The Dating P.E.R.M.S
Hey girls! So, does anyone know what a, "Perms" are? Nope, Im not talking about the thing that your grandmother gets done to here hair every other week... We are going to talk about the 5 areas of purity! Those being, physical, emotional, relational, mental, and spiritual! Are you ready for a purity perm?!
Physical-
*Establish detailed physical boundaries before you date. Discuss these standards with your boyfriend.
*Do not watch a movie in the dark, alone with your boyfriend.... ever!
*Never allow a date to go late into the night unless you are with a large group of people and you are in a public place.
*Do not sit on a guys lap. (Just think what you are sitting on!)
*Examine your wardrobe. Ask yourself if your clothes encourage guys to be Holy.
Emotional-
*Do not bare your soul to a guy. (Girls often give themselves away physically only after they have given themselves away emotionally.)
* Do not IM guys late at night. (The conversation often tends to turn intimate which causes emotional attachment.)
*Do not pray with a guy until you are at least engaged. (Prayer is the pathway to your heart and by letting a guy in you are setting yourself up for heart break.)
Relational-
*Only date guys who are on fire for God. Period.
*Date guys who have a life outside of you.
*Hang out with friends who have your same desire for purity. (Hence, why we created this blog!)
*Let your family get to know the guy that you are dating.
Mental-
*Fill your mind with scripture! By memorizing God's word it is always there. Write verses on index cards and put them on your bathroom mirror, car, dresser, anywhere!
*Avoid the questionable M's (Movies, magazines, music). It will send the wrong message into your mind.
Spiritual-
* Get involved with a Bible study at church!
* Find friends who will keep you accountable!
* Find a spiritual mentor (Someone who is older and wiser who can help you as you go through life)!
*Pray for your future husband daily!
Congratulations! You have just received and spiritual Perm! :) If you take these tips to heart you will watch in amazement as you begin being more like Christ in your physical life! Please do not think of this as a list of Do's and Dont's... I was asked for some hints on how to stay pure! So, please read over these and when you are faced with a decision I pray that some of these thoughts will come back to you! :)
With care,
JEN
Friday, November 27, 2009
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Modest is Hottest
1 Timothy 2:9a "I also want women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety"
1 Corinthians 8:9-13 "Be careful, however, that the exercise of your freedom does not become a stumbling block to the weak. For if anyone with a weak conscience sees you who have this knowledge eating in an idol's temple, won't he be emboldened to eat what has been sacrificed to idols? So this weak brother, for whom Christ died, is destroyed by your knowledge. When you sin against your brother in this way and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ. Therefore, if what I eat causes my brother to fall into sin, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause him to fall."
As you may have guessed, today I'd like to talk about modesty. I have been asked before, what's the point of being modest? Quite frankly I think it's just classy, but it's more than that. It's respectful to all guys, to your future husband, to yourself, and to God. You are showing respect for other guys when you dress modestly by not causing them to stumble as the verses above warn against. You are showing respect for your future husband by keeping your body sacred and for his eyes only. You are showing respect for yourself by keeping your body to yourself and not allowing trends to persuade you away from God's will. You are showing respect for God by being respectful to all of the above and by complying with his will as it is clearly portrayed in the Bible.
Usually after I answer the question of why it's important to dress modestly, I'm posed with the question, "What exactly is modesty?" While everyone portrays modesty a little differently and it applies differently because we're all different shapes and sizes, the following are general tips and guidelines for adhering to modesty.
1.) Can you bend over without exposing too much cleavage?
-Some shirts may be okay standing up, but if you bend over you will expose a lot and cause more attention than you want. Sometimes it's hard to find shirts that will stay up. I highly recommend tank tops. If you are like me and sometimes even have trouble with tanks, I suggest trying ones that cut straight across (not scoop or v-necks) and have adjustable straps. :D
2.) Can you sit down without people seeing up your skirt?
-if your skirt is too tight or too short that when you sit down people can see up your skirt, it's not modest. I generally try to keep skirts within four inches of the knee and not so tight that I'm constantly having to pull it down. You may feel called to wear your skirts longer, that's between you and your parents.
3.) Are your jeans so tight that the cut into you? Is your shirt so tight that it slips up or shows every curve you have?
-I grouped these two questions together because they are essentially the same. As far as jeans, if you can't squat comfortably or you have trouble getting into them when it's that time of the month, they are too tight. Personally I don't like to shop juniors section for pants, I generally go to the misses section. The pants aren't usually made to fit as tight and honestly they have more of a flattering fit. As for shirts, you don't want them to be so tight that you constantly have to worry about it slipping up and showing midriff or showing off every curve or insecurity you have (which we hope you don't have but that's another story). I don't think it's bad for a top to be fitted, just not too tight. You shouldn't have to peel it off.
4.) Is my Bikini okay to wear? What about a Tankini?
- Now many people have different views on swimsuits, but my general analysis is that bikinis are NOT modest. Bikinis show a lot of cleavage, completely bare midriffs, and barely cover your bottom. Even some of the more modest bikinis still show too much. Now you may like wearing tankinis. I myself wear a tankini a lot. But the question here is, does the tankini cover your midriff? I make sure mine does. And the tankini shouldn't show too much cleavage either. Now I've heard girls say, "but if we do that then our stomachs will be white!" Well to be straight-forward and honest here, if you are adhering to modesty and purity (which is what we are about here) nobody is going to see your tummy anyway, so what does it matter?? My suggestion is to wear tankinis or one pieces that cover you midriff and don't show too much cleavage.
5.) Well does all this mean I have to dress in baggy, ugly clothes for the rest of my life?
-NOOOO!!!! You can be modest and still look cute! Modesty simply means that you are trying not to cause any young man to stumble. Honestly, a lot of times when you aren't dressing modestly you aren't flattering your body either. Dressing modestly is usually more flattering. Modesty can still have nice clean lines and cute fun clothes, and it covers you!
Final question you may be asking, how does this play into purity? Simple put, you are keeping your body pure by keeping it for your husbands eyes only and not displaying it for the whole world to see. Also, if you dress modestly, you are helping young men not to stumble.
Okay, so modesty is important, but don't let it be a chore! Modesty can be fun, I have just as much fun picking out outfits as I would if I weren't dressing modestly! I hope this helps you better apply modestly to your life!
Love, Kat
1 Corinthians 8:9-13 "Be careful, however, that the exercise of your freedom does not become a stumbling block to the weak. For if anyone with a weak conscience sees you who have this knowledge eating in an idol's temple, won't he be emboldened to eat what has been sacrificed to idols? So this weak brother, for whom Christ died, is destroyed by your knowledge. When you sin against your brother in this way and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ. Therefore, if what I eat causes my brother to fall into sin, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause him to fall."
As you may have guessed, today I'd like to talk about modesty. I have been asked before, what's the point of being modest? Quite frankly I think it's just classy, but it's more than that. It's respectful to all guys, to your future husband, to yourself, and to God. You are showing respect for other guys when you dress modestly by not causing them to stumble as the verses above warn against. You are showing respect for your future husband by keeping your body sacred and for his eyes only. You are showing respect for yourself by keeping your body to yourself and not allowing trends to persuade you away from God's will. You are showing respect for God by being respectful to all of the above and by complying with his will as it is clearly portrayed in the Bible.
