Marriage Isn't For You

Don't worry!! This isn't another single girl's post on what I think marriage should be!  I actually had one but deleted it because I didn't feel like it was something I should post!  But, I saw this post on Pinterest and read it as soon as I could.  It is amazing!  It's a good read for anyone, male, female, single, married, or soon to be married!  Please check it out!

Marriage Isn't For You

disclaimer: I only scanned other parts of this blog and in no way do I believe with what this blog author believes.  He hits right on with this post on marriage but I do not agree with everything on the blog.  

Simply.... Things

I tend to get myself in a fix. My brain gets all poetic on me. But, the problem is there is not very much poetry running through my blood stream. My form of art comes in music. The instrumental kind. Not putting down words.

I'd like to say that I've spent most of last week sitting by the computer mulling over a series of posts that I want to do. My fingers running over the keys, just waiting to write something. But that's not very realistic. In all truth, I would often stare at my phone trying to decide if I have all my thoughts in order enough to start these posts. Do I really want to share this or that? How far should I go? What can I use for resources? 

But, I pray that these posts will be an encouragement to others. They are more intended for young ladies like myself but I'm sure, with God's help, anyone can get something out of them. 

It all started a few weeks ago when I was asked to do a guest post. I thought about it for a little while and had an idea that I really liked. So I started compiling it in my head. Just a short post to be an encouragement. But, the next morning as I was reading my Bible, God seemed to put a whole different topic on my heart. It was way off from what I was thinking, and honestly, I was a mite dissapointed. But I knew that this new post would be used by God if I followed His leading. And I believe it was. And now I can expound and draw out my other idea more on my own blog. 

I want to share with you a series of posts entitled "Things I've Struggled With as a Christian Young Lady". Now, despite what the title states, most of them are things I still struggle with. Some of them, God has given me the victory over, and they're not a struggle anymore. Hopefully they will be a blessing to someone else.

The first topic I want to present is courtship and purity. Waiting for the right one. When I celebrated my 19th birthday last year I realized how single I was! I know lots of people will say that I'm so young to think that, and they are probably very right. But last year, due to quite a few circumstances in my life, I entered the "trying to be patient and wait, but it's oh so hard" stage. Maybe a little prematurely, but I'm there.  Some of it might be due to the fact of my surroundings. I'm the only single lady in my church. My two best friends are married to brothers. One has been married for six years and has two beautiful little girls and a little boy on the way. The other one has a little boy that is almost a year old and is just a darling. I'm sure if you've read my blog enough you know who I'm talking about! It seems like every other day I hear of a friend that is courting, engaged, getting married, or having a baby. And while I am extremely happy for ~most~ of them, it is a reminder that I'm still VERY single.  This little image is a perfect description of my life: 

Now, not only am I the only single lady in my church (which by the way, makes up the most part of my social life. And I'm very glad for I) but, there aren't very many single young men either. In fact, there are two. One of them is my brother. So not only am I VERY single, but I'm not in a situation where I have the opportunity to meet Price Charming easily. Now, I don't know, he could be lurking in my life right now, right under my nose. But at this point I am VERY single. 

And, please, don't think I'm trying to gain sympathy points! I've had opportunities to launch into a relationship. I've rejected one boy and there's another one that would jump if I gave him any leading(I'm not trying to brag here either, just stating facts). And that's not even including anyone from my year+ at college. 

Anyway, all that to say, "waiting for my Isaac" is on my mind rather frequently. 

I'd like to launch into a small section of waiting and purity that has become very real to me!  How many of us Christian girls are raised to believe in courtship and purity both physical and emotional? And I'm sure most of them have no problem with the physical part of purity, but how often is emotional purity compromised in young ladies' lives? I'm touching on this subject because it's something very real for me. 

I'd like to share a very true story with you about a young lady who compromised her emotional purity. Some of you know this girl, some of you, I'm sure, can figure out who I'm talking about, but if you don't, take my word for it. It's a real story about a real girl. 

This girl grew up in church all her life. She was raised to believe in courtship and all the other 'rules and regulations' of being a godly young lady. If you asked her if she believed all these things, she would, without hesitation, answer yes. She grew up in a 'perfect home' situation for most of her life until she entered her teen years.  Then her dad left the picture. 

She graduated high school and was getting ready to go to bible college. There were a few things at the college that she disagreed with, one of them being Christian dating. But, after talking to her mom and pastor she decided it would be alright. She just wouldn't get into dating/courtship in any way while at the school. That thought lasted just a few months. 

