My dear friends,
It has been some time since I have written you. I wanted to share with you something that has been on my journey right now.
God has been opening my eyes to a weakness that has stopped me from receiving the fullness of His presence.
A pure heart must be protected and guarded. If we are really doing everything possible to raise up a standard of purity, we must "pull out all the stops."
I am doing a new challenge. I must start somewhere, and I will keep you posted as to how it goes. Since I really desire to have a pure heart, and that God should be the receptor and the giver of love to fill my soul, then I need to prioritize my relationships.
Prioritizing our relationships is not always an easy thing. Time can be easily swallowed on chat programs on the computer, or friendships that feed something in us, ...
I recognize that I must choose to be intentional. I have had poor boundaries with time. I have not listened always to what is most important and actually given food for the fire of unhealthy or inconsistent relationships.
I'm so thankful that God is so patient and doesn't give up on my slow learning.
My best friend, (God), should be my first priority. My other best friends should be girls... unless of course I am going to marry some guy.
I guess that is just the way I see it. So, I have had a couple of guy friends who I would consider best friends... but, the time and energy I give to those relationships can and does cause other feelings to develop. I am learning, and slowly I might add, that those friendships end up causing confusion.
Confusion is not of God.
Friday, February 26, 2010
Monday, February 1, 2010
Worth the wait
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f30S5KMJArI&feature=related
Watch this story!
This is an adorable story of two lovers. Who had their very first kiss on their wedding day.
"All things are possible for those who believe."
Psalms 37:23-24 says,
"If the Lord delights in a man's way, he makes his steps firm; though he stumble, he will not fall, for the LORD upholds his hand."
Be strong! X O X O
Watch this story!
This is an adorable story of two lovers. Who had their very first kiss on their wedding day.
"All things are possible for those who believe."
Psalms 37:23-24 says,
"If the Lord delights in a man's way, he makes his steps firm; though he stumble, he will not fall, for the LORD upholds his hand."
Be strong! X O X O
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Once upon a time
What does it really mean to maintain a standard of purity?
As I look out my window this morning, the playground was full of young teens and youth. There is a mentorship program right next to my house that meets on Sundays. Today, as I looked out, I observed a scene where two youth were playing in the grass and exchanged kisses. They were young, and I was stunned at the way that they embraced especially knowing that they came from that youth mentorship. They kissed without any shame, without a care that they were outdoors in public. A young girl nearby began to fight with this bigger guy... another guy pulled her away by putting his hand around her waist.
Some good friends (Christian friends at that)think that kissing a girl means that they are only good friends exploring their options of something more serious.
What is our world coming to? I had a great conversation with my mother today about purity. She was concerned about the seeming lack of holiness and protection that we are now living with.
What fashionable clothing do you wear that is causing men to sin? My friends,
The Bible says that a man who looks at a women and lusts after her has already committed the sin in his heart?
What are we doing? Isn't the church supposed to set an example for the unbelievers in speech, dress?
Thats what I read in my Bible.
As I look out my window this morning, the playground was full of young teens and youth. There is a mentorship program right next to my house that meets on Sundays. Today, as I looked out, I observed a scene where two youth were playing in the grass and exchanged kisses. They were young, and I was stunned at the way that they embraced especially knowing that they came from that youth mentorship. They kissed without any shame, without a care that they were outdoors in public. A young girl nearby began to fight with this bigger guy... another guy pulled her away by putting his hand around her waist.
Some good friends (Christian friends at that)think that kissing a girl means that they are only good friends exploring their options of something more serious.
What is our world coming to? I had a great conversation with my mother today about purity. She was concerned about the seeming lack of holiness and protection that we are now living with.
What fashionable clothing do you wear that is causing men to sin? My friends,
The Bible says that a man who looks at a women and lusts after her has already committed the sin in his heart?
What are we doing? Isn't the church supposed to set an example for the unbelievers in speech, dress?
Thats what I read in my Bible.
