I'm almost done with my NaNoWriMo. As soon as I am I will be back on the blog. Sorry guys. Thanks for being so patient with me.
A few more days....*pops knuckles*
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Saturday, November 20, 2010
Monday, November 15, 2010
4000 words behind. Not the warm fuzzy feeling.
Yeah. The title says it all. I am currently 4,000 words behind in my nanowrimo. 4000 WORDS! AH! It was easy at first, but all it takes is for me to have one busy day and it's hard to catch up. I can write about 1,000 per hour IF I'm focused. So, i miss one day and I'm 1,667 words behind. This past week I missed two days and had a kinda protective-not- really day. So I'm 4,000 words behind. Pray for me. I think I'm going insane.
I figured I should post a little something. At the LEAST a howdy. I feel bad for not being consistent. My bad.
Truth be told, I've actually been a little down lately. I know I shouldn't be (I mean, I'm a child of God's. How could I be down, right?) but I still am. Don't you hate when that little thing just sets on in this horrible-depressed-ish mood? That is happening to me right now. It stinks.
But I was happy because even thought I've been sad, God has been reminding me that He is the best friend I could ever have and He is the best shoulder to cry on. And even though I'm down He's reminded me that it's okay as long as I am remembering that God's in control and He knows what He's doing. YEAH! I was happy to hear that, when He told me....*thinks* In His cool-God-whispering sort of way.
I'm so glad that He knows what He's doing cuz I totally don't. :)
Here is a great verse. Psalm 38:4 "Taste and see that the Lord is good."
OoO I don't do that enough. I started thinking...how many times do I just reflect on the goodness of God? Often. But not near often enough. I think we would stop complaining and having so many issues if we just realized the sheer goodness of God. God loves us. For real. We can taste it.
Think about that.
We can taste it!
I don't know about you, but I can taste the goodness of God in pizza and mozzarella cheese sticks (with marinara sauce) - both of which I haven't had in an eternity.
And we can see it. Psalm 19:1 "The heavens declare the glory of god and the firmament showeth His handiwork."
I'm actually watchin my hands typing right now and thinking. God is so good and creative at that. I look at the sky and think about how vast He is. And I watch Him at work in my life. God is good. It's plain to see. I have a life that is the proof. I can walk, talk, dance, act like a crazy woman and God loves me. That's a really cool thought.
I'm just rambling sorry. I guess I'll stop now.
Taste and See. God is good, all the time. All the time, God is good.
I figured I should post a little something. At the LEAST a howdy. I feel bad for not being consistent. My bad.
Truth be told, I've actually been a little down lately. I know I shouldn't be (I mean, I'm a child of God's. How could I be down, right?) but I still am. Don't you hate when that little thing just sets on in this horrible-depressed-ish mood? That is happening to me right now. It stinks.
But I was happy because even thought I've been sad, God has been reminding me that He is the best friend I could ever have and He is the best shoulder to cry on. And even though I'm down He's reminded me that it's okay as long as I am remembering that God's in control and He knows what He's doing. YEAH! I was happy to hear that, when He told me....*thinks* In His cool-God-whispering sort of way.
I'm so glad that He knows what He's doing cuz I totally don't. :)
Here is a great verse. Psalm 38:4 "Taste and see that the Lord is good."
OoO I don't do that enough. I started thinking...how many times do I just reflect on the goodness of God? Often. But not near often enough. I think we would stop complaining and having so many issues if we just realized the sheer goodness of God. God loves us. For real. We can taste it.
Think about that.
We can taste it!
I don't know about you, but I can taste the goodness of God in pizza and mozzarella cheese sticks (with marinara sauce) - both of which I haven't had in an eternity.
And we can see it. Psalm 19:1 "The heavens declare the glory of god and the firmament showeth His handiwork."
I'm actually watchin my hands typing right now and thinking. God is so good and creative at that. I look at the sky and think about how vast He is. And I watch Him at work in my life. God is good. It's plain to see. I have a life that is the proof. I can walk, talk, dance, act like a crazy woman and God loves me. That's a really cool thought.
