"Daughters of Jerusalem, I charge you by the does of the field: Do not awaken love until it desires" Song of Solomon 3:5
Why would Solomon give such a charge? And what does it mean?
****************************************************
This is a subject I never tire talking, writing or reading on.
I have watched many people in my life and people who cross my path fall captive to the worlds thoughts of love and purpose. I have heard Christians profess that God is the ruler over every aspect of their life, but never seek Him in relationships with the opposite sex.
Are failed relationships the result of love and then that love leaving, or is it the result of poor planning, unhonest honesty and no one keeping guard?
You hear success stories from many couples about how they knew they were meant for each other at a certain point in their relationship. But what about the ones before? Did they know their ex's weren't meant for them, yet they stayed with them until a drastic end? This is a question NO ONE brings up during "love story" telling time because everyone only wants to hear the good stuff...not the bad. Yet, all through life, we learn lessons based on mistakes and based on poor decisions...yet, we hide them. And then there are children, teens and even adults who are floating around in uncharted waters going along with everyone else because no one told them what lies ahead.
*************************************************
"Sharing is Caring"
If people really cared about others they would tell them where they went wrong. What traps the devil set for them. How they got to the point of sin without knowing until it was too late. If no one is being open about their mistakes NO ONE will learn from them! If you, yourself learned, and came out knowing it wasn't right and are sure that you indeed made a mistake...that excitement and knowledge you get once out of it SHOULD lead you to warn someone else.
That is what I believe is in this verse. He was being captivated by emotions and temptations, he didn't want others to fall into the trap.
********************************************
Let's break it down...
DO NOT AWAKEN LOVE UNTIL IT DESIRES
There is no room for questions in that charge. Just don't do it!
But he also goes on it say when, which is totally cool. I think he knew that if he just said "do not awaken love" everyone would not believe him. He would be crazy. I mean how can we not awaken love, what would be the point in life, without love?
UNTIL IT DESIRES
This gives the impression that love has a certain time it is supposed to be awakened. Hum...who do you think set up that "time" for love? Who would be in control of loves "clock"? Who would understand exactly the right time for the love to be awakened?
None but the first LOVER-God.
DO NOT AWAKEN
Implies that we can awaken it before it's time.
Many people get stumped on sex before marriage. How could God set a rule, yet give us the ability to have it beforehand?
I'd say, Free Will.
Even though God has a perfect time for things...we have a choice to have it now, or later. The problem with having it now, when it's meant for later...is that we aren't ready.
God knows us better than we know ourselves...so He knows the perfect time, spot and mindset when we should have it.
It's like Christmas...if you go snooping around looking for the present before Christmas, then Christmas morning is less of a surprise. And if you open a gift, that was meant for Christmas morning...you ruin the excitement all together and often hurt the one that got it for you, and wanted you to be surprised that day.
God is disappointed when people open His gift before it is time to, because He knows the perfect moment and after that gift is opened...you can never get it back. That wonder and excitement that would have been there is now less than what it could have been.
************************************************
Not awakening love does not just mean not having sex.
Love is a deep longing for someone, a desire to love them with all that you are and give them all that you have. To be totally devoted to them without needing anything in return.
The love of a husband and wife desires to be awakened in marriage.
The love that is experienced when engaged...desires to be awakened with the proposal.
The love that grows while knowing each other so long and learning about one another desires to be awakened in courtship.
*******************************************
Love is not a vending macine.
You don't pick what you want and it pops into your hands.
Love is a flower.
You have to have the right seed...the right soil that's ready to take care of the seed..the right season...and the right place where it can be warmed by the sun and watered by the rain.
It won't pop up in a day. It takes time.
And if you plan to have the right seed, soil, season and place...it will be a beautiful flower.
In times of drought you will have to water the flower...in times of winter, you will have to keep it safe.
The seed is...God's love and understanding His will
The soil is...your life, are you prepared for a seed? Are you soft and nourishing?
The season is...when God has prepared you and told you that you are ready
The place is...in obedience...
The sun is...God looking at your love, being the very food that makes it grow
The rain is....the Word of God, soaking the flower all the way to it's roots to strengthen it.