Usually after I answer the question of why it's important to dress modestly, I'm posed with the question, "What exactly is modesty?" While everyone portrays modesty a little differently and it applies differently because we're all different shapes and sizes, the following are general tips and guidelines for adhering to modesty.
1.) Can you bend over without exposing too much cleavage?
-Some shirts may be okay standing up, but if you bend over you will expose a lot and cause more attention than you want. Sometimes it's hard to find shirts that will stay up. I highly recommend tank tops. If you are like me and sometimes even have trouble with tanks, I suggest trying ones that cut straight across (not scoop or v-necks) and have adjustable straps. :D
2.) Can you sit down without people seeing up your skirt?
-if your skirt is too tight or too short that when you sit down people can see up your skirt, it's not modest. I generally try to keep skirts within four inches of the knee and not so tight that I'm constantly having to pull it down. You may feel called to wear your skirts longer, that's between you and your parents.
3.) Are your jeans so tight that the cut into you? Is your shirt so tight that it slips up or shows every curve you have?
-I grouped these two questions together because they are essentially the same. As far as jeans, if you can't squat comfortably or you have trouble getting into them when it's that time of the month, they are too tight. Personally I don't like to shop juniors section for pants, I generally go to the misses section. The pants aren't usually made to fit as tight and honestly they have more of a flattering fit. As for shirts, you don't want them to be so tight that you constantly have to worry about it slipping up and showing midriff or showing off every curve or insecurity you have (which we hope you don't have but that's another story). I don't think it's bad for a top to be fitted, just not too tight. You shouldn't have to peel it off.
4.) Is my Bikini okay to wear? What about a Tankini?
- Now many people have different views on swimsuits, but my general analysis is that bikinis are NOT modest. Bikinis show a lot of cleavage, completely bare midriffs, and barely cover your bottom. Even some of the more modest bikinis still show too much. Now you may like wearing tankinis. I myself wear a tankini a lot. But the question here is, does the tankini cover your midriff? I make sure mine does. And the tankini shouldn't show too much cleavage either. Now I've heard girls say, "but if we do that then our stomachs will be white!" Well to be straight-forward and honest here, if you are adhering to modesty and purity (which is what we are about here) nobody is going to see your tummy anyway, so what does it matter?? My suggestion is to wear tankinis or one pieces that cover you midriff and don't show too much cleavage.
5.) Well does all this mean I have to dress in baggy, ugly clothes for the rest of my life?
-NOOOO!!!! You can be modest and still look cute! Modesty simply means that you are trying not to cause any young man to stumble. Honestly, a lot of times when you aren't dressing modestly you aren't flattering your body either. Dressing modestly is usually more flattering. Modesty can still have nice clean lines and cute fun clothes, and it covers you!
Final question you may be asking, how does this play into purity? Simple put, you are keeping your body pure by keeping it for your husbands eyes only and not displaying it for the whole world to see. Also, if you dress modestly, you are helping young men not to stumble.
Okay, so modesty is important, but don't let it be a chore! Modesty can be fun, I have just as much fun picking out outfits as I would if I weren't dressing modestly! I hope this helps you better apply modestly to your life!
Love, Kat
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Clint's Story!
Hey girls! So, I plan on posting a different personal story each Monday, but Im not sure if I will be able to get online tomorrow! So, please read it and if any of you feel led to share your story let me know! I am more than willing to let you girls share what God has taught you!
JEN
Hello friends. I’m Clint Dean. For those of you who don’t know me I’ll share a little about myself. I’m eighteen years old. I have my own ministry called M.A.D. Ministries. I started it about three years ago after a life changing encounter with my Savior. But things haven’t always been so “good” in my life.
At the age of two my parents divorced. It tore me apart. I couldn’t understand. My father was abusive both physically and mentally to my entire family. By the age of five I had became depressed. By the age of seven I was having regular thoughts of suicide. I even attempted it a few times. I struggled with depression and suicide until the age of twelve. At the age of twelve I had finally overcame those issues. But my problems were nowhere close to being over.
Not long before I turned thirteen I started getting involved with the wrong group of people. I quickly found myself popping prescription drugs, being very vulgar, and participating in immoral and unclean acts. This led me into a place I never wanted to go. I was so lost. I was caught up in the things everyone said was cool and fun. I was doing things a thirteen year old shouldn’t have been even thinking about. I tried stopping many times because I knew it was wrong but these things had some kind of hold over me that I couldn’t explain.
This continued until I was almost sixteen. Then my life was radically changed at a new year’s church service in South Alabama.
It was approaching midnight and the worship group was singing “How Great Is Our God?” I suddenly started feeling a strange warm sensation all over. The feeling kept getting more and more intense until I could hardly contain it. I had no clue what was going on but I knew it was God. I got to the altar as fast as I possibly could. Once I reached it, I fell to my knees and cried harder than I ever have in my entire life.
I wanted to pray but I wasn’t sure how. And so these were my words: “God, I have no clue what to say. I am the worst person I know and I want to change. Please take these useless, shameful things out of my life. I don’t care what it takes. Just make me more like you.” At the time I didn’t know what I was asking, but I soon found out. When I stood up from that altar I felt different somehow. I couldn’t explain it. It was like I just took a shower after running a marathon. I felt relieved, refreshed, and I had found a new energy.
The next morning when I woke up, I had a strange urge to read my Bible. So I grabbed it and started reading, which I hadn’t done in a very long time. The first thing I read was Matthew 5:13: “You are the salt of the earth, but if the salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is not good for anything any longer but to be thrown out and trodden under the feet of men.” I cried when I read this. I didn’t want to be “thrown out” by God. I wanted to be the salt of the earth for Jesus. I wanted to make a difference. But to make a difference, I had to be the difference.
A wise man once told me “To change the world, you can never be changed by the world.” I have held on to that for a long time because it’s so true. I realized I had to be different. In fact, that’s exactly what the word “Holy” means; belonging to, derived from, or associated with a divine power; sacred. In 1 Peter 2:9 God says that we are “an holy nation, a peculiar people…” We must be set apart from everyone else.
So to all you young ladies out there, who are reading this, do NOT give in. You are beautiful and special in your own way. God says He created you in His image. You must set an example to all the young ladies of the world. Show them that they do not have to conform their selves to this world to have friends or find a good guy.
Stay pure in Christ. Keep you’re thoughts, conversations, and most importantly, you’re relationships pure. Guys will try to convince you to do things that you know are wrong. They will use things like, “Well if you love me you’ll sleep with me.” And “We’re going to be together forever anyways so why not?” But all of those are lies. God says love is “kind, patient, does not seek for its own gain, thinks no evil…” (1 Corinthians 13:4-8)
So as you can see, God radically changed my life. He can do the same for you. It’s not about where you come from or what you’ve done in the past. It’s all about what you’re going to do. God can forgive all sins just like he forgave mine.
It may not always be easy. You probably won’t always feel like serving God. But living a life for Him is like swimming up stream in a river. You will get tired, might even feel like giving up at times. But if you keep swimming you will reach you’re goal. If you stop swimming, you go backwards. So no matter how difficult things may seem just call out to Jesus and keep pressing forward.
Now, in conclusion, remember this ladies. Christ should be you’re number one priority. You should go to His feet and leave your heart there. Then, any boy who wants to get you’re heart, he must go through Jesus to get it. If you do that, then who ever you end up with, you can rest assure in knowing he is the one.