I'm just rambling sorry. I guess I'll stop now.
Taste and See. God is good, all the time. All the time, God is good.
Friday, November 12, 2010
Romans 12 Challenge
One of my favorite Scriptures is probably Romans 12. It is something that reminds me of how far I fall from the glory of God. These are things that if we are Christians will be coming out in our lives. But it is such a good reminder that we will never achieve it so we must trust God, but it's also a good examination tool. Where am I falling? I encourage you to read this and for each individual thing it tells you to do think of a way that you don't do it and come up with ideas to help you change. Change is the ultimate goal.
Romans 12;9-21
Let love be without hypocrisy.
Abhor what is evil.
Cling to what is good.
Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another;
not lagging in diligence,
fervent in spirit,
serving the Lord;
rejoicing in hope,
patient in tribulation,
continuing steadfastly in prayer;
distributing to the needs of the saints,
given to hospitality.
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.
Rejoice with those who rejoice,
and weep with those who weep.
Be of the same mind toward one another.
Do not set your mind on high things,
associate with the humble.
Do not be wise in your own opinion.
17 Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. 18 If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. 19 Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,”[a] says the Lord. 20 Therefore
“ If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
If he is thirsty, give him a drink;
For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.”[b]
21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
This is a challenging passage. I want to be like the Lord. Love like He loved and care for people like He cared for people. I think if we examine ourselves by this list, day by day...wow. The ways we could change.
What would help us even more would be for our friends and family to show us where we are falling in these areas. So, if you guys ever notice me lacking in an area, you have permission to come to me and show me. And I hope that I can do that to ya'll too? :)
What a blessing to be in the family of God.
Romans 12;9-21
Let love be without hypocrisy.
Abhor what is evil.
Cling to what is good.
Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another;
not lagging in diligence,
fervent in spirit,
serving the Lord;
rejoicing in hope,
patient in tribulation,
continuing steadfastly in prayer;
distributing to the needs of the saints,
given to hospitality.
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.
Rejoice with those who rejoice,
and weep with those who weep.
Be of the same mind toward one another.
Do not set your mind on high things,
associate with the humble.
Do not be wise in your own opinion.
17 Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. 18 If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. 19 Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,”[a] says the Lord. 20 Therefore
“ If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
If he is thirsty, give him a drink;
For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.”[b]
21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
This is a challenging passage. I want to be like the Lord. Love like He loved and care for people like He cared for people. I think if we examine ourselves by this list, day by day...wow. The ways we could change.
What would help us even more would be for our friends and family to show us where we are falling in these areas. So, if you guys ever notice me lacking in an area, you have permission to come to me and show me. And I hope that I can do that to ya'll too? :)
What a blessing to be in the family of God.
Monday, November 8, 2010
Pre and Extra - Marital Sex
Oh my. I have been really challenged. Okay warning: If you are embarrassed by hearing someone talk about sex and purity or anything like that...then don't read this post.
I was on my NaNoWriMo forum and engaged in a conversation about pre-marital and extra-marital sex. I was very disturbed that only a very few actually believed in saving your virginity for marriage and fewer than that saw the value of marriage. I was challenged because I realized that I didn't have an established answer on why I was going to wait to have sex. It disturbed me that I hadn't put the thought into it before. i know why, but I wasn't prepared in the slightest to share why with someone else who disagreed in every way. So anyways, after posting back and foward and few times, watching the other people post and then being convicted of the fact that I wasn't really speaking up about the lord...I developed a portion of my reasons. WHY, I'm waiting. And WHY marriage is important.
I was at first just saying, "I believe in abstinence and marriage" but not really backing it up.
I encourage you all to FIND your answers to these questions. We will face this problem for the rest of our lives. In college, with our children, our friends and family, and even within the body of Christ.
Be ready with an answer.
