Loved

"We were younger then, you and me, full of dreams, weren't we?
I went my way, you went yours, where did we go, dear?
Someone said you had left the life we lived together then
This is my way of reaching out 'cause I remember...

This is what I want to say to you
If I had one chance to speak to your heart
You are loved
More than you could ever know
This is what I want to say to you
If I had one chance to tell you something
You are loved
More than you can imagine
Imagine

If I told you would you believe, the narrow road, I did not leave
If I told you would you understand that I've found truth
are you jaded? Are you hurting now? How I wish that I could tell
Where your heart's at...can you see? Mine has found-home

Not sure if Ive, made it clear enough
It's not my love I sing about
Everybody asks, "Is God good?"
I believe, He is
In fact I know, He is"

"You Are Loved" by Rebecca St. James



The song above is what inspired Rebecca's latest book "Loved". It came out last September of 2009. "Loved is a book about prodigals and for prodigals-which is all of us. God has His arms open wide, waiting for us, no matter what we have done. He wants us to run toward Him, and He will run toward us. This is a message of hope that our generation needs to hear. No matter where you've been and what you've done...you are loved." (Rebecca St. James, forward)

I was given the opportunity to read this book. It was so hard to focus on my homework on the desk to my right, when I really wanted to go on to the next chapter of this amazing book in my hand. I used most of my free time on this book. The book "Loved" is broken down into six parts, and those parts are broken down into seven days; so teens like me with a crazy schedule can find time to read it. Of course though, I had a hard time sticking to the day one, day two thing because it was so good I would end up reading three days in one. However you choose to read "Loved" it is still amazing!

Each part began with a story of a woman from the bible. Then each part was a story of woman from today. It was really good to read the stories of the women from our bible, because I was reminded that we are the same now as we were then. Were not any better or a different species. Our birthdays are just really far a part. That also opened my eyes to the fact that us women all struggle with in general the same issues no matter what time period. Which leads to the knowledge that God created time so therefore has been there showing His daughters they are Loved for a long time. One of the greatest types of love is the love of a father, and I think that God gave us that physical example to show us what His love is like, but better, for us Spiritually.
Each story was God's love being shown to his daughters over and over in each of their lives. It was there journey to realizing that they were Loved...by God their father! I didn't relate to all the stories, but I did a little to some. It didn't matter at all though. I was shown and reminded how God showed my sisters His love to them personally, and it has opened my eyes for I now want to watch for God's love in my own life. So whether you feel that you are the prodigal son or have been truly blessed by God to have a strong relationship with Him and in result a good hold on life, "Loved" by Rebecca St. James is a great read every girl.

I am Loved

It was a rainy day by the fireplace when my mom told us to write down in our journals all the ways God has shown us His love. All the ways He let's us know we are loved! And I propose the same idea to you.

We don't need to be involved in an intimate relationships with guys to 'feel' loved, but if we are involved in an intimate relationship with God we can 'know' we are loved, and we don't have to see it to believe it!

I probably have mentioned this before, but once again, I believe the season of singleness is gift from God. I think that we are made with a desire to be close with someone, and we seek that with men, but we need to seek God first, and He will bring that man if it is His will. I think the role our fathers and husbands play is a physical example of what God is spiritually to us.

Sorry for all these random thoughts. Just know you are LOVED by our Lord and therefore be at peace child of God!

Sarah's Choice

"Sarah's Choice" is a movie and Rebecca St. James' latest work. She plays a young business woman who is about to climb the next step on the business ladder when she encounters an unexpected pregnancy. She finds herself at a fork in the road when faced with the decision of what to do next.

On her website it states that Rebecca has been to Baltimore where the movie was previewed at a major national crises pregnancy center conference. Later that month the movie premier was held in Boston at a well respected Christian film festival.

