Ummm...I don't really have much of a point with this post other than to fit one in before I have to go back to college on Monday. People keep asking me how I feel to be going back to college and I don't really know how to answer them. I mean, for me, going backto college is just like going back to high school, it's just an extension to my "school experience" (the only thing different is that you have to pay for it, and I thank God that He has provided me with the scholarships so I haven't really had to pay anything to go yet, other than books -_-). I have never really felt passionate about going to college. In fact, if I could get a good solid job without going to college, I wouldn't because there are manymore things I'd rather be doing with my time, such as going to Bible studies and doing evangelism and such. But, since I also need to think of my future, I am going to college to become a teacher, which I do enjoy that, since I like to work with little kids very much. Anyone who knows me would be surprised that for the past few days I have been completely and totally lazy, which has been fun, but I am definately ready to be more productive now. ^_^ I thoroughly enjoyed my break. I got to spend the kind of time with friends and family that I usually don't get to, which was nice, plus, I was really blessed this break to be able to do as much Bible study that I did (with a willing sister who made it extra fun ^_^). Every year as I draw closer to God and fall more in love with Him, I am shocked by the feeling that I didn't love Him in the past. Perhaps it is because, though I did love Him, as my love for Him grows, it seems that I did not love Him compared to the love I have for Him now. And the more I let go and leave in His wonderful and providencial hands, the more at peace I am. Even though I know I am not where I need to be as a Christian, I think I am beginning to taste the sweetness that it is to follow Him completely and without reserve...and I unashamedly admit, I am ready for more. So I hope that in this new year and in the years to come in my life that I am able to only grow closer to Him and to cleave to Him as my only hope, because He is the only One who can provide all I need. Even when I have a husband, I believe he won't be able to provide all that I need (even though I know that the type of man I will marry will certainly be able to provide for much of what I need and that him not being able to provide those other things I need will only be because he is not God) because there are some things in our lives that only God can provide.
Just a little comment off to the side that really has nothing to do with what I just talked about. My family and I were having a Bible study last Wednesday (we are going through the book "Building Strong Homes") and my dad brought up the point that studies have shown that couples who don't save themselves until marriage, whether they gave themselves to someone other than their fiance or their fiance, they are twice (if not more, I can't remember the exact statistic) as likely to get a divorce than couples who do wait. That made me think...obviously God condemns fornication, but I think that the reason why is more than just the act of fornication (though it is wrong), but it also goes back to the attitudes that fornication personifies. The attitudes are also reasons why I believe their marriages don't succeed. Think about it, to commit fornication means that you have a selfish attitude that is concerned with MY pleasure, MY gratification, MY sexual needs that need to be met without thinking that it is better for our partner that we put THEIR needs and soul before our needs. It also shows an attitude of impatience and unwillingness to wait for something good, even if it means putting our wants on hold (the inability to settle for delayed gratification). This attitude eventually transitions into their marriage, and they are unable to sacrifice their own needs for their spouse's needs and they are unable to work through difficulty to achieve a better end. So, when they feel like they cannot deal with their spouse or the problems they face, they throw up their hands and say "I cannot take this anymore!" and they give up, instead of remaining committed and working through their problems.
That's pretty much all I have to say right now. ^_^ Sorry it's such a hodgepodge post, but that's just a little update for now. ^_^ I love you all very much and hope that you are doing well. Keep looking up!
Well,I see you found a little bit of inspiration.; ) Love you dear! I enjoyed the studies we had together too.: ) I am glad you picked that book for daddy to use as a "spring board" since we never stay in the book...lol. The bible is just better.^_^
I've always thought it had to do with trust. If someone will do it with you before marriage, then they'll do it with someone else after marriage. If a couple doesn't wait, then it is more difficult for them to completely trust one another. Without trust, you cannot relax and enjoy all of the blessings marriage offers.