Some flowers can't stand the winter, some can't even drink the water, and some were planted in the shade away from the sun. It withers and dies.
***********************************************
Are you ready for love?
Is this the time God set up?
Are you ready to to grow a flower?
If you aren't ready, your flower will not be all it can be.
If you aren't ready, you will miss the excitement meant for you when it desires.
************************************************
Continue to seek God's will and not your own agenda.
We really don't know it all. We barely know anything as humans.
God knows it all.
Trust Him.
And wait for the love He has already planned for you.
If you do, it will be a beautiful flower.
************************************************
For the flowers that were planted before their time and are struggling to survive or have withered away. Let God uproot your flower and place you in His light. There is still hope for you. You may not have gotten the excitement on Christmas because you opened your present early...but God still wants to bless you. It will take time to nourish your flower again...but if you stay in the light and let the rain seep into your roots you will be beautiful again.
************************************************
This is Mandy, The First Kiss Girl, and I'm so blessed God uses my hands to reach hearts for Him. Once again, The Lord wrote this, not me. And if you are reading this...it's for you. I bet He had a plan all along for this post :)
(There might be a Part Three...keep an eye out)
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Saturday, October 29, 2011
Are we guarding our hearts? Part One
[Thought starter:]
The Heart is a very special place. It is the organ that keeps our blood flowing which keeps us alive. It is also where all things about us come from.
It is no surprise that God told us to "guard it" (Prov. 4:23) and that what we do comes from our heart (Matt. 15:18-20).
However, I have to ask...have we considered these things? Have we considered our heart? Have we made it a point to be guarding it "above all else"?
I grieve for this generation, okay, all generations. Since Adam and Eve we have struggled with the very thing that created us, love. But of course the love of "infatuation" is not the same love God had when He, with His own hands, created us. In comparison to God's love, infatuation love doesn't seem like love at all. We say we experience "love" to such an extreme, to the point of not being able to control ourselves. Yet, we "fall out of it". This puzzles me. Extremely.
Where would humans, the world, the whole universe be if God just "fell out of love". WE WOULD BE DEAD! (God, thank you that Your ways are so much higher than ours!)
This infatuation "love" is intense, I'll give it that. But it isn't really love. It's like a wolf in sheep's clothing (John 10:1-18)...it looks cute and soft and even says "baaaa" like a good little sheep...but THAT AIN'T NO SHEEP...it's a wolf. Definitely, a wolf. A teeth gnashing, drool hanging from it's mouth, unkept fur (you get the picture) wolf. Sadly, you may not know it is until you find your sheep slaughtered with blood on their once soft, puffy white wool (oh, beautiful wool). So who is this wolf?? It's name is lust. Now, don't get all offended like "I am not in lust. You just don't understand. You've never been in love like this!". Oh, I've heard it all. The thing is, I do understand. See you don't have to own the sheep to know who killed them...you can watch from a distance. Or even catch him before he attempts to pounce. Oh yes, I've been there. In and out of "love"...feeling like my heart had been slaughtered as I grieved over the wool, I mean, sheep. :)
I know what he looks like. And boy, does he know how to play a good sheep! luckily, I have better security now...I thoroughly investigate every sheep that comes in my pasture. I've also recruited some help to make the security even more...well, secure ;)
So what does this all mean in guarding your heart??
I'll give that question to you, to think about...
What does this all mean in YOU guarding YOUR own heart?
******************************************************
[Facts:]
Meanings from http://www.thefreedictionary.com/:
Guard: To watch over or shield, to keep watch over, to control, to take precautions, to control entrance and exit, to provide a device to protect the operator.
**************************************************************
[Application:]
1 Corinthians 13:4-8a(NKJV)
"Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails."
If love "never fails" and it "endures all things" then, is the "love" that so many people, couples and marriages "fall out of" really love?
Are we being fooled by the wolf? Are we not checking our sheep?
******************************************************
[Teaser for Part Two:]
Everyone wants to be loved. Everyone wants to have romance and excitement.
But what if God wants those things for us too??
What if He set up the perfect time for us to have our romance??
The perfect time that would make it 100 times better than any other time.
The perfect time that you can't have any other time.
What if you wait for that perfect time??
