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.
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. ^_^
I know, I know, some of you who know me will be like, great here she goes on another Twilight rant, but I thought it'd be good just to throw out my opinion on the books. I've had several Twilight scoffers (many of them guys, I'll get to that in a second) ask what the meaning of the books really is and why people like them so much.
Well, I think that, deep down, underneath all the vampire and werewolf and supernatural things is a basic love story. However, as many people can see by comparing these books to other popular books, movies, and TV shows of today, there is an element that is not seen in our media today, or at least, not enough...true love. The love that Bella and Edward share is the deep, pure, wholesome, and sacrifical love that everyone is looking for out there. Twilight has finally delievered that example and defied the casual hook up mentality that the rest of the media has convinced us is the only thing out there, and luckily, Twilight fans (whether conciously or subconciously) are automatically drawn to it because they KNOW that's the real thing. Bella and Edward's relationship is not built on gaining sexual satisfaction or manipulating the other to get what they want, but rather it is based on their strong affection for one another and their willingness to sacrifice anything for the other's happiness. They would lay their lives down for each other if such a demand became necessary. And I think that, despite the great writing (no, it may not be the most sophisticated writing, but sophisticated writing doesn't determine the greatness of a story), the suspensful action scenes, and the loveable and relatable characters, the ultimate appeal is true love and while it may seem cheesy, there's obvously a reason why us ladies are so drawn to characters like Edward or Jacob...because we're not finding that type of man in real life. Now, before you guys that may be reading this post get all defensive and huffy and all like "They're fictional characters, that stuff can only happen in books." I would like to challenge you with this...any Christian guy with a real committment to living like the man God wants him to will be an Edward or a Jacob because (even though I know religion isn't a big part of the story and they're not perfect, just like none of us are)they display the characteristics of a Christian man. Edward has his selfless love, his hold to purity and morality, and his protection along with his chivalry. Jacob has his warmth, his unconditional devotion, his ability to act as a confidant, and his ultimate sacrifice and endurance to protect the ones he loves. Everyone, not just the guys (I don't want you to feel like I'm hounding on you), can mimic these characteristics by ultimately putting on Christ. And as a challenge to us ladies, we need to make sure that we are living our lives in such a way to be Bellas for those Edwards and Jacobs out there. We need to have our devotion, our selfless sacrifice, our unconditional love (for the right one of course, we can't just throw our hearts out there) as well. This is a team effort. So guys, encourage the ladies you know in her service to God, and ladies, we should do the same for the guys because we're never going to cultivate the Bellas and Edwards and Jacobs out there if we never demand it, if we never set that high standard and refuse to settle for less. Does it mean that we're not going to have as many boyfriends/girlfriends as the world thinks we should have? Yes, but that's because God's view isn't the same. Think about Bella...she never had a boyfriend until she met Edward. Sure, it may be a hard road to take and a lot of times Satan's going to put that temptation out there to settle for less so that we can feel loved, but we have to resist. Confide in one another. Christianity is a group religion because none of us can make it on our own.
*sigh* -_- Once again, I find that I have ranted about an issue. At first I was just going to talk about Twilight and it turned into this. ^_^ However, I think that it is an issue that needs to be addressed and one that I've personally been struggling with recently because it has been getting to me. So, if you guys could, please pray for me that I will have to strength and trust in God to resist feeling lonely and to keep telling myself that when God wants me to meet the right guy, He'll send him my way. And that I would have the wisdom and prudence to realize him when He sends him.
I love you all very much! ^_^ I thank God every day for having Christian friends like you because you have been such an encouragement and a help to me in the past and now and I hope I can do the same for you. As always, keep looking up! ^_^
those were very interesting thoughts to pull from those books:) thanks for that-I loved the series too-although I didn't really like Bella's attitude towards marriage. but she got over it once she got there:) I'll be prayin for ya-we're in the same boat!
I just wanted to let you all know that I have a Facebook now. ^_^ My name is Tabby Marie on there, so if you want to add me as a friend on there, I'd be glad to have more Christian friends on there. ^_^
Well, my family, Tiana, and I went to Cooper's Rocks today and had lots o fun climbing around on the rocks and taking in the gorgeous canvas of a scenery that God has created this year. ^_^ Also being very silly and clumsy at many more than random intervals. But I had lots of fun even though it was pretty cold. It's amazing how much beauty God has surrounded us, if only we take time to notice it. ^_^ Well, that's my little update. I hope you all are doing well. Love you! ^_^ Keep looking up!