And remember this also, you are precious, beautiful, and special. Never let anyone tell you different. You were created in His image. You are a princess, an heir to the throne of Christ. So keep your chin up and a smile on your face, because you have the whole world at you’re finger tips.
My prayer is that this will encourage you and give a boldness to stand for what you know is right, no matter the cost. Be brave and strong for Jesus. I love you all in Christ. Be blessed.
With love,
Clint B Dean
JEN
Hello friends. I’m Clint Dean. For those of you who don’t know me I’ll share a little about myself. I’m eighteen years old. I have my own ministry called M.A.D. Ministries. I started it about three years ago after a life changing encounter with my Savior. But things haven’t always been so “good” in my life.
At the age of two my parents divorced. It tore me apart. I couldn’t understand. My father was abusive both physically and mentally to my entire family. By the age of five I had became depressed. By the age of seven I was having regular thoughts of suicide. I even attempted it a few times. I struggled with depression and suicide until the age of twelve. At the age of twelve I had finally overcame those issues. But my problems were nowhere close to being over.
Not long before I turned thirteen I started getting involved with the wrong group of people. I quickly found myself popping prescription drugs, being very vulgar, and participating in immoral and unclean acts. This led me into a place I never wanted to go. I was so lost. I was caught up in the things everyone said was cool and fun. I was doing things a thirteen year old shouldn’t have been even thinking about. I tried stopping many times because I knew it was wrong but these things had some kind of hold over me that I couldn’t explain.
This continued until I was almost sixteen. Then my life was radically changed at a new year’s church service in South Alabama.
It was approaching midnight and the worship group was singing “How Great Is Our God?” I suddenly started feeling a strange warm sensation all over. The feeling kept getting more and more intense until I could hardly contain it. I had no clue what was going on but I knew it was God. I got to the altar as fast as I possibly could. Once I reached it, I fell to my knees and cried harder than I ever have in my entire life.
I wanted to pray but I wasn’t sure how. And so these were my words: “God, I have no clue what to say. I am the worst person I know and I want to change. Please take these useless, shameful things out of my life. I don’t care what it takes. Just make me more like you.” At the time I didn’t know what I was asking, but I soon found out. When I stood up from that altar I felt different somehow. I couldn’t explain it. It was like I just took a shower after running a marathon. I felt relieved, refreshed, and I had found a new energy.
The next morning when I woke up, I had a strange urge to read my Bible. So I grabbed it and started reading, which I hadn’t done in a very long time. The first thing I read was Matthew 5:13: “You are the salt of the earth, but if the salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is not good for anything any longer but to be thrown out and trodden under the feet of men.” I cried when I read this. I didn’t want to be “thrown out” by God. I wanted to be the salt of the earth for Jesus. I wanted to make a difference. But to make a difference, I had to be the difference.
A wise man once told me “To change the world, you can never be changed by the world.” I have held on to that for a long time because it’s so true. I realized I had to be different. In fact, that’s exactly what the word “Holy” means; belonging to, derived from, or associated with a divine power; sacred. In 1 Peter 2:9 God says that we are “an holy nation, a peculiar people…” We must be set apart from everyone else.
So to all you young ladies out there, who are reading this, do NOT give in. You are beautiful and special in your own way. God says He created you in His image. You must set an example to all the young ladies of the world. Show them that they do not have to conform their selves to this world to have friends or find a good guy.
Stay pure in Christ. Keep you’re thoughts, conversations, and most importantly, you’re relationships pure. Guys will try to convince you to do things that you know are wrong. They will use things like, “Well if you love me you’ll sleep with me.” And “We’re going to be together forever anyways so why not?” But all of those are lies. God says love is “kind, patient, does not seek for its own gain, thinks no evil…” (1 Corinthians 13:4-8)
So as you can see, God radically changed my life. He can do the same for you. It’s not about where you come from or what you’ve done in the past. It’s all about what you’re going to do. God can forgive all sins just like he forgave mine.
It may not always be easy. You probably won’t always feel like serving God. But living a life for Him is like swimming up stream in a river. You will get tired, might even feel like giving up at times. But if you keep swimming you will reach you’re goal. If you stop swimming, you go backwards. So no matter how difficult things may seem just call out to Jesus and keep pressing forward.
Now, in conclusion, remember this ladies. Christ should be you’re number one priority. You should go to His feet and leave your heart there. Then, any boy who wants to get you’re heart, he must go through Jesus to get it. If you do that, then who ever you end up with, you can rest assure in knowing he is the one.
And remember this also, you are precious, beautiful, and special. Never let anyone tell you different. You were created in His image. You are a princess, an heir to the throne of Christ. So keep your chin up and a smile on your face, because you have the whole world at you’re finger tips.
My prayer is that this will encourage you and give a boldness to stand for what you know is right, no matter the cost. Be brave and strong for Jesus. I love you all in Christ. Be blessed.
With love,
Clint B Dean
Saturday, November 21, 2009
"If you loved me you would have" or "If you love me you will"
These lines are often used by guys who want something out of a girl that they can not have or at least should not have. Now before you get the idea that I'm bad mouthing guys... I'm not! We are just using this as the circumstances. Ok? So, what is "true Love"? I'm just going to point you straight to the word of God! 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 says it as simple as you can get!
~1 Corinthians 13:4-7 Love is patient and kind, love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things,endures all things.~
Now, you can fill in what usually follows from the statements above. I will give you a few ideas... "Baby if you love me you will "do it", "go all the way", send revealing or nude pictures, go behind your parents back, or the simple ones of kiss me, or say I love you! Whenever these lines are used it typically means that lines have been drawn (congrats!!), but now someone is trying to push them. I want to show you girls today how false this statement is! True Love does not insist its own way (Go check it out... I'm quoting God's word!)! That goes directly against what that person who says those lines is attempting to do. They are trying to get what THEY want.... That would not include what is best for you or even what you want. Also, if you do happen to say no what often happens? They will get irritable and resentful... Is that love? Check back to God's word.... It is NOT!
So, precious sisters in Christ... I beg you to PLEASE take a step back next time you are told this lie... Whether is seems real or not! Examine the situation and see if "true love" would be asking you to do whatever is being asked of you.
Encouraging you to stay strong,
JEN
~1 Corinthians 13:4-7 Love is patient and kind, love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things,endures all things.~
Now, you can fill in what usually follows from the statements above. I will give you a few ideas... "Baby if you love me you will "do it", "go all the way", send revealing or nude pictures, go behind your parents back, or the simple ones of kiss me, or say I love you! Whenever these lines are used it typically means that lines have been drawn (congrats!!), but now someone is trying to push them. I want to show you girls today how false this statement is! True Love does not insist its own way (Go check it out... I'm quoting God's word!)! That goes directly against what that person who says those lines is attempting to do. They are trying to get what THEY want.... That would not include what is best for you or even what you want. Also, if you do happen to say no what often happens? They will get irritable and resentful... Is that love? Check back to God's word.... It is NOT!
So, precious sisters in Christ... I beg you to PLEASE take a step back next time you are told this lie... Whether is seems real or not! Examine the situation and see if "true love" would be asking you to do whatever is being asked of you.
