"Whatever course you decide upon, there is always someone to tell you that you are wrong. There are always difficulties arising which tempt you to believe that your critics are right. To map out a course of action and follow it to an end requires courage."
-Ralph Waldo Emerson
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Word-Filled Wednesday!
"Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken."
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
Monday, October 4, 2010
We're Human
Girls, week in and week out Jen and I tell you our stance on purity, how important it is, and what the Bible says about it. But tonight I just wanna say something: I'm still a human being. Jen is still human. We make mistakes, and I know I have moments when I am not glorifying God. I mean just yesterday I yelled at my dog for walking into my room (no joke). Let me just say it was not a hallelujah moment. And I will be honest, I'm having one of those weeks where I'm wondering, "God when am I gonna be there? When is it gonna be my turn to have a boyfriend?" And the fact that I'm even asking that question goes to confirm that I'm not ready right now. But nevertheless, I ask the question. Now don't get me wrong, I am not asking God to send me a boyfriend or anything like that. But I am asking what the future has in store. I mean I look around and I see some great guys, but somehow I know that God is saying "no not them. just keep waiting and you'll see." But believe me, the fact that I'm currently dateless to my senior homecoming dance has not slipped my mind. And this is the point where my mind goes, hold up!!!! Stop the pity-party. Am I really this selfish and... and shallow? I mean God is preparing a guy for me, according to his perfect plan. He is carefully guiding my path and shaping me into the person he created me to be. And all the while I'm over here complaining to myself because i don't know what's gonna happen next? Or if I'm gonna have a date to a dance? Seriously? And I pray that God will give me a heart the yearns only for more of him. I want so badly not to be the selfish girl who is only concerned with the here and now. Girls, tonight I do not pretend to have all the answers. I'd be lying if I said I did. I do not pretend to have this whole Christian thing down to a science. The only thing I can give you tonight is what I do know, and I know in my heart that God is working, even when I can't see it.
Love, Kat
Love, Kat
Saturday, October 2, 2010
Jesus, lover of my soul!
This is just something I've been thinking about lately and I wanted you gals to think about it. Who means more to you... Your boyfriend or God? It could be anything or God, but seeing that this blog is about purity we will keep it guys, okeydokey? It kills me to see girls who light up at the thought of talking to their boyfriend yet can't seem to "find the time" to talk to their Lord. It kills me to see girls who would do absolutely anything (Even things that are degrading to them) for their boyfriend yet won't even acknowledge the name of the man who died on the cross for them. It kills me to watch girls during worship just act as if it is nothing, yet when they talk about their boyfriend it is as if the whole world revolves around him. Where is our focus? I can tell you right now my boyfriend knows that he is not the first priority in my life. Most of the time I do not even have to say it... you can see it. There's a song that talks about how a guy wishes his girlfriend got as excited when she talked about him as she did when she talked about her Lord! When was the last time you talked about God with someone? For some of you just a few minutes, for others...days, weeks, months, maybe never. When was the last time you talked about that, "Special guy"? I'm pretty sure it wasn't that long ago... I'm not trying to beat you over the head today, but I am tired of the luke warm Christian girls. It is time to quit trying to look good in the worlds eyes and start looking good in the eyes of the man who died for you and who loves you more than any other man EVER could! We cant stay on the fence any longer. I was talking to the youth last wed night about worshiping. I made the statement that if they didn't mean it I rather them just sit down than to stand their and fake it. I make the same statement here. I rather you just give up the fake card and let the world know you really do not mean it than to act like you are all perfect, yet really not care one bit. On the flip side though, if you really do mean it then LIVE IT! Not just when it's easy, but even when it's hard! I remind myself of the song often that says, "If my God is for us then who could ever stop us?"! LIVE IT TODAY!
JEN
JEN
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Testimony Tuesday!
When Jennifer asked me this week if I would be willing to write out my testimony, I jumped at the chance to share how amazing God has been in my life. However, as I sat down to write, I really had questions about which direction I should go in. I believe your testimony is more than just how you got saved. Those are great, and I love hearing them! But I believe that we should have many testimonies. God wants to do so much more in our lives than just save us! That’s only the beginning! Jesus died so that we could have freedom in every area of our lives. He is constantly wanting to draw us to Himself and help us with whatever we are struggling with.
