Showing posts with label Relationships. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Relationships. Show all posts

Thursday, April 12, 2012

Protect what is not theirs, but His

I sometimes wonder what it will take for young women and girls to believe that they are precious jewels, made in the hands of a loving God, who wants to give them as a shining gift to a godly man. Why is it that parents have to tell their girls "don't wear that" or "you're not allowed to wear that"?? Why do "Christian" females even want to give into the desire to be desirable? Why would a lady choose to dress in a way that shows off skin that should be reserved for her husband? I just don't understand. I did it, but I think my parents were more restrictive on my clothing 10-14yrs ago than many "Christian" mothers allow of their daughters today.

What has changed? Why have standards of modestly lowered amongst believers? Why do girls think that showing off their cleavage and their entire skin-covered bodies is an appropriate thing to do? Minus stips of material to minimally cover their most private areas, most girls, including those who claim to be "Christian" are willing to show off their bodies to the world. It is a socially accepted practice; I get that. However, it doesn't make it RIGHT.

Psalm 86:11 says, "Teach me your ways, O LORD, that I may live according to your truth! Grant me purity of heart, so that I may honor you."
God wants us to know Him in a deep and intimate way. I believe that when we make choices to protect our bodies. I grew up knowing it wasn't appropriate for young men to touch me in sexual ways and that sexual initmacy was reserved for marriage. What I didn't know what how important it was to protect myself way before it go to that point. How we dress will reveal how we believe in protecting our purity as young ladies and women. I believe that the majority of our skin is to be reserved for our husbands(whomever that may be and whenever the Lord brings him into your life in the future). Your husband will treasure you and cherish you for your purity. It is the greatest gift you can give to him. I am not just talking about sexual purity. I am talking about keeping your butt covered, cleavage hidden, and you belly beneath your shirt. The reason girls show off these areas is to attract boys and to feel desirable.

"How is a person supposed to swim with a shirt and shorts on?" you might say.


Well, to that I say, buy a one-piece bathing suit that covers your mid-section, chest, and butt. Problem solved! You don't need to wear a bikini. Here's somthing to think about...

Proverbs 16:2
All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, But the LORD weighs the spirits.

So you might not think there's anything wrong with showing off a lot of skin if you are not flirting with boys, but does that make it right?

Psalm 18:26
With the pure You will show Yourself pure; And with the devious You will show Yourself shrewd.

Joshua 24:23
“Now therefore,” he said, “put away the foreign gods which are among you, and incline your heart to the LORD God of Israel.”

My heart weaps for every female I see who does not appreciate the gift she was made to be and when I see her flaunting that which is meant to be sacred. My heart weaps for her to not know the blessings of waiting and protecting herself.  Every girl wants to be wanted. I have been there; I was one of those girls. But I waited. I protected (not enough sometimes). I was shunned. I was mocked. I was often left out. I did not run to the Lord as much as I could or should have, but I did enough of it to keep me going.

I chose the high, narrow, unpopular road and it has led to far greater everlasting riches and blessings. Oh sweet girl, if I could look into your eyes right now I would tell you that you are beautiful, that God loves you, and that NO GUY is going to appreciate that which you are presenting in front of him unless he is God-fearing and puts a ring on your finger. My husband has thanked me for staying pure because I have given my all to him, though I wish it were more. Talk about amazing! Trust God, He knows what He's doing when His Spirit convicts you to COVER UP. I love you, yet I don't know who reads this, if anyone. I just know I have a deep burden for you and want you to know that God is good, even when life is not.

Psalm 139 says this,
"O Lord, You have searched me and known me.
You know my sitting down and my rising up;
You understand my thought afar off...
Even there Your hand shall lead me,
And Your right hand shall hold me...

How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God!
How great is the sum of them! 

If I should count them, they would be more in number than the sand."

Read the whole chapter of Psalm 139 yourself and believe God.
He loves you and wants the BEST for you!

Thursday, January 19, 2012

A Quote about who you are

"I want to be cherished, not preyed upon" -C.B.


What does this mean to you? I'd love your feedback.

Saturday, January 29, 2011

Pamela's Prayer

Tonight I watched a movie called Pamela's Prayer.