To top off my conviction, I just memorized this verse about two weeks ago. "but sanctify the Lord God in your heart and ALWAYS be READY to give an answer about the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear." 1 Peter 3:15
Thanks God. <_< So I am going to post my post about it here. I would LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE feedback. What you all think about it, what you think I missed in my post and how you would answer these questions. Now here's some food for thought. These are the questions that were being brought up. Why not if you love them? Why marry? They never last anyways? Why do people stake others value on weather they have had sex or not? Many sexual partners is a good thing. It doesn't have side effects emotionally or physically. Everyone else is doing it. WHy should we wait? Love is love. If you back up sex with actions, what's the problem? HOW WOULD YOU ANSWER? Here's how I did. Tell me what you think. I think there are a few things maybe some of you guys aren't seeing. I'm not going to try to convince you, but just explain my beliefs in a little more detail.
First off, I believe in abstinence because of Jesus Christ in my life. I'm not a catholic, or an episcopalian, or a Mormon and anything. I am a Christian who believes in the Word of God. The Bible tells me to wait for marriage. And I will becasue God loved me enough to die for me - therefore I'm willing to believe and do anything He tells me to do, without questions. He knows best.
Why did God tell me not to have sex? Because He wanted to destroy my fun? NO! He talks about how people desire each other sexually and that it's a good thing. I TRULY HOPE that me and my husband will desire each other soo much and have a GREAT time in bed. That's a thrilling thing to strive after. :)
One thing I think we are missing is the value of marriage. Marriage isn't a useless ceremony. It's a promise. A covenant that we make with a man before our friends family and God. And yes, a lot of marriages don't make it. It's sad. It's not the way it was intended to be. But I think a big reason they don't make it is because people have a twisted definition of love. Love isn't just gushy sexual feelings and desires. Believe it or not, but when you start getting a double chin, and your butt droops no ones gonna really desire you anymore. If we just base love on how we FEEL about people. LOVE WON'T LAST! that's the truth. Or minds cannot handle a love forever, and neither can our bodies. Our own bodies go through hormone changes that could alter our loves for a while.
That to say, marriage is a commitment you make to be with someone forever. For better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health...till DEATH DO YOU PART.
"Wait!" you say, "You just told us our bodies couldn't really handle the same love forever." Yep, I did. And that is true IF it's based solely on our feelings. True love....is a choice. We have to decide to love each other. And that's the value of marriage that I think you all might be missing.
Let's put away the whole sex thing right now and just talk about loving people in general. Choosing to love someone in a marriage is putting aside your wants and desires to serve them. TRUE LOVE is thinking of the people around you and caring for their needs before you care for your own.
So, think of a relationship where people were constantly trying to do that. If both people were saying, "You first, than me." Than marriages wouldn't have the problems they do today. Cause every fight is selfishness in both parties.
I am choosing to wait for marriage to have sex because I am dreaming of my future. I am dreaming of the husband I will be with one day. I am considering his feeling above mine. The easy way out would be to have sex for the whoo of it, right? Yes. But I am thinking about the day when my husband and I can learn together how to have sex. I don't have to be a pro to keep him. That's not what he will love about me. I am dreaming of a time when I can be in my husbands arms and not have to remember past relationships and partners.
Abstinence dreams of it's future.
I dream of my future. I dream of true love. I dream of a love unmarred by past experiences.
Second (wow, that was a long first), extra or premarital sex is NOT SAFE. There ARE facts and it is dangerous. Here, I have a brocheur on my dresser.
*runs to get it*
Next to the common cold and flue STDs are the most common disease in America. Wanna know why? Because the guys you just slept with has slept with two other people, who have both slept with two other people who have slept with two other people....ect.
1 in 5 Americans are in infected with an STD.
41,000 people get infected in the US every day. 2/3s of them being in people under the age of 25. O.O
80% of the people infected don't show initial symptoms.
Beware because your partner may lie about the fact that they were involved sexually in the past, they may not know they have an STD (80% don't), teens are more physically susceptible, CONDOMS DON'T PROTECT like you think they do. They help sometimes with pregnancies, but do not stop from transmitting STDs.
