Weekend Chat!

It's been a while since we've had one of these... :( Honestly, just bc no one really commented or anything. I wanted to try it again and see if we could get some feed back though! First off, if you havent read the post that I wrote this morning please go back and read it!!! It is what God layed on my heart and by no means would I want this post to take away from it! With that said... I want to hear from you girls what you would like us to talk about! Any ideas? We had one request for a post for girls who have already made mistakes... That will be coming up soon! :) Any other ideas? Anything that maybe you have a friend going through that you arent sure how to handle or they have questions that you arent sure how to answer? I do not promise by any means to have all the answers, but I do promise to point you to Gods word, which deos have all the answers!  

Also, I came up on this blog (http://choosingtowait.blogspot.com/?spref=fb) and I LOVED the idea that she had about leaving notes! Even if you do not do it in public places... friends cars, your room, a school bathroom, leaving a nice noter for a waiter, anywhere! It is our job to show Gods love and this is a great way to do it! :) Hope you all ahve a great weekend!

JEN

Sex... Good or bad?

So for the past few weeks I've felt like I haven't put my whole heart into this blog and for that I am TRULY sorry. I want you girls to know that eventhough I do not know each one of you who reads this personally I do care about you. You have no idea the times that I think of things to share with you, verses to encourage you, songs that you can relate to, and just try to come up with a way to share my heart with you. It is a constant part of my life... So with that said I want you to know that this post is one of the main things that has been on my heart lately and I would do absolutely anything for you to get this...




Often we say, "Don’t do this", "That’s not honoring to God", "You better not even be thinking about that!", yet we miss how truly amazing sex was made to be. Our culture has numbed sex down to something that you can do with anyone, at any time, with no strings attached. Is that really the way it is suppose to be though? Not at all... At least not with the mindset that God had when He created it. As I was thinking about this post and what I wanted to say I kept thinking to myself, "I cant possibly describe the amazing ness of sex and God's wonderful plan....". So I started praying that God would give me the words to say... We shall wait and see what happens... I want SO bad for you girls to get this...



First off I want to share with you that sex isn’t bad and in the right time and place sex is not a sinful thing... actually to withhold sex from your partner is sin (1 Corinthians 7:5). In the church sex is often a hush hush subject. What did God think though? Right the opposite… He didn’t hold back at all in His word when talking about sex. Just to be totally honest with you… I’m brought to tears every time I think about God’s wonderful idea (sex) and how hopefully one day I will be able to experience it. I totally understand that there are many girls who have a warped view of sexual intimacy simply because someone did things to them that they should have never done. I remember once writing in a diary how I didn’t want to ever have sex…. I viewed the whole idea as hurtful, shame, guilt, and anything but pleasurable. I’ve had many girls tell me that exact same thing also. You may know what I’m talking about… Is this God’s plan for sex though? NO! Just to make sure you got what I said… I said, “NO!!!!”! This is not His plan at all.



Now, I’ve said a couple of things that God’s plan isn’t. Lets discuss the good side- what God’s plan is! First off it is for you to fall in love with Him… and once that happens for you to find the man of your dreams! If you are in love with God and your desires are the same as His desires then the perfect man that He has will also be the one you want (Psalm 37:4). Isn’t it amazing how those things work out?! ;) For so long I didnt understand that. I thought the falling in love with God part was a drag and that I was gonna have to marry some geek who had no common sense, just studied God's word. I had such a messed up idea though.Girls, over the past year God has completely become the love of my life... I'm 100% satsified with not having a boyfriend. Of course I would like to have one, but Im willing to wait. Are you to that point in your life? People ask me why I do not date. They wonder if im against it or what, but the truth is I just havent met the right guy and Im willing to wait until I find him. I;m enjoying spending my time getting closer to God and improving my life so that I will one day be a better wife! On with my post though... :) Then for two to become one is God’s plan…. Maybe I’m just weird, but this is when I start getting chill bumps. We so often talk about not doing this or that bc of how hard it will be once you get married, but lets look at it from the positive side, for those of you who have waited and have worked so hard to save your heart. You will have nothing at all to hide…nothing to be afraid of… no regrets… Isn’t that an amazing thought? I’m not sure about you, but that makes me all the more determined to wait! I remember a woman that I look up to telling me, “Focus on the man at the end of the aisle!”. You may have no idea what so ever who he is, but that’s ok. His face can be blurry. The principal still stands though, you will want to know without a doubt as you walk down that aisle that you are giving him every last bit of yourself. No one else has any part of you that belongs to him! Then that night as you enter into your marriage you will not have to fight off past memories, regrets, flashbacks or anything like that.