So anyway, one of the many wonderful things God has done for me is redeem me from the pain of a broken relationship. Long story short, I started talking to a guy whom I believed might be the one I could one day marry. He expressed the same feelings for me, and he had even been talking to leaders in his church for advice about me. He seemed like a great godly guy, and I thought that he met my “list” quite perfectly actually. Well, some things happened and he just turned out to be completely different that what he had shown at first. He also claimed that he had simply lost interest in me, and he was very quick to move on to another girl. All of this of course hurt me deeply. I have struggled with insecurity and low self-esteem for years, and being rejected by this guy that I trusted and had deep feelings for was extremely painful. I was angry about the situation, and I didn’t understand why something like that would happen to me. I’m not the type of girl who dates around for fun. Before this guy, I had never really had a boyfriend, and that is because I have always believed that God has ONE person set apart for only me. And I don’t need to go looking for him. Ladies, we are not called to be the pursuers! That’s the man’s job! I believe we are to be like Sleeping Beauty (as weird and childish as that may sound), resting (or asleep, if you will) in the presence of God, allowing Him to grow us and allowing Him to be our one and only passion until He brings that right man (your prince!) along. Now, I am not saying that it is a sin to date. If God has given you the liberty to do so, then go for it! Just always make God your number one priority.
So, anyway (sorry for the rabbit trails!), needless to say I did not heed my own advice in this area because I let my emotions tell me what was best for me. And even though he seemed like such a godly guy, and that eventually got my emotions very confused about what the right decision was, I knew from the beginning that something was wrong. But the great news is that even when we mess up completely, God is still right there! In the midst of heartache, I learned to let the Lord romance me. I know it may sound kind of strange to think of God as a Romancer, a Lover even. But it is very Biblical! Song of Solomon in the Bible is not only about a man and a woman; it is also about Jesus, Who is madly and passionately in love with His bride (that’s you and me!). I would highly encourage you all to read it in this light. The truth is, God longs for us so deeply. His love is so powerful and captivating, and no other human love could ever begin to compare. Meditating on the beautiful love and romance of Jesus Christ brought healing and security to my heart when I was so broken. And even still when those feelings of insecurity come up, I can always reflect on how amazing God is and how much He has done. (Thank the Lord for the encouragement of amazing sisters in Christ also!!). Jesus has healed my heart and taught me to trust Him, and I am continuing (I pray!) to fall more and more in love with Him. I pray that you all will do the same. Just know that if you are facing any kind of insecurity or pain from relationships, you are so highly prized by God Himself. You are so very precious to Him! Give Him your heart, and He promises to NEVER let you down. And He is always faithful.
So anyway, one of the many wonderful things God has done for me is redeem me from the pain of a broken relationship. Long story short, I started talking to a guy whom I believed might be the one I could one day marry. He expressed the same feelings for me, and he had even been talking to leaders in his church for advice about me. He seemed like a great godly guy, and I thought that he met my “list” quite perfectly actually. Well, some things happened and he just turned out to be completely different that what he had shown at first. He also claimed that he had simply lost interest in me, and he was very quick to move on to another girl. All of this of course hurt me deeply. I have struggled with insecurity and low self-esteem for years, and being rejected by this guy that I trusted and had deep feelings for was extremely painful. I was angry about the situation, and I didn’t understand why something like that would happen to me. I’m not the type of girl who dates around for fun. Before this guy, I had never really had a boyfriend, and that is because I have always believed that God has ONE person set apart for only me. And I don’t need to go looking for him. Ladies, we are not called to be the pursuers! That’s the man’s job! I believe we are to be like Sleeping Beauty (as weird and childish as that may sound), resting (or asleep, if you will) in the presence of God, allowing Him to grow us and allowing Him to be our one and only passion until He brings that right man (your prince!) along. Now, I am not saying that it is a sin to date. If God has given you the liberty to do so, then go for it! Just always make God your number one priority.
