hands before his face, as though
feeling them for the first time. He stood
quickly and winced as something popped in
his knee.
He raised his eyes to hers. “What
happened?” he asked hoarsely.
She came to him, embracing him. She
buried her face in his chest, not wanting to
know the answer to his question. His arms,
usually so strong and warm, fell limply at her
sides. She felt tears stinging the corners of her
eyes.
She stepped away from him, and felt
his gaze travel down her body. “What?” she
asked, startled. Could he suddenly see the
change she had felt? How did it make him
feel?
He said nothing, but continued to stare
until her face burned.
She turned away from him, shielding
her body from his gaze. “How can you look
at me like that at a time like this?” She turned
her eyes away from him. “Cover yourself, will
you?”
He shook his head as though coming
out of a trance. He reached over to the
nearest bush – a fig tree – pulled off some
leaves, and handed the first few to her.
She carefully held them in place, the
coarse fibers rubbing the skin of her breasts
and abdomen raw. She bit her lip,
experiencing again the awful sensation she
had felt by the tree.
We should have never done it. Never.
Adam stood nearby, carefully lacing the torn
leaves together with the dark green veining
that once ran through them. He winced
again as he carefully tied them around his
waist. He raised his eyes to hers and glared
at her.
He blames me.
Her stomach lurched again, and she
bent over and vomited the contents of her
34
MARCH 2009
stomach onto the grass. As though mocking
her, she saw a portion of the bright red fruit
skin in the puddle.
Hope blossomed in her chest. It’s out!
It’s not in my body anymore! Things can go
back to how they were before. She threw her
head back and breathed deeply, waiting for
the constriction on her chest to lift.
It didn’t.
Tears filled her eyes as stark realization
hit her. The curse isn’t in the fruit. The curse is
in my disobedience. She sank down and
wrapped her arms around her knees, sobs
rising heavily from her chest.
Adam kicked at a rock and watched it
scuttle across the grass.
A rustling came from nearby, making
both of them jump. The Lord God was
coming! Eve hurriedly wiped the tears off her
face and started to stand. Adam pushed
down on her shoulder keeping her low as he
dropped beside her. He raised a single finger
to his lips. She nodded, understanding.
The rustling stopped. The deep voice of the
Lord God rang out. “Adam, where are you?”
Adam closed his eyes and lowered his
head. She smirked. At least God wasn’t
asking for her.
Adam rose to his feet, asserting himself at his
full height. “I heard you in the garden, and I
was afraid because I was naked; so I hid.”
Impressed, she smiled to herself. Adam
sounded collected, not at all shaken.
“And who told you that you were
naked?” the Lord God asked. Adam did not
answer. She looked up, seeing Adam’s hand
curling into a fist. He knows. The Lord God
knows. The Lord spoke again.
“Have you eaten from the tree that I
commanded you not to eat from?”
She put her head in her hands,
grasping at the strands of her hair. She
tugged until she felt like her scalp would rip
off and waited for Adam’s confession.
GOD OF CREATIION EDITION
“I have made you a covering so that you
may stand in my presence.”
Adam stepped out from behind the bush to
face the Lord. “The woman you put here
with me—she gave me some fruit from the
tree, and I ate it.” His voice rang with
accusation for God, condemnation for her.
Feeling as though her very heart had been
taken from her body, she began to cry again.
She stood carefully, her legs wobbling in
weakness and fear. She did not raise her
eyes to the Lord.
“What is this you have done?” He
asked her quietly. She searched His voice for
a sign of what He was feeling, but could
discern nothing.
She decided to try Adam’s tactic,
since his vehement blaming of her took the
Lord God’s attention off of him. “The serpent
deceived me,” she managed, swallowing
thickly, “and I ate.” The words hung heavily in
the air, a ringing reminder of her mistake.
The Lord turned away from her, and
she breathed a sigh of relief. Her palms were
damp with anxiety. The Lord God spoke
again, in a voice more deep and terrible
than she had ever heard.
“Because you have done this, cursed
are you above all the livestock and all the
wild animals! You will crawl on your belly and
you will eat dust all the days of your life. And I
will put enmity between you and the woman,
and between your offspring and hers; he will
crush your head, and you will strike his heel.”
As He spoke, the serpent was drawn out from
the brush, his body writhing on the ground
before the Lord.
She shook at the force of His words.
The Lord God turned to her, and she
trembled harder before Him.
“Woman,” He said in a much calmer,
gentler voice, “I will greatly increase your
pains in childbearing; with pain you will give
birth to children. Your desire will be for your
husband, and he will rule over you.”
Pain, she thought, glancing down at
35
MARCH 2009
her torn and lacerated fingernails. It suddenly
made sense. Pain was now her companion.
The Lord turned finally to Adam.
Disappointment radiated from His face.