Want to know one thing that just fascinates me? If you keep reading you will have no choice! ;) It is how soothing a woman’s breast can be. Again, this is where the church has become so hush hush about this, but im just going to be real with you. Song of Solomon discusses this. (Song of Solomon 7:7-8 Your stature is like that of the palm, and your breasts like clusters of fruit. I said, "I will climb the palm tree; I will take hold of its fruit. May your breasts be like the clusters of the vine, the fragrance of your breath like apples.) Have you ever noticed how if a child falls or is scared a woman can pick the child up and hold them near to herself and everything seems to go away? I imagine it is the same way for a man. Of course, not exactly, but please try to follow me. A woman’s breast brings comfort… this is the way God made it to be girls! Our world has made it to where the only time a woman’s breast is mentioned is when it is the blunt end of a disgusting joke or prank. That’s not the way God planned it though… Do you see the difference?! I hope so…



Another thing that I find amazing is how a guy is made to pursue the girl! Our culture says that women are as good at anything if not better than guys. Does that mean we have to though or that it is right too? Not at all... Have you ever thought about having a guy truly fall madly in love with you? To have him be willing to do anything for you? Of course! Doesn't every girl?! Girls now are the ones who ask guys out, make the first move, pursue them and then we wonder where the romance went. I also associate this with while having sex the man is normally on top. Not always, but most of the time. Do you get my point girls? Let God's plan work out the way He planned it and it will fulfill everyone of your God given desires! It may just be me, but I think it is beautiful the way God designed men to be the pursuers!



Finally, I want to say one more thing. We have mentioned a couple of times about writing your future husbands. I’ve heard many girls say they think it’s corny and that is perfectly fine if you do. I myself do not think it is. It is a wonderful way to, “focus on the guy at the end of the aisle” as I mentioned earlier! Share your heart… For those of you who have had feelings awakened that you wish were not, whether it be by choice or your innocence was taken from you. This is a great way to take those thoughts captive and focus them on where they should be. For you girls who have been abused, hurt, crushed, I challenge you to seek the face of God… PRAY and ask Him to show you Himself… His plan… and His will. It may seem impossible, but I promise you it isn’t. He wants to revel Himself to you. You have to let Him though. Are you willing to? I honestly think being willing to let go of the pain is often the hardest part… I pray earnestly for you girls that are at that point…



I love each and every one of you girls! As your sister in Christ I want you to view sex in the way that God wants you to…



With loving care,

JEN

Word Filled Wednesday!

Hey girls! I'm so sorry I didn't post yesterday, I wasn't feeling so great and I completely forgot. But today I just wanted to encourage you with some scriptures about victory in Jesus. I know sometimes we get discouraged, but take heart, because there IS victory in Jesus Christ. You CAN have victory over temptations and struggles.

James 4:7 "Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." If you resist the devil, he WILL flee from you! Stay strong girls, the devil looks sweet on the outside, but you can resist him!

Jeremiah 10:6 "No one is like you, O LORD; you are great, and your name is mighty in power." There is power in the name of the Lord! Through him you can accomplish much!

Philippians 4:13 "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Don't doubt yourself, God gives you the power to overcome!

James 1:12 "Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. " You will be rewarded for taking a stand!

1 Corinthians 10:13 "No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it."

These are just a few verses to encourage you. Take them, memorize them, hide them in your heart so that when you are struggling you can use them to your advantage. Remember girls, YOU CAN DO THIS!

Love, Kat

What are you known for?