Encouraging you to stay strong,
JEN
Friday, November 20, 2009
It's Not Too Late
Okay, so today I want to talk about a popular misconception about forgiveness and purity. So far on the blog we've talked a lot about purity standards. Jen posted Taylor's story the other day, where she talked about, among other things, waiting till her wedding day for her first kiss. Now I know people who could say, well that sounds great, but I've already messed up. What about me? I've already gone farther than I want to go, so I guess I can't go back. Well, you would be wrong there. And that's what I want to talk about today.
1 John 1:9 (NIV) "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness."
If you recognize that you have made a mistake and deviated from the path God has for you, all you have to do is confess that mistake, and it's forgiven. God says he can purify you of ALL unrighteousness, no matter what it is. BTW, this doesn't just apply to purity, but every area of your life. You can be forgiven! It's not too late!
Let's look at this scenario. Timmy loves to play football. He's the quarterback of his high school football team, and they're about to play the biggest rival game of the season. With 30 seconds left in the game, it's a tie, but Timmy throws an interception which the other team runs back for a touchdown. Timmy's team loses the game. Now Timmy made a mistake, and he has to live with the consequences. But since Timmy made a mistake, does that mean all he can do now is throw interceptions? Of course not! If anything, Timmy is going to do everything in his power to not make that mistake again. Do you see what I'm getting at? The same concept applies to purity. Just because you make a mistake doesn't mean that you have to stay on that path. You can turn back, you can keep your relationships pure from now on. Now you can't change the past, but the past can be forgiven, and you can keep your eyes on Christ in the future!
Love, Kat
1 John 1:9 (NIV) "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness."
If you recognize that you have made a mistake and deviated from the path God has for you, all you have to do is confess that mistake, and it's forgiven. God says he can purify you of ALL unrighteousness, no matter what it is. BTW, this doesn't just apply to purity, but every area of your life. You can be forgiven! It's not too late!
Let's look at this scenario. Timmy loves to play football. He's the quarterback of his high school football team, and they're about to play the biggest rival game of the season. With 30 seconds left in the game, it's a tie, but Timmy throws an interception which the other team runs back for a touchdown. Timmy's team loses the game. Now Timmy made a mistake, and he has to live with the consequences. But since Timmy made a mistake, does that mean all he can do now is throw interceptions? Of course not! If anything, Timmy is going to do everything in his power to not make that mistake again. Do you see what I'm getting at? The same concept applies to purity. Just because you make a mistake doesn't mean that you have to stay on that path. You can turn back, you can keep your relationships pure from now on. Now you can't change the past, but the past can be forgiven, and you can keep your eyes on Christ in the future!
Love, Kat
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Taylor's story!
Hey sisters! So, God layed on my heart a few weeks ago to ask different girls to share their story, views, and beliefs as far as dating! Taylor and I met at a summer missionary training two summers ago and have continued to grow as friends! She has an amazing love for the Lord and I definitely look up to her! My aim in getting different people to share their stories is to show you that you are not alone! There are many people (guys and girls!) seeking the face of God! So, I hope you enjoy her story as much as I did! :)
Hey!
Jennifer asked me if I would share my views and beliefs about purity with you all. So, for starters, I'll just go ahead and introduce myself. My name is Taylor. I am 18 years old and pursuing a degree in elementary education at a local college. I'm pretty ordinary. The only thing about me that never fails to astonish the 8 year old girls I work with is that I've never had, nor do I currently have, a boyfriend. And the reason is not that I wasn't allowed to date in high school or that I have to be 20 before I can date, but rather the fact that I am waiting. I am waiting until i meet the one guy that I believe God has in His will for me to spend my life with. And, as of now, I truly believe that I have yet to meet him.
However, I do not spend my time idly dreaming about every cute guy that walks past. I have a list of qualities that I have prayed about and that I am looking for in a guy. Firstly, he must be OBVIOUSLY passionate about serving and worshipping God. A lot of times I see girls who are really involved in service or worship, and next to them guys that are not. I want a guy who is not ashamed to stand for God. Secondly, he must love and enjoy being around kids. It seems to be that some guys think it's weak to be kind and play with kids. But Jesus Himself was kind to kids! And if a guy thinks that it's weak to be like Jesus, then he just ain't worth considering. And the list goes on but those are the 2 MAJOR, non-negotiable points.
One day, if it is in God's will for me, I would very much like to have a boyfriend, get married, and raise a family. If, or when, I do have a boyfriend, there will be certain standards that, with God's help, I will stick to. I want my first kiss to be on my wedding day. I don't judge people that think differently about this, I don't call them sinners, but this is what I feel God is calling me to. One of my reasons behind this comes from the wedding ceremony itself. What is the point of "You may kiss the bride" if you've already done so countless amounts of time? Also, a kiss is a VERY intimate thing. And what if, sad though it is, you and your boyfriend break up? The emotional pain of a break up is hard, and (although I pray I never am) if I am ever in that situation, I think I would find it a little easier knowing that I had kept myself completely pure. And then there's Song of Solomon, where repeatedly he says "do not arouse or awaken my love..." Now, I know that scores of people say that Solomon is talking about something a little more here, but I think that it applies to my point as ewll. Why even start? Why? I think that to wait and save yourself completely for the man you marrry on your wedding day is a more God-honoring choice. That is what He is calling me to.
So, I'm waiting, living a pure life before God. And you know what? I love it. I love being single. I love that I don't have to worry about making time for dates on top of going to school full time and working 15 hours a week. I love that I have free time to goof off with my sisters. I love that on Friday nights I can go to Bible Study. I love that God has yet to reveal a HUGE surprise to me.
My prayer is that you, too, will live a shameless life before God. That you will wait patiently on God and not settle for anything less than the amazing man that God has for you. And I pray that, while waiting on Him (and him, lol) you will discover the joys of being single.
Praying for ya!!
♥ Taylor
Hey!
Jennifer asked me if I would share my views and beliefs about purity with you all. So, for starters, I'll just go ahead and introduce myself. My name is Taylor. I am 18 years old and pursuing a degree in elementary education at a local college. I'm pretty ordinary. The only thing about me that never fails to astonish the 8 year old girls I work with is that I've never had, nor do I currently have, a boyfriend. And the reason is not that I wasn't allowed to date in high school or that I have to be 20 before I can date, but rather the fact that I am waiting. I am waiting until i meet the one guy that I believe God has in His will for me to spend my life with. And, as of now, I truly believe that I have yet to meet him.
However, I do not spend my time idly dreaming about every cute guy that walks past. I have a list of qualities that I have prayed about and that I am looking for in a guy. Firstly, he must be OBVIOUSLY passionate about serving and worshipping God. A lot of times I see girls who are really involved in service or worship, and next to them guys that are not. I want a guy who is not ashamed to stand for God. Secondly, he must love and enjoy being around kids. It seems to be that some guys think it's weak to be kind and play with kids. But Jesus Himself was kind to kids! And if a guy thinks that it's weak to be like Jesus, then he just ain't worth considering. And the list goes on but those are the 2 MAJOR, non-negotiable points.