Beware, because you can be legally liable for giving someone a STD,
Quote by C. Everett Koop, Former US Surgeon General "when you have sex with someone, you are having sex with everyone they have had sex with for the last ten years, and everyone they and their partners have had sex with for the last ten years. "
Lastly (finally), I want to clear up this whole "purity" thing. Your value is not staked on your virginity. It's not. Period. we all make mistakes. We all do things we shouldn't do, but it doesn't mean that you aren't worth anything anymore. We all have sexual purity, but real purity is a process. It's a journey in our lives. It's about becoming Christlike in our walk and talk. So physically speaking, purity is something you can give away with your virginity, but it doesn't mean it cannot be achieved again.
See, this is the awesome part. If we have had sex (or worse, it was taken from us) God still sees us as someone desperately in need of Him and LOVES US (now, this is the true perfect love). I am in need of a Savior but I haven't had sex or oral sex. I need a Savior because I'm a sinner. I sin all the time. To be honest, I struggle with lust, a lot. I've lied, cheated and hated others. See? I'm not "pure". Physically? Yes. Spiritually? No.
The only REALLY REAL purity is the purity found in Jesus Christ's person. And it is available to each of us. It is available to me, and the only reason I make it from day to day is knowing that Christ is going to help me achieve that purity in the long run if I depend on Him.
My value is found in the God. My value is found in who I am.
I might sound like a loon, but I will choose abstinence because I dream of my future, because it's safe and because i know it pleases my father, God.
I hope that made a little since to you guys. :)
I was on my NaNoWriMo forum and engaged in a conversation about pre-marital and extra-marital sex. I was very disturbed that only a very few actually believed in saving your virginity for marriage and fewer than that saw the value of marriage. I was challenged because I realized that I didn't have an established answer on why I was going to wait to have sex. It disturbed me that I hadn't put the thought into it before. i know why, but I wasn't prepared in the slightest to share why with someone else who disagreed in every way. So anyways, after posting back and foward and few times, watching the other people post and then being convicted of the fact that I wasn't really speaking up about the lord...I developed a portion of my reasons. WHY, I'm waiting. And WHY marriage is important.
I was at first just saying, "I believe in abstinence and marriage" but not really backing it up.
I encourage you all to FIND your answers to these questions. We will face this problem for the rest of our lives. In college, with our children, our friends and family, and even within the body of Christ.
Be ready with an answer.
To top off my conviction, I just memorized this verse about two weeks ago. "but sanctify the Lord God in your heart and ALWAYS be READY to give an answer about the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear." 1 Peter 3:15
Thanks God. <_< So I am going to post my post about it here. I would LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE feedback. What you all think about it, what you think I missed in my post and how you would answer these questions. Now here's some food for thought. These are the questions that were being brought up. Why not if you love them? Why marry? They never last anyways? Why do people stake others value on weather they have had sex or not? Many sexual partners is a good thing. It doesn't have side effects emotionally or physically. Everyone else is doing it. WHy should we wait? Love is love. If you back up sex with actions, what's the problem? HOW WOULD YOU ANSWER? Here's how I did. Tell me what you think. I think there are a few things maybe some of you guys aren't seeing. I'm not going to try to convince you, but just explain my beliefs in a little more detail.
First off, I believe in abstinence because of Jesus Christ in my life. I'm not a catholic, or an episcopalian, or a Mormon and anything. I am a Christian who believes in the Word of God. The Bible tells me to wait for marriage. And I will becasue God loved me enough to die for me - therefore I'm willing to believe and do anything He tells me to do, without questions. He knows best.