What if that perfect time will grow even better the more you "suffer long", "not seek your own" and "endure all things"??
"Daughters of Jerusalem, I charge you by the does of the field: Do not awaken love until it desires" Song of Solomon 3:5
**********************************************************
[Conclusion:]
Until my next post...ask God "In what ways can I better guard my heart? How do I inspect my sheep?"
The Heart is a very special place. It is the organ that keeps our blood flowing which keeps us alive. It is also where all things about us come from.
It is no surprise that God told us to "guard it" (Prov. 4:23) and that what we do comes from our heart (Matt. 15:18-20).
However, I have to ask...have we considered these things? Have we considered our heart? Have we made it a point to be guarding it "above all else"?
I grieve for this generation, okay, all generations. Since Adam and Eve we have struggled with the very thing that created us, love. But of course the love of "infatuation" is not the same love God had when He, with His own hands, created us. In comparison to God's love, infatuation love doesn't seem like love at all. We say we experience "love" to such an extreme, to the point of not being able to control ourselves. Yet, we "fall out of it". This puzzles me. Extremely.
Where would humans, the world, the whole universe be if God just "fell out of love". WE WOULD BE DEAD! (God, thank you that Your ways are so much higher than ours!)
This infatuation "love" is intense, I'll give it that. But it isn't really love. It's like a wolf in sheep's clothing (John 10:1-18)...it looks cute and soft and even says "baaaa" like a good little sheep...but THAT AIN'T NO SHEEP...it's a wolf. Definitely, a wolf. A teeth gnashing, drool hanging from it's mouth, unkept fur (you get the picture) wolf. Sadly, you may not know it is until you find your sheep slaughtered with blood on their once soft, puffy white wool (oh, beautiful wool). So who is this wolf?? It's name is lust. Now, don't get all offended like "I am not in lust. You just don't understand. You've never been in love like this!". Oh, I've heard it all. The thing is, I do understand. See you don't have to own the sheep to know who killed them...you can watch from a distance. Or even catch him before he attempts to pounce. Oh yes, I've been there. In and out of "love"...feeling like my heart had been slaughtered as I grieved over the wool, I mean, sheep. :)
I know what he looks like. And boy, does he know how to play a good sheep! luckily, I have better security now...I thoroughly investigate every sheep that comes in my pasture. I've also recruited some help to make the security even more...well, secure ;)
So what does this all mean in guarding your heart??
I'll give that question to you, to think about...
What does this all mean in YOU guarding YOUR own heart?
******************************************************
[Facts:]
Meanings from http://www.thefreedictionary.com/:
Guard: To watch over or shield, to keep watch over, to control, to take precautions, to control entrance and exit, to provide a device to protect the operator.
**************************************************************
[Application:]
1 Corinthians 13:4-8a(NKJV)
"Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails."
If love "never fails" and it "endures all things" then, is the "love" that so many people, couples and marriages "fall out of" really love?
Are we being fooled by the wolf? Are we not checking our sheep?
******************************************************
[Teaser for Part Two:]
Everyone wants to be loved. Everyone wants to have romance and excitement.
But what if God wants those things for us too??
What if He set up the perfect time for us to have our romance??
The perfect time that would make it 100 times better than any other time.
The perfect time that you can't have any other time.
What if you wait for that perfect time??
What if that perfect time will grow even better the more you "suffer long", "not seek your own" and "endure all things"??
"Daughters of Jerusalem, I charge you by the does of the field: Do not awaken love until it desires" Song of Solomon 3:5
**********************************************************
[Conclusion:]
Until my next post...ask God "In what ways can I better guard my heart? How do I inspect my sheep?"
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
An Anniversary to Remember
On Saturday February 26th of 2011, my dear hubby of 25 years was admitted into the hospital with congestive heart failure. He had been suffering with diagnosed heart disease for over 10 years. He was on meds, all kinds of meds.
The hospital removed 20 pounds of fluid from his body over the course of 24 hours. He had no ankle swelling, it all pooled in his chest cavity and since he is italian, hey, he had the italian belly, you know the one you see when in brooklyn. WE had no idea.