One day, if it is in God's will for me, I would very much like to have a boyfriend, get married, and raise a family. If, or when, I do have a boyfriend, there will be certain standards that, with God's help, I will stick to. I want my first kiss to be on my wedding day. I don't judge people that think differently about this, I don't call them sinners, but this is what I feel God is calling me to. One of my reasons behind this comes from the wedding ceremony itself. What is the point of "You may kiss the bride" if you've already done so countless amounts of time? Also, a kiss is a VERY intimate thing. And what if, sad though it is, you and your boyfriend break up? The emotional pain of a break up is hard, and (although I pray I never am) if I am ever in that situation, I think I would find it a little easier knowing that I had kept myself completely pure. And then there's Song of Solomon, where repeatedly he says "do not arouse or awaken my love..." Now, I know that scores of people say that Solomon is talking about something a little more here, but I think that it applies to my point as ewll. Why even start? Why? I think that to wait and save yourself completely for the man you marrry on your wedding day is a more God-honoring choice. That is what He is calling me to.
So, I'm waiting, living a pure life before God. And you know what? I love it. I love being single. I love that I don't have to worry about making time for dates on top of going to school full time and working 15 hours a week. I love that I have free time to goof off with my sisters. I love that on Friday nights I can go to Bible Study. I love that God has yet to reveal a HUGE surprise to me.
My prayer is that you, too, will live a shameless life before God. That you will wait patiently on God and not settle for anything less than the amazing man that God has for you. And I pray that, while waiting on Him (and him, lol) you will discover the joys of being single.
Praying for ya!!
♥ Taylor
Monday, November 16, 2009
You call me Yours!
I think this song describes what I was saying earlier very well! :)
I hear You calling out my name as only You can do
Your voice it covers all my shame, the old You turned to new
No matter how things look to me
You see a destiny, a perfect promise
You call me beautiful, You call me righteous
You call me worthy of Your Son's own precious blood
You call me holy, You call me strong at my weakest
Forgiven and pure, You call me Yours
It's hard for me to understand exactly what You see
I slip and stumble everyday but still You say believe
He'll say you'll finish what you'll start
You see me for my heart and not the bruises
You call me beautiful, You call me righteous
You call me worthy of Your Son's own precious blood
You call me holy, You call me strong at my weakest
Forgiven and pure, You call me Yours
You call me beautiful, You call me righteous
You call me worthy of Your Son's own precious blood
You call me holy, You call me strong at my weakest
Forgiven and pure, forgiven and pure, You call me Yours
You call me yours - By: Sandi Patty
I hear You calling out my name as only You can do
Your voice it covers all my shame, the old You turned to new
No matter how things look to me
You see a destiny, a perfect promise
You call me beautiful, You call me righteous
You call me worthy of Your Son's own precious blood
You call me holy, You call me strong at my weakest
Forgiven and pure, You call me Yours
It's hard for me to understand exactly what You see
I slip and stumble everyday but still You say believe
He'll say you'll finish what you'll start
You see me for my heart and not the bruises
You call me beautiful, You call me righteous
You call me worthy of Your Son's own precious blood
You call me holy, You call me strong at my weakest
Forgiven and pure, You call me Yours
You call me beautiful, You call me righteous
You call me worthy of Your Son's own precious blood
You call me holy, You call me strong at my weakest
Forgiven and pure, forgiven and pure, You call me Yours
You call me yours - By: Sandi Patty
"If you loved me baby you would have" or "If you love me baby you will"
These lines are often used by guys who want something out of a girl that they can not have or at least should not have. Now before you get the idea that I'm bad mouthing guys... I'm not! We are just using this as the circumstances. Ok? So, what is "true Love"? I'm just going to point you straight to the word of God! 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 says it as simple as you can get!
~1 Corinthians 13:4-7 Love is patient and kind, love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things,endures all things.~
Now, you can fill in what usually follows from the statements above. I will give you a few ideas... "Baby if you love me you will "do it", "go all the way", send revealing or nude pictures, go behind your parents back, or the simple ones of kiss me, or say I love you! Whenever the lines are used it typically means that lines have been drawn (congrats!!), but now someone is trying to push them. I want to show you girls today how false this statement is! True Love does not insist its own way! That goes directly against what that person who says those lines is attempting to do. They are trying to get what THEY want.... That would not include what is best for you or even what you want. Also, if you do happen to say no what often happens? They will get irritable and resentful... Is that love? Check back to God's word.... It is NOT!
So, precious sisters in Christ... I beg you to PLEASE take a step back next time you are told this lie... Whether is seems real or not! Examine the situation and see if "true love" would be asking you to do whatever is being asked of you.
Encouraging you to stay strong,
JEN
~1 Corinthians 13:4-7 Love is patient and kind, love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things,endures all things.~
Now, you can fill in what usually follows from the statements above. I will give you a few ideas... "Baby if you love me you will "do it", "go all the way", send revealing or nude pictures, go behind your parents back, or the simple ones of kiss me, or say I love you! Whenever the lines are used it typically means that lines have been drawn (congrats!!), but now someone is trying to push them. I want to show you girls today how false this statement is! True Love does not insist its own way! That goes directly against what that person who says those lines is attempting to do. They are trying to get what THEY want.... That would not include what is best for you or even what you want. Also, if you do happen to say no what often happens? They will get irritable and resentful... Is that love? Check back to God's word.... It is NOT!
So, precious sisters in Christ... I beg you to PLEASE take a step back next time you are told this lie... Whether is seems real or not! Examine the situation and see if "true love" would be asking you to do whatever is being asked of you.
Encouraging you to stay strong,
JEN
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Be who you truly are!
Hey girls! I wanted to write in more of an encouraging way tonight. Instead of just do's and dont's! A couple of weeks ago I posted my status on facebook as, " If girls truly realized how much they were worth, that they are daughters of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, precious, beautiful, and someone that the Son of God viewed as worthy of dying for it it would CHANGE THEIR LIFE!". I received an amazing response from it and it just proved how true it is! Our world throws SOOOOOOOO many lies towards us, but especially at teenage girls who are trying to find their identity. So, here is my main focus in this post... to make sure you understand by the time you get through reading this how beautiful and how much of a prized possession you are!
Psalms 139:14 says, "I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.". I do not know about you girls, but way to often i find myself beating myself up and believing things that are lies. Such as.... I'm not beautiful, I'm not worth anything, no one will ever love me, unless I'm a size 2 I'm fat, and etc! Listen girls.... these are LIES! Do i need to repeat myself?? These things that you are told by your friends, peers, the tv, movies. songs, and in thousands of other ways are not true! It is said as plain as day in Genesis 1:31a, " God saw everything that He had made and it was very good."! Do you get it??!! You are not just "ok", "average", "good" or even "semi good"! You are VERY GOOD!
I had a girl once bring it to my attention when I was degrading myself that if we belittle ourselves anything below what God sees us as (Very good, beautiful, precious, etc!) then we are calling Him a liar... Does that make sense? He says straight up that we are Beautiful... so if we deny that then we are denying His sovereignty. So the next time you begin to degrade yourself step back and think about it.... are you giving God honor and glory in what you are saying? Our words are not only detrimental to others, but they can also be to ourselves.
It takes making a conscious effort to have an Biblical view of yourself, but it is possible!