Why did God tell me not to have sex? Because He wanted to destroy my fun? NO! He talks about how people desire each other sexually and that it's a good thing. I TRULY HOPE that me and my husband will desire each other soo much and have a GREAT time in bed. That's a thrilling thing to strive after. :)
One thing I think we are missing is the value of marriage. Marriage isn't a useless ceremony. It's a promise. A covenant that we make with a man before our friends family and God. And yes, a lot of marriages don't make it. It's sad. It's not the way it was intended to be. But I think a big reason they don't make it is because people have a twisted definition of love. Love isn't just gushy sexual feelings and desires. Believe it or not, but when you start getting a double chin, and your butt droops no ones gonna really desire you anymore. If we just base love on how we FEEL about people. LOVE WON'T LAST! that's the truth. Or minds cannot handle a love forever, and neither can our bodies. Our own bodies go through hormone changes that could alter our loves for a while.
That to say, marriage is a commitment you make to be with someone forever. For better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health...till DEATH DO YOU PART.
"Wait!" you say, "You just told us our bodies couldn't really handle the same love forever." Yep, I did. And that is true IF it's based solely on our feelings. True love....is a choice. We have to decide to love each other. And that's the value of marriage that I think you all might be missing.
Let's put away the whole sex thing right now and just talk about loving people in general. Choosing to love someone in a marriage is putting aside your wants and desires to serve them. TRUE LOVE is thinking of the people around you and caring for their needs before you care for your own.
So, think of a relationship where people were constantly trying to do that. If both people were saying, "You first, than me." Than marriages wouldn't have the problems they do today. Cause every fight is selfishness in both parties.
I am choosing to wait for marriage to have sex because I am dreaming of my future. I am dreaming of the husband I will be with one day. I am considering his feeling above mine. The easy way out would be to have sex for the whoo of it, right? Yes. But I am thinking about the day when my husband and I can learn together how to have sex. I don't have to be a pro to keep him. That's not what he will love about me. I am dreaming of a time when I can be in my husbands arms and not have to remember past relationships and partners.
Abstinence dreams of it's future.
I dream of my future. I dream of true love. I dream of a love unmarred by past experiences.
Second (wow, that was a long first), extra or premarital sex is NOT SAFE. There ARE facts and it is dangerous. Here, I have a brocheur on my dresser.
*runs to get it*
Next to the common cold and flue STDs are the most common disease in America. Wanna know why? Because the guys you just slept with has slept with two other people, who have both slept with two other people who have slept with two other people....ect.
1 in 5 Americans are in infected with an STD.
41,000 people get infected in the US every day. 2/3s of them being in people under the age of 25. O.O
80% of the people infected don't show initial symptoms.
Beware because your partner may lie about the fact that they were involved sexually in the past, they may not know they have an STD (80% don't), teens are more physically susceptible, CONDOMS DON'T PROTECT like you think they do. They help sometimes with pregnancies, but do not stop from transmitting STDs.
Beware, because you can be legally liable for giving someone a STD,
Quote by C. Everett Koop, Former US Surgeon General "when you have sex with someone, you are having sex with everyone they have had sex with for the last ten years, and everyone they and their partners have had sex with for the last ten years. "
Lastly (finally), I want to clear up this whole "purity" thing. Your value is not staked on your virginity. It's not. Period. we all make mistakes. We all do things we shouldn't do, but it doesn't mean that you aren't worth anything anymore. We all have sexual purity, but real purity is a process. It's a journey in our lives. It's about becoming Christlike in our walk and talk. So physically speaking, purity is something you can give away with your virginity, but it doesn't mean it cannot be achieved again.
See, this is the awesome part. If we have had sex (or worse, it was taken from us) God still sees us as someone desperately in need of Him and LOVES US (now, this is the true perfect love). I am in need of a Savior but I haven't had sex or oral sex. I need a Savior because I'm a sinner. I sin all the time. To be honest, I struggle with lust, a lot. I've lied, cheated and hated others. See? I'm not "pure". Physically? Yes. Spiritually? No.
The only REALLY REAL purity is the purity found in Jesus Christ's person. And it is available to each of us. It is available to me, and the only reason I make it from day to day is knowing that Christ is going to help me achieve that purity in the long run if I depend on Him.