“Because you listened to your wife” – she felt
her face flush with embarrassment and
shame – “and ate from the tree about which I
commanded you, 'You must not eat of it,':
Cursed is the ground because of you; through
painful toil you will eat of it all the days of your
life. It will produce thorns and thistles for you,
and you will eat the plants of the field. By the
sweat of your brow you will eat your food until
you return to the ground, since from it you
were taken; for dust you are and to dust you
will return.”
She chanced a glance at Adam’s face. A
lone tear tracked gently down his cheek. He
turned to her, his eyes full of unfamiliar
emotion, yet as she searched them she
understood it was sorrow. Adam gave a self-
deprecating laugh and glanced around the
garden. A pair of lambs sat nearby against a
bush. He turned to her and placed his hand
on her head, much as he had done with the
animals. “Your name is now Eve, because
you will become the mother of all living.” His
pronouncement brought back the words of
the Lord God – her ultimate penalty – to her
mind and she began to weep again.
She looked up as she heard soft bleating.
The Lord had taken one of the lambs and laid
it out on a smooth stone. She cried out as He
slaughtered the small, helpless animal, turning
away in revulsion as the crimson blood, so
bright like the skin of the cursed fruit, coursed
down the side of the stone.
The Lord worked expertly, swiftly removing
the skin from the small animal. His hands
stained with blood, He reached out and
handed them the skins, not meeting their
eyes.
“Here,” He called, gesturing for them to take
the skins. “I have made you a covering so
that you may stand in my presence.”
GOD OF CREATIION EDITION
“The freshness of the sacrifice left stripes of
blood on her skin.
Eve’s face burned again with shame, and she
quickly took the skin and wrapped it around
her torso. The freshness of the sacrifice left
stripes of blood on her skin.
The Lord God turned away, looking
towards the heavens. “The man has now
become like one of us, knowing good and
evil. He must not be allowed to reach out his
hand and take also from the tree of life and
eat, and live forever.” Eve saw the same
sorrow burning in Adam’s eyes reflected in
the countenance of the Lord. The Lord God
turned squarely to face them, a firmness
resonating from His being. “You must leave.
You cannot remain here with Me.” He
guided them towards the exit of the Garden.
Eve clutched the skins to her chest, staring at
the sandy wasteland outside the gate. They
walked forward, off of the cool grass and
onto the sandy dunes. Adam stooped down
and lifted a palm full of sand. The grains
strained through his fingers. He lowered his
head and sobbed, his entire body rocking
with emotion.
Eve stood beside him, not knowing
what to say or do. She reached out and
placed a hand on his shoulder. His head
came up and he slapped her away. “Do not
touch me,” he barked. “You are the reason
this has happened.”
Pain, horrible, choking pain, gripped at
her insides and in her throat. “Adam,” she
pleaded softly. He stood and walked several
paces away from her, keeping his back to
her.
She wanted to die. She wanted it to end.
And yet, death was what she was living.
For several days they remained outside
the Garden, Adam scheming and searching
for a way back inside. The Lord God had
appointed an angel to stand in the gate, a
brilliant flaming sword gripped in its hands.
Adam tried to gain reentry by the cover of
night, creeping through the brush, but the
angel never slept, and was always on guard
with its fearsome sword.
36
MARCH 2009
On the morning of the fourth day, Eve
approached Adam again, cautiously coming
to him as he sat and brooded. “Adam,” she
asked tentatively, “I’m hungry. We need to
find some food.”
“Find your own food,” he snapped,
staring resolutely at the angel.
She felt anger spiraling inside of her.
“Look,” she snapped, setting herself before
him and in his line of vision, “We can’t go
back. We’re done. It’s over. We have to
move on.” She grasped his hands, cold in her
palms. “Please, Adam. I’m hungry and I’m
lonely. And the Lord God said it was up to
you to work the land. Please. We have to
move on.”
Adam lowered his head, dropping it
between his raised knees. She expected him
to lash out at her, but when he raised it again
there was nothing but despair in his eyes. “I
can’t do it,” he muttered, his voice cracking.
“I’ve tried every way I can think of to get
back in, to be restored. Nothing I can do
works.” He paused, gazing toward the green
Paradise. “I just thought… I thought if I got
out because of something I did, I could get
back in by the same means.” His eyes filled
with shining tears and he blinked hard and
sighed. “But I can’t. You’re right. It’s over.
We have to go on.” He got to his feet,
brushing the sand from his thighs. He
reached out a hand to her. “Come on.”
There was no warmth in his voice.
Eve jumped up, following him despite
the coolness in his demeanor. She was in too
great a need for his companionship to allow
her smarting pride to win out.
They walked out onto the dunes, the
heavy sand pulling against their legs and
keeping them rooted. It’s even harder to
walk out here, Eve thought miserably. She
cast one glance back at the angel, the
flaming sword searing her eyes, and
wondered if it could possibly get any worse.
 GOD OF CREATION EDITION SPRING 2012

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