The cardiologist came in on sunday morning and needless to say I stated that we cannot continue living like this. His strength over the past 2 years was decreasing, he wasn't sleeping well, he was getting depressed from all the meds and his mental state was not my wonderful hubby. "We need to do something!!!!" So he recommended us to the INOVA heart center, the specialist. The cardiologist did say that it may take some time to get an appointment. They called Monday morning with an appointment for Wednesday morning.
Wednesday morning, we met the "team". They looked at my hubby, the specialist said, "by looking at you, I can tell you've had this condition quite a long time, as a matter of fact longer that most people survive with it. Your on borrowed time. Your body is starting to starve from blood supply, you have a short time left. If you make it thru the next 2 months, I will be surprised". Yea, my mouth dropped.
God! He can reach down and touch the lives anyone He chooses to, at any time He chooses to do what He chooses. Since He is so perfect in Love, what He does is always the most perfect thing. We cannot in our limited human mind understand or even sometimes accept this Love. It is too great for us. Only when we will stand with Him in heaven(if we have accepted the gift of His Son's sacrifice) will we be able to understand. So for now, I trust Him in all areas of my life as well as the life of those whom I love. I have been witness to His miracles
The hospital removed 20 pounds of fluid from his body over the course of 24 hours. He had no ankle swelling, it all pooled in his chest cavity and since he is italian, hey, he had the italian belly, you know the one you see when in brooklyn. WE had no idea.
The cardiologist came in on sunday morning and needless to say I stated that we cannot continue living like this. His strength over the past 2 years was decreasing, he wasn't sleeping well, he was getting depressed from all the meds and his mental state was not my wonderful hubby. "We need to do something!!!!" So he recommended us to the INOVA heart center, the specialist. The cardiologist did say that it may take some time to get an appointment. They called Monday morning with an appointment for Wednesday morning.
Wednesday morning, we met the "team". They looked at my hubby, the specialist said, "by looking at you, I can tell you've had this condition quite a long time, as a matter of fact longer that most people survive with it. Your on borrowed time. Your body is starting to starve from blood supply, you have a short time left. If you make it thru the next 2 months, I will be surprised". Yea, my mouth dropped.
God! He can reach down and touch the lives anyone He chooses to, at any time He chooses to do what He chooses. Since He is so perfect in Love, what He does is always the most perfect thing. We cannot in our limited human mind understand or even sometimes accept this Love. It is too great for us. Only when we will stand with Him in heaven(if we have accepted the gift of His Son's sacrifice) will we be able to understand. So for now, I trust Him in all areas of my life as well as the life of those whom I love. I have been witness to His miracles
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Mandy's Thoughts "King of Anything"
Okay, so I'm not sure if y'all have heard Sarah Bareilles' song "King of anything". I've heard it before, but one day I payed attention to the message it was conveying. I took out my jounal and wrote my thoughts. This is some of my thoughts about, not just the song, but the message...
This song is just another relationship/breakup main-stream song. Which influences this generation to think that it is normal to have boyfriend's/girlfriend's and that it is totally acceptable to go in and out of relationships having messy breakups, leaving pieces of your heart and body in your "lover's" (not enemy's) hand.
As you may probably guess, this is a subject I am very vocal about and against. While these song writers/singers MAY not know any better and are probably just trying to make money, they are a part of the trend of broken hearts, divorces, greed and immaturity in this present generation and even the ones before. This isn't anything new, but it needs to be spoken about.
I personally believe that all issues of infidelity, pride, immaturity, selfishness, and breakups come from the heart, and a failure to protect it as God instructs.
God gives us instructions all throughout His Word about how we are to live, what mindset would benefit us and which wouldn't. He understands human nature better than anyone else and He loves us more than humanly possible :). He warns us because He loves us, He warns us because He KNOWS EVERYTHING (and isn't cocky or prideful!).
Yet we see an endless trend of dissatisfaction and pain in our American culture. Which is the result of disobeying and forgetting God and His Word.
The media preaches (I say preaches because there isn't room for debate, and if you don't think the same you are considered crazy, trust me I know-I'm "crazy") sex, dating, greed, drunkenness, and disrespect-unless of course you like the person. It has become the "norm" to have dating relationship after dating relationship, breakup after breakup, sex before marriage, children before marriage and never obey anyone else but yourself. Forget "the blind leading the blind" now the blind really think they can see!