So, anyway (sorry for the rabbit trails!), needless to say I did not heed my own advice in this area because I let my emotions tell me what was best for me. And even though he seemed like such a godly guy, and that eventually got my emotions very confused about what the right decision was, I knew from the beginning that something was wrong. But the great news is that even when we mess up completely, God is still right there! In the midst of heartache, I learned to let the Lord romance me. I know it may sound kind of strange to think of God as a Romancer, a Lover even. But it is very Biblical! Song of Solomon in the Bible is not only about a man and a woman; it is also about Jesus, Who is madly and passionately in love with His bride (that’s you and me!). I would highly encourage you all to read it in this light. The truth is, God longs for us so deeply. His love is so powerful and captivating, and no other human love could ever begin to compare. Meditating on the beautiful love and romance of Jesus Christ brought healing and security to my heart when I was so broken. And even still when those feelings of insecurity come up, I can always reflect on how amazing God is and how much He has done. (Thank the Lord for the encouragement of amazing sisters in Christ also!!). Jesus has healed my heart and taught me to trust Him, and I am continuing (I pray!) to fall more and more in love with Him. I pray that you all will do the same. Just know that if you are facing any kind of insecurity or pain from relationships, you are so highly prized by God Himself. You are so very precious to Him! Give Him your heart, and He promises to NEVER let you down. And He is always faithful.
Monday, September 27, 2010
Motivated
Hey girls!!!!! It's been a long time since I've posted. I just want you to know I have not forgotten you!!! After weeks of trying to get a post up but failing, I finally came to the reality that tuesdays aren't working for me to post on the blog. So I'm changing days, and I will be posting on Mondays now! If we have testimonies they will be posted on Tuesday (Testimony Tuesday!). All that to say I've missed you girls and I'm excited to blog again.
This week I wanted to talk about motives. What motivates you? Why are you striving to be pure? This question is often overlooked, but it's probably one of the most vital questions about purity. Why are you doing it? I'm not asking you to tell me, but you need to get real with yourself about it. Are you doing this because it's what your parents want for you? Are you doing it because you're afraid to break the "rules" of being a Christian? Honey, I have news for you. If you aren't doing it for the right reasons, it means absolutely nothing. That's the core of what I'm talking about today.
So it stands to reason you would want to know the right reason for setting a standard of purity. Well it's really quite simple. Your number one reason for a purity standard should be you love God and therefore want to please him. Your number two reason should be you love your future husband and therefore want to save yourself for him alone.
"And now I will show you the most excellent way. If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing." -1 Corinthians 13:1-3
If love is not at your core reasoning for purity, then you really have no reason at all. Jesus said EVERY commandment hinges on the two most important laws: Love God, Love Others (paraphrased; Matthew 22:37-40). Girls you have your lists, your rules, all your ideas. We talk about this all the time. But if you have not examined your motives and confirmed that they are the right ones, I cannot stress the importance enough! Steven Curtis Chapman said it very well in his song All About Love.
"Gods says love, love, love, love, love
It's all about love, love, love, love, love
Everything else comes down to this
Nothing any higher on the list than love
'Cause after all, it's all about love"
Love, Kat
This week I wanted to talk about motives. What motivates you? Why are you striving to be pure? This question is often overlooked, but it's probably one of the most vital questions about purity. Why are you doing it? I'm not asking you to tell me, but you need to get real with yourself about it. Are you doing this because it's what your parents want for you? Are you doing it because you're afraid to break the "rules" of being a Christian? Honey, I have news for you. If you aren't doing it for the right reasons, it means absolutely nothing. That's the core of what I'm talking about today.
So it stands to reason you would want to know the right reason for setting a standard of purity. Well it's really quite simple. Your number one reason for a purity standard should be you love God and therefore want to please him. Your number two reason should be you love your future husband and therefore want to save yourself for him alone.
"And now I will show you the most excellent way. If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing." -1 Corinthians 13:1-3
If love is not at your core reasoning for purity, then you really have no reason at all. Jesus said EVERY commandment hinges on the two most important laws: Love God, Love Others (paraphrased; Matthew 22:37-40). Girls you have your lists, your rules, all your ideas. We talk about this all the time. But if you have not examined your motives and confirmed that they are the right ones, I cannot stress the importance enough! Steven Curtis Chapman said it very well in his song All About Love.
"Gods says love, love, love, love, love
It's all about love, love, love, love, love
Everything else comes down to this
Nothing any higher on the list than love
'Cause after all, it's all about love"
Love, Kat
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