On her first birthday at the school, she and another girl were invited to get ice cream with two of the guys there. Before the night was over they realized it was a huge mistake. These guys were out to make a point and were just using the other girls. It wasn't all the guys faults though. The girl knew that she shouldn't have accepted in the very first place. Right then, a little bit of emotional purity was lost. But, it wasn't the first. Just a few short weeks before, a friend of this girl's came up to her and said to her: "I just heard that so-and-so wants to ask you out!" Now, in this situation the girl didn't want to 'go out' with the other guy. She just simply was not interested. But, throughout the situation there were many thoughts of "well, what if...?" Even though she never got involved in a relationship, she, through both her thoughts and through conversations with her friends, lost some emotional purity. 

Unfortunately, that wasn't the end.  That next spring one of her closest friends broke up with her 'boyfriend'. When that happened she became sort of a middle man between the two. She considered herself a 'hero'. But, it involved a lot of texting with the boy. Something she had never really done before. And, as is the usual case, it led to more. Before she knew it the talk started. They were going to be the next couple. He asked her about the rumors and they both agreed that it would NEVER happen. One month later, they were considered a 'couple'. One of the many problems with their relationship was that her mom did not approve. 

A few months later, their sins caught up with them. They both got in trouble with the school and her mom took her out of school. It took her quite a while to realize what she had done, but when she did God started giving her many victories in her life and she came out if it a whole different person. 

I'd like to use this story and make a few points. 

First of all... God has given you the authority in your life for a reason. If you simply follow their instructions and guidance you will be saved a lot of heartbreak. 

Also, you might be like this girl. You've been through a wrong relationship. You've given yourself away emotionally, if not physically. I want to do a whole different post on this but I will share this verse with you. 

Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow. Isaiah 1:18

Be careful that this is not the case for you. Just because a man comes along and says all the right things doesn't mean he's the one. 

This is so simple, but so true! You don't have the right to go around giving your love away. God has already reserved it for someone special! 

This is what I want in my relationship. Both for my future husband and myself! 

As single young people, we need to submerge ourselves into serving God and seeking Him that a special relationship comes as a surprise to us, not something we expect. 

I hope this post was of some encouragement. I know it was REALLY long, but I just spoke what was on my heart! There will be more following, some day, but probably not as long ;) 

Courtship vs. Dating

"A Woman's Question"

Do you know you have asked for the costliest thing
Ever made by the Hand above?
A woman's heart, and a woman's life---
And a woman's wonderful love.

Do you know you have asked for this priceless thing
As a child might ask for a toy?
Demanding what others have died to win,
With a reckless dash of boy.

You have written my lesson of duty out,
Manlike, you have questioned me.
Now stand at the bars of my woman's soul
Until I shall question thee.

You require your mutton shall always be hot,
Your socks and your shirt be whole;
I require your heart be true as God's stars
And as pure as His heaven your soul.

You require a cook for your mutton and beef,
I require a far greater thing;
A seamstress you're wanting for socks and shirts---
I look for a man and a king.

A king for the beautiful realm called Home,
And a man that his Maker, God,
Shall look upon as He did on the first
And say: "It is very good."

I am fair and young, but the rose may fade
From this soft young cheek one day;
Will you love me then 'mid the falling leaves,
As you did 'mong the blossoms of May?

Is your heart an ocean so strong and true,
I may launch my all on its tide?
A loving woman finds heaven or hell
On the day she is made a bride.

I require all things that are grand and true,
All things that a man should be;
If you give this all, I would stake my life
To be all you demand of me.

If you cannot be this, a laundress and cook
You can hire and little to pay;
But a woman's heart and a woman's life
Are not to be won that way.” 

~ Mary "Lena" Lathrop 

I Love This!!

Can I Get an Amen?!

God, Please Make My Man Like Joseph!

I was reading the account of Joseph in the Bible and was struck with how much I would love for my husband to be like Joseph!  It's actually funny, because the thing that got me thinking about it is when he sees his brothers in Egypt and weeps.  I thought, this man has a heart!!  And I started thinking about all his other wonderful character traits.

• Brave; This is shown many ways in Joseph's life.  One example is in his dealings with his brothers.  Gen. 37:12-17
• God was with him; Gen 39:1
• Good Steward; He ran Potipher's household affairs and prospered.  He also showed 'business' smarts when he was put in charge of the wheat during the 7 years plenty/7 years famine.  Gen. 39:4; 41:57
• Remained Pure; He resisted the temptation of Potipher's wife.  When temptation faced him, he got out of the situation as soon as he could.  Gen 39:7-12
• Used by God; A godly testimony.  Gen. 40:8
• Gives God the Glory: Gen. 41:16
• Smart and Witty; He came up with quick plans when his brothers showed up in Egypt.  
• A man with a heart; He wept when his brothers came back into his life again.  But, he didn't sit down and start crying when his brothers sold him into slavery.  Gen. 43:30, 46:29
• Faithful to Family and Loved Ones; even after his brothers betrayed him, he provided and protected them in Egypt.  He protected those he loved, and never considered what he could gain from it, or what they had done to him.  
• Thanked God in Everything; Gen 50:20

And my favorite part... :)

• He lived to a good ole age!!! :)   

A Couple Of Things...