Okay, I'll go ahead and admit that this post came from thoughts I had after watching "The Tale of Desperaux" on Saturday with Jonathan and Kaitlin. Just as a little movie critic side note, I thought it was a very good movie that brought out some points that us adults need to think on more often (to see what those are, you'll have to go see it yourself ^_~). Anyway, as I was sitting in the movie theater with Jonathan snuggling up on my lap, a thought occurred to me. Desperaux is a little mouse who is different from all the other mice: he doesn't cower, he doesn't scurry, he talks to humans, but rather he is courageous and kind and sympathetic...in short, he is CHIVALROUS. He fights for those he loves and for the causes he believes are worth fighting for. And as I was sitting there, I couldn't help but think what a world this would be if all Christian guys would be like that. Think about it, Desperaux learns of this "knightly way", so to speak, from a book he stumbles upon in the castles library. What a great parallel! Every single Christian guy can learn this Christ-like way from the Bible, which, if he learns to be Christ-like, he will be everything a knight is, and even MORE. He will be courageous to fight for the Truth and for the souls of those around him, he will be kind to those who are not as strong as he is, and he will be sympathetic to all (among other qualities). Sadly, it's hard to find a guy like that out there (I don't want to sound mean, but it's true). But I think that there is a very simple remedy to such a lack of knightly men...more time with the Word. None of us can become what God wants us to be if we don't spend time with Him and His Word. I know that, Lord willing, if I ever have sons I will do everything in my power to raise up boys like this. And also, another factor I believe that contributes to this knightly lacking situation also comes down to us ladies. Desperaux would not have been encouraged to be a gentleman if the princess had not been as kind and compassionate as she was, and I believe the same thing happens with Christian men in the church today. Sometimes us ladies sit around and like to joke or grumble about the fact that there doesn't seem to be any truly godly or good men out there available (I know because I have been guilty of this myself). Instead of stating the fact that there is a scarcity of men, we should be asking ourselves 'Why?'. I think that some of it comes down to us. While a Christian man should be what he should be simply because of his love and devotion to God, one of the hardest things to do is serve God when you feel like no one else is there with you or you feel like there isn't a reason to. We as women should be the ones who help encourage the men to do what is right, and not only encourage, but to stand with them and assist them whenever it is in our power and place to do so. Another thing we need to do is to make sure that we as women are women WORTH fighting for. A knight is much more likely (speaking in a spiritual sense) to fight for a pure and inwardly beautiful princess as opposed to a contentious and shallowly beautiful one. So, in closing, I encourage you men...if a mouse can do it, a man certainly can do it. And ladies, if a princess locked in a tower who hasn't seen the sun in years can do it, so can we. Men, make sure that you are worthy of winning the heart of a woman. Women, make sure that you are worthy to be sought after. And to all of us, let us encourage each other to greater and better things in the Lord's service.
I hope that my words have been a source of encouragement to you and have provided you with something to think about, especially with things that you can do in the coming new year. I hope all of you have a wonderful Christmas and New Year! Be safe in all your travels and share your overflowing love with all those around you. I love you all very much! Keep looking up. ^_^
I was actually reading through Joshua Harris' "I Kissed Dating Goodbye" when this thought struck me. It had to deal with the Scripture in James 1:14-15 which we are all familiar with, "But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is fullgrown, brings forth death". This got me thinking...we all know the natural process through which children are conceived, through a man and his wife becoming one flesh. And the parallel just floored me, that the closeness and intimacy shared between a husband and a wife is the same kind of closeness and intimacy we have with the devil when we decide to serve ourselves rather than God. Between a man and a woman, such is an expression of the unity of their will, the closeness they have, and full acceptance they have. Think of this in a spiritual sense. When we "conceive" sin, we are expressing the unity of our will, the closeness we have, and the full acceptance we have of the devil and his will. Ever since we have chosen to pursue a love affair with satan, he has done nothing but rob us and deceive us into believing that he's the best thing for us out there. Every time we have allowed ourselves to be embraced in the arms of satan, after all is said and done, he leaves us broken, abandoned, and, for lack of a better terms, he leaves us as "damaged goods". We have become spiritual prostitutes, selling our souls in exchange for the passing pleasure of the moment. But, another thought then struck me as well that Someone loves us even when we are in this state, and that person is Jesus. The perfect picture of purity comes to us, our spiritual Husband and washes us clean. He is willing to accept the fact that we are not spiritual virgins, that our heart and will used to be completely given to someone else, His ultimate enemy no less. Yet He is willing to hold us close, to adore us as His spiritual bride. How great His love is! I mean, think about how much you would struggle if you found out that the one you love did not remain pure until marriage? How hard would it be for you to completely and unconditionally accept that person and forgive them of their sin against you? Yet Jesus not only forgives us of our past unfaithfulness, but He faithfully waits and welcomes us back when we repent of our current spiritual adultery. He even died for us while we had no thought of Him, when we were too blinded by our own lusts that we could not see the value of His great love and sacrifice.
Just some words for thought. I'm sorry if I've offended anyone with my analogy, but I think that such a parallel is a Scriptural one. Anyway, I hope that my words allow you to think of your relationship with God and how intimate a relationship we should have with Him. I hope you are all doing well. God bless you all! I love you all very much! Keep looking up! ^_^
Amen. I think it is completely scriptual. God uses this analogy himself. Hosea and Gomer. in a different context, yes, but essentially the same. point. With us it is the church, with them it was Isreal. But we are still God's chosen people when we are baptized.