To seek a "movement" or "protest" against this kind of message and lifestyle would be a waste of time. We know we are in the end times and it will only get worse. But does that mean we, individually, "put up with it"? BY NO MEANS! I'm not going to sit there and write a secular radio station and tell them what they shouldn't play...I know my letter would end up in the trash! But I can however, share how influential the media is and call it out for it's message to teens and my friends. It isn't MY job to change people's minds, or the world for that matter. It is MY JOB to share what the Lord has told me with everyone I know.
Many people have different beliefs and views on choices of music and movies...which is fine. I'm not going to say everyone has to listen to "Christian music"...but I will bring some thoughts to light that some have swept under the rug...
Even without listening to breakup, or dating, or sex songs...Is your lifestyle and choices you make saying that lifestyle is OK? If you REALLY don't listen to secular songs...do you not date? do you not go from breakup to breakup? Do you speak against sex before marriage?
It is not about the music we listen to, but about THE LIFE WE LIVE.
It isn't the music that defines who we are, but the choices we make. BUT, we must KNOW the music we listen and what it says...and make a decision on it's influence in our lives. (It doesn't benefit a person who is refaining from sex to listen to sex songs. But just because someone doesn't listen to sex songs, doesn't mean they aren't having sex)
This song "king of anything" could be applied in many different relationship scenarios. But the jest of the songs message is "you can't tell me what to do". What if a daughter said that to her parents? Or a wife to her husband? Or, as many have, to God?
Here, this song is setting the "independent" mindset of not needing anyone. Which in the end leaves people alone, sad and angry.
Are you focused on music, or your lifestyle?
Are you following the trend, or being obedient to God?
Are you more concerned about the music you listen to, or the choices you make?
Here are the lyrics:
"King Of Anything"
Oh (oh oh oh)
Oh (oh oh oh)
Oh (oh oh oh)
Oh (oh oh oh)
Keep drinkin' coffee
Stare me down across the table
While I look outside
So many things I'd say if only I were able
But I just keep quiet
And count the cars that pass by
You've got opinions, man
We're all entitled to 'em
But I never asked
So let me thank you for time
And try to not waste any more of mine
Get out of here fast
I hate to break it to you babe
But I'm not drowning
There's no one here to save
Who cares if you disagree
You are not me
Who made you king of anything
So you dare tell me who to be
Who died
And made you king of anything
Oh (oh oh oh)
Oh (oh oh oh)
Oh (oh oh oh)
Oh (oh oh oh)
You sound so innocent
All full of good intent
You swear you know best
But you expect me to
Jump up on board with you
Ride off into your dellusional sunset
I'm not the one who's lost
With no direction oh
But you won't ever see
You're so busy makin' maps
With my name on them in all caps
You got the talkin' down just not the listening
And who cares if you disagree
You are not me
Who made you king of anything
So you dare tell me who to be
Who died
And made you king of anything
All my life
I've tried
To make everybody happy while I
Just hurt
And hide
Waitin' for someone to tell me it's my turn
To decide
Oh (oh oh oh)
Oh (oh oh oh)
Oh (oh oh oh)
Oh (oh oh oh)
Who cares if you disagree
You are not me
Who made you king of anything
So you dare tell me who to be
Who died
And made you king of anything
Who cares if you disagree
You are not me
Who made you king of anything
So you dare tell me who to be
Who died
And made you king of anything
Let me hold your crown, babe
Oh oh
Ah
This song is just another relationship/breakup main-stream song. Which influences this generation to think that it is normal to have boyfriend's/girlfriend's and that it is totally acceptable to go in and out of relationships having messy breakups, leaving pieces of your heart and body in your "lover's" (not enemy's) hand.
As you may probably guess, this is a subject I am very vocal about and against. While these song writers/singers MAY not know any better and are probably just trying to make money, they are a part of the trend of broken hearts, divorces, greed and immaturity in this present generation and even the ones before. This isn't anything new, but it needs to be spoken about.
I personally believe that all issues of infidelity, pride, immaturity, selfishness, and breakups come from the heart, and a failure to protect it as God instructs.