I look forward to watching this movie, especially knowing Rebecca's views on purity. Her movie role is the opposite of who we know Rebecca as. Her past work, for example her book and song "Wait For Me" (see link below to view music video), clearly show her passion for purity. I think this could be one reason that inspired Rebecca to do the movie. It is an area obviously close to her heart, and the movie could be used as a tool to help other unfortunate and confused women.
Whether you are that confused woman or have made a commitment to stay pure, this movie will be interesting for all.

As soon as I view the movie myself, I will post more about it. For now check out the movie trailer and info below:


Movie Trailer
http://sarah.pureflix.com

Movie Info
http://store.pureflix.com

"Wait For Me" Music Video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ooAi3KJ5I-s


NOTE FROM ONE GIRL TO ANOTHER:

I recommend having a girl's movie night and watching "Sarah's Choice" with your girlfriends!

Starbucks and God's Kingdom

Starbucks and God's Kingdom....what in the world do they have in common? Well, it's not necessarily the place itself, but the people that belong to it and their actions.
Let me tell you a story I heard.
A woman was on her way to Starbucks but her car broke down just as she started to pull into the Starbucks parking lot. A Starbucks employee saw the woman break down and ran outside to help. He then pushed her car all the way into a parking spot. After the event, people were probably pleased with his actions and in result came in to get a coffee with a new respect for the company.
The point of the story is it wasn't in this man's job description to help that woman out. It was his own doing, and because he was wearing the Starbucks logo, brought a good name to his employers and represented them.
It can be the same way with us and God's Kingdom. We bare God's logo and represent His Kingdom. God is our employer, and one simple act might have an impact. It lines up with saying "Preach as much as you can, but only use your words if you have to." So let's think twice before we do something. We are representing God and His Kingdom!

Should I Really Save a Kiss? What's the Big Deal?

Have you heard of saving your first kiss? Have your parents or friends talked about it before? Is it something you never thought about? Or maybe it's something you decided to do, but now aren't really sure. Here is my story:

I have grown up in a Christian home and have been taught certain morals when it comes to purity...even when it comes to what might seem as something little like a kiss, but I don't feel like I was forced to make these decisions; what I have heard and read about these things makes sense. I had rarely if ever run into a peer who didn't believe the way I did when it came to specifically kissing. Then in my teen years I did. It was a little surprising. My first come back response was "It makes it more special". Later that day in the car with my family I told them what had happened. They explained to me what I wish I could have explained some minutes before hand in that room of girls. So maybe your one of the girls in a room looking at an odd ball and want to know more about why they feel that way, or maybe your the odd ball and want some encouragement and want to know your not the only one. Whoever you are and wherever you stand, please read on.

If you have run into a person who has made the choice to save their kiss for their husband on their wedding day, their first response to your questioning look might be "It makes it more special" (mine was anyway). It does, but there is more to it than that!
Let me first ask you this. Have you decided to not do drugs, alcohol, or be involved with a guy until you are married? Well where does that last one start anyway? With a kiss. Just a small, simple, meaningless kiss. That kiss ended up where you did not want to go, right? Let's consider Nehemiah in the bible. Nehemiah is building a wall. So think about his wall as your personal wall and/or boundaries you've made for yourself. The three things listed above might be some. If so, what about that last one? If you have enemies seeking after you, are you gonna build that wall close to you or far from you? It can apply to one of the reasons we choose not to kiss. If we don't want to be involved with guys and save our self for our Lord willing future husband we are kind of like setting a trap for ourselves, digging the pit we ourselves are going to fall in, and letting temptation in, by letting go of that one small meaningless thing...a kiss.
Being involved with a guy isn't wrong if it's your husband. That's how I feel about a kiss. That little tiny kiss, can turn into that really big mess over there. It's not that it's wrong, it's just for that special guy. In a movie called "Pamela's Prayer" The dad asks his teenage daughter if when she is on her wedding bed, would she prefer a guy who hadn't waited and had kissed other women, or a guy who had waited, and who had saved his kiss for her? She replies, I would prefer the one who waited. Wouldn't your Lord willing future husband feel the same? In the movie the dad also mentions, what does the preacher say when he announces a man and woman as husband and wife? You may NOW kiss the bride!