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
When good wasn't good enough
Dear sisters,
Paul exhorts his mentor Timothy in his letter recognizing the weaknesses of youth, because of the passions in our hearts. He says
"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." 2 Timothy 3:22
also the Psalmist writes,
"How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your Word!" Psalms 119:9
I have a confession to make to you all. All of my life I have concentrated on being the best. I felt so grateful because of the sacrifice that my LOVING SAVIOR Jesus Christ had made for me, and forever indebted myself to him. I wanted nothing else than to be indentured to him. Do you know what an indentured servant is?
Well,
An indentured servant is a slave that has been set free. They have already paid all of their debt to the master or they have been forgive their debt, and so they are set free to go. They no longer owe him anything. But this slave, for some reason, decides that he wants to continue on with his master. He (or she) chooses (of their own free will) to continue in the service of his or her master, and "indentures" him or herself to the master. This means that they are giving back the keys to him to work for him forever.
An indentured servant becomes like another member of the household. Perhaps this slave chose this life because they did not have anyone, perhaps it was because of a deep gratitude or love for the family.
Well, There was nothing I wanted more than to belong to my King> he was my best friend. I could cry and Jesus would hold me, and I could laugh for no reason, and Jesus didn't make fun of me. Jesus understood my jokes, listened when no one else would, and even shared letters, dinners and desserts with me, as well as beautiful nature and conversations.
He is the most romantic that I could ever meet, and I cherish His company more than anything.
Yet he is so ilusive and mysterious. I go looking for him sometimes and cannot find him. He keeps my interest in a crazy way, and when I least expect it surprises me with special gifts.
There is just NO ONE good enough to replace him. and I have quickly realized that all my intentions to love him, all my desire to give to him, was just never good enough. I could never give him enough,and I have broken things that I have promised him. Why, I am so enthralled and so delighted,
My friends, This God does not judge me, has not cast me away. I am not worthy of His love. He is my romantic lover and I have hurt him. Yet< He still loves me!!!
HE loves me and he is good!!!!! OUR GOOD CAN NEVER BE GOOD ENOUGH!
But He... EL SHADDAI... MIGHTY GOD... PROTECTOR . . . HeALER . . . FRIEND . . .
He is GOOD... HE IS THE ONLY ONE WHO IS GOOD!!!
The most glorious experience you could ever have, you would find in my LOVER. He is not double minded like mankind. He will not leave you ever, even though He knows all about you. Run to Him and you will never be disappointed.
Other men will never satisfy you the way He does, and as you seek him, He will bring you into the right relationships with man. He does want you to be happy and fulfilled, and He wants to know you profoundly. He waits for you to discover Him.
Paul exhorts his mentor Timothy in his letter recognizing the weaknesses of youth, because of the passions in our hearts. He says
"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." 2 Timothy 3:22
also the Psalmist writes,
"How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your Word!" Psalms 119:9
I have a confession to make to you all. All of my life I have concentrated on being the best. I felt so grateful because of the sacrifice that my LOVING SAVIOR Jesus Christ had made for me, and forever indebted myself to him. I wanted nothing else than to be indentured to him. Do you know what an indentured servant is?
Well,
An indentured servant is a slave that has been set free. They have already paid all of their debt to the master or they have been forgive their debt, and so they are set free to go. They no longer owe him anything. But this slave, for some reason, decides that he wants to continue on with his master. He (or she) chooses (of their own free will) to continue in the service of his or her master, and "indentures" him or herself to the master. This means that they are giving back the keys to him to work for him forever.
An indentured servant becomes like another member of the household. Perhaps this slave chose this life because they did not have anyone, perhaps it was because of a deep gratitude or love for the family.
Well, There was nothing I wanted more than to belong to my King> he was my best friend. I could cry and Jesus would hold me, and I could laugh for no reason, and Jesus didn't make fun of me. Jesus understood my jokes, listened when no one else would, and even shared letters, dinners and desserts with me, as well as beautiful nature and conversations.
He is the most romantic that I could ever meet, and I cherish His company more than anything.
Yet he is so ilusive and mysterious. I go looking for him sometimes and cannot find him. He keeps my interest in a crazy way, and when I least expect it surprises me with special gifts.