Before I get started... I'm sorry my post was a day late. Prom was yesterday and it become an all day ordeal..lol It did help spark my idea for this post though. So, it's all good! :)

Kat and I have often talked about how so many girls are consumed by what people think of them... Hence, prom night. Each girl wants to look the prettiest, get the most compliments, or get the most 2nd glances... Is that what life is about though? Here's the truth... It doesn't matter what people think about you. It matters what people think about God because of you! You may have to reread that to get it, but it is the honest truth. It isnt what the world tells us, yet how often do they really tell us the truth (What God's word says)? It breaks my heart when girls are so consumed by what others think of them, yet in the process of trying to make sure they look "ok" and are "cool" they loose focus of how they are affecting the name of their Savior... Now, please understand that God can move and do what ever He wants to do without you, yet He would also like to use you if you willl let Him. Have you ever heard the saying, "You may be the only Bible people read!"? The reality is if you claim to be a Christian that makes unbelievers watch you... You are basically wearing the name of Christ each and every day you live! During the good and the bad... So, think about it. Are you more consumed by how people see you or how people view Christ because of you? If you were told that you could not attend a prom party bc you were to "Christ like" what would your response be?

Matthew 5:13-14 You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men. You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.

With care,
JEN

Thought Filled Thursday!

I don't know what tomorrow holds, but I know who holds tomorrow. ~Elder Sammy Bryant

Word Filled Wednesday!

~ James 1:2-27 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; 8he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does. The brother in humble circumstances ought to take pride in his high position. But the one who is rich should take pride in his low position, because he will pass away like a wild flower.For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich man will fade away even while he goes about his business. Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. When tempted, no one should say, "God is tempting me." For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. Don't be deceived, my dear brothers. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created. My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you. Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it—he will be blessed in what he does. If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless. Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.~

Giann- Guarding Your Heart

Guarding Your Heart

Okay....My name is Giann and I blog over @ www.mylifeunscripted1.blogspot.com. I asked Jen if I could write a post about guarding your heart so, here I am. :)

I came across a way to look at how to guard your heart.* Back in the Old Testament (OT), God's Temple was divided into sections of holiness. You had the "outer court", "the holy place", and the "Holy of Holies". This is a way to look at 'how to guard your heart'.

Lets start off with the "Holy of Holies". This is the area only open for God and your husband. No one else, not even your intimate friends! In her book Set-Apart Femininity, Leslie Ludy says this "The Holy of Holies include such sacred things as sexual expression, sexual touch, .....and the deepest most personal dimensions of the heart and mind........Giving away your physical purity is not just a matter of "crossing the line" but of sharing any part of your sexuality with someone outside of a marriage covenant." So, definitely this something that should not have to be discussed. Unfortunately, this is not so. (I must tell you though, that I am NOT condemning you! I merely want to share what is on my heart.)

Just think about that for a minute. What does that really mean?? Well, it is not merely saying wait until marriage to have "it" but, to to guard your heart and mind from getting emotionally attached to a guy. Sharing your most intimate feelings with him and your physical being. I believe at one point in our lives we will be grateful for doing this.
Please girls, hear me!!! Guard this with your life!!!!!

If you have made mistakes and done this already, don't worry God will forgive you!!!
Now, "the holy place". This area only allows family and intimate friends. Again, Leslie Ludy says this "The holy place includes such sacred things as deeply personal expression (nonsexual), deeply personal touch (nonsexual), dimensions of the heart and mind containing highly sensitive and sacred matters (hurts, vulnerabilities, fears, weaknesses, dreams, desires, longings). She goes on to say that "The holy place should only be entered with an unrelated member of the opposite sex when you are in a serious relationship, led by God, headed toward marriage." This basically explains itself. If you have any questions please leave a comment.

The last one is the "outer court". This is open to friends (guys and girls) and family. Leslie Ludy says this "....the sacred things in its domain still deserve a heightened level of guardedness and special protection. The outer court includes such things as friendly touch, words of specific encouragement, character endorsements, intercessory prayer, friendships with believers, the teaching and discussing of doctrine, and communion." This explains itself, again.......

This is just a thought as you go about the rest of your week! Please feel free to contact me on my blog!!

*Set - Apart Femininity by Leslie Ludy is a great read!! www.setapartgirl.com