God gives us instructions all throughout His Word about how we are to live, what mindset would benefit us and which wouldn't. He understands human nature better than anyone else and He loves us more than humanly possible :). He warns us because He loves us, He warns us because He KNOWS EVERYTHING (and isn't cocky or prideful!).
Yet we see an endless trend of dissatisfaction and pain in our American culture. Which is the result of disobeying and forgetting God and His Word.
The media preaches (I say preaches because there isn't room for debate, and if you don't think the same you are considered crazy, trust me I know-I'm "crazy") sex, dating, greed, drunkenness, and disrespect-unless of course you like the person. It has become the "norm" to have dating relationship after dating relationship, breakup after breakup, sex before marriage, children before marriage and never obey anyone else but yourself. Forget "the blind leading the blind" now the blind really think they can see!
To seek a "movement" or "protest" against this kind of message and lifestyle would be a waste of time. We know we are in the end times and it will only get worse. But does that mean we, individually, "put up with it"? BY NO MEANS! I'm not going to sit there and write a secular radio station and tell them what they shouldn't play...I know my letter would end up in the trash! But I can however, share how influential the media is and call it out for it's message to teens and my friends. It isn't MY job to change people's minds, or the world for that matter. It is MY JOB to share what the Lord has told me with everyone I know.
Many people have different beliefs and views on choices of music and movies...which is fine. I'm not going to say everyone has to listen to "Christian music"...but I will bring some thoughts to light that some have swept under the rug...
Even without listening to breakup, or dating, or sex songs...Is your lifestyle and choices you make saying that lifestyle is OK? If you REALLY don't listen to secular songs...do you not date? do you not go from breakup to breakup? Do you speak against sex before marriage?
It is not about the music we listen to, but about THE LIFE WE LIVE.
It isn't the music that defines who we are, but the choices we make. BUT, we must KNOW the music we listen and what it says...and make a decision on it's influence in our lives. (It doesn't benefit a person who is refaining from sex to listen to sex songs. But just because someone doesn't listen to sex songs, doesn't mean they aren't having sex)
This song "king of anything" could be applied in many different relationship scenarios. But the jest of the songs message is "you can't tell me what to do". What if a daughter said that to her parents? Or a wife to her husband? Or, as many have, to God?
Here, this song is setting the "independent" mindset of not needing anyone. Which in the end leaves people alone, sad and angry.
Are you focused on music, or your lifestyle?
Are you following the trend, or being obedient to God?
Are you more concerned about the music you listen to, or the choices you make?
Here are the lyrics:
"King Of Anything"
Oh (oh oh oh)
Oh (oh oh oh)
Oh (oh oh oh)
Oh (oh oh oh)
Keep drinkin' coffee
Stare me down across the table
While I look outside
So many things I'd say if only I were able
But I just keep quiet
And count the cars that pass by
You've got opinions, man
We're all entitled to 'em
But I never asked
So let me thank you for time
And try to not waste any more of mine
Get out of here fast
I hate to break it to you babe
But I'm not drowning
There's no one here to save
Who cares if you disagree
You are not me
Who made you king of anything
So you dare tell me who to be
Who died
And made you king of anything
Oh (oh oh oh)
Oh (oh oh oh)
Oh (oh oh oh)
Oh (oh oh oh)
You sound so innocent
All full of good intent
You swear you know best
But you expect me to
Jump up on board with you
Ride off into your dellusional sunset
I'm not the one who's lost
With no direction oh
But you won't ever see
You're so busy makin' maps
With my name on them in all caps
You got the talkin' down just not the listening
And who cares if you disagree
You are not me
Who made you king of anything
So you dare tell me who to be
Who died
And made you king of anything
All my life
I've tried
To make everybody happy while I
Just hurt
And hide
Waitin' for someone to tell me it's my turn
To decide
Oh (oh oh oh)
Oh (oh oh oh)
Oh (oh oh oh)
Oh (oh oh oh)
Who cares if you disagree
You are not me
Who made you king of anything
So you dare tell me who to be
Who died
And made you king of anything
Who cares if you disagree
You are not me
Who made you king of anything
So you dare tell me who to be
Who died
And made you king of anything
Let me hold your crown, babe
Oh oh
Ah
Friday, September 9, 2011
Prayer Jounal entry exactly a year ago: September 9th 2010
" "Everything I do, I do it for You"
God,
I have a very different relationship with You than most people. I feel so romanced, and held in Your presence. You are not just my Savior, You are my Savior because You are my husband. You always have been. I want Your character, everything about You to beam from every part of my life every single day I want every thought to walk hand in hand with Your thoughts.