There is just NO ONE good enough to replace him. and I have quickly realized that all my intentions to love him, all my desire to give to him, was just never good enough. I could never give him enough,and I have broken things that I have promised him. Why, I am so enthralled and so delighted,
My friends, This God does not judge me, has not cast me away. I am not worthy of His love. He is my romantic lover and I have hurt him. Yet< He still loves me!!!
HE loves me and he is good!!!!! OUR GOOD CAN NEVER BE GOOD ENOUGH!
But He... EL SHADDAI... MIGHTY GOD... PROTECTOR . . . HeALER . . . FRIEND . . .
He is GOOD... HE IS THE ONLY ONE WHO IS GOOD!!!
The most glorious experience you could ever have, you would find in my LOVER. He is not double minded like mankind. He will not leave you ever, even though He knows all about you. Run to Him and you will never be disappointed.
Other men will never satisfy you the way He does, and as you seek him, He will bring you into the right relationships with man. He does want you to be happy and fulfilled, and He wants to know you profoundly. He waits for you to discover Him.
Monday, August 3, 2009
The first kiss
The fairy tales show it as magical.
I think of it as a promise. A promise to always love you. A promise and commitment. A statement to all the witnesses. It is a statement of belonging.
Magical? Well, I am not practiced. But I am proud of that. I don't know that the first kiss I give away will be magical, but it will mean something significant.
There is something I have longed to give away, and more than once have naturally felt to do so, but the commitment in my heart that goes with it has held me back. My heart says no to giving that away.
Because there is one man only that I want to kiss.
I have made my mistakes. I have been in an intimate relationship with a guy before. We were very close emotionally and I have felt the warmth of a man's arms. I have felt some sort of love in my heart before, but PURE love is this...
Patient or long suffering: This means that a love that is pure will endure the hardship of the wait, and will be patient to the better of the other person.
I fulfil love in this way through enduring the harsh words of my loved ones, enduring my own errors, waiting when I feel like giving up and taking the time necessary when I'd rather just rush forward.
Kind: I love purely when I am kind to my neighbor, kind to my spouse or to my family member. A kind word or deed covers over wounds, and encourages the hearts of those I love.
Does not envy: If I am loving purely, I accept who I am and who my loved one is, without being jealous of the gifts God has given him or her. If I love my husband/boyfriend I will not envy the job they have, their taste, I will not try to possess them or be in control of them. I will be able to accept who they are without trying to be better than them.
Is not proud or boastful: If I have pure love, I will not try to put myself higher than my loved ones. Pure love is humble rather than boastful. If I love purely, I will esteem the other person instead of just singing my own praises to try to get attention. I will not need to try to get attention because my pure love generates love from the other person. Pure love gives of itself freely without requiring payment.
Is not selfish, easily provoked or full of vengeance: Pure love is based in a source that refills. A pure love is given not out of obligation which requires a response. Pure love does not get angry for a trivial reason, or a silly reason, and it does not think evil towards the other person.
PURE love Always hopes, always believes, always endures, and NEVER FAILS!
To find more about Pure love look in 1 Corinthians 13 of the Word of God. There is a great description. Pure love is not easily given but God gives that towards us. Pure love and perfect love does not have any fear, rather it causes fear to vanish!
A pure love is the kind of love that I want. I have it in Jesus Christ my Savior. Should He provide for me another love, a physical love, in this world, I want him to model this love, and that I would model the same for him.
My attempt to guard the first kiss for this man has been idealistic, magical and romantic.
But, that being said, I want my first kiss to make a statement to the world. This... this one... This is the man with which I want to spend the rest of my days.
You think I can make it until that day?
I think of it as a promise. A promise to always love you. A promise and commitment. A statement to all the witnesses. It is a statement of belonging.
Magical? Well, I am not practiced. But I am proud of that. I don't know that the first kiss I give away will be magical, but it will mean something significant.
There is something I have longed to give away, and more than once have naturally felt to do so, but the commitment in my heart that goes with it has held me back. My heart says no to giving that away.