With care,
JEN
Psalms 139:14 says, "I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.". I do not know about you girls, but way to often i find myself beating myself up and believing things that are lies. Such as.... I'm not beautiful, I'm not worth anything, no one will ever love me, unless I'm a size 2 I'm fat, and etc! Listen girls.... these are LIES! Do i need to repeat myself?? These things that you are told by your friends, peers, the tv, movies. songs, and in thousands of other ways are not true! It is said as plain as day in Genesis 1:31a, " God saw everything that He had made and it was very good."! Do you get it??!! You are not just "ok", "average", "good" or even "semi good"! You are VERY GOOD!
I had a girl once bring it to my attention when I was degrading myself that if we belittle ourselves anything below what God sees us as (Very good, beautiful, precious, etc!) then we are calling Him a liar... Does that make sense? He says straight up that we are Beautiful... so if we deny that then we are denying His sovereignty. So the next time you begin to degrade yourself step back and think about it.... are you giving God honor and glory in what you are saying? Our words are not only detrimental to others, but they can also be to ourselves.
It takes making a conscious effort to have an Biblical view of yourself, but it is possible!
With care,
JEN
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
All The Single Ladies...
Well, as you might have guessed from the title, this one is for all the single girls. But whether you have a boyfriend or not, I encourage you to read this post. Okay, so I have a friend who constantly needs a boyfriend in her life, or a guy she likes so she can flirt with him. This friend is as my Dad would say, boy crazy. But the one thing I've noticed about girls who are boy crazy, they often aren't crazy about God. Now I'm not dissing anyone, but God is supposed to be number one and not guys. That's one of Mine and Jennifer's goals here is to show you that focusing on God and not boys will be a blessing in the long run. One of my own decisions about dating is that I will not get into a relationship where a guy is ranked over God in my life. So tonight I want to show you the blessings of being single.
Blessing #1: Physical purity is kept at bay. If you don't have a boyfriend, your limits on physical purity kinda take care of themselves. (NOTE: I believe that Friend With Benefits is not Biblically correct, therefore it is not even a consideration in this post). Now I'm certainly not saying you don't need to set limits, of course you still do. I even encourage you to decide what you're willing to do with friends (are you gonna hang all over a friend and flirt with them, or are you gonna limit yourself to Disney-hugs, etc). But when you're flying solo, worrying that the temptation is gonna be too strong doesn't seem to be a problem.
Blessing #2: More time for God. Think about it, the less time you're spending on a boyfriend, the more free time you have to spend with God. Take me, instead of going on a date on a Friday night I have time to hang out at home, reading my Bible, praying, and even *gasp* doing a little homework. Since I don't have to worry about whether or not my boyfriend is holding my hand at church, I can just let loose and worship God with my entire being. Sidebar: I don't recommend holding hands with your boyfriend in church unless you are sure it's not gonna distract either of you from worshipping and learning from God. Because I don't have a boyfriend, I have time to write a blog about purity with Jennifer. Being single is a blessing to me, because I can grow so much as a follower of Christ without the distraction of a boyfriend.
Blessing #3: More time for my girls. Okay, so while I want to live for Christ with every fiber of my being, I still like to have fun, you know, just kick back and relax sometimes. I have a reputation for being crazy, hyper, and random. Without a boyfriend, that leaves more time for movie nights (watching the essentials, Pirates of the Caribbean, Phantom of the Opera, Pride and Prejudice) or going to starbucks just to hang out. I am a huge fan of sleepovers where there is very little sleeping and a lot of giggling, popcorn, melting of marshmallow peeps, and early morning heart-to-hearts. Without a boyfriend, I can spend more time just chillaxin with my girls.
Okay, so I admit, sometimes it's not fun to be single. Like going to a school dance dateless, or when your friends are gushing about how sweet their boyfriends are. But honestly, I wouldn't give it up. I, Kathryn Reed, like being single. I'm happy, because I know that God is my first love. Eventually, according to his perfect time, he'll bring me the right guy. But for now, I'll just keep praising him, and giggling with my girls. :)
Love ya girls!
-Kat
Blessing #1: Physical purity is kept at bay. If you don't have a boyfriend, your limits on physical purity kinda take care of themselves. (NOTE: I believe that Friend With Benefits is not Biblically correct, therefore it is not even a consideration in this post). Now I'm certainly not saying you don't need to set limits, of course you still do. I even encourage you to decide what you're willing to do with friends (are you gonna hang all over a friend and flirt with them, or are you gonna limit yourself to Disney-hugs, etc). But when you're flying solo, worrying that the temptation is gonna be too strong doesn't seem to be a problem.
Blessing #2: More time for God. Think about it, the less time you're spending on a boyfriend, the more free time you have to spend with God. Take me, instead of going on a date on a Friday night I have time to hang out at home, reading my Bible, praying, and even *gasp* doing a little homework. Since I don't have to worry about whether or not my boyfriend is holding my hand at church, I can just let loose and worship God with my entire being. Sidebar: I don't recommend holding hands with your boyfriend in church unless you are sure it's not gonna distract either of you from worshipping and learning from God. Because I don't have a boyfriend, I have time to write a blog about purity with Jennifer. Being single is a blessing to me, because I can grow so much as a follower of Christ without the distraction of a boyfriend.
Blessing #3: More time for my girls. Okay, so while I want to live for Christ with every fiber of my being, I still like to have fun, you know, just kick back and relax sometimes. I have a reputation for being crazy, hyper, and random. Without a boyfriend, that leaves more time for movie nights (watching the essentials, Pirates of the Caribbean, Phantom of the Opera, Pride and Prejudice) or going to starbucks just to hang out. I am a huge fan of sleepovers where there is very little sleeping and a lot of giggling, popcorn, melting of marshmallow peeps, and early morning heart-to-hearts. Without a boyfriend, I can spend more time just chillaxin with my girls.
Okay, so I admit, sometimes it's not fun to be single. Like going to a school dance dateless, or when your friends are gushing about how sweet their boyfriends are. But honestly, I wouldn't give it up. I, Kathryn Reed, like being single. I'm happy, because I know that God is my first love. Eventually, according to his perfect time, he'll bring me the right guy. But for now, I'll just keep praising him, and giggling with my girls. :)
Love ya girls!
-Kat
Friday, November 6, 2009
How far is "Too" far?
The question is often asked, "How far is too far?"... I've searched through the Bible and read many books about purity. I have come to realize that each person has to consult with God and decide what they believe is right. Now this can be hard because it would be easy to do what "feels" good, although that may not be what God would have you do. So, instead of saying what is right or wrong I'm going to give you some verses that discuss purity and leave it up to you and God to decide what is ok for you!
1 Thessalonians 4: 3-8 It is God's will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; that each of you should learn to control his own body in a way that is holy and honorable, not in passionate lust like the heathen, who do not know God; and that in this matter no one should wrong his brother or take advantage of him. The Lord will punish men for all such sins, as we have already told you and warned you. For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life. Therefore, he who rejects this instruction does not reject man but God, who gives you his Holy Spirit.
1 Corinthians 6:13Food for the stomach and the stomach for food"—but God will destroy them both. The body is not meant for sexual immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body.
1 Corinthians 6:18 Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a man commits are outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body.
2 Timothy 2:22 Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
Obviously, sex is out of the question, but what about other things? What about oral sex, anal sex, or simply phone sex? No matter what you want to call it...it is still sex. God calls that impure.