My value is found in the God. My value is found in who I am.
I might sound like a loon, but I will choose abstinence because I dream of my future, because it's safe and because i know it pleases my father, God.
I hope that made a little since to you guys. :)
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
More of what Christ did for me and videos...
God got a hold of my heart. He captured me in his love.
And my personal testimony is about Him. Nothing about me. He got me and has been changing my life little by little since the time. He constantly is showing me how to trust in Him, and teaching me how to be satisfied with just Him.
I think this thing called ,"The Great Exchange" sums up what He does for me on a daily basis. I'm not sure who wrote this. i apologize.
The Great Exchange
My weariness for His strength.
Mt weakness for His power.
My darkness for His Light
My problems for His solutions.
My burdens for his freedoms.
My frustrations for His peace.
My turmoil for His freedom
My hopes for His promises.
My afflictions for His balm of comfort.
My questions for His answers.
My confusion for His knowledge.
My doubt for His assurance.
My nothingness for His awesomeness.
The temporal for the eternal, and
The impossible for the possible!
And my personal testimony is about Him. Nothing about me. He got me and has been changing my life little by little since the time. He constantly is showing me how to trust in Him, and teaching me how to be satisfied with just Him.
I think this thing called ,"The Great Exchange" sums up what He does for me on a daily basis. I'm not sure who wrote this. i apologize.
The Great Exchange
My weariness for His strength.
Mt weakness for His power.
My darkness for His Light
My problems for His solutions.
My burdens for his freedoms.
My frustrations for His peace.
My turmoil for His freedom
My hopes for His promises.
My afflictions for His balm of comfort.
My questions for His answers.
My confusion for His knowledge.
My doubt for His assurance.
My nothingness for His awesomeness.
The temporal for the eternal, and
The impossible for the possible!
Monday, November 1, 2010
Cast Your Care On The Lord
Cast your cares on the Lord and He will sustain you; He will never let the righteous fall. But you, O God, will bring down the wicked into the pit of corruption; … But as for me, I trust in you." Psalm 55:22 -23
I'll admit, I've been a tad depressed today and I didn't cast my care on the Lord. I was upset but didn't go to Him in prayer like I should have. But thankfully God knew that and sent people to me to remind me to keep focusing on Him - that He knows what He's doing.
I'm silly, thinking I have everything under control.
Word of wisdom that I don't remember myself. "Every time you have the slightest burden - go to God in prayer about it." Seriously,God doesn't tire of hearing your voice. He longs to be by you and help you. So bring you cares to Him.
i love the lyrics from a song we sang at VBS.
Something like: " God speaks, God sees, God loves, God leads, God hears, God cares about me. Yeaaaah, so I will cast my care on the Lord because He cares for me. I will trust in God no matter what cause I know He will never stop - caring for me. He's always caring for me.
Btw, day one of NANOWRIMO is done. And I wrote more than the daily quota. 2,884 words. YEAH! Pray that I'll keep the enthusiasm and persevere.
I'll admit, I've been a tad depressed today and I didn't cast my care on the Lord. I was upset but didn't go to Him in prayer like I should have. But thankfully God knew that and sent people to me to remind me to keep focusing on Him - that He knows what He's doing.
I'm silly, thinking I have everything under control.
Word of wisdom that I don't remember myself. "Every time you have the slightest burden - go to God in prayer about it." Seriously,God doesn't tire of hearing your voice. He longs to be by you and help you. So bring you cares to Him.
i love the lyrics from a song we sang at VBS.
Something like: " God speaks, God sees, God loves, God leads, God hears, God cares about me. Yeaaaah, so I will cast my care on the Lord because He cares for me. I will trust in God no matter what cause I know He will never stop - caring for me. He's always caring for me.
Btw, day one of NANOWRIMO is done. And I wrote more than the daily quota. 2,884 words. YEAH! Pray that I'll keep the enthusiasm and persevere.
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