"We talk about girls too, does that mean we're engaging in "guy" talk? ....Awkward pause...."When do we talk about girls?" ....Moment of thinking..."Well, we talk about ourseleves so technically in a non-technical sense, we talk about girls. Oh, and I think we talked about Alicia that one time, right? Oh yeah! SCORE!"
This is a copy of a note I posted on Facebook. I thought you guys would just want to read it. I hope you enjoy it.
This issue has flooded the media for the past several days. And, sadly the only opinon on this issue is the celebrities saying that this is a civil rights issue...well, I for one think that the passing of Proposition 8 is a good thing. It always annoys me when people make a comparison between the movement of homosexuals and the Civil Rights Movement of African Americans, saying they're essentially the same thing, in principle at least. They could not be any more different. African Americans are born the way they are, their skin color is a natural result of genetics, there is nothing they can do about that. Homosexuality, on the other hand, is NOT genetic (if anyone would like to read a paper I wrote on this issue, I'd be happy to email it to you) and is a matter of CHOICE. African Americans were fighting for their human rights because they were being persecuted for something that they couldn't control. However, homosexuals are fighting for something that they can change and is a sinful choice. It is a choice that is condemned by God. "...Do not be deceived, neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor HOMOSEXUALS...will inherit the kingdom of God" (1 Corinthians 6:9-10). "...For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due" (Romans 1:26-27). I heartily support the voters who took a stand for what is right and said once and for all that marriage is between a MAN and a WOMAN. Now, that being said, I do not hate homosexuals. I believe that they are as human as I am, however, I believe that the choices that they make are sinful. It's a hate the sin, love the sinner situation. Call me narrow minded, call me a Jesus freak, call me a homophobe, call me what you will. What I have told you is what I believe, and I'm not ashamed of it. I know that many of you will not agree with me, but, at the risk of being cliche...that's my story and I'm sticking to it.
I cannot tell you all how happy I was when I heard that Proposition 8 had passed, especially in such a liberal state such as California. Well, just a quick update...everything's going well. Things are just beginning to get busier and a little more stressful, but there's nothing that I can't handle when I'm trusting in God to see me through. I hope you all are doing well. I love you all! ^_^ Keep looking up!
My thoughts exactly! It is not a race or a disability. It is a sin. Homosexuality should not be protected, encouraged, or rewarded. It is a shameful thing.
i will keep the seminar and gospel meeting in my daily prayers. but i'll be making most of those prayers while attending the seminar and gospel meeting. i just found out that i'll be able to go! i'll be there hopefully this monday! see ya then!
First, I'd like to say that having Kaylah over last night was an absolute blast! ^_^ I had so much fun. Many adventures of being chased with sweepers, singing hymns, and (of course) laughing a lot was a nice contrast to the environment I'm usually in at college. It was a nice refreshing experience. I am so lucky to have Christian friends like Kaylah and Kaitlin (even though she's my sister) among the rest of you, of course, that give me a relief from having to deal with the world and it's mentality and giving me the strength to keep on keeping on. I hope I can do the same for you. ^_^ Anyway, getting to the title of my entry...a few weeks ago I heard this song on the radio and almost cried because this is EXACTLY how I feel right now (plus I thought those of you who feel the same way would appreciate this song as well). Keep looking up! ^_^
I love this song!! It's kinda how I feel too...I know I'm only 13 but I just moved and there is NOBODY! Even girls...nobody my age! God has a plan for you and it's a great one. I just know it! You may find that someone when your 32(thats how old my dad was when he married my mom) ya just never know! Love ya Tabby!!!
Tabby I love you! I had fun too. I am just glad we didn't keep you up TOO late. You bail out @ 12:30...we stay up till 2:45...Lol....Encamped along the hills of light ye christian soliders rise, and press the battle ere the night...Etc. Lol I am so glad we are memorizing hymns to sing if we get put in jail for our beliefs. : )
Just continue to pray about it, and live your life in such a way that God would want to send a guy like you speak about to you. I am sure that you are already doing this from what you write on here, but it doesn't hurt to hear it anyway. By the way I just joined, and don't know you, but I have read your page from time to time, and have been encouraged by it. I think I found you on facebook, and requested you as a friend, my name is Jared.
Ok, I was wondering who you were. I'll accept your request then. I usually don't like to accept people I don't know, just for safety reasons and such. ^_^ But thank you, I'm glad I could be an encouragement to you. ^_^