So, now you have read these verses and you see what God says. It's time to get real... For me the hardest part was actually writing it down. Is making out ok? What about heavy petting, fingering, french kissing, etc? No matter what you may call it... you know what I'm talking about! My own personal standard is that i do not want to kiss a guy until my wedding day. To many of you that sounds absolutely insane, although that is what i feel God is calling me to do. Yours may be different though! I personally know that it is hard for me to say, "no" in the moment. Knowing where you are weak will help you know where you need to set more boundaries! These are a few things you might want to ponder.. If I'm alone with a guy and he begins to move his hands in certain places and wants to go past making out, will I be able to say stop? What about if your clothes begin coming off.... is that ok? You need to think about these things... Just an fyi... You my want to also already have an idea of the places where you are cool with him touching you and also the places that you are not cool with him touching. Also, are you willing to say, "I love you"? If so, then when? Remember, you do not have to do ANYTHING that you do not feel comfortable doing!! Do i need to say that again?? Please precious girls... do not fall for satan's lies that you have to or you are weird if you don't do these things!
One final thought as you are coming up with your standards. Remember that Jesus is with you at ALL times (Of course only if you have asked Him into your heart though!)...If that unnerves you then you may need to rethink some of the things that you are doing. In Hebrews 13:5b it says, "I will never leave you nor forsake you.". That is Jesus talking! The truth is He already knows what you are doing....whether you want Him to or not.
I want to hear your opinion! We are here to support each other!
Love you girls,
JEN
1 Thessalonians 4: 3-8 It is God's will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; that each of you should learn to control his own body in a way that is holy and honorable, not in passionate lust like the heathen, who do not know God; and that in this matter no one should wrong his brother or take advantage of him. The Lord will punish men for all such sins, as we have already told you and warned you. For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life. Therefore, he who rejects this instruction does not reject man but God, who gives you his Holy Spirit.
1 Corinthians 6:13Food for the stomach and the stomach for food"—but God will destroy them both. The body is not meant for sexual immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body.
1 Corinthians 6:18 Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a man commits are outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body.
2 Timothy 2:22 Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
Obviously, sex is out of the question, but what about other things? What about oral sex, anal sex, or simply phone sex? No matter what you want to call it...it is still sex. God calls that impure.
So, now you have read these verses and you see what God says. It's time to get real... For me the hardest part was actually writing it down. Is making out ok? What about heavy petting, fingering, french kissing, etc? No matter what you may call it... you know what I'm talking about! My own personal standard is that i do not want to kiss a guy until my wedding day. To many of you that sounds absolutely insane, although that is what i feel God is calling me to do. Yours may be different though! I personally know that it is hard for me to say, "no" in the moment. Knowing where you are weak will help you know where you need to set more boundaries! These are a few things you might want to ponder.. If I'm alone with a guy and he begins to move his hands in certain places and wants to go past making out, will I be able to say stop? What about if your clothes begin coming off.... is that ok? You need to think about these things... Just an fyi... You my want to also already have an idea of the places where you are cool with him touching you and also the places that you are not cool with him touching. Also, are you willing to say, "I love you"? If so, then when? Remember, you do not have to do ANYTHING that you do not feel comfortable doing!! Do i need to say that again?? Please precious girls... do not fall for satan's lies that you have to or you are weird if you don't do these things!
One final thought as you are coming up with your standards. Remember that Jesus is with you at ALL times (Of course only if you have asked Him into your heart though!)...If that unnerves you then you may need to rethink some of the things that you are doing. In Hebrews 13:5b it says, "I will never leave you nor forsake you.". That is Jesus talking! The truth is He already knows what you are doing....whether you want Him to or not.
I want to hear your opinion! We are here to support each other!
Love you girls,
JEN
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Matters of the Heart
Proverbs 4:23 says "above all else, guard your heart, for it is the well-spring of life." You guessed it, tonight I want to share with you about guarding your heart. It's kinda easy to see why God wants us to guard our hearts. I think that many of us have been hurt by someone we loved before. Obviously God doesn't want us to be in pain from being hurt. That's exactly what he's talking about, right? Well not exactly. One of my favorite quotes from C.S. Lewis goes like this "Love anything and your heart will be wrung and possibly broken. If you want to make sure of keeping it intact you must give it to no one, not even an animal. Wrap it carefully round with hobbies and little luxuries; avoid all entanglements. Lock it up safe in the casket or coffin of your selfishness. But in that casket safe, dark, motionless, airless, it will change. It will not be broken; it will become unbreakable, impenetrable, irredeemable. To love is to be vulnerable." Can you see where I'm going? If you love someone, they will let you down at some time or another. But that doesn't mean God is telling us to stop loving, to not let anyone in. On the contrary God tells us many times to love one another. So if "guarding your heart" doesn't mean holding back the love, what does it mean?
Basically it means to be selective with how intimately you love someone or even something. When you're in a relationship of any kind with a guy, it's a good idea to be careful with your heart. Don't just let yourself fall in love with him or just rush into it. Take your time, seek God's will first, and if it is God's will press on in the relationship. But still exercise caution. I mean, would you really wanna fall in love with 12 different guys before you find who God really has for you? Do you wanna put yourself through that much pain? On the contrary, I HIGHLY encourage you to be very careful and try your best not to fall in love unless you are sure he's the one. It's hard, I know. So many girls do the whole "fall hard, break up, cry a lot, get over it, and repeat" routine now-a-days. But do you REALLY wanna go through that?
Another reason to guard you heart is that it's harder to resist someone when you're in love. When you fall in love with a guy it's easier to make excuses like "well we're only doing this because we're in love." Well you may be in love but does what you're doing line up with the Bible??? I don't mean to step on any toes but being in love does not make you an exception to the rule. AT. ALL. And don't fall for the line "well if you love me you'll do this." If he loves you he won't go there. Guard your heart, because the more in love the harder it is to say no. Jen and I were talking the other day about how much harder it is to resist when you are in love. My youth pastor told us once that his wife's father got STRICTER on their dating when they became engaged, and with good reason. It became harder to say, I've gotta go, the closer they came to being married. So sisters, I encourage, please guard your heart!!!!!!!!!! You deserve God's best! I love the saying "dance with God, he'll let the right man cut in." Let God guard your heart, and you will be in safe hands!
Love In Christ,
Kat
Basically it means to be selective with how intimately you love someone or even something. When you're in a relationship of any kind with a guy, it's a good idea to be careful with your heart. Don't just let yourself fall in love with him or just rush into it. Take your time, seek God's will first, and if it is God's will press on in the relationship. But still exercise caution. I mean, would you really wanna fall in love with 12 different guys before you find who God really has for you? Do you wanna put yourself through that much pain? On the contrary, I HIGHLY encourage you to be very careful and try your best not to fall in love unless you are sure he's the one. It's hard, I know. So many girls do the whole "fall hard, break up, cry a lot, get over it, and repeat" routine now-a-days. But do you REALLY wanna go through that?
Another reason to guard you heart is that it's harder to resist someone when you're in love. When you fall in love with a guy it's easier to make excuses like "well we're only doing this because we're in love." Well you may be in love but does what you're doing line up with the Bible??? I don't mean to step on any toes but being in love does not make you an exception to the rule. AT. ALL. And don't fall for the line "well if you love me you'll do this." If he loves you he won't go there. Guard your heart, because the more in love the harder it is to say no. Jen and I were talking the other day about how much harder it is to resist when you are in love. My youth pastor told us once that his wife's father got STRICTER on their dating when they became engaged, and with good reason. It became harder to say, I've gotta go, the closer they came to being married. So sisters, I encourage, please guard your heart!!!!!!!!!! You deserve God's best! I love the saying "dance with God, he'll let the right man cut in." Let God guard your heart, and you will be in safe hands!