This Sunday was our Annual Christmas Program. It went GREAT, comparatively ;) Here are a couple of pictures:

The girls: Kyleigh, Riley, Kayla, and Katie

The young kids and the boys: Angel, Skylar, Elizabeth, Jasmine, Marissa, Bailey, Andy, Allen, Ethan, Hunter, James, Dakota, Collin, Bailey, Carter and Conner.

Everyone

AND...... Way to go Colleen!!! As official last Sunday, her and Josh started their courtship :):)

Here is a picture, Grace and Rachel, Josh's gma got a photo shoot, and I snuck in. I could only get one, my memory card was full.

CONGRATULATIONS JOSHUA AND COLLEEN!

Courtship Page

Hey y'all, I just wanted to point out that I added a page that have all of my posts that have to do with courtship. haha, that and modesty are my big "pet peeves" when it comes to Christian behavior. lol!

An Introduction :)

I was joking around with my mom this morning about my......guess ;-)........ future husband. It got me thinking about my purity ring, and God's will. Also I had been thinking about how I'm supposed to be doing a post on courtship sooooo, I decided to try my hand at writing a story.

I'd like for you all to meet someone. He is the most handsome man in the
whole wide world, and is just PERFECT!!!!!!!!!!!! He is one of the richest men
alive, because of whom his Father is.

The only problem is that I haven't
met him either. You see, the reason I know all this about him is: I've met his
father. It is said he owns the cattle on a thousand hills. WOW, talk about rich.

This Father was there when I was born, He knew me better than any body,
and He also knew that He had someone very special for me. When I was born, He
said 'one of my sons is perfect for this young lady.'
Then one day about 2
1/2 years ago, I got to personally meet the Father. I was at a Youth Camp. It
was right after the evening sermon. You see, He knew that I was a wandering
orphan heading down the wrong path. He knew that I was in need of a loving
Father, so He asked if He could adopt me into His family. I, having known about
Him all my life, accepted his offer. I then wondered why I hadn't joined His
family before. I knew that He had been offering it all along, but I wasn't ready
to accept His offer; He also knew that. When I was born, He saw that day in the
future, when I would finally accept His offer. That day I became siblings with
the most wonderful man, on earth at least.

So, well I'm waiting for my
new Father to show me who this man is, I'm just staying in my Father's will, and
trusting Him. My Father's been preparing me all my life for this man, but trust
me, I'm FAR from being ready for him. And my Father knows that. I'm not out
looking for this man, I'm staying in my Father's 'castle.' One day He will bring
this man into my life, and until then I'll just keep trusting Him.

Now I
have one question for my readers: Do you know my Father, did you know that you
are a lost orphan also? Did you know that He is offering to became your father?
And if you trust in Him, you'll see His ultimate provisions also. If you aren't
one of my Father's children, why don't you just accept His offer. If you would
like to know more about becoming one of my Father's children, just ask me and I
can explain it to you more. Here's one of the promises my Father gave me before
I became one of His children
"And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if
so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together."

I can tell you a couple of things for sure: 1) He is waiting with arms
WIDE open, 2) This is one of the most important decisions you can make in your
life, 3) Don't wait, if you just accept my Father's offer, you will have peace
and joy like you've never experienced.

If you are, or you become one of
my Father's children, you too can make an introduction like this. What a
blessing to know that my Father has known about me from the very
beginning, He's known about my very special man, and He knows that we are
the only ones that will be perfect for one another. I'm glad that I can trust in
my Father for my partner, and that I don't have to spend much time wondering:
"is this man right? Is it the right time?" All I have to do is ask my
Father.

So..... what did ya'll think?? Is it okay? Please let me know, honestly! :D

Some Great Courtship Stories!!!

Hey, I've been thinking about doing a post about some bloggers that either courted, or they are courting. It will really just be a compilation of stories and blogs, but I hope it will be an encouragement to everybody. I know it will be an encouragement to me.

~Rebecca and Justin @ Rebecca's blog: A Rather Unusual Maiden For God/Married in 2011
~Jennifer and Jonathan @ Jennifer's blog: Is Anything Too Hard For God/Married in 2010
~Colleen and Josh @ my blog :)/Married 2012
~Iris and Patrick @ Iris' blog: The Blue Birdhouse/Courting since 2010
~Maggie and Garrett @ Maggie's blog: Maggie's Moments/Courting since 2013
~Hannah and Josh @ Hannah's blog: The Life of a Country Girl/Engaged in 2013
~Rebekah and Jason @ Rebekah's blog: I Have Been Blessed/Engaged in 2013
~Jesse and Jonathan @ Jesse's blog: Danson for Joy
~And many more to come!!!!