This is a summary: It is the story of a widowed Christian father and his Christian daughter Pamela. Under Godly conviction, the father lovingly raises his daughter following Biblical principles—preparing her for marriage and a Godly life. Each and every night he intercedes in prayer for her.

During the teen years, her girlfriend has gone out with anyone she wants. But Pamela and her father are following a non-dating path. As a teenager, Pamela sometimes rebels at her father's guidance—using the usual teen arguments—even sneaking out once. This heart-warming story shows the truth of the pain that can be avoided by following a straighter path than the world. In the end, she is overjoyed with the fruit of purity and develops even higher love and respect for her father and his kind, prayerful guidance.

This timely movie does not attempt to discuss all of the issues related to purity, dating or courting. Nor does it specifically mention the courtship-like approach that is increasingly popular among Christians today. What it does accomplish is a skillful weaving of Biblical principles, righteous living, and love of family that produces a story that touches the heart and soul. This movie's approach is soft and respectful, rather than fast-paced and flashy. Never pushy or judgmental, the message is presented with kindness and love.




Let me just say that if you are a young girl, abstinant or not...Christian or not, I strongly encourage you to watch this movie as an encouragement to you that it IS worth waiting until marriage for more than just having sex--for purity as a whole. It also shows that a life like Pamela's is realistic, despite what your friends, co-workers, classmates, TV, other movies, magazines, or even your parents might have to say about it.

"Dating" does not help you find the right person--GOD DOES!

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

A Good Friend

I have been thinking about this topic a lot lately. Already this week I have had two other people I know tell me how they need serious girl-time or a friend. For some, friends are annoying and for other they are a life-line. "Being a good friend is not just about having a good time with others, it's also about how willing you are to put your friends first or point out when they're doing something you don't agree with. Have a read through the following checklist and see how good a friend you really are."


What are your friends to you?

What makes a good friend? This might look different from person to person in definition, but I think there are some things we can all agree on. Are you a good friend?

A friend should be/ the type of friend you should be...
  1. A Good Listenter--Has 2 ears and one SMALL mouth. We all have times when we just need someone to ONLY listen.
  2. Approachable--can go to them when in need
  3. Trustworthy
  4. Doesn't Gossip--keeps secrets and important information to themselves
  5. Selfless--thinks about others before themselves
  6. Honest--can tell you what they really think without offending you (and you can do the same)
  7. Reliable--you can count on them to be there when they should be or when you need them
Let's face it, as a norm, guys just don't get girl stuff. We need girls to talk to, laugh with, shop with, cry with, and grow with. My husband is my ulitmate best friend, but even I need some girl time. There are times when my husband will look at me and say "I just don't get it; I'm sorry." Then, it's time to call in the women!

Harvard and The University of California did a STUDY on friendships and found that "The happiness of our friends is infectious."

The Observer in Europe reported a STUDY done by the University of Leipzig, which found that,
"Friends can be our best weapon in times of adversity, as they strengthen our resolve. One study asked people to rate the gradient of a hill, and anticipate how difficult they would find it to climb. People who rated the hill in the presence of a friend saw the slope as less steep - and the closer they felt to the friend they were with, the easier the climb appeared."

Shilpa Gupta wrote a great article about the Importance of Friendship. Be sure to read it!

I hope this helps you to ask about the kind of friend you are to those around you.

In seeking friends, be open--don't focus on a particular person or group of people (like the popular kids at school) because you could sell yourself short of a great friendship.

Choose wisely! Friends are influencing so don't choose friends who life lives or behave in ways that are contrary to God's Word and your parents' rules. That will not be fruitful, but fruitless.

Pray! Ask God to bring friends into your life and ask Him to teach you and show you how to be a good friend.

Sunday, January 23, 2011

In Search of Mr. Right by Keith Green

In Search Of Mr. Right

January 01, 2005
by Keith Green

Introduction
This is not meant to be a whole treatise on the subjects of dating and marriage. There have been more scholarly and complete articles, even whole books, written on these subjects. My purpose here is to point out some principles of the Word of God that are being neglected by the Church today.