Because there is one man only that I want to kiss.
I have made my mistakes. I have been in an intimate relationship with a guy before. We were very close emotionally and I have felt the warmth of a man's arms. I have felt some sort of love in my heart before, but PURE love is this...
Patient or long suffering: This means that a love that is pure will endure the hardship of the wait, and will be patient to the better of the other person.
I fulfil love in this way through enduring the harsh words of my loved ones, enduring my own errors, waiting when I feel like giving up and taking the time necessary when I'd rather just rush forward.
Kind: I love purely when I am kind to my neighbor, kind to my spouse or to my family member. A kind word or deed covers over wounds, and encourages the hearts of those I love.
Does not envy: If I am loving purely, I accept who I am and who my loved one is, without being jealous of the gifts God has given him or her. If I love my husband/boyfriend I will not envy the job they have, their taste, I will not try to possess them or be in control of them. I will be able to accept who they are without trying to be better than them.
Is not proud or boastful: If I have pure love, I will not try to put myself higher than my loved ones. Pure love is humble rather than boastful. If I love purely, I will esteem the other person instead of just singing my own praises to try to get attention. I will not need to try to get attention because my pure love generates love from the other person. Pure love gives of itself freely without requiring payment.
Is not selfish, easily provoked or full of vengeance: Pure love is based in a source that refills. A pure love is given not out of obligation which requires a response. Pure love does not get angry for a trivial reason, or a silly reason, and it does not think evil towards the other person.
PURE love Always hopes, always believes, always endures, and NEVER FAILS!
To find more about Pure love look in 1 Corinthians 13 of the Word of God. There is a great description. Pure love is not easily given but God gives that towards us. Pure love and perfect love does not have any fear, rather it causes fear to vanish!
A pure love is the kind of love that I want. I have it in Jesus Christ my Savior. Should He provide for me another love, a physical love, in this world, I want him to model this love, and that I would model the same for him.
My attempt to guard the first kiss for this man has been idealistic, magical and romantic.
But, that being said, I want my first kiss to make a statement to the world. This... this one... This is the man with which I want to spend the rest of my days.
You think I can make it until that day?
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Waiting for Mr. Right...
While you have been waiting to be noticed by Mr. Right, Mr. Nice Guy finds you. And for the first time in a long time, you feel appreciated. You feel loved. You feel like a woman. Although He doesn’t have some of the qualities you are looking for, he is a gentleman. He pays attention to you and listens to you. He continuously pursues you and waits for you. All in all, he is high quality. Truly a great guy. And there is something in you that craves that relationship. And let’s be honest, the sexual tension. The joking. The playful banter. The excitement of getting to know someone… They all have the power to sway us. And perhaps, persuade us to settle for Mr. Nice and give up on the wait for Mr. Right. . . Mr. Nice is here.
It is so frustrating to try and keep yourself away from Mr. Nice… Those little things are so easily overlooked. Yet those little things can become huge problems.
I dated a Mr. Nice once. I told him up front, I wasn’t interested. He stuck around anyway. He pursued me through friendship. And eventually, I caved. Mr. Nice seemed pretty great and I just wanted to give it a try. Mr. Nice was great first… But eventually, after some agonizing months. .. I realized, Mr. Nice was Mr. Wrong for Me. And after I ended it with him, I faced some painful months and years.
So how is it, then, that Mr. Nice has found me again? In fact, I think he might be Mr. Wonderful. I just don’t think I can ignore a second time that little voice inside me that says… “He isn’t Mr. Right”. But that voice is so often quieted by the ones that point out how honest, and kind he is. And all of his other positive traits. No matter that He isn’t the man I’d always dreamed of…He pursues me… so why am I resisting again??
Dreams can be complex. See some dreams you can chase. And some you just have to wait for. Like, my dream has always been to be a wife and mother… over every other dream I’ve ever had… and that dream just likes to stay out of reach. Now, I could grab onto it by grabbing onto Mr. Nice… but then that dream may not be all that great, right? No. I’ve gotta wait for Mr. Right. And maybe someday that dream may come true…
Somehow, I must flee from all of the Mr. Nice Guys out there…and there are many… And wait for Mr. Right. Just because a relationship can be good, doesn’t mean it will be great…and great is what I’m praying for. Great is what I’m waiting for. Because good just isn’t good enough.