And there will be more to come. I've also been thinking about doing a series of posts on different topics. i.e. courtship, modesty, the Bible, and also referrals to other good sites. Stay tuned!!!

What I Believe

I know some of you have read my mom's blog and some of the posts I did on there, but I figured I'd put my beliefs on here. I know that's one of the first things I look for when I find a new blog =D!! So here we go.

I. I believe that the King James Version of the Bible is the only true word of God, that He used the prophets to write it, but God is the Divine author (II Tim. 3:16). I believe that anybody who changes the Bible is in need of someone showing them God's plan of Salvation, and they should be at the altar next church service (Rev. 22:19). For more information on the KJV, you can visit Teens-4-Christ, and read this article, it explains exactly what I believe.

II. I believe in Salvation through grace (Eph. 2:8-9), nothing WE can do can save us. I also believe that you can't lose your salvation, once you're saved, you're saved for ever (I John 5:13, Phil. 1:6, John 10: 27-29).

III. I believe in the Godhead (trinity), in Matthew chapter 3, God presents himself in the three persons: 1) Jesus; being baptized by John the Baptist, 2) The Holy Spirit; presented as a dove, 3) God; John hears a voice from Heaven; "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."
There is only one God, though (John 10:30).

What I Believe in Dress:
I believe that in I Timothy 2:9-10, God gives us His Divine plan for our appearance:
"In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works."
The Greek word for "modest apparel" is Katastole, and the literal definition of the word is "a long flowing garment that is let down." Now, has anybody out there seen a flowing pair of pants? How about a long miniskirt?
Another thing about one's choice of clothing, is that God made the women's body for her husband ONLY. When we wear jeans or anything tight and form-fitting we're showing others our "shape." We are causing men to sin. I don't know where I saw this illustration, but it's really good: Imagine if you were walking through town in your skinny jeans, and you walk by a godly man from your church, who is standing near to another group of guys. Now first of all, that godly man (we'll say, Steve) just saw your figure, and that's not for his eyes, and it's not for you to give away. Second of all, this other group of guys also see you in you skinny jeans, and started "talking" about your figure. You just totally ruined Steve's reputation, he heard and saw things he never should have, he has that memory in his mind now, and guess what!! It's YOUR fault, no one else's.

What I believe about courtship:
First of all: (big thing for me =D) The question about Christian dating, there actually is no question, it's just wrong!!! Some people say, "oh, it's okay to hold hands, and such" BUT, God says "NO WAY!!!" "It is good for a man not to touch a woman" I Cor. 7:1
I also believe that God has someone very special chosen for me, and for everybody else in this world. He shows us an example of his wonderful plan for every couple in Gen. 22, in this portion of scripture we read about when God tells Abraham to take Isaac up to the mountain, and sacrifice him. Abraham obeys God, and as you may know God provides a replacement for Isaac. But if you read near the end of the chapter, you'll see that Abraham hears how his brother is doing, you'll also read of his nephew's daughter, a very special young lady named Rebekah, (does that name sound familiar) Isaac then grows up and ends up marrying Yours Truly =D!!!
I also believe that when you believe you have found God's special someone for you, and you're courting, that there should be somebody there w/ you and your "boyfriend/girlfriend." 1) The Bible says in Prov. 11:14 "Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in multitude of counsellors there is safety." 2) If a couple is alone before married, Satan can seriously use that time to tempt you, there is nobody there to watch you!!! (James 1:14-15)
One more thing, and this also applies to dress, and many other areas of your life, Prov. 31:12 says: "She will do him (her husband) good and not evil ALL THE DAYS of her life." Do you know what that means?!?!?! Think about it: ALL THE DAYS OF HER LIFE, this is talking past present and future!! Can you say you've done your husband (past, present, or future husband) good and not evil all your days?? When you get married will people know that your husband married someone whose kissed every boy that ever passed her way? Or will they say "Look, it's Steve's wife, she's a godly young lady, whose never kissed or touched another boy, she didn't even kiss Steve until the wedding!!!!!" WOW, what a testimony we can have for our husbands (past, present, and future =D)


So there you are, I hope that this is an encouragement for you!!! For more information on dress you can read Mrs. Cathy Corle's "What in The World Should I Wear," or these posts on my mom's blog:
I'll Take a Shot At It
Modesty pt. 2
Modesty pt. 3
Modesty pt. 4

And this is a more explained post about Abraham, Isaac, and Rebekah.