So what is the big deal?
First, it is a set up for things to go to far.
Second, you might be kissing a guy who will not be your husband. How do you feel about that? How do you think your Lord willing husband would feel about that?
Third, think of your kiss as a gift. Something only you and your husband share. If you had a special gift to give to somebody, are you going to go around and let others use it till the rightful owner comes along?
Saving your kiss can help protect you from being impure, is an act of faithfulness to your Lord willing future husband, is a wonderful present to your husband, and makes your wedding day more special.


Go to Google Videos and search "Pamela's Prayer"!!!

Shake it Off! Dealing with Untruthful Feelings towards Loved Ones

Hello Girlz! Okay so do you feel like you are living in extreme land? Things are either extremely awesome and sweet or extremely bitter! Well I know it's easy to get offended when your emotions are on HIGH especially with loved ones, or more specific...parents. But feelings most of the time AREN't TURE!! Even if they seem like they are holding you back from a lot of stuff and it is so hard just to walk away, please remember to ALWAYS HONOR AND OBEY! Or maybe it's with your siblings. Ya I mean come on. We love them to death! But sometimes they can be very annoying! Just take a deep breath and think about how you are going to feel after if you decide to let loose and yell. If you are in the scripture a lot, things are always easier and you can tell you are easier to deal with and your attitude is much better. In these ares there is a song by Krystal Meyers called "Shake it Off!" that helps me. To listen to it click the link below. Tata!



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lXLbg5gvHgY

Saving Your Whole Heart with the Lord's Help....Not Only Pieces

Why Choose to wait on dating or not date at all?

Many of us might wonder how dating can harm us. Well, it might not only hurt you, but your future mate as well in the future. In a movie I saw the dad asks his teenage daughter if on her wedding night in bed with her husband if she would prefer a man who she knew had kissed other women and hadn't saved his affections for her only, or the man who she could be assured that had saved his kiss and affections only for her. I prefer the one who waited. And who do you think your husband will prefer? In my previous blog entry it talks about already being in a commitment to your future spouse. This applies in this area. So dating can be like a temptation. And if we give into that temptation we are saving our all for that one God will write about in our love story. If we wait for God's hand in the area of a life mate, how exciting your love story could be! Have any of you heard of the Duggar Family? They are a Christian family with about 17 kids (and expecting another!) who are on TV. The most recent one I have seen is where the oldest boy proposes! On this specific episode they talk about saving our kiss and dating. The oldest son (now engaged) said he sees dating as you are giving pieces of your heart away when dating. Then when you finally find the one you are to spend the rest of your life with, you say 'here is what I have left'. Rather than saving your heart, then giving it all to the person God had for you.


The difference Between Dating & Courting
Why choose courting over dating?

In the book "So Much More" (you can find it in 'Lists' under 'Books') they tell you one way that courting can take place. You first get to know the man as a brother and sister through Christ. Then when the man is pretty confident that this is the one God might have for him, he goes to the father of the girl without her knowing, and asks permission to get to know his daughter in that way. Others like friends and family support the decision as well (if I remembered right). The daughter can back out at anytime if she feels this is against God's will. In a case of a breakup, the father goes to the boy (and maybe his family too, again if I remembered right) and does all the rough stuff.

When courting, it is probably keeping your emotions mainly in check and there are supporters around you who are not caught up in all the romance.

I'm Engaged!...(if the Lord wills)

Okay, I don't know if I know my husband (if God has one for me) and no rings; but I might be engaged! How is that possible you may wonder??? Well, if we are keeping our hearts, our affections, our kiss, and all the other blessings that come with marriage, keeping our purity for the one God has for us; with God's help we are saving everything for that man. We are not going to go and give our heart away to whoever we have a fondness for. We are waiting for THE one God has for us. The one he is writing about in our love story. So we are in away engaged to that man. In a commitment. It's just a matter of time and God's hand at work in that area. I learned this in Sunday school class last week. So on the last note, let's remember to pray for our future mates (Lord willing) and hope they are doing the same for you!