For the past few months, Bill’s been building me a house.  Yes, he’s going to live there, too, but make no mistake. He’s building it for me.

No, Bill’s not a professional builder. But that hasn’t stopped him. He found the land. He hired the sub-contractors. And he’s been overseeing the entire project like a pro for one reason and one reason only: Bill loves me. He loves me lots.

Currently, Bill and I live in a little house in the big city of Houston. Big as in Houston is the fourth largest city in America.  But Bill knows that I’m a country girl. I dream of living in a place where I can hear roosters and smell cows. Of having a place in the country where I can walk outside in the morning in my robe, have my coffee and quiet time on the front porch swing, and never see or be seen by a next-door neighbor.

Bill has never dreamed of hearing roosters or smelling cows. He would be content staying exactly where we are except for one important fact: He loves me. He loves me lots.

In a few weeks, we will move to a small town just outside Houston (but still plenty close to our kids, grandkids, and church) to live in a home where Bill has poured his own blood, sweat, and major moolah. And he gave all of that for love. A love that I absolutely do not deserve, but that I ever so deeply desire to reciprocate.  

Precious sister, your husband, Jesus Christ, loves you. He loves you lots. And He proved His love for you through His blood, sweat, and tears on Calvary’s cross. He gave it all for love. A love that you absolutely do not deserve, but that I know you ever so deeply desire to reciprocate.

But there’s more. Jesus knows that you were not made for this world (Eph. 2:6, 1 Pet. 2:11). So He’s building you a beautiful home in the most beautiful place of all: Heaven (John 14:2-3). Oh, how He loves you! He loves you lots.

This Valentine’s Day, whether you’re married, divorced, single, or widowed, I hope you’ll remember that you are the bride of the most wonderful husband ever:  Jesus. And this is how He feels about you:  

Reciprocate His love right now. Reach up to Him in prayer, and love Him back. Because Jesus loves you, girl. He loves you lots.

You are loved, your sister,

Email Laurie

Attracting a Godly Guy

If there were an easy, three-step plan on how a godly girl could attract a godly guy, wouldn’t you share it with all of the young ladies in your life? Well guess what – there is! In Week Five of Beauty by the Book for Teens, Laurie talks about how teens can become captivating young women by following the examples in Proverbs and in Ruth. We think you’ll agree that those are some valuable beauty secrets that today’s media-influenced girls need to hear!

We’re so close to being able to offer these beauty secrets and more with Beauty by the Book for Teens! We’re praying for a spring release for the books and resources, and we’d love your help getting there!

Priority Ministries is a 501(C)3 non-profit organization. All gifts received are tax-deductible as a charitable contribution.

Who Has Your Heart?
by Emily Ryan, Executive Editor 

Valentine’s Day is just a few days away, and while most of the world focuses on couples and Cupid and love and romance, my thoughts always turn towards two very different subject matters during this time of year – single women, and Jephthah’s daughter.

If you’re not single yourself, I’m sure someone close to you is. So for just a few minutes, push aside your plans for candlelit dinners, conversational hearts, and boxes of chocolate and think about those women in your church or in your circle of friends who walk through life on a daily basis without their “plus ones” beside them. They need to meet Jephthah’s daughter!

When it comes to Bible study, single women, just like married women, mostly turn to the more popular women of the Bible such as Ruth, Esther, Mary, and The Proverbs 31 Woman.  While their stories are wonderful and their character strong, in the end, the undeniable thread that ties all of these ladies together is somewhat hard to ignore: They’re all married.

While their marital status does not negate their credibility, it can still leave singles longing for a biblical role model who shares their status; someone to teach about being a single woman because she is a single woman, not simply because she’s “been there.”  And that’s where she comes in – the unnamed, unmarried, and unshakable girl in Judges 11:34-40 known only as Jephthah’s daughter. 

Now singles can get to know Jephthah’s daughter (“JD” for short) like never before in Who Has Your Heart? The Single Woman’s Pursuit of Godliness.  It’s not just another study about a godly woman who teaches women how to be single.  Rather, it’s the study of a single woman who teaches how to be godly.

Read the entire first chapter here!

It’s been almost five years since Who Has Your Heart? was first published, and in that time I’ve heard from single ladies ages 17 to 70 who have fallen in love with JD and grown closer to the Lord because of her story! They connect with JD from the moment she emerges dancing and shaking her tambourine, until the final chapter when they are left asking, “Why have I not heard about this woman before?”

With Scripture, humor, and discussion questions that complement each chapter, readers will uncover timeless principles from a story they’ve never heard before, and quickly realize why JD is the scriptural role model they have been waiting to discover!

You can discover her story too with a special Valentine’s Day offer especially for You Glo Girl! readers! Throughout the month of February, order as many copies of Who Has Your Heart? as you like for just $10 each (plus shipping)! That’s almost $2 off the cover price of $11.99! Whether you’re looking for the perfect gift for your daughter or granddaughter, or the perfect Bible study for the single women in your church, this book is it!  It can be read individually or easily used in a small group setting.

While Who Has Your Heart? is available at your local Christian bookstore and through several online venues, you can only get this special offer by emailing me directly. I can’t wait to hear from you and pray that God will continue to use JD to reclaim the hearts of single women everywhere! And if you have any questions, please let me know!

XOXO,
Emily

Click here to email Emily

Here's where Laurie will be going and glo-ing soon.  Please pray.  Thanks!

Priority Prayer Points
by Nancy Campbell, Prayer Director

Set aside Valentine’s Day to pray for all of the singles in your circle of influence. Pray for the never-marrieds, who are still waiting on God’s timing for love. But also remember the widows, widowers, divorcees and single parents. Pray that they would experience God’s love above all else. Pray for Theresa Buckner who is behind the scenes helping to plan the first-ever Priority Glo Girl Conference in September. Pray that she and the wonderful group of ladies who is helping her will have wisdom and discernment in each decision that has to be made. Continue to pray for the remaining funds for Beauty by the Book for Teens. And pray for us as we finalize printing options and requirements.

We would love to hear from you too! Email Nancy Campbell, Priority’s Prayer Director, with your prayer requests and praises and we look forward to lifting you up to the One who loves us most! Email your request to Nancy

Gotta Glo

We pray that your Valentine’s Day will be filled with more than candy hearts this year as you experience God’s love like never before! And no matter what your plans are for Cupid's big day, we hope you'll spend some time with the One who loves you most! Until next month, XOXO!

Gotta glo for now!

Your Priority sisters,

Laurie Cole, Pam Henderson, Shanda Stiles, Jan Hart,
Stephanie Cole, Nancy Campbell, Emily Ryan, and Mary Burnett
Priority Ministries Staff