I want You God! All of You, all Your love, beauty & grace. And I want it all to be seen in me. I want Your joy to be my joy, Your pain to be my pain and Your love to be my love.
God I am Yours...secure and sealed! I have come, ready for my duties. As a Princess of the King. To take up my armor every day. And wash my life in the Blood all day.
What can I do for You God? How can I bring You glory today, Jesus?
You are my blessing :)
You are my happiness :D
<3 always
Your Princess
only Yours! "
God has been there with me all through this year (well, He always is!) He has taught me so much about myself and about Himself this year. I have faced many trials but even as I sit here, not having the best day...I KNOW with all my heart that He is here with me! He is never going to leave me, even when my eyes are blurred and I can't see Him fully...it is just my vision that is off, He is still there!
So today I would like to challenge all of You to remember:
God,
I have a very different relationship with You than most people. I feel so romanced, and held in Your presence. You are not just my Savior, You are my Savior because You are my husband. You always have been. I want Your character, everything about You to beam from every part of my life every single day I want every thought to walk hand in hand with Your thoughts.
I want You God! All of You, all Your love, beauty & grace. And I want it all to be seen in me. I want Your joy to be my joy, Your pain to be my pain and Your love to be my love.
God I am Yours...secure and sealed! I have come, ready for my duties. As a Princess of the King. To take up my armor every day. And wash my life in the Blood all day.
What can I do for You God? How can I bring You glory today, Jesus?
You are my blessing :)
You are my happiness :D
<3 always
Your Princess
only Yours! "
God has been there with me all through this year (well, He always is!) He has taught me so much about myself and about Himself this year. I have faced many trials but even as I sit here, not having the best day...I KNOW with all my heart that He is here with me! He is never going to leave me, even when my eyes are blurred and I can't see Him fully...it is just my vision that is off, He is still there!
So today I would like to challenge all of You to remember:
- Who your God is
- How big He is
- How much He loves you
- how small your problems are in comparison
- that He will NEVER leave or forsake you
- you need not worry (even about money, food, shelter)
- do not fear
- He is not only your Savior and King, but your TRUE LOVE (no one will ever love you more)
Sunday, September 4, 2011
Moving...or waiting?
First Kiss Girl here, and I'd like to share a regular life lesson everyone faces at least once, if not multiple times! Waiting on the Lord.
Things change in our lives, often it seems when we just get used to the consistency. This isn't due to God's humor, but its His Will; which we will never know fully. It is a part of life for doors to close and others to open-or maybe just a window. But before the next door opens, what do we do? Do we wait around, (as Paul would say...) by no means! We WATCH and wait, we seek and wait, we seek possibilities and wait.
This is SO easy to say, but with every different experience, that isn't all there is. With each unique waiting experience, its more complicated.
I'm still praying about where God wants me this Fall. My passion for youth and purity is strong again, but I'm also struggling with fear. I tend to not jump on big things because of my fear of failure, and not being good enough. This fear, I know, is the enemy trying to stop me! I'm also praying about overcoming this.
I have found things to do, such as: I assist at another youth group, I'm catching up on some reading, and I'm helping my Mom. But thinking about the things I need money for, hangs over my head almost everyday.
When I think about how I could make money, the only things I want to do are things that will help equip me for my husband and home. My dream job would be to work at a church under leadership I trust. But that isn't logical right now.
A part of me feels that this road block is because of my sin of laziness and fear and that until I change I might never get a clear answer...weather this is true that God would wait until I change or not...this makes me a little stressed.
Then I think about just doing SOMETHING no matter how big or small that would bring God glory. Sounds great! But where?
(this is an example of the thoughts I have...you are currently in Mandy's mind!)
So find just a job...or wait for God to make it clear?
I want nothing more than to be in youth ministry more, but (yes, another "but" lol) that doesn't pay for gas or outings.