~Anonymous
It is so frustrating to try and keep yourself away from Mr. Nice… Those little things are so easily overlooked. Yet those little things can become huge problems.
I dated a Mr. Nice once. I told him up front, I wasn’t interested. He stuck around anyway. He pursued me through friendship. And eventually, I caved. Mr. Nice seemed pretty great and I just wanted to give it a try. Mr. Nice was great first… But eventually, after some agonizing months. .. I realized, Mr. Nice was Mr. Wrong for Me. And after I ended it with him, I faced some painful months and years.
So how is it, then, that Mr. Nice has found me again? In fact, I think he might be Mr. Wonderful. I just don’t think I can ignore a second time that little voice inside me that says… “He isn’t Mr. Right”. But that voice is so often quieted by the ones that point out how honest, and kind he is. And all of his other positive traits. No matter that He isn’t the man I’d always dreamed of…He pursues me… so why am I resisting again??
Dreams can be complex. See some dreams you can chase. And some you just have to wait for. Like, my dream has always been to be a wife and mother… over every other dream I’ve ever had… and that dream just likes to stay out of reach. Now, I could grab onto it by grabbing onto Mr. Nice… but then that dream may not be all that great, right? No. I’ve gotta wait for Mr. Right. And maybe someday that dream may come true…
Somehow, I must flee from all of the Mr. Nice Guys out there…and there are many… And wait for Mr. Right. Just because a relationship can be good, doesn’t mean it will be great…and great is what I’m praying for. Great is what I’m waiting for. Because good just isn’t good enough.
~Anonymous
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Longing
The longing for what is right should protect and keep us. It should be the thing that keeps you from evil but it is not enough to have the longing. You also need the power of God. He is the one who keeps you safe. The power of God gives you wisdom as well. :)
I believe I am falling in love. The standards of purity are taken even higher and my challenge is greater. The question is whether or not I am really in love. Or whether it is just a longing deeply hidden yet awakened in my soul.
A pure heart is the desire of my heart. It is my longing. Along with that desire, another fire is also alive.
The chance to be in a loving relationship is a beautiful thought. However, I surrender all of those desires to my maker. It is tough because he is beautiful. He is exactly what I want in a guy. It must be for this reason that the word of God tells us not to awaken love prematurely. IT is still premature. I am in awe of the love of God. I am humbled and amazed by His hand. If he has taken me this far, I have no doubt he can take me the rest of the way.
But we must wait on him. Rely on him. I have made mistakes along the way. Clearly I am an imperfect person. However, I have to trust God, its the only thing I have.
My Saviour sees into the depths of my heart.
I know that He knows the future. Today, I must live to what He has asked of me, and not overthink tomorrow.
I lay down my desires and longings, in a desperate pursual of my Maker.
I believe I am falling in love. The standards of purity are taken even higher and my challenge is greater. The question is whether or not I am really in love. Or whether it is just a longing deeply hidden yet awakened in my soul.
A pure heart is the desire of my heart. It is my longing. Along with that desire, another fire is also alive.
The chance to be in a loving relationship is a beautiful thought. However, I surrender all of those desires to my maker. It is tough because he is beautiful. He is exactly what I want in a guy. It must be for this reason that the word of God tells us not to awaken love prematurely. IT is still premature. I am in awe of the love of God. I am humbled and amazed by His hand. If he has taken me this far, I have no doubt he can take me the rest of the way.
But we must wait on him. Rely on him. I have made mistakes along the way. Clearly I am an imperfect person. However, I have to trust God, its the only thing I have.
My Saviour sees into the depths of my heart.
I know that He knows the future. Today, I must live to what He has asked of me, and not overthink tomorrow.
I lay down my desires and longings, in a desperate pursual of my Maker.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)