Love In Christ,
Kat
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Perusing God with your everything!
Hey sis! I was trying to decide what to share tonight and I decided to start out by sharing a little bit of my past and some of the things that I’ve learned with hopes of encouraging you girls and showing you that you are not alone in this battle and it is possible to be in love with God and content with out a guy!
So here it goes.... I grew up in the basic home school family. I knew all the right answers and knew a good many verses, but it wasn’t until I was around the age of 14 that I began to realize how it wasn’t about my parent’s faith or their "religion", but it was about what I personally believed. Now, please do not get me wrong.... I had asked Jesus Christ into my heart when i was 5 years old and I meant it completely, although it was the fact that I was not seeking God's will. I was seeking my parent’s approval. Anyway, I had the chance to go on a mission trip out west at the age of 14 and it really hit me hard as to what the real world was like. That just doing the so called, "Right thing" was not what it meant to truly love God! So, I began reading my Bible more and it was the coolest thing to actually find for myself in the Bible all of the things that I had been told about so many times in Awana, Sunday school, Childrens church, and etc! That was the beginning of my love for God... Fast forward around 2 years. See, I like to refer to home schoolers as, "late bloomers"! :) Many of us do not get a chance to hang out with other kids our age (especially of the opposite sex) often until we hit high school, which means all of the drama that happens in public school during the middle school years hit us in high school. That is exactly what happened. Life got tough.... tougher than I EVER imagined that it could be. God was there though... I’ve made my fair share of mistakes...trust me. I’ve also had my fair share of hurt.... but girls...oh precious girls.... can I tell you how at your lowest times it is the most SPECTACULAR thing to have the Lord of Lords and King of Kings bend down, pick you up, dust you off, and then whisper into your ear how perfect and beautiful you are in His eyes?!?!?! I want you to stop and just imagine that.... because if you will allow it to happen He will do it EVERY time! It is not like a one chance thing... He loves you more than you can EVER imagine!! Enough preaching... back to the point! I had a choice. I could either stay luke warm in my faith or cling to God 100%. It wasn’t an easy choice to be real with you guys... Because being different is hard. If anyone ever told you it wasn’t they were lying! Listen to me girls... it is possible though! I chose God! Over this past year my love for Him has grown by leaps and bounds! I'm not sure how noticeable it is...but let me tell you, I know it’s true! Now just to let you know incase you are lost and saying what is this crazy girl talking about being truly in love with God! When I say truly in love with God I mean being ok with not having a guy, being satisfied with who God made you to be, being the girl who stands out in what she says, in the way she lives her life, in the way she treats others, and also in the way she interacts with guys (1 Timothy 4:12)! That is what perusing God with your whole heart is about girls! Putting God above what guys may think of you! I am not saying by any means what so ever that I’m perfect or that I love God as much as I ever could. I would be straight up lying if I did say that. What I am saying though… is I can tell you from person experience that it is possible to put the things of this world behind and run full fledge towards God!
With all that said, I challenge you girls... get into Gods word and fall in love with Him! I love the verse Psalm 37:4,"Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart."! It is so true! I will tell you now though... The road to purity and loving God with your whole heart is a road that not very many people travel....It can get lonely, but girls that is why we created this group. I want you to know that at NO time are you alone! Even when the world is throwing every lie possible at you to get you to quit chasing Christ please know that I’m praying for you. More so than that you have a Heavenly father who will NEVER leave you nor forsake you! He promises so in Hebrews 13:5b, "I will never leave you nor forsake you."!
I love you girls and I care about you! Please know that you are not alone in this journey and that when you do fail Jesus is there... He wants to pick you back up!
Sis in Christ,
JEN
So here it goes.... I grew up in the basic home school family. I knew all the right answers and knew a good many verses, but it wasn’t until I was around the age of 14 that I began to realize how it wasn’t about my parent’s faith or their "religion", but it was about what I personally believed. Now, please do not get me wrong.... I had asked Jesus Christ into my heart when i was 5 years old and I meant it completely, although it was the fact that I was not seeking God's will. I was seeking my parent’s approval. Anyway, I had the chance to go on a mission trip out west at the age of 14 and it really hit me hard as to what the real world was like. That just doing the so called, "Right thing" was not what it meant to truly love God! So, I began reading my Bible more and it was the coolest thing to actually find for myself in the Bible all of the things that I had been told about so many times in Awana, Sunday school, Childrens church, and etc! That was the beginning of my love for God... Fast forward around 2 years. See, I like to refer to home schoolers as, "late bloomers"! :) Many of us do not get a chance to hang out with other kids our age (especially of the opposite sex) often until we hit high school, which means all of the drama that happens in public school during the middle school years hit us in high school. That is exactly what happened. Life got tough.... tougher than I EVER imagined that it could be. God was there though... I’ve made my fair share of mistakes...trust me. I’ve also had my fair share of hurt.... but girls...oh precious girls.... can I tell you how at your lowest times it is the most SPECTACULAR thing to have the Lord of Lords and King of Kings bend down, pick you up, dust you off, and then whisper into your ear how perfect and beautiful you are in His eyes?!?!?! I want you to stop and just imagine that.... because if you will allow it to happen He will do it EVERY time! It is not like a one chance thing... He loves you more than you can EVER imagine!! Enough preaching... back to the point! I had a choice. I could either stay luke warm in my faith or cling to God 100%. It wasn’t an easy choice to be real with you guys... Because being different is hard. If anyone ever told you it wasn’t they were lying! Listen to me girls... it is possible though! I chose God! Over this past year my love for Him has grown by leaps and bounds! I'm not sure how noticeable it is...but let me tell you, I know it’s true! Now just to let you know incase you are lost and saying what is this crazy girl talking about being truly in love with God! When I say truly in love with God I mean being ok with not having a guy, being satisfied with who God made you to be, being the girl who stands out in what she says, in the way she lives her life, in the way she treats others, and also in the way she interacts with guys (1 Timothy 4:12)! That is what perusing God with your whole heart is about girls! Putting God above what guys may think of you! I am not saying by any means what so ever that I’m perfect or that I love God as much as I ever could. I would be straight up lying if I did say that. What I am saying though… is I can tell you from person experience that it is possible to put the things of this world behind and run full fledge towards God!
With all that said, I challenge you girls... get into Gods word and fall in love with Him! I love the verse Psalm 37:4,"Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart."! It is so true! I will tell you now though... The road to purity and loving God with your whole heart is a road that not very many people travel....It can get lonely, but girls that is why we created this group. I want you to know that at NO time are you alone! Even when the world is throwing every lie possible at you to get you to quit chasing Christ please know that I’m praying for you. More so than that you have a Heavenly father who will NEVER leave you nor forsake you! He promises so in Hebrews 13:5b, "I will never leave you nor forsake you."!
I love you girls and I care about you! Please know that you are not alone in this journey and that when you do fail Jesus is there... He wants to pick you back up!
Sis in Christ,
JEN
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