There is so much ruining through my mind ALL DAY about what I should be doing and if I'm being the best I can. Then verses like Psalm 46:10 come to my mind
"Be still, and know that I am God"
And, Jeremiah 32:27
"I am the Lord, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me?"
And, Jeremiah 29:11
"For I know the plans I have for you' declares the Lord 'plans to prosper you not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future"
God is able!
He can put me where He wants me even with my fear.
He HAS already blessed me that I live with my parents and my Dad is able to still take care of me financially.
I have already learned so much, and I have more to learn.
I will TRUST...but
I will also OBEY...(Matthew 6:25, 34)
My prayer is to be a PROVERBS 31 woman. And truly have DILIGENT HANDS (Proverbs 10:4).
Please intercede for me if God calls you too. Thank you!
Things change in our lives, often it seems when we just get used to the consistency. This isn't due to God's humor, but its His Will; which we will never know fully. It is a part of life for doors to close and others to open-or maybe just a window. But before the next door opens, what do we do? Do we wait around, (as Paul would say...) by no means! We WATCH and wait, we seek and wait, we seek possibilities and wait.
This is SO easy to say, but with every different experience, that isn't all there is. With each unique waiting experience, its more complicated.
I'm still praying about where God wants me this Fall. My passion for youth and purity is strong again, but I'm also struggling with fear. I tend to not jump on big things because of my fear of failure, and not being good enough. This fear, I know, is the enemy trying to stop me! I'm also praying about overcoming this.
I have found things to do, such as: I assist at another youth group, I'm catching up on some reading, and I'm helping my Mom. But thinking about the things I need money for, hangs over my head almost everyday.
When I think about how I could make money, the only things I want to do are things that will help equip me for my husband and home. My dream job would be to work at a church under leadership I trust. But that isn't logical right now.
A part of me feels that this road block is because of my sin of laziness and fear and that until I change I might never get a clear answer...weather this is true that God would wait until I change or not...this makes me a little stressed.
Then I think about just doing SOMETHING no matter how big or small that would bring God glory. Sounds great! But where?
(this is an example of the thoughts I have...you are currently in Mandy's mind!)
So find just a job...or wait for God to make it clear?
I want nothing more than to be in youth ministry more, but (yes, another "but" lol) that doesn't pay for gas or outings.
There is so much ruining through my mind ALL DAY about what I should be doing and if I'm being the best I can. Then verses like Psalm 46:10 come to my mind
"Be still, and know that I am God"
And, Jeremiah 32:27
"I am the Lord, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me?"
And, Jeremiah 29:11
"For I know the plans I have for you' declares the Lord 'plans to prosper you not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future"
God is able!
He can put me where He wants me even with my fear.
He HAS already blessed me that I live with my parents and my Dad is able to still take care of me financially.
I have already learned so much, and I have more to learn.
I will TRUST...but
I will also OBEY...(Matthew 6:25, 34)
My prayer is to be a PROVERBS 31 woman. And truly have DILIGENT HANDS (Proverbs 10:4).
Please intercede for me if God calls you too. Thank you!
posted from Bloggeroid
Thursday, September 1, 2011
It's Amanda's Birthday
Amazing, 22 years ago, I gave birth to this dark haired, BIG eyed little girl. I was induced. Swore I would never do that again. Horrible labor, tough delivery, but the Creator of all, saw me through. I remember praying as I was laboring. But as with most deliveries, we recover. We see that sweet little child in our arms and all we can do is love them with everything in our being. Children are a blessing, from the Lord! They are not trophies, dolls, products of our own selfish desires. They are created by the creator of all and He forms them. In the garden of Eden, the children would have been perfect, there would have been no labor. But, as Eve and Adam, went against God's only rule. It was just one rule. You can have everything around you except this one thing. Sin, sin has caused labor, miscarriages, deformed children, etc. Our bodies are not perfect, so they cannot produce perfect children. But, by God's wonderful grace and the redemption through HIS SON, we are able to handle the imperfections.
My daughter has become a women after God's own heart. What more could I want for Her?
"But seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. " Matthew 6:33 Happy Birthday my Amanda Rose